LAME 3.98 Final, 2008-07-04 23:09 Options

[Sebastian Mares]

Do you guys recommend -V5.7 to be used in my test?

[ZinCh]

It seems that there is something wrong with the current compiles with libsndfile. A few testruns with .flac files as input produced mp3 files with only noise in them.
Just a plain

CODE

LAME.EXE -V 3 "TRACK01.FLAC"

libsndfile-1.dll was in the workig directory of course

Could somebody confirm this please ?

I also have this problem. I am assuming that the precompiled libsndfile-1.dll that is provided with the libsndfile download was not compiled with FLAC support. I don't know this for a fact and, although I've hunted high and low, I can't find any definitive answer to this, but it certainly does not have any FLAC dll dependency. When I have the opportunity, I will try compiling with FLAC support.

This LAME build will work with official pre versions of libsndfile 1.0.18 with FLAC support:

http://www.mega-nerd.com/tmp/?M=D

Direct links - libsndfile-1-0-18pre22a-setup.exe (installer), libsndfile-1.dll (extracted)

This post has been edited by ZinCh: Jul 6 2008, 14:02

[Hanky]

Thanks ZinCh!
The strange part of this is the fact that FLAC support is explicitly mentioned in the table
http://www.mega-nerd.com/libsndfile/

[Serge Smirnoff]

Do you guys recommend -V5.7 to be used in my test?

I think NO coz there is no possibility to make all participating coders to produce equal resulting bit rates. So the use of real-life settings (resulting in acceptable bit rates) seems to be a reasonable compromise.

[john33]

It seems that there is something wrong with the current compiles with libsndfile. A few testruns with .flac files as input produced mp3 files with only noise in them.
Just a plain

CODE

LAME.EXE -V 3 "TRACK01.FLAC"

libsndfile-1.dll was in the workig directory of course

Could somebody confirm this please ?

I also have this problem. I am assuming that the precompiled libsndfile-1.dll that is provided with the libsndfile download was not compiled with FLAC support. I don't know this for a fact and, although I've hunted high and low, I can't find any definitive answer to this, but it certainly does not have any FLAC dll dependency. When I have the opportunity, I will try compiling with FLAC support.

This LAME build will work with official pre versions of libsndfile 1.0.18 with FLAC support:

http://www.mega-nerd.com/tmp/?M=D

Direct links - libsndfile-1-0-18pre22a-setup.exe (installer), libsndfile-1.dll (extracted)

Brilliant, thanks. I'll add this to the Rarewares download. I'll do this momentarily as I'm just about to do a lamedropXPd build that should work with this too, but I'll let you know.

[john33]

OK, I've updated the lame.exe download now compiled to use the libsndfile 1.0.18pre22a dll and I've also added a build of lamedropXPd that works with the same dll and both now accept FLAC files as input and process accordingly.

(Both builds include the new dll.)

[Daffy]

OK, I've updated the lame.exe download now compiled to use the libsndfile 1.0.18pre22a dll and I've also added a build of lamedropXPd that works with the same dll and both now accept FLAC files as input and process accordingly.

(Both builds include the new dll.)

Whoa! I've been waiting 3 years for this day! Whoo hoo!

Just downloaded and tested. Finally can drop a FLAC and get a MP3.

One note: On the Encoding Options screen is showing "Using L.A.M.E. v3.98 beta 8 encoding engine"....is this a typo, or is this still using beta 8 and not the final version?

Also - is the Variable Bitrate Mode relevant anymore? Doesn't 3.98 use --vbr-new as default? Wasn't that what this setting changed, the old vs. new VBR mode? I'm assuming Standard is now --vbr-new. Can you clarify?

Lastly - is there anyway to show the -V settings along the slider so we know where along the scale we're locked in on say -V2 -V3 -V4 -V5, etc. I'm finding it impossible to tell where -V4 is so I can compare LameDrop files with the output of foobar. If this can't be done, don't sweat it.

Anyway, thank you so much for getting LameDropXPd to work with FLAC.

This post has been edited by Daffy: Jul 6 2008, 16:32

[john33]

OK, I've updated the lame.exe download now compiled to use the libsndfile 1.0.18pre22a dll and I've also added a build of lamedropXPd that works with the same dll and both now accept FLAC files as input and process accordingly.

(Both builds include the new dll.)

Whoa! I've been waiting 3 years for this day! Whoo hoo!

Just downloaded and tested. Finally can drop a FLAC and get a MP3.

One note: On the Encoding Options screen is showing "Using L.A.M.E. v3.98 beta 8 encoding engine"....is this a typo, or is this still using beta 8 and not the final version?

