Exporting to mp3 from Audacity

Just a quick mini-tutorial for those who may have trouble exporting files to mp3 format with Audacity (the software, not the state of being):

First, download the lame_enc.dll file from:
http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?lame_enc

You will receive it in zipped form. Use Winzip or any other zip utility to extract the file and REMEMBER WHERE YOU EXTRACT IT TO (This is important!). I recommend that you extract the file to a folder called Lame on your D drive.

Start Audacity, open or record your file.

At the bottom left of the Audacity window you'll see the sample rate of the file. If it is less than 22050, click the number and select 22050 or more as the sample rate.

Then go to File-->Export As MP3 and specify the name and location for your new mp3 file.

You will get a dialog box saying you need lame_enc.dll and asking if you want to locate it now.

Click "Yes", then navigate to the folder where you extracted the file, e.g. D:\Lame

YOU WILL NOT SEE THE FILE

Don't panic, this is because it is a hidden file.

Without selecting anything, click OK.

You will be taken to the mp3 tag dialog box. Fill in as much information as you like and OK your way out.

You need to do this just once. As long as you don't move the lame_enc.dll file or its folder, Audacity will pick it up from there every time you need to export a file to mp3.