SO many people have asked why PT wont save a file as MP3 and the response from PG is apparently its a codec patent issue fair enough. You can save the file as a WAV and use third party software to convert to MP3 a workable but extra step. Has anyone figured out how to download a 3rd party codec encoder (this part seems easy) but I can figure out how to enable PT to automatically use it. Has anyone figured this out? Thanks and regards
i can create mp3's in rb. and i like the sound quality... so your info is confuseing me as rb is powertracks plus track generation essentially.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
I'll do this once - proceed at your own discretion, I am not responsible for your actions! This adds the LAME codec to your OS. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Download Lame MP3 .. ver. 3.100 is latest Zip is here - https://www.rarewares.org/mp3-lame-bundle.php (get 64 bit version if you have 64 bit OS)
Extract it to a new folder - C:\lame (!important) (or copy it there after, the script below relies on that location)
Open command prompt as Administrator (type CMD in your search window, when Command Prompt pops up right-click it and select Run as Administrator - again important!)
Copy/paste below into command prompt - cd C\Windows\SysWOW64 Hit Enter (This takes you to the system folder)
You'll need to restart the computer for changes to take effect. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/All of this info is included in the ZIP as a TXT file once extracted //The only change I made was using "C\Windows\SysWOW64" instead of "%windir%\SysWOW64" because in my experience some machines do not find the SysWOW64 folder using "%windir%\SysWOW64" Oh!, and the Run as Administrator part .. because some people need Admin rights to make system changes like adding a codec.
I have also had luck simply installing Lame FrontEnd (which is a nice 3rd party tool that adds a ton of options to Lame) but the above is what most Windows users find success with in getting LAME installed to Windows. Plus Lame FrontEnd is getting harder to find.
If this makes you nervous then find another way, such as K-Lite Codec pack .. just be careful where you download that from (scan it) as it is popular with video work and does occasionally include malware. Again, no guarantees, just what worked for me, but I am comfortable using Command Prompt. Hopefully mods don't remove this, and only add a 'Use at your own risk' comment.
LAME site links to rarewares for the latest version ...
Last edited by rharv; 01/23/2506:00 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
SO many people have asked why PT wont save a file as MP3 and the response from PG is apparently its a codec patent issue fair enough. You can save the file as a WAV and use third party software to convert to MP3 a workable but extra step. Has anyone figured out how to download a 3rd party codec encoder (this part seems easy) but I can figure out how to enable PT to automatically use it. Has anyone figured this out? Thanks and regards
What version of PowerTracks are you using? The 2021 and newer versions don't require a 3rd party codec. Older versions require an ACM Codec.
Originally Posted by rharv
I'll do this once - proceed at your own discretion, I am not responsible for your actions! This adds the LAME codec to your OS.
LAME is only really necessary if you're using an older version of Windows or of PowerTracks. Newer versions of PowerTracks use Windows Media Foundation to create MP3 files, and this is built into Windows 8 and newer.
As well, the version you linked to is not the version that PT 2020 and earlier want to use - instead you should download the ACM version. Unzip, right click the LameACM.inf (Setup Information) file, then choose Install.
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