The LAME Homepage
Lame Ain't
an MP3 Encoder
In the great history of GNU naming, LAME stands for LAME
Ain't
an Mp3 Encoder. LAME is not an mp3 encoder.
It is on open source patch against the dist10 ISO demonstration source.
LAME is totally incapable of producing an mp3 stream. It is incapable of
even being compiled by itself. You need the ISO source for this
software to work. The ISO demonstration source is also freely available,
but any commercial use (including distributing free encoders) may require
a license agreement from FhG.
LAME is an educational tool to be used for learning about MP3 encoding.
The goal of the LAME project is to improve the psycho acoustics, quality
and speed of MP3. Another goal of the LAME project is to use these
improvements for the basis of a patent free audio
compression codec for the GNU project.
LAME v3.13 - June 1999:
-
MPEG1 layer III and MPEG2 layer III.
-
GPSYCHO: a GPL'd psycho acoustic model.
Variable bitrate (VBR), joint
stereo, great pre-echo control and much improved
bit allocation!
-
Quality is
substantially
better
than ISO psy-model based encoders and close to that of the FhG encoder.
-
Fast! Encodes faster than real time
on a PII 266. Lower quality modes are much faster.
-
MP3x: a GTK/X-Window MP3
frame analyzer for both .mp3 and unencoded audio files.
-
Download. Compiles on Linux,
Unix, Windows, MacOS, BeOS, AmigaOS, OS/2
For those interested in MP3 encoding and LAME development, join the
mp3encoder
mailing list.
LAME was originally developed by Mike
Cheng, (LAME v2.1f Nov 1998)
and is now maintained by Mark Taylor.
It includes contributions from many people - see History.
LAME 3.x uses software from:
Software which supports LAME:
-
CDex: ripper & encoder
(for Microsoft Windows.)
-
Grip:
gtk-based cd-player, ripper and encoder. Supports cdparanoia and
LAME.
-
Krabber A KDE
front-end ripper & encoder.
-
LiveIce
Real time streaming of mp3s. Works with IceCast.
Other free MP3 encoders:
Most free "encoders" are just front ends for other encoders.
Some, like BladeEnc are just faster versions of the buggy ISO demonstration
encoder. The problem with these is that the quality at any
bitrate is noticeably inferior to the commercial encoders.
-
MP3Encoder
from FhG. All other encoders strive to sound this good. Free
version only encodes up to 30 seconds.
-
BladeEnc The most popular
free encoder for Linux.
-
Mpecker (for Mac)
No source code. Eventually going commercial. Substantial, but proprietary
improvements in both speed and quality.
Related Links:
-
My favorite Linux ripper: cdparanoia
-
Great site for technical information: mp3tech
-
What is MP3? Check out mp3.com
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mp3check
A program to check integrity of mp3 files.
-
mp3asm
A program to cut and paste mp3 frames.
Patent Information:
E-mail: mt@sulaco.org