Hello everyone,
 
Is it correct that Sonar uses the latest version LAME encoder for file exporting to mp3s, and that LAME is one of the higher quality mp3 encoders available for Sonar?
 
Thanks.

Anthony,
You may want to check out this article which compares encoders including Lame and also some high-end ones.
http://archive.arstechnica.com/wankerdesk/1q00/mp3/mp3-1.html
I regard lame as the best (or equal to the best) of the freebie MP3's.
I have been using FLAC instead, for a year or so, but not every player supports it. FLAC will provide the same fidelity as the wav file only somewhat smaller.

I have never used the Cakewalk MP3 encoder, but my impression was that the original encoder was the Fraunhofer version. Hence the need to charge extra for the encoder on later versions of Sonar to offset the licensing cost. Of course Fraunhofer claims a patent on MP3 algorithm itself (the idea regardless of the implementation) which is why the Lame developers do not distribute the compiled code itself, but instead source code for the user to compile. It is possible to use the Lame encoder with Sonar, by installing it yourself, and free versions are available, and get good reviews for quality and flexibility. 

Lame was updated in Platinum about 4 months or so ago (paid version). Or just install it yourself.

Frauenhoffer own the patents for the MP3 codec. Any time an MP3 encoder is included in commercial software a licence fee is payable to Fraunhoffer.

If you check their website you'll see Cakewalk listed as one of many companies that subscribe to the licence agreement.

And to the earlier question, yes Sonar uses the latest lame version 3.99.5 as of Platinum Cambridge.

Thanks for the replies guys; they were very helpful.  As an old analog guy, I'm just getting into the nuts and bolts of (amateur) mastering and digital file conversion, and find the whole thing fascinating, not just because of the technical issues but also because there doesn't seem to be many audiophiles left in the world that listen to music on good equipment.  I burned a CD (with wav files) and gave it to my band mates, two of whom said they don't have anything to play it on!  It's kind of depressing that most music seems to be listened to on computer speakers and smart phones...
 
Anyway, I'm still motivated to create the best sounding mixes I can.  Thanks for your help.