Hi Guys thanks for the help :D
 
I got the Nero AAC encoder. It is suposed to be one of the best and it is free:
 
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/nero_aac_codec.htm  v 1.5.4
http://www.nero.com/enu/company/about-nero/nero-aac-codec.php v.5.1
 
http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=AAC_encoders how I concluded it was the best (for me).
 
Hope it helps. 
 
@scooc is the FAAC encoder the only one that will work with Sonar, the Nero one is suposeds to be better or do you think this is neglegtable?
 
@ Mike I Dunno. What does that mean? Will it take me a long time to set up? Is it going to be a hack job or something? 
 
BTW I figured out that the rendering of the output wav file before converting to the desired codec was radomly getting rendered :(.
 
So back to square one for me. Havn't given up yet.
 
Thanks
 

Not reading thread very closely, I thought the problem was the Nero encoder however I was able to create a working external definition for it. To save typing I copied the nero encoder into Shared Utilities but it could be anywhere. Started by clicking the New button in the Cakewalk External Audio Encoder setup, added a name, extension and then copied part of the command line in msg #9 above, the external encoder does not have all the parameters used in that command line. Modified the i/o parameters to use the Cakewalk variables. I did not read about wav file requirements but figured it would work with 44.1/16 so I made sure when exporting to set the sample rate and bit depth accordingly w/ dithering
Here is a snapshot of the External Encoder setup

Tested the result in VLC and my m4a file worked OK. Once you are comfortable getting m4a files, uncheck the "Keep Source File" option to eliminate the interim wave files.

As is often the case around here, its scook to the rescue.
 
I can do the basic stuff but I couldn't discern the necessary info. I'm sure that scook will see you right. Sorry if I've made you waste time.

rezab
I screwed up my settings for Youtube export and Soundcloud Flac an WAV (deleted them to be precise).

Here are the Youtube and SoundCloud-Flac reg files so you can import them back .
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CakewalkExtAudioEncoders]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CakewalkExtAudioEncoders\{07C30991-FD9A-44A9-8F07-F1AFE58F313A}]
"Name"="SoundCloud - FLAC"
"Description"=""
"Path"="C:\\Program Files\\Cakewalk\\Shared Utilities"
"Extension"=".flac"
"CommandLine"="CakewalkSoundCloud.exe %I /T \"%T\" /CI \"%CI\" /CS \"%CS\" /ParentWnd \"Cakewalk SoundCloud\""
"InProcess"=dword:00000000
"KeepWaveFile"=dword:00000001
"ModalEncoder"=dword:00000001
"SourceFormat"=dword:00000003

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CakewalkExtAudioEncoders\{C2F3B26C-4709-485E-B48E-575E5C1714B4}]
"Name"="YouTube Publish"
"Description"=""
"Path"="C:\\Program Files\\Cakewalk\\Shared Utilities\\YouTube Publisher"
"Extension"=".wav"
"CommandLine"="CakewalkYouTubePublisher.exe %I"
"InProcess"=dword:00000000
"KeepWaveFile"=dword:00000001
"ModalEncoder"=dword:00000001
"SourceFormat"=dword:00000000

Hi,
 
Thank you very much Scooc :D
 
I got it setup and it worked imediatly, however after making the files and wanting to copy them I noticed large file sizes. Upon inspection I Noticed the files created are PCM files.
 
I tested rendering on:
16 bit 44.1 KHz
16 bit 48 KHz
24 bit 44.1 Khz
24 bit 48 KHz
 
All resulted in .M4A container created with a PCM (.wav) file in it.
 
I eventually tried unchecking the "keep source file option" check box. That did the trick.
 
Now I am one happy camper.
 
Is it possible to get a dialogue box to appear like with tyhe MP3 functionality to tag the files? 
 
Going to set up the deleted ones now :D. I will try to make sence of the instructions and the working config I got from you and try to ad the "ID3" tags.  
 
Is it an idea to post a HOW TO ENCODE TO AAC FROM SONAR manual or something, if so where? (In my perception I must not be the only one or this is going to change). Maybe even a Feature request?
 
Maybe worth noting; I ASSUMED when purchasing the MP3 codec option I was getting the fraunhofer codec (it doesn't say so any where tho, )  and also assumed the AAC functionality. It doen't say that I know But I didn't think we were paying for the free Lame codec. I understand now how it is.
 
Maybe we should ask the fraunhofer guys since were paying for the licence if we could use there codec.... 
 
If it wasn't for you guys I would have been wasting precious time ;).
 
 
Thanks a lot.
 
Riz

rezab
Hi,
 
Thank you very much Scooc :D
 
I got it setup and it worked imediatly, however after making the files and wanting to copy them I noticed large file sizes. Upon inspection I Noticed the files created are PCM files.
 
I tested rendering on:
16 bit 44.1 KHz
16 bit 48 KHz
24 bit 44.1 Khz
24 bit 48 KHz
 
All resulted in .M4A container created with a PCM (.wav) file in it.
 
I eventually tried unchecking the "keep source file option" check box. That did the trick.
 
Now I am one happy camper.
 
Is it possible to get a dialogue box to appear like with tyhe MP3 functionality to tag the files? 
 
Going to set up the deleted ones now :D. I will try to make sence of the instructions and the working config I got from you and try to ad the "ID3" tags.  
 
Is it an idea to post a HOW TO ENCODE TO AAC FROM SONAR manual or something, if so where? (In my perception I must not be the only one or this is going to change). Maybe even a Feature request?
 
