[linux-audio-user] simple audio apps

Hello, This is a question from someone who is interested in turning primarily speech recordings from a minidisk into mp3s, and editing them. In the editing I want do to simple things like fade, mix and cross fade, but nothing like set up wah-wah filters or what not: the recordings are interviews and some other "report-like" noises, and not music. My two questions are: (i) is there a simple record meter, so that when i get handed different MDs recorded in different ways, I can see what my mixer settings should be real time? (ii) i presently use audacity for my editor, am happy with it (bar its apparent inability to record mono mp3s at correct rate), but thought as i was posting, to ask for other suggestions (ie am i just happy in my ignorance :) ) thanks for any suggestions, jane