LAME 3.98 Beta 8  beta

Publisher's Description:

LAME is an educational tool to be used for learning about MP3 encoding. The goal of the LAME project is to use the open source model to improve the psycho acoustics, noise shaping and speed of MP3. LAME is not for everyone - it is distributed as source code only and requires the ability to use a C compiler. However, many popular ripping and encoding programs include the LAME encoding engine.

Latest Changes:

• Bundle compiled with Intel Compiler 10.1 (Includes the decoding fix for mp3 files and the fix for decoding through stdout. Both now included in CVS
• Also now includes Nyaochi's Album Art Id3 Patch, also in the CVS.)
• LAME now accepts a floating point value in the range [0,...,10[ as VBR quality setting, like -V5.678
• Found and fixed some suspicious code in additive masking calculation for VBR-NEW
• Bug-fix:experimental code was defaulted by accident for VBR-NEW
• Fix for some endianess problem on big-endian machines

Screenshot:

Latest User Reviews:

Reviewer:	scious	May 8, 2008
Version:	3.98 Beta 8
Simply the best of its kind and free. There can be only 1 rating for it. If you are worried about AAC and the myriad of other formats out there, then if you want true high quality music there is only one format to encode to - FLAC.
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Reviewer:	Ciolouse	May 1, 2008
Version:	3.98 Beta 6
Beta 8 is out since April 13 2008: * LAME now accepts a floating point value in the range [0,...,10[ as VBR quality setting, like -V5.678 * Found and fixed some suspicious code in additive masking calculation for VBR-NEW * bug-fix:experimental code was defaulted by accident for VBR-NEW * fix for some endianess problem on big-endian machines
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Reviewer:	roj	Oct 22, 2007
Version:	3.98 Beta 6
on successors to mp3: mp3 succeeded DESPITE fraunhofer's predatory licensing because of projects like lame. it became so ubiquitous that hardware vendors were forced to take notice. it also had the advantage of being impossible to attach drm to. whenever i hear of a new format that is so wunnerfull and thrilling that words fail those gushing over it (NOT), i remember those traits and re-evaluate. anything that costs money and can have drm attached to it Is Not Worth The Price Of Admission. Forget the techie-pundits - stay free and open. FUVE stars for the old vanguard that still is going strong - EVERYWHERE.
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Reviewer:	thomas.tmc	Oct 22, 2007
Version:	3.98 Beta 6
LAME is by far the best MP3 encoder. However, MP3 is a 20 year old format and AAC (M4A) is much better at both high and low bitrates. The creater of MP3 at Fraunhoffer has said that AAC is the successor to MP3, and he should know. If you are into great sounding MP3s, LAME is the best choice, but if you're into great sounding music, AAC is the only choice. BTW, use Nero's free AAC encoder, and if you're still worrying about making your encoding at 128kbps or 192kbps for smaller files, go get a terabyte HDD and an 80GB iPod and start worrying more about making your encoding actually sound as good as the CD, which 128 or even 256kbps has never done in any format.
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Reviewer:	bobad	Aug 13, 2007
Version:	3.98 Beta 5
Great software at an unbeatable price. I am now thoroughly educated.
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