Editing LAME (section)

{{short description|MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) audio encoder}}
{{About|the computer program|other uses|Lame (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox software
|name = LAME
|logo = Lamelogo.svg
|logo size = 200px
|logo caption = LAME official logo
|screenshot = LAME v3.99.5.png
|caption = LAME v3.99.5 running under [[Linux]]
|developer = [https://lame.sourceforge.io/developers.php LAME Developers]
|released = {{Start date and age|1998}}
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|reference|P348}}
| latest release date = {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|P348|P577}}}}
|repo = {{URL|https://sourceforge.net/p/lame/svn/HEAD/tree/}}
|operating_system = [[Cross-platform]]
|genre = [[Codec]]
|license = [[GNU Lesser General Public License]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lame.cvs.sourceforge.net/viewvc/lame/lame/COPYING?revision=1.2&view=markup|title=CVS Info for project lame}}</ref>
|website = {{URL|https://lame.sourceforge.io/}}
}}

'''LAME''' is a software [[data compression|encoder]] that converts digital audio into the [[MP3|MP3 audio coding format]].  LAME is a [[free software]] project that was first released in 1998 and has incorporated many improvements since then, including an improved [[psychoacoustic]] model. The LAME encoder outperforms early encoders like [[L3enc]]<ref>{{cite web|quote=This is what made it possible for modern MP3 encoders (e.g. LAME) to improve far beyond the original L3enc and dist10 reference implementations.|url=https://wiki.xiph.org/OpusFAQ|title=Opus FAQ}}</ref> and possibly the "gold standard encoder" MP3enc, both marketed by Fraunhofer.<ref name="rl">{{cite web|title=LAME MP3 Encoder :: Related Links|url=http://lame.sourceforge.net/links.php#Alternatives|publisher=LAME Team|accessdate=19 March 2013}}</ref>

LAME was required by some programs released as free software in which LAME was linked for MP3 support. This avoided including LAME itself, which used patented techniques, and so required patent licenses in some countries. All relevant patents have since expired, and LAME is now bundled with [[Audacity (audio editor)|Audacity]].<ref>{{citation|title=Audacity Review|first=Jamie|last=Lendino|date=27 September 2019|journal= PC Magazine|url= https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/audacity|ref=none}}</ref>