So is my sonar(platinum) screwed up..it wont let me mix down to mp3 it says i need to purchase an encoder ?...id rather mix to wav but just curious if i have a problem
Ty all
Mike

MP3 is proprietary and requires a license.  It's an added cost that Cakewalk didn't want to make mandatory for their customers.
You can buy one, use a LAME encoder, or do what I do: export to WAV and then use iTunes (or any other music software that already has the conversion ability) to create an MP3.

Ty

I like the MP3 patents are pretty much on the way out so this shouldn't be an issue much longer...

I export the wav and then use this to convert to mp3 - been using it for years and it's excellent:
 
http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html?ns=true&gclid=CKTroqucg9ECFUETGwodr_8BOw

I just bought the encoder...I think it was $20.00.  Let's you put in the MP3 data as well (Artist, Title, etc.)
 
 
 

here's a tool I find useful for conversions too (Windows, now looks like a Mac Version as well)
 
https://www.dbpoweramp.com/
 
 

patm300e
I just bought the encoder...I think it was $20.00.  Let's you put in the MP3 data as well (Artist, Title, etc.)

It is $10 now https://shop.cakewalk.com/1244/catalog/catalog.1307/category.60182/product.152233/
 

Audacity works well taking the exported wav files and converting to mp3.