Also - is the Variable Bitrate Mode relevant anymore? Doesn't 3.98 use --vbr-new as default? Wasn't that what this setting changed, the old vs. new VBR mode? I'm assuming Standard is now --vbr-new. Can you clarify?

Lastly - is there anyway to show the -V settings along the slider so we know where along the scale we're locked in on say -V2 -V3 -V4 -V5, etc. I'm finding it impossible to tell where -V4 is so I can compare LameDrop files with the output of foobar. If this can't be done, don't sweat it.

Anyway, thank you so much for getting LameDropXPd to work with FLAC.

Your right, it was a typo! I've fixed that and uploaded again. This version does not accept ogg files for input as it uses libsndfile exclusively for input purposes. If you want to drop ogg files as well, you'll need both versions, but they can share the same ini file and co-exist quite happily.

[Daffy]

OK, I've updated the lame.exe download now compiled to use the libsndfile 1.0.18pre22a dll and I've also added a build of lamedropXPd that works with the same dll and both now accept FLAC files as input and process accordingly.

(Both builds include the new dll.)

Whoa! I've been waiting 3 years for this day! Whoo hoo!

Just downloaded and tested. Finally can drop a FLAC and get a MP3.

One note: On the Encoding Options screen is showing "Using L.A.M.E. v3.98 beta 8 encoding engine"....is this a typo, or is this still using beta 8 and not the final version?

Also - is the Variable Bitrate Mode relevant anymore? Doesn't 3.98 use --vbr-new as default? Wasn't that what this setting changed, the old vs. new VBR mode? I'm assuming Standard is now --vbr-new. Can you clarify?

Lastly - is there anyway to show the -V settings along the slider so we know where along the scale we're locked in on say -V2 -V3 -V4 -V5, etc. I'm finding it impossible to tell where -V4 is so I can compare LameDrop files with the output of foobar. If this can't be done, don't sweat it.

Anyway, thank you so much for getting LameDropXPd to work with FLAC.

Your right, it was a typo! I've fixed that and uploaded again. This version does not accept ogg files for input as it uses libsndfile exclusively for input purposes. If you want to drop ogg files as well, you'll need both versions, but they can share the same ini file and co-exist quite happily.

OK, looks like we still need to toggle "Fast" on Variable Bitrate Mode to get --vbr-new. Is the old vbr mode still an option in 3.98 because it looks like the "Standard" setting is still using the old mode. I thought I read that --vbr-new is now the default.

[Kim_C]

OK, I've updated the lame.exe download now compiled to use the libsndfile 1.0.18pre22a dll and I've also added a build of lamedropXPd that works with the same dll and both now accept FLAC files as input and process accordingly.

Hi John, thanks for the release with flac support.

OK, looks like we still need to toggle "Fast" on Variable Bitrate Mode to get --vbr-new. Is the old vbr mode still an option in 3.98 because it looks like the "Standard" setting is still using the old mode. I thought I read that --vbr-new is now the default.

You're right, with "Standard" setting lamedrop uses the old mode. I converted few flacs to mp3's and encspot shows in Lame Tag: "VBR Method - vbr-old / vbr-rh". If i encode wav's with normal 3.98 lame, encspot shows in Lame Tag: "VBR Method - vbr mtrh".

Also, LamedropXPd doesn't copy tags from flacs to mp3 like oggdropXPd does. But i guess this is because of libsndfile...

[john33]

You're right, I forgot to change the default on the Method. I've changed it for subsequent compiles, but it's probably not worth uploading again.

And, Kim_C, you're also right, as the FLAC routines are courtesy of libsndfile, tag copying is not catered for, but still a step in the right direction, I think.

[le_canz]

OK, I've updated the lame.exe download now compiled to use the libsndfile 1.0.18pre22a dll and I've also added a build of lamedropXPd that works with the same dll and both now accept FLAC files as input and process accordingly.

(Both builds include the new dll.)

Wow

As always, thanks !

[Echizen]

Do you guys recommend -V5.7 to be used in my test?

I want to see a comparison of different encoders in mostly equal bitrate ranges. So if -V 5 now produces ~150kbps in a 128kbps test ist's not ok in my opinion. I also would like to see lame 3.98 and 3.97; so we may get a new recommended encoder + setting with lame 3.98 after the test.

[weaker]

Thanks to the Lame devs for the new version and many thanks to John33 for finally including FLAC support into LamedropXPd

[/mnt]

I have seem to have ripped a NES video game music sample that LAME 3.97 sounds worse then 3.98 at -V5.

LAME 3.97 -V 5 --vbr-new

CODE

foo_abx 1.3.3 report
foobar2000 v0.9.5.3
2008/07/06 23:54:31

File A: C:\Temp\Metal Gear NFS Rip Preview\NES_MetalGearBGM LAME3.97 V5.mp3
File B: C:\Temp\Metal Gear NFS Rip Preview\NES_MetalGearBGM.flac

23:54:31 : Test started.
23:54:51 : 01/01 50.0%
23:55:00 : 02/02 25.0%
23:55:28 : 03/03 12.5%
23:55:44 : 04/04 6.3%
23:55:58 : 05/05 3.1%
23:56:04 : 06/06 1.6%
23:56:13 : 07/07 0.8%
23:56:27 : 08/08 0.4%
23:56:33 : 09/09 0.2%
23:56:44 : 10/10 0.1%
23:56:46 : Test finished.

----------
Total: 10/10 (0.1%)

LAME 3.98 -V 5

CODE

foo_abx 1.3.3 report
foobar2000 v0.9.5.3
2008/07/06 23:57:43

File A: C:\Temp\Metal Gear NFS Rip Preview\NES_MetalGearBGM LAME3.98 V5.mp3
File B: C:\Temp\Metal Gear NFS Rip Preview\NES_MetalGearBGM.flac

23:57:43 : Test started.
23:58:13 : 01/01 50.0%
23:58:24 : 02/02 25.0%
23:59:19 : 03/03 12.5%
23:59:39 : 04/04 6.3%
23:59:46 : 05/05 3.1%
00:00:23 : 06/06 1.6%
00:00:40 : 07/07 0.8%
00:00:47 : 07/08 3.5%
00:01:05 : 08/09 2.0%
00:01:46 : 08/10 5.5%
00:01:50 : Test finished.

----------
Total: 8/10 (5.5%)

I have to seem to have more trouble doing a ABX on the 3.98 encode. At the moment am having trouble doing any tests, since I can not barely hear much at of my right ear, which is likely to be a bad ear wax build up hopefully.

The sample was a 30 sec preview, produced on foobar2000 with the Game Emu music plugin. from a NSF file of a NES and MSX game called Metal Gear. The source was a FLAC preview trancode with the Mono to Stero DSP plugin enabled.

EDIT:

I have uploaded the sample

This post has been edited by /mnt: Jul 7 2008, 02:54

[Rain]

Thanks, another great release

BTW, I'm not sure if anyone's noticed but many of the pages on the official LAME sourceforge website are not valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional.

[antihero]

john33, a big thank you for the LAME 3.98 compile(s) on Rarewares! Many thanks brother.

[Bad Monkey]

Is there a 64 bit compile available from anyone yet?

[Agent69]

I know that there are 64bit versions of LAME out there for Unix, such as the version that I run on my x64 Arch Linux box, but I can't recall ever seeing one for Windows. Is a 64 bit version possible for Windows?

[Bad Monkey]

There's an old one out there, apparently it was slightly faster, in the order on 10%, in 64-bit. I'm hoping someone has or will do a binary for 3.98.

[krmathis]

Is there a 64 bit compile available from anyone yet?

My LAME binary contain 64-bit code.
http://www.rarewares.org/files/mp3/Lame%203.98.dmg

[Bad Monkey]

My LAME binary contain 64-bit code.
http://www.rarewares.org/files/mp3/Lame%203.98.dmg

Is that a Mac binary? Why DMG?
I see it is. Very funny. Do a 64-bit version for the OS that most people use and I'll be your best friend.

This post has been edited by Bad Monkey: Jul 8 2008, 13:23

[Agent69]

My LAME binary contain 64-bit code.
http://www.rarewares.org/files/mp3/Lame%203.98.dmg

Is that a Mac binary? Why DMG?

Disk images are the standard way of distributing programs in the Mac world (or at least it was when I sold my Mac and bought a PC in 2006). Sadly, in Windows almost every app maker seems to think you need an installer when a simply zip file would suffice.

But back on topic, I gave 3.98 a try and it seems very nice. I embedded cover art into a test file and Foobar and iTunes both picked it up fine. I also noticed in the command help that you can now supply not just the track number but also total tracks of the album. All in all, a nice update I'd say.

This post has been edited by Agent69: Jul 8 2008, 17:42

[DJED]

I can't wait to update my apps.

I am a alt preset extreme kind of sort . I guess this is still V0?

Has this improved any over the early 3.98 betas?

Thanks!

[Agent69]

Since the "newer VBR code is now LAME's default VBR routine", does that mean that

CODE

-V0 --vbr-new

now simply becomes

CODE

-V0