looking for Wav to Mp3 converter

Hi guys wondered if anyone knows where I can get a wav to mp3 converter preferably free
Cheers 
Gary 

I mean a standalone ie not in sonar

http://www.rarewares.org/mp3-lame-bundle.php

Another +1 for LAME. You can harness the latest version of LAME encoder with various programs. Several windows interfaces available, like Razorlame for one, among others:
 
http://www.dors.de/razorlame/index.php
 
I've used an incredible program for several years for all audio format needs. dBpoweramp.
 
https://www.dbpoweramp.com/
 
The mps encoder craps out after a month if you don't register ($30 or so?), but a pervasive converter being constantly updated with new codecs available for free. Freeware version allows all other audio conversion plugs.
 
Another advice if you go with an encoder or program needing the LAME dll file...
 
Place the most current LAME.dll in the directory with the program's exe file. This will override any older preferences stashed in the windows system directory.
 
Note also that dBpoweramp has LAME encorporated into the program itself, so local override doesn't happen if you dump in a more recent version of LAME with the exe file. My feeling, for mp3 level stuff, we've come far enough that 3.9 and up doesn't give any more benefit except maybe on paper specs. Nothing you can remotely hear any difference.
 
Free approach in my opinion is to download dBpoweramp. Accept the freeware limitation of a month demise of the mp3 codec.
 
Use razorlame or winLAME to fill the gap for mp3. WinLAME download at: Can't get the home page. Hope they are still alive...
 
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-CD-Rippers-Encoders/winLAME.shtml
 
These programs will accept the latest LAME dll codec.
 
Maybe superstition, but don't trust Sonar, Reaper to give me control over the conversion. I always save a rendered project to a stereo wave, then use external programs to do the conversion. Side note, OGG format is way superior lossy protocol to mp3 if storage space is an issue. dBpoweramp comes with the most current OGG codec.
 
John
 
 

garygml
Hi guys wondered if anyone knows where I can get a wav to mp3 converter preferably free
Cheers 
Gary 

Check out Sonar MP3 patch. See the link in my signature.

I installed MP3 patch a few weeks back...it works great. As does Pyro. Why Cakewalk hasn't upgraded and updated that I will never understand.

I use Gold Wave. I has an excellent batch encoder so I can convert a whole album or recording session. It's free to try but well worth the $50 to buy a lifetime licence. 
http://www.goldwave.com/release.php
 
Certaily easier than fussing with installing an encoder. And it uses LAME. 

i have two programs for this,
 
WAVELAB
 
CDEX
 
 
cdex is free, and works great.

The downside of Sonar for these tasks is that there is no scripting for batch conversion.

In Sounforge I can go through a file of many hours of audio, set markers for regions, do an export, convert to MP3 and rename functions all in one script that I can save for future reuse.

I've used sound forge for years - but it's a rather expensive solution for just making MP3's.
 
Learning the command line for lame is well worth it. I know the command line scares a lot of people (and many don't even know it exists) but it is very powerful. Also - I know this is taboo for many, but if you use iTunes you have a free converter right there.
 

Don't know if you guys are interested, but uploaded a Swoopshare link to the infamous "Fatboy.wav" file. Hard to find anymore, and maybe less relevant now that the mp3 encoders are reduced to a few that are better quality than the ancient versions.
 
http://www.swoopshare.com/file/04d4499b803fbceb8b18fe626392d3cd/fatboy.wav.html
 
Fatboy is a wave file meant to destroy conversion to mp3. Sounds like a dumb ring modulated clip, but designed to test your mp3 settings to the breakdown limit.
 
Most are aware of the psychoacoustic model in mp3 translation dealing with selective frequency rejection from soft to loud. This where the encoder has the biggest problem dealing with processing the file without throwing in unwanted artifacts.
 
Fatboy modulates up and down enough to stress settings to crashing unwanted debris into the converted file.
 
Not perfect, since one size does not fit all conversion scenarios, but convert Fatboy to mp3 with your settings and do an A/B comparison.  If Fatboy.mp3 sounds like crap, your conversion settings are probably taking a hit as well.
 
John

codamedia
I've used sound forge for years - but it's a rather expensive solution for just making MP3's.
 
Learning the command line for lame is well worth it. I know the command line scares a lot of people (and many don't even know it exists) but it is very powerful. Also - I know this is taboo for many, but if you use iTunes you have a free converter right there.
 

Yeh. I would never have bought SF just as an MP3 converter but for the specific use I mentioned it's one of a small number of programs that will do the job perfectly. Of course it's an audio editor first which is why I have it.
As you mentioned also, iTunes is great for batch conversion of waves to mp3s. I know a lot of folks hate iTunes but I have it and QuickTime Pro installed on my daw and they've never caused any problems.

Lots of good advice, tools for conversion. Downside to Sonnox may be the inability to update the mp3 encoder at will. But then again, on occasion still using Adobe Audition 1.5 Fraunhoffer as it recedes into the black hole of antiquity. Can't update nothing in Audition.  Still works well however, as long as 32 bits are supported.
 
Think that any more refinements to mp3 are on paper more than can be heard.
 
Good feedback that the Sonnox works well.
 
Tip on a really good free mp3 tag software. MP3tag. Does it all and the important ability to do less, as in blanking out brainless fields that only clutter the tag. Have used this for years.
 
http://www.mp3tag.de/en/
 
Another go to tool, which unfortunately doesn't work in win 8 and up. MP3 Gain. Think I keep XP alive just to use this. SoundForge down for a couple days, but here's a link:
 
http://sourceforge.net/projects/mp3gain/
 
This sets a volume level of the mp3 file without processing the file (mp3 to wav and back to mp3) and thus not degrading it any further. Does a great job with batch conversion.
 
My workflow has successfully been to render a project to stereo wave. Convert to mp3 with whatever LAME GUI container of choice.
 
Normalize to a constant level with MP3Gain. Edit the tag with MP3tag.
 
Finished product ready to send to all my millions of fans and groupies.
 
John