Free

Absolutely Free

LAME overview

LAME is a high quality MPEG Audio Layer III (MP3) encoder licensed under the LGPL.

LAME is only distribued in source code form. For binaries and GUI based programs which can use LAME (or include fully licensed versions of LAME), check the LAME related links. All software from the LAME project can be found in the project's file area.

LAME development started around mid-1998. Mike Cheng started it as a patch against the 8hz-MP3 encoder sources. After some quality concerns raised by others, he decided to start from scratch based on the dist10 sources. His goal was only to speed up the dist10 sources and leave its quality untouched. That branch (a patch against the reference sources) became Lame 2.0, and with Lame 3.81 all of dist10 code was replaced, making LAME no more only a patch.

The project quickly became a team project. Mike Cheng eventually left leadership and started working on tooLame, an MP2 encoder. Mark Taylor became a leader and started pursuing better quality in addition to increased speed. He can be considered the initiator of the LAME project in its current form. He released version 3.0 featuring gpsycho, a new psychoacoustic model he developed.

In early 2003 Mark left project leadership, and since then the project has been lead through the cooperation of the active developers (currently three individuals).

Today, LAME is considered the best MP3 encoder at mid-high bitrates and at VBR, mostly thanks to the dedicated work of its developers and the open-source licensing model that allowed the project to tap into engineering resources from all around the world. Both quality and speed improvements are still happening, probably making LAME the only MP3 encoder still being actively developed.

LAME features:

Quality better than all other encoders at most bitrates.
Fast! Encodes faster than real time on a PII 266 at highest quality mode.
Many improvements in quality in speed over ISO reference software. See history.
MPEG1, MPEG2 and MPEG2.5 layer III encoding.
CBR (constant bitrate) and two types of variable bitrate, VBR and ABR.
Encoding engine can be compiled as a shared library (Linux/UNIX), DLL , Directshow filter or ACM codec (Windows).
Free format encoding and decoding.
GPSYCHO: a GPL'd psycho acoustic and noise shaping model.
Powerful and easy to use presets.
MP3x: a GTK/X-Window MP3 frame analyzer for both .mp3 and unencoded audio files.

What’s new in version 3.100

Updated on May 21 2019

Version 3.100:

Note: The donwloadable file is an encoder component for the host application.

Information

License

Free

Size

1.5 MB

Developer’s website

https://lame.sourceforge.io/index.php

Downloads

160853

App requirements

Intel 64
Intel 32
Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later

0.0

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Comments
User Ratings

Knapster

Nov 15 2017

3.99.5

Version: 3.99.5

Lastest build is here: http://lame.buanzo.org/#lameosxdl

Big-Mac-XXL

Jun 11 2014

The latest LAME 3.99.5 ist built into the free XLD (X Lossless Decoder). Works great.

SickTeddyBear

Aug 20 2010

3.98.4

Version: 3.98.4

Intel and Universal LAME binaries: http://www.rarewares.org/mp3-lame-bundle.php PowerPC optimized LAME binaries: http://tmkk.hp.infoseek.co.jp/lame/index_e.html

Dannymontani

Apr 1 2010

Going here worked for me; http://web.me.com/krmathis/

Chas-m

Mar 23 2010

Unless I missed something, this 3.98.4 is for Windows only. The "Download Now" link gets redirected to a general page, from whence the download for Mac is version 3.98 (.0) and dated from July.

Mar 4 2010

3.98.3

Version: 3.98.3

While the source code for 3.98.3 has been released, a compiled version is not yet available, and the source has not been added to Fink or MacPorts yet. If you need a compiled version of LAME immediately, then download the older version: http://web.me.com/krmathis/applications/Lame%203.98.2.dmg

Ean

Feb 28 2010

http://www.rarewares.org/dancer/dancer.php?f=286

Wanderer

What? Link says its a ZIP file then it goes to a mish mash site that's so badly laid out I couldn't find the installer/updater. I'll stick with the current version thanks. I need LAME to use with Sound Edit to save as mp3.

B-Jefferson-Le-Blanc

Why do they post Windows stuff on a Mac software web site? Someone's not paying attention, it seems. In any case this shows once again the wonder of open source, written by propeller-heads for propeller-heads. Now and then you'll find someone who actually knows how to design a UI for his little bag of tricks, but it's the exception that proves the rule. Why the rant, you say? Why indeed. Have you ever heard the open source folks talk about the great unwashed - that is the majority of code impaired users? They literally ooze with contempt for anyone too benighted to know how to use a computer without a friendly UI. Of course, even the UNIX and Windows shells are a UI of sorts, just a very primitive one. But don't tell the open source geeks that. They think they're the very epitome of modern high-tech sophistication. For them 1979 is forever.

nospam-5

I should have added that there probably won't be an OS X update to 3.98.3, since the source code hasn't changed (only the Windows compiler).

Link goes to PC executables. Krmathis' page doesn't yet have an OSX update for LAME 3.98.3.

Corpsecorps

Dec 14 2009

3.98.2

Version: 3.98.2

What are some good GUI's which use LAME? I'm not terribly uncomfortable with the command line, i just don't like having to remember a bunch of details. I don't buy Macs so i can pretend it's the 80's and do everything via commands.

Blacksmith-tb

Nov 24 2009

Presumably you meant "Audacity" and not "Audion"...

Dp-G4-450guy

Nov 6 2009

http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/ Install the LAME for Audion for Mac - issues solved without all this stupid terminal hassle.

Macnews

Sep 5 2009

Links to PC executable.

Pwenzel

Jul 10 2009

3.98

Version: 3.98

I would like to say this is exactly what I was looking for; a nicely pre-compiled LAME binary that I can download and run. For folks unfamiliar with the install process, just open the Terminal and enter this without quotes: "sudo cp /Volumes/lame/lame /usr/local/bin/lame" Enter your password to finish copying it. Then close your Terminal window, and open a new one. Type "lame --help" to see if it works. Here is a nicely formatted version of the LAME man page: http://linux.die.net/man/1/lame Peace

Nicolasd

Jan 6 2009

this is the problem with open source software. no directions for installation/uninstallation. no directions on use. this download contains only, a file called "lame" and the software license text file. period. no directions on the website either. unhelpful to say the least.

anonymous-worm-6592

Jan 4 2009

This isn't for people who aren't comfortable with the command line--if you don't know or care what /usr/local/bin is, or how to put things there, give it a pass. If you want a great GUI for encoding MP3s, try Max.

Meego

Jan 3 2009

krmathis: you're everywhere mate. Thanks for the open-source goodness!

Samdale67

Wondering how this install of LAME 3.98 relates to an existing install of iTunes-LAME Encoder. Will iTunes-LAME Encoder use 3.98? Will this install of 3.98 screw up iTunes-LAME Encoder? Clearly I'm in the dark. Thanks.