...is there a way to format the command so that the resulting file is stereo rather than joint stereo? I'd like to try (for example) alt preset standard in stereo rather than JS. Not interested in debate. Don't want to get the big smackdown from the resident experts. I would just like to know if it can be done. And if so what would the command string be?

If you had consulted LAME's help files or help output, you would have found out right away. Try appending -m s to the front or the end of your options string, and tell us what you find.

As always, I can count on the HA Forum gurus to be cheerfully helpful.

Sorry to bother. It's just easier to ask in case someone might actually already KNOW the answer rather than searching through various help files and/or threads for the answer.

Usually help files provided with software are there to help...

Nor would you have to fire up your browser, post your question, wait for a response from someone gracious enough to take their time to respond, read that response, and act upon it. In the meantime, you could have simply typed lame --help, found your answer and been on your way.

BTW: when adjusting --alt-preset settings with other command-line options those options almost always have to follow the alt-preset option.

Which, perhaps, is an example of an answer to a more appropriate question for this forum.

just for the record: Joint Stereo should always be used when it comes to LAME...it will sound the same as Stereo, but rather give higher quality (ABR, CBR) or lower bitrates (vbr)...