I paid for the activation of the Cakewalk MP3 Encoder. It just makes things more convenient. It's more convenient to do the mp3 conversion from within SONAR. And at the $9.99 sale price, it's even more attractive for users to jump on that offer.
 
But I do think the Cakewalk MP3 Encoder can use some updating.  I think it would be a great idea to update the Cakewalk MP3 Encoder to include an option to use Average Bit Rate encoding. It can also be updated to use the latest LAME release 3.99.5. I don't think there ever was an update of the Cakewalk MP3 Encoder. Updating it can't be that hard to do. Can it?
 
As mentioned above by scook, the version of LAME used by the Cakewalk MP3 Encoder is LAME 3.97, but there was a SONAR user, jcatena, who compiled the TTSLame.dll to be updated to LAME 3.98.2. The updated dlls can be downloaded by visiting the following link: http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/1774575
 
Now, if a SONAR user can compile the TTSLame.dll to be updated to use a newer version of Lame, most assuredly, Cakewalk can!
 
Just voicing my opinions and sharing some thoughts, as per the title of the thread.
 

Tom, jcantena isn't just your regular run-of-the-mill CW user. That dude is a serious programmer!!

myconsumerclub
audacity is free and it has a lame converter that is free as well. 

That's why Audacitys mp3 converter is free. The licence states that it's free for non commercial use. For Cakewalk to include it they have to pay the licence.

So unlike other companies who factor the cost in every copy of their software sold and you get charged over and over, Cakewalk charge you once if you want to have them install the de/encoder for you.

Grem
Tom, jcantena isn't just your regular run-of-the-mill CW user. That dude is a serious programmer!!

 
LOL Grem! How'd you get to know his abilities as a programmer?
 
I know he did a great job bringing us the updated TTSLame dlls, and my posts identifying him as a SONAR user aren't meant to downplay his talent as a programmer. Furthermore, I wish he would compile the TTSLame dlls again to update them with LAME 3.99.5.
 
But, one of my main points is that Cakewalk should be able to update the TTSLame dlls to use the most recent LAME version.

thomasabarnes
 
my posts identifying him as a SONAR user aren't meant to downplay his talent as a programmer.

LOL... I definitely do not want people to interpret "SONAR user" in that way.

I use Aaron's Sonar Patch. