Hi,

If you get a "Driver cannot do requested conversion" error when trying to encode an MP3 file, this suggests that your computer does not have an ACM (Audio Compression Manager) compatible MP3 codec installed. Band-in-a-Box uses the Windows Audio Compression Manager functions to compress files. The types of files and bitrates that Band-in-a-Box can encode depends on the codecs you have installed on your computer.

On Windows XP, you can check to see if you have an MP3 codec by going to Control Panel | Sounds and Audio Devices | Hardware | Audio Codecs (Properties) | Properties. On Windows Vista/7, try going to Help | About | Technical Support Information in Windows Media Player. Look to see if there is an "MPEG Layer-3" codec listed there.

Also (on Windows XP), select it, click on Properties, and check to see that it isn't a "decode-only" codec. If you don't see an MP3 codec there, or if it is a decode-only codec, Band-in-a-Box won't be able to encode MP3s.

Due to licensing restrictions and patents on MP3 technology, we can't include MP3 codecs with our software. Possible solutions -- #1 (has lots of "maybe's") -- The latest version of Windows Media Player may include an ACM-compatible MP3 codec, l3codecp.acm. You might find this file in your Windows\System32 directory, and it might be able to encode MP3's at high bitrates. This codec may not be enabled on your computer. -- #2 -- Search online for an MP3 codec that you can download and install. Or, (3) Save your file as a stereo wave file and do the conversion from wave to MP3 in a third party program.


Andrew
PG Music Inc.