Maybe worth noting; I ASSUMED when purchasing the MP3 codec option I was getting the fraunhofer codec (it doesn't say so any where tho, )  and also assumed the AAC functionality. It doen't say that I know But I didn't think we were paying for the free Lame codec. I understand now how it is.
 
Maybe we should ask the fraunhofer guys since were paying for the licence if we could use there codec.... 
 
If it wasn't for you guys I would have been wasting precious time ;).
 
 
Thanks a lot.
 
Riz

Glad scook was able to get it working for you. He's in his element doing that sort of stuff.
As for the help file I have it documented now and I'm sure scook does too. Cakewalk don't have anywhere for us to post fixes like this other than in the forum here.
When it comes to the MP3 codec, Cakewalk use Lame. The reason they charge is that if you distribute the lame encoder with commercial software it attracts a licensing fee which is paid on a per copy sold basis so Cakewalk charge for it.
Using the same External Config Utility you used for the AAC encoder you can creat an entry or multiple entries for lame. Doing this yourself circumvents the fee that's charged but it does take effort. At $10 I think most people just pay.

Again glad things are working out. Perhaps you can impose on scook to create a more elaborate command line that gives you more options.

I actually did some testing today and spent quite some time with scook PM back and forth and I installed Audacity 2.05 (doesn't seem to work with later versions-needs more testing) with an AAC encoder (very easily done by the way).
Having done that I setup Sonar's Utility menu to show Audacity allowing me to highlight a track in Sonar, select Audacity from within Sonar, the selected track passes over to Audacity and I have access to its many options for export including AAC at a variety of bitrates etc along with tagging and all. If you're interested I can give you all the files and instructions you need.

Hmm, I wouldn't mind the Audacity stuff. I had Amadeus on the Mac and this is the closest I've found for the PC.

I realize you want AAC, but SONAR now supports Ogg Vorbis. It's open source, and most consider it at least equal to MP3 and AAC. If collaborating with other SONAR users, it's a useful option to keep in mind.

rezab
Is it possible to get a dialogue box to appear like with tyhe MP3 functionality to tag the files? 

The dialog is a feature unique to the integrated mp3 encoder. You may notice in the bottom left corner of the Cakewalk External Audio Encoder Setup dialog is a box containing "Command Line Variables." Those are the variables provided by Cakewalk to use in the encoder command line.
 
FWIW, Cakewalk as a commercial entity must still pay licensing fees regardless of the library used to create the mp3 file. This is why there is a nominal fee for the integrated encoder.

@Mike You didn't waste my time. I learned a few things. How neccecery they were the future will proof. I would love that code you mentioned, could I use it to us my own external program? (Wavelab) 
 
Or do you reccomend me to look in to Audacity?(also @charyg) 
 
I wish Sonar would have the functionality or option for that (Just cause I like the bakers) Thank you .
 
@ Craig, Thank I will keep that in mind. Actually it is this client that insists. The material is intended for Youtube. He insists that youtube recomends your own AAC encoding as it should provide better results. I could find proof to backup his claims but those could be subjective. I have used Ogg Vorbis files in one or to occasions.
 
I wasn't aware it was gaining populairity. In my circles (yes they appear to be small) the AAC codec is the way to go an bla bla...
 
I actually encounter AAC more then MP3. I use to ignore it as much as pssible as MP3 is just fine/perfect for my (sometimes lossy) needs. But now I got forced in to it. And I refused to believe my lousy time consuming workflow was the way to go.
 
Happy I decided to ask for assistance:)
 
I woudn't mind to pay for this option tho. Actually I wouldn't mind to pay for good quality codecs as addons for Sonar. Like The Fhg Codec (tool). Cause it would improve my efficienty and the price/competitiveness etc. etc....
 
A while ago you asked if it was interesting to get more mastering functionality in to Sonar. Most people think of it as A Xtra special limiter or something... But I agree. This exaple is one of the Mastering abilities Sonar would benefit from. (Like having kmeters on every track, just for the ease of use. Or how about EBU complient metering per track complete with short and long term options stereo, phase, bla bla. When the tools are available the benefints are going to be more obvious to the most people. 
 
I actually have AAC working on all my consumer devices, so I think it safe to assume pretty good compatibility. Ogg on the otherhand is only suported on Specific Smart devices or PC like devices. So I dunno how much of an alternative for MP3 or AAC. Is there something I missed?
 
@Scooc Thank you again. You saved hours of my time ;). I understand the need of the fee. I actually wished there was a fee I could pay to have the AAC codec export function. Or better yet include it at least in Platinum (cause its Platinum). 
 
Your solution did save me money. It actually got me fired up on the ideas/options. You could now use an external encoder to upload a song to youtube without it taking an "hour".. right? 
 
Ehem, As a certain forum member advised me; I would like to impose on you to create a more elaborate command line that gives me more options.... Please :) . Or is there no such thing and would I need it integrated in the encoder? if so wich encoder should I use for these purposes?
 
AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE EFFORT and copying and pasting your command line settings. I pledge to be a more helpfull forum member.
 
 
I am curious on all your opinions on this AAC. Is my case individual, or are you guys also seeing a shift towards AAC? I noticed smaller file sizes and same better quality. So all is good, right? 
 
And last but not least: Can anybody elaborate on Youtube a video containing AAC codec audio being better, as it not being have to be converted by the time efficient encoders of the big G?
 
Riz