Exporting MP3 Question

I am using Scott Garrigus' book and following the step-by-step process he gives to export several tracks to an MP3 file.  Everything was going fine until I hit "export".  A pop-up ruined the plan stating, "The MP3 encoder must be unlocked before use.  Please visit (cakewalk site) to upgrade a previous encoder, or to purchase a new encoder."
 
Well, it seems to me, I've exported MP3 in the past but it has been a long, long time.  So, I can't swear I did.  However, as the  pop-up says, I need to "unlock" the encoder before I can use it.  So, in that case, my question is, how do I unlock my MP3 encoder?

You may well have exported to MP3 directly from Sonar in the past, but unless you have added one of the free ones, or purchased a license for the one that Sonar installs with, you would have run past the 15-day trial version that was enabled when you installed X2.
 
There are free ones out there you could use, and you can find instructions for adding one to Sonar, by searching the forum (I use Google, with terms like: 'site:cakewalk.com forum mp3 encoder free', and follow the instructions).
 
Another choice is to pay I think it is $20 for a license for the same one that installed with Sonar.  You would get that one from the Cakewalk Store and follow their directions.
 
Another choice is to simply export in perhaps Wave or WMA format, and then use any of the countless media conversion freeware programs to convert your exported songs to MP3 format, or whatever you want to use.  Just remember that you want to drop the Sample Rate to 44.1k and the bit-depth to 16 if you want to create CD's for your music.  That would be stuff you specify in the export process dialog box.
 
So, any of the above work - also plenty of helpful doc out there on all aspects of doing it.
 
Post back with any questions or concerns, and me or someone else will assist you.
 
Bob Bone
 

Thanks Bob Bone
 
I was typing my response to Scook when you were posting you response.  I think you answered my question as I was typing.
 

I just went ahead and bought the license.
 
You CAN find instructions out there to add one of the free encoders out there to Sonar, if you don't feel like spending the $20.
 
I just splurged on that in celebration of my 2nd divorce (also partially due to music/relationship conflicts - just like marriage number 1).
 
I may have by now kept the license longer than either one of the wives - I AM in a happy place. :)
 
Bob Bone
 

You would setup the export just like exporting a wave. For me that usually includes selecting the tracks and time range to export. Here is a thread about setting up the time range for export http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/2509499

In the "Export Audio" pop-up, I've got everything set the way Scott indicates in his book (pp 435-436).  However, there is a ddrop-down menu called, "Preset" which is not address in the book.  I am wondering if my problem stems from this?  What does this "Preset" do?