LAME MP3 Encoder is a useful and one of the best mp3 encoder and is available for free!

You can use the LAME executable with RazorLAME interface or you can use the DLL with another software (AudioGrabber, CDEx etc).
I prefer the combination CDEx or AudioGrabber + LAME DLL.
In the archive are included both: exe and DLL.

Here are some key features of "LAME MP3 Encoder":

· Many improvements in quality in speed over ISO reference software.
· MPEG1,2 and 2.5 layer III encoding.
· CBR (constant bitrate) and two types of variable bitrate, VBR and ABR.
· Encoding engine can be compiled as a shared library (Linux/UNIX), DLL or ACM codec (Windows).
· Free format encoding and decoding
· GPSYCHO: a GPL'd psycho acoustic and noise shaping model.
· Powerfull and easy to use presets.
· Quality is comparable to FhG encoding engines and substantially better than most other encoders.
· Fast! Encodes faster than real time on a PII 266 at highest quality mode.
· MP3x: a GTK/X-Window MP3 frame analyzer for both .mp3 and unencoded audio files.

What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]

· Please note that this compile is NOT for archival, it is for test purposes only. This is an alpha build and the encoded results may be variable in quality. Includes a fix for ffmpeg. Bundle compiled with Intel Compiler 10.1.