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RealBand
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OP
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Hi
I am trying to save audio as an MP3 and get the above message. I have an idea that it is some file that needs to be run but cannot for the life of me remember what it is.
Apologies if this question has been asked and answered before.
Den
Den
'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT after you........'
Win 10 , BIAB 2017, and that's all folks !!!
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RealBand
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You need an mp3 codec installed on the system.
Search 'mp3 codec' in upper right search bar of forum. Sorry, I'm pressed for time right now or I would explain more.
RB uses the codec installed in windows. Windows comes with very minimal mp3 writing abilities as a default.
You can use the Audio - merge to WMA file option in a pinch to get a wma compressed file (of about the same size/quality) for some applications, but some sites insist on mp3.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Just google convert audio to MP3 and you will come up with plenty of free apps to convert your wavs to MP3's
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RealBand
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OP
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Thanks for that RHARV. I downloaded lame and put it in the BB folder (rightly or wrongly). Still no luck, so I guess maybe it needs to be somewhere else. I'm using win8 64.
Den
'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT after you........'
Win 10 , BIAB 2017, and that's all folks !!!
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RealBand
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OP
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Joden I have audacity on the machine, but it still needs an MP3 codec. Maybe they all do.
Den
'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT after you........'
Win 10 , BIAB 2017, and that's all folks !!!
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RealBand
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Journeyman
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What I suggested was to look for an MP3 conversion tool, not Audacity. I already knew it didn't  The one I posted probs was not a good choice as I have been told it can be invasive and difficult to remove. I use the licenced MP3 converter with Sonar (bought it ages ago)...Franks suggested LAME with Audacity may indeed be a better option
Last edited by joden; 06/17/13 06:48 PM. Reason: Dodgy file link
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RealBand
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Actually Audacity with LAME installed does do the conversion nicely. Has some very nice options in it. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq_i18n?s=install&i=lame-mp3Use it exclusively for audio touch-ups and conversion usually use 320 kbs. Good luck!
Last edited by seeker; 06/17/13 06:38 PM.
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RealBand
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Yeah I agree Frank...Audacity is a great little app, and if you buy the encoder it works well. I wasn't aware you could get the LAME for Audacity free. I was merely suggesting alternatives that work just as well, and that require very little knowledge apart frompoint and click but offer all the options including VBR which is the only method I use these days.. Dennis
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RealBand
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Dennis,
A large part of my learning has come from all of the folks
with their postings. There are many ways to do things.
Being unique is nice, but learning the many ways always
adds to our own toolbox of abilities.
Have a good one!
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RealBand
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OP
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So, where does the lame .dll file go to make audacity work?
Den
'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT after you........'
Win 10 , BIAB 2017, and that's all folks !!!
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RealBand
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Be sure that you have the LAME for Audacity version(from the Audacity site) and the installer will take care of it automagically.
Last edited by Don Gaynor; 06/18/13 08:15 AM.
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RealBand
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I'll briefly try to explain MP3/Realband and the options (as I have experienced it) Qualifiers: Realband uses the codecs 'installed on the system' MP3 was initiated and owned by Fraunhofer who hasn't improved it in years Fraunhofer owned the rights and enforced them LAME is an acronym; "LAME Ain't an MP3 Encoder" source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAMEInstalling an mp3 codec can be risky. It is a well known risk since codecs often write to the operating system. I've had success using the the lame.inf file to install using Windows right-click I've had success using 'Lame Front End' to install the codec (this method made mp3 conversion available in RB *and* the Lame Front End program which has some added features) I've had success using software I've purchased that installed the codec as an included file I've also had success from the purchased Fraunhofer codec (from long ago) when installed on older systems (up to XP in my experience) Free mp3 codecs can be risky (did I say that once already?) Always download from the most trusted source you can find and even then scan it before installing (and after unzipping it if applicable) The key is to get the mp3 codec installed on the operating system. Then RB sees it as an available option. Using the LAME mp3 codec in Audacity does nothing inside of RB in my experience, it means you have to use Audacity to convert your RB generated wav file to an mp3 file. Works nicely, but not convenient. It adds a second step. RB will only convert to an mp3 if the codec is available on the system. Windows usually comes with a codec included that allows 'playing' any mp3 at any bit rate, but recording or converting is limited to 56k .. this is part of the microsoft agreement with Fraunhofer to my knowledge. The codec is not 'free' even though it appears to be freely used. So using a 'free' mp3 codec always involves some risk (did I say that twice already?) My most recent success was with Win7 using 'Lame Front-End'. RB immediately saw the new bit rates. I'd still scan that file first to be safe (OK I said it four times now). Installing free codecs should be done with caution as they write to the operating system. I believe I used cnet for this particular download. As another option - You may find that using the native Windows 'WMA' option is satisfactory; it comes with the OS and is available in the 'Audio-Merge to WMA' option in RB. However if you require the mp3 format, you may need to make some extra effort using the clues above for installing the codec to your system.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Yeah if using WMA, no dramas at all as it is easily done within Windows Media Player.
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RealBand
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OP
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OK thanks to those who gave me info about audacity, which may be needed.
However, what I want is for realband to do it, rather than have to run up another app (as RHARV pointed out).
I was intending using the MP3 for karaoke, although my recent tests seem to suggest that a WAV file works too, which I wasn't aware of. I have no idea if WMA files work too, so I will try that option.
Thanks to all for the help, much appreciated.
Den
Den
'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT after you........'
Win 10 , BIAB 2017, and that's all folks !!!
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RealBand
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For those who use Sonar and don't want to buy their MP3 encoder, there are instructions online explaining how to set up LAME to work automatically as one of the SAVE AS MP3 options in Sonar. And since LAME has switches that let you save MP3s in a variety of ways, you can even set up different menu options for multiple switch settings http://forum.cakewalk.com/TUTORIAL-Getting-LAME-MP3-Encoder-to-Work-With-SONAR-m1255631.aspx
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eddie1261
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eddie1261
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Wow, we need some basic basics here.
Will WAV or WMA "work" for karaoke or not? WAV, WMA, MP3, M4A.... They are just music files like every other music file. They will all "work". I don't know what you mean by "work". That's like asking if the "Ford gas" is okay for your Chevy. The gas doesn't know what car it's going into any more than that file knows what it is being played back on, or where. Don't define karaoke as anything more than you playing songs with no vocal track just like you play any other song.
That out of the way....
This topic seems to have shifted direction a few times. Yes, you need a codec (code-decode is like "modem" is modulate-demodulate) to encode a data file into a specific format. That "specific format" is a compressed format, the value add of which is mainly that compressed MP3 files are like 10% the size of the uncompressed WAV file. WAV files sound a little brighter and cleaner than MP3 because they have not been compressed.
Now factor in at what rate you want to compress the WAV files to MP3. 128? 220? 260? 320? The encoders that come on your computer and with BIAB/RB will not go up to 320. (RHARV, they go to what, 160 is it?)
Thus, many of us opt to use another piece of software to be able to convert those WAV files to MP3 files, again, largely for space considerations and transmission by email. Audacity is one. Adobe Audition is another. I opt for Audition just because it's what I know. You will find people here defend their chosen software like they protect their children from alien attack. It all comes down to what you are comfortable.
Someone mentioned SONAR. There is a downloadable plugin that works very well IF you have a legal, purchased, licensed copy of SONAR. On the occasions that I am mixing in tracks in SONAR, I use their built-in codec to compress to MP3. If I am satisfied with the mixing in RB, I will use Audition. And the reason I would use one or the other is this.
I have a control surface that records mixer moves via automation, and as I mix down I do a lot of fading, muting, etc, things that are probably available in RB but I don't know how to do them, and SONAR remembers them and moves the mixer faders during playback. Like if I want to mute a rhythm guitar track from bar 19 through bar 25, in SONAR I can swipe it with the mouse, mute that section, listen to it, and keep or undo if I like it or not.
I really think you are WAY overthinking the role of the codec and such. Just use the menu pulldowns and it will walk you right through the process. For karaoke, an MP3 compressed to 128 will be fine.
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RealBand
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The only thing I disagree with is the 128. There is a marked and noticeable difference between 128 and even 192. The standard today is 256kbps. My personal recommendation is VBR (or Variable Bit Rate) as it gives the best sonic quality with the least size. But 128, that was needed when the biggest hard drive on a PC was 500mb! And sonically it is very poor. jmo! Otherwise a good post
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OP
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What I meant by work was:-
To my obviously limited knowledge, most karaoke files are cd&g, which can be split out into an mp3 file for the music and a cdg file for the graphics bit. I have or had no idea until recently that the mp3 could be replaced with any audio file. I assumed the app would expect an mp3 and cdg file. Seems not.
Thanks for the lecture.
Den
Den
'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT after you........'
Win 10 , BIAB 2017, and that's all folks !!!
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RealBand
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RHARV
Thanks for all that useful info. I downloaded what was called windows lame, although when it installed, it had become audacity lame (??). So, that got audacity working, which seems will have to be the answer, because windows and therefore realband, still won't do the job.
My earlier belief that a WAV or WMA file could be used and still work with the .cdg file to give karaoke seems now to be wrong.
I looked on the Microsoft site and there it talks about the codec needing to be 64bit. I have no idea what the lame is...I assume it's 32 bit, but maybe not. So, since I only need to write a new file when I need to change the pitch, I'll stick to using audacity, but keep an eye out for anything that might put realband back in the picture.
Den
'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT after you........'
Win 10 , BIAB 2017, and that's all folks !!!
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