The Steel Guitar Forum

I purchased new software to write karaoke MP3+G music CDs. It said my computer does not support MP3. Huh? it's a brand new laptop with Windows Vista? What in the world is a "lame_enc.dll"? Here are the instructions for the download. I really am hesitant about downloading something i am not familiar with.


Follow these directions to install MP3 support on your computer.

At right, right-click on the "Download lame_enc.dll" link.
Select "Save Target As...".
If a color bar appears at the top of your browser window, click it and then click the drop down menu "Download file...".
Choose where to store it on your computer, and click the "Save" button.
When download is done, click the "Open Folder" button
Unzip the "lame_enc.zip" file.
Extract or copy only the "lame_enc.dll" file to your "C:\Windows\System32" directory.
Read if System32 is missing
Your computer now has MP3 support.
If your System32 folder is hidden:

Open Windows Explorer
Click Tools Tab
Click Folder Options
At the top click View
Find Show Hidden Files and Folders, click to activate it
Uncheck the next two lines below and answer YES to warning message
At the bottom click Apply
Click OK and again OK on first window
Find C:\Windows and click "+"
Scroll down to System32 and copy Lame_enc.dll into it

"lame_enc.dll" is a LGPL mp3 encoder that allows one to record, or convert .wav audio files into .mp3 format. The LAME website is here. This is different than playing back an mp3, which just about every computer built since 1997 can do, with their built-in media players.

The Lame Encoder is not distributable without payment of a royalty in some countries, so the software you bought must not have a budget to pay for it (Audacity is one that cannot include this file). Since you don't already have that encoder you will need to get a copy. It is available from free-codecs.com and other sources, like the one you listed. Download the file and run a virus scan on it, for safety sake. If it is clean move it to the %system32% directory, as shown in your instructions.

Thank you so very much Mr Feinberg for taking the time to explain this to me. My dad George Redmon told me if anyone would know about this, it would be you. I think you moderators do a super job on this forum, and again you came through. Thank You, Lillie