Direct Export to MP3 now possible!

[Jerm]

========================= update 9/29/2011 ===================

I have recently discovered that while the old LAME Quicktime component (link below) installs fine and runs well, it only produces correct MP3 files if you select the constant bit rate (CBR) option. The developer did not implement variable (or average) bit rate correctly. Average bit rate (ABR) and Variable bit rate (VBR) MP3 files are generally of higher quality than ones created with CBR. I have implemented a version of the LAME Quicktime Encoder that correctly handles ABR (Average bit rate encoding) by calling the appropriate LAME functions.

Instructions for using MP3 output in Metro:

For PC:
Metro will export audio directly to MP3 files but only if the LAME encoder library is already installed on your computer. The LAME library is avaiilable online in the form of a .dll file, named 'lame_enc.dll'. This file can be freely downloaded from http://www.rarewares.org/mp3-lame-bundle.php. Once installed be sure to set the path to the library in the MP3 tab of the preferences dialog, accessed from the file menu.

For Mac:
Obtain a copy of the LAME Quicktime Installer (newest version is available temporarily by sending an email requesting it to info @ sagantech.biz).
Run the installer. When outputting an audio file using Quicktime an option for LAME Mp3 will appear.


LAME's main site is here: http://www.mp3dev.org

=============================================================

Well unfortunately the updated link appears to again be broken.
I haven't tried it yet but I think this linkshould work.

=============================================================

The original message (below) is outdated and the links are now dead. However the LAME Encoder, Quicktime Component, and Framework are now all included in an installer that makes this easy. It is also now a Universal Binary, meaning it will work on both PowerPC and Intel platforms. Here is the new link.

======================== Original Message ========================

I happy to announce that is pretty easy to get Metro to export stereo files as MP3 directly from the export menu using the LAME encoder. To install this you will need two different downloads.
The first is the Quicktime LAME MP3 Encoder and the second is the LAME Framework.

Both will need to be installed separately. There seems to be a major problem if the source file is mono. It outputs buzz. It does work nicely for stereo files but there is no way to set the output bit rate. Perhaps an update will fix this soon.

[Jerm]

I am expecting to see a much improved version of the MP3 LAME Encoder soon. It should include a BitRate popup selector so that the user can select the encoding quality and it has several bugs fixed.

[rlwilliams]

Does this work for OS 9?

[Jerm]

I do not think so. Check the links to find out for sure.

[Jerm]

New version 1.01 supports settings of bit rates and more and this link mysteriously credits Sagan Technology... hmmmm

[Scoot]

mysteriously credits Sagan Technology... hmmmm

Should it not?
A free plug for Sagan is better than no plug at all.


scoot

[w]

Both will need to be installed separately.


.

Hopelessly lost when there is no automatic installer.

Installing LAMEComponent?

Where do I install these 2 folders
LAMEEncoder.component

src

Installing LAMEFrame?


The LAMEFrame folder has 8 items. Other than the text files where do I install those other files?

[Scoot]

LAME.framework
harddiskname/LIBRARY/frameworks


LAME.Encoder
harddiskname/LIBRARY/Quicktime


isn't it in the readme or on the site you got it from?

[jukehouse]

I followed Scoot instructions above for installation:

LAME.framework
harddiskname/LIBRARY/frameworks

LAME.Encoder
harddiskname/LIBRARY/Quicktime

but didn't see an option to export as mp3 thru Quicktime

[Scoot]

audio track

export track

export using quicktime

choose "Sound to Lame MP3"


(maybe try them under your own user name?)

[jukehouse]

I often forget to restart after installation.
I went back and did that and it works just as its supposed to.
Its great having the mp3 export. Saves a couple of steps.

[Scoot]

I often forget to restart after installation.
I went back and did that and it works just as its supposed to.

Some things you can get away with just a logout.

[Jerm]

I find batch convert to Mp3 from the jukebox to be very useful.

[adrianlambert]

if anyone knows where to get the lameencoder.component in universal form, i'd be very grateful.

[Jerm]

It looks like the LAME framework and QT Component have been pulled from the original site. This is really kind of a bummer. Perhaps the MP3 patent holders threatened a law suit.