LAME
 LAME official logo
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LAME v3.99.5 running under Linux
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| Developer(s) | The LAME development team |
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| Initial release | 1998 |
| Stable release |
3.99.5 / 28 February 2012
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| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Codec |
| License | GNU Lesser General Public License |
| Website | lame |
LAME is an encoder that converts audio to the MP3 file format. LAME is a free software project that has had many improvements since it was first released in 1998, including an improved psychoacoustic model. Lame is widely recommended as an MP3 encoder, because it performs well in codec listening tests. The LAME encoder outperforms early encoders like L3enc.
LAME is required by some programs (e.g., Audacity) to create MP3 files. LAME is required as an add-on for many Open Source audio programs because the MP3 format is encumbered by software patents. Having these patented procedures (which require licensing in some countries) moved to a separate program allows Open Source programmers to avoid having to worry about those copyright issues.
The name LAME is a recursive acronym for "LAME Ain't an MP3 Encoder". Around mid-1998, Mike Cheng created LAME 1.0 as a set of modifications against the "8Hz-MP3" encoder source code. After some quality concerns raised by others, he decided to start again from scratch based on the "dist10" MPEG reference software 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. The project quickly became a team project. Mike Cheng eventually left leadership and started working on tooLAME (an MP2 encoder).
Mark Taylor then started pursuing increased quality in addition to better speed, and released version 3.0 featuring gpsycho, a new psychoacoustic model he developed.
A few key improvements, in chronological order:
Like all MP3 encoders, LAME implements some technology covered by patents owned by the Fraunhofer Society and other entities. The developers of LAME do not themselves license the technology described by these patents. Distributing compiled binaries of LAME, its libraries, or programs that derive from LAME in countries that recognize those patents may be patent infringing. Most or all of these patents are now expired.
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