Thanks!

BooRazz
Ok Charlie, Ill bite. What would be your best suggestion for an MP3 encoder considering I know nothing about Sonars MP3 converter?

I would suggest using Lame
http://lame.sourceforge.net/
 
or pay the 9.99 and buy the cakewalk built in converter.
which is a handy feature for exporting directly to Mp3.
 
 

Cakewalk has two versions of MP3 encoder purchase  

1. a full standalone encoder for older versions
2. An unlock program (.exe file) for newer versions (link below)

• https://shop.cakewalk.com/1244/catalog/catalog.1307/category.60182/product.152233/

I have Sonar Artist and it has the encoder built-in, but locked.
So - I bought the unlock program, downloaded it, closed Sonar, and ran the .exe file -- Bingo!
 
PS - Like many, I bought the wrong one initially ,-\

This is all good stuff you know, I need an mp3 encoder as I'm having the same trouble as you lot. Do you think there activated one at cakewalk will work on my old Sonar 5 Pro

Dave10201020 - the Cakewalk MP3 encoder is as good as any I have seen - and it's internal. You can export at 320 kb for high quality audio. I used the Lame too, but it's just another set of steps, exporting, etc. The Cakewalk has all the options and $9.99 is the least of your problems.
 
I would assume with Sonar 5 Pro you would need the the unlock program here - https://shop.cakewalk.com/1244/catalog/catalog.1307/category.60182/product.152233/
 
You just click the execute file and you're up and running.

Not to keep this 10-year old thread going, but since it had some recent activity, I thought I'd post my question hear instead of making a newer topic (similar to how this thread in resurrected in 2015!)
 
My first CW DAW was PA9.  It came with an MP3 encoder.  When Sonar 1 came out, new buyers had to pay for the MP3 encoder, but since I was an upgrader, I just had to type in my PA9 serial number and it was unlocked.
 
I haven't been looking for an MP3 encoder to be in Sonar for years, but recently I've been working with some folks.  I found that in order to get them demos, it would be a few steps quicker to have a built-in encoder rather than exporting as a .WAV and booting something else up to convert it.
 
I'm sure this is a bit of a stretch but since I already paid for the MP3 encoder once (well, at least AN MP3 encoder from Cakewalk, maybe not the same), has anybody heard that there's some kind of granderfathering (or great-great-grandfathering) for getting the encoder?
 
Yes, call me cheap!  I'm just wondering...

Yes, that is how it works. Since you purchased PA9 which included an mp3 license, the SONAR mp3 unlock program is provided free of charge. Contact tech support, they will give you the unlock program. Those who purchased newer Cakewalk DAWs and want to use the integrated encoder must pay a one-time licensing fee.
 
IIRC, up though SONAR 8.5 the installer would ask for the PA9 disk to unlock the encoder. The X1 installed did not ask for the disk. That is when I contacted support for the unlock program.

scook
Yes, that is how it works. Since you purchased PA9 which included an mp3 license, the SONAR mp3 unlock program is provided free of charge. Contact tech support, they will give you the unlock program. Those who purchased newer Cakewalk DAWs and want to use the integrated encoder must pay a one-time licensing fee.
 

I had a licensed converter from an old copy of Pyro. When I upgraded to a Windows 10 PC and SONAR Platinum, I couldn't get it to install so I contacted Cakewalk to explain that I had already paid for the mp3 license and that they should give me the mp3 unlock program for free. Whoever replied told me sorry but no. I gave up arguing with them after a couple email exchanges and paid the $9.99.

scook
Yes, that is how it works. Since you purchased PA9 which included an mp3 license, the SONAR mp3 unlock program is provided free of charge. Contact tech support, they will give you the unlock program. Those who purchased newer Cakewalk DAWs and want to use the integrated encoder must pay a one-time licensing fee.

Thanks for the info!  I'll have to dig up my old PA9 CD (which is around here somewhere!)  When Cakewalk changed to their current registration database some years ago, I wasn't able to create records that recorded my older CW products, specifically PA9 and Sonar 1.  So before I contact them , I'll have to have the license available.
 
I hope I don't have the same experience as henkejs - I'll report back when I get a response.