api - MP3 Encoding in Java

Question

I need an OpenSource API in Java, which can encode *.wav and *.au formats to MP3 and vice-versa.

I have evaluated Java Sound API and LameOnJ, but they do not meet my requirements and are not stable, respectively. Please suggest one that is free and platform independent.

Answer 1

There may not be an adequate answer for you, yet, as the MP3 format requires the authors of decoder/encoders to obtain a license from the Fraunhofer Institute.

I think the the LAME library is distributed from a country that does not respect these IP issues, but it took a considerably amount of legal hackery to get this far.

For any other libraries - for example one written in Java, the authors need to get a similar license. Where cost is an issue - e.g. in an Open Source project, then this is enough of a disincentive to starting.

For more details see this wikipedia article.

If LAME4J is not stable enough for you, then I'm afraid your options are probably:

• wait for Sun to license the format for the core JRE. This, I believe they have done recently, but I don't know of any release dates (perhaps to do with JavaFX)
• implement your own in Java, and pay the license. I wouldn't fancy this one, either.
• write your own Java wrapper to LAME, via JNA, or SWIG
• contribute to Lame4J.
• pick another format. OGG and FLAC are quite good, and relatively well supported.