LAME is only distributed 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.
Current Versions
Mar 24, 2020 To use LAME(or FFmpeg) with Audacity, you can put it anyplace you need, yet the first occasion when you need to send out an MP3 record, Audacity will approach you for the location of this document. FFmpeg is a process of many other programming undertakings, and its libraries are a centerpiece of programming media players. The 'Locate LAME' dialog is also accessible by clicking Locate. In the 'MP3 Export Library' section of the Libraries Preferences. If you don't know where to find LAME, or don't think you have it on your system, follow the Windows, Mac or Linux/Unix instructions below to download and install it.
The current release version of LAME is 3.100
Source code tarballs of the versions can be downloaded from SourceForge.
You will need to use it after some interval, as usual updates should make the folder invisible again.Again, remember that before you start editing the contents of this folder, you need to make sure you know what you’re doing! Deleting or moving the wrong file(s) inside this folder could cause an application to misbehave, to lose its settings, or even to lose data.Did the methods detailed above work for you? In OS X Mavericks/Yosemite or later, you can use this setting at any time to make the folder visible.
LAME compiles on Windows, DOS, GNU/Linux, MacOS X, *BSD, Solaris, HP-UX, Tru64 Unix, AIX, Irix, NeXTstep, SCO Unix, UnixWare, Ultrix, Plan 9, OpenVMS, MacOS Classic, BeOS, QNX, RiscOS, AmigaOS, OS/2, SkyOS, FreeMiNT(Atari) and probably a few more.
Development Versions
Lame Library Install Location Mac Download
LAME source code is maintained with SVN, hosted on SourceForge.net. For instructions on downloading the current development sources, go to the SVN information page of the LAME project on SourceForge.net.
Lame Library Install Location Mac Os
Audio Project >
Download and Install Audacity & Lame Mp3 Encoder
Video Tutorial
Step by Step Instructions (PC)
Step by Step Instructions (MAC)
Video: How to Download and Install Audacity and the LAME Mp3 Encoder Watch the following video to learn how to download and install Audacity and the Lame MP3 Encoder. (Note: You must have the LAME encoder in order to export your audio projects as mp3s!) Download and Install Audacity. Download and Install the Lame Mp3 Encoder. (Remember! You MUST download the Lame Encoder!)
Downloading and Installing Audacity and the LAME Mp3 Encoder on a PC
The current version of Audacity is located in the box on the left side of the downloads page.
Download the Audacity Installation file to your computer by clicking on the link and selecting 'Save File'.
Download the Lame Mp3 Encoder: Note: You must install this in order to export your audio project to an .mp3 format
After you have located the Audacity download for your operating machine and saved the file, select 'Optional Downloads'.
Click on the LAME Mp3 Encoder link.
At the LAME Mp3 Encoder Download Page, click the link underneath the operating system for your machine (ie Windows). It will redirect you to a page where the LAME download is available for free.
Select the appropriate file to download (Note: For a PC, you will select the .exe file).
When prompted, select 'Save File'.
Installing Audacity:
Run the Audacity program installation by double clicking on the file you downloaded (Note: These files should be located in your Downloads list in the Firefox Browser. They are also located in the folder on your computer you designate downloads to be saved in).
You may be asked if you 'trust' the program because it is a file downloaded from the Internet. Click 'Yes'.
A pop-up box will appear asking you to 'Run' the program. Click the 'Run' button.
The installation will now run in the Set Up Wizard.
Follow the installation instructions. Click the 'Next' button in the Set Up Wizard.
Next, you will be prompted to agree to the 'Terms of Use'. Then, select 'Next'.
Follow the prompts on where the program will be saved (Program Files), as well as creating a desktop icon.
You are now ready to complete the installation. Click on the 'Install' button.
Once the installation is complete, you will be prompted to close the installation box by clicking 'Finish'. Audacity is now a program on your computer and will be located in your Program Files and/or on your Desktop.
Locate the program (its icon is a set of Headphones with wavelengths) and open it. You are now ready to create audio projects.
Installing the LAME Mp3 Encoder:
Run the Audacity program installation by double clicking on the file you downloaded (Note: These files should be located in your Downloads list in the Firefox Browser. They are also located in the folder on your computer you designate downloads to be saved in).
You will now complete the installation process. The installation will consist of several steps.
You will be asked if you 'trust' the program because it is a file downloaded from the Internet. Click 'Yes'.
A pop-up box will appear asking you to 'Run' the program. Click the 'Run' button.
The installation will now run in the Set Up Wizard.
Follow the installation instructions. Click the 'Next' button in the Set Up Wizard.
Next, you will be prompted to agree to the 'Terms of Use'. Then, select 'Next'.
Follow the prompts on where the program will be saved (Program Files). IMPORTANT NOTE! : You will need to know the “Destination Location” of the LAME Library once it is installed. When you complete your first audio project and export it as an MP3, you will be prompted to located the LAME library. Scribble down its location somewhere you will be able to access it later. Click the 'Next' button.
You are now ready to install the program. Click the 'Install' button. Once completed, the Set Up Wizard will ask you to close. Click the 'Finish' button.
Step by Step Instructions for Downloading and Installing Audacity and the LAME Mp3 Encoder on a MAC Download Audacity:
Make Sure you have located the stable version of Audacity. It is located in the box on the left side of the downloads.
Look for your operating system, which is MAC OS X.
Download the Audacity Installation file to your computer (it will be called something like audacity-macosx-ub-2.0.0.dmg) by clicking on the link and selecting 'Save File'.
Download the Lame Mp3 Encoder: Note: You must install this in order to export your audio project to an .mp3 format
After you have located the Audacity download for your operating machine and saved the file, scroll down to the bottom of the page and locate the 'Optional Downloads' section.
Click on the LAME Mp3 Encoder link.
At the LAME Mp3 Encoder Download Page, click the link underneath the operating system for your machine (ie.MAC OS). It will redirect you to a page where the LAME download is available for free.
Select the appropriate file to download (Note: on a MAC, you will select the .dmg file).
When prompted, select 'Save File', the click 'OK'.
Install Audacity:
Run the Audacity program installation by double clicking on the file you downloaded (Note: These files should be located in your Downloads list in the Firefox Browser. They are also located in the folder on your computer you designate downloads to be saved in).
Follow the step by step installation instructions.
The installation will now run in a small box. Once completed, it will open Audacity in a folder. Drag this folder to your Applications folder, open it, and double click on the Headphones icon to launch the program.
You will be prompted by a message that asks if you trust the program since it was downloaded from the Internet. Select the 'Yes' button. It will now launch Audacity and you are ready to begin creating audio projects.
Audacity will now launch a recording window. You are ready to begin creating audio projects.
Install the LAME Mp3 Encoder:
Download the LAME Mp3 Encoder library by double clicking on the file you downloaded. (Note: These files should be located in your Downloads list in the Firefox Browser. They are also located in the folder on your computer you designate downloads to be saved in).
You will now complete the installation process. The installation will consist of several steps.
Unstuff the 'Lame Library' by double clicking on the box icon.
Click on the 'Continue' button on the Installer page that pops up after you have unstuffed the 'Lame Library' package.
Select your hard drive as the location to save the LAME Library when prompted. Simply click on the HD icon. NOTE! It's really important you remember where it's saving your LAME Library. You'll need this information when you go to export your first audio project to an mp3. Scribble it down somewhere where you can access it later. Don't forget!
The installation will now run. A progress bar will show you the status of the installation.
Once finished, you will received an 'Installation Complete!' message. You have finished installing the LAME library. Click the 'Close' button.
You will need to use it after some interval, as usual updates should make the folder invisible again.Again, remember that before you start editing the contents of this folder, you need to make sure you know what you’re doing! Deleting or moving the wrong file(s) inside this folder could cause an application to misbehave, to lose its settings, or even to lose data.Did the methods detailed above work for you? In OS X Mavericks/Yosemite or later, you can use this setting at any time to make the folder visible.