MediaMonkey forum

Recently I had to reinstall Windows 7/64 bit onto my laptop. Previously, using MediaMonkey, I had easily converted MP3 file formats from one folder to another with exported format of "<artist> - <title>" with no problem.
I'm now using version 4.1.1.1703 and, when I try to use Tools\Convert Format (Shift+Ctrl+C) I get a message saying "... the free version of MediaMonkey can not bundle MP3 encoding functionality beyond a 30-day trial period. For unrestricted MP3 encoding ...please upgrade."
The version(s) of MediaMonkey I used before May 2014 had NO trial period limitation; I used this feature for years!
QUESTIONS:
A- I have previous editions of MediaMonkey saved on a drive. If I installed one of those earlier versions would this function without a 'trial period or has this limitation been imposed recently for all versions?
B- If I upgrade to the Gold 4.x version for $24.95 and later want to upgrade to the lifetime version will it cost the full 'lifetime' price or is there a discount for upgrading from Gold 4.x?

A limit on MP3 encoding has been around for a long time: http://www.mediamonkey.com/support/inde ... -unlimited

a) The lame encoder can be user replaced with a version that isn't limited
b) No, an upgrade path from 4.x to Lifetime doesn't exist. Contacting support may help when facing that upgrade.

I replaced lame_enc.dll with a downloaded version. The 31 files were converted and placed in the specified directory. The process was MUCH, MUCH slower than I had with the earlier version of MM. I'm still wondering if I'd be better off uninstalling this version and "going back". Any comments?

It could be your quality settings. The higher the quality setting for the output MP3 file the slower the encoding will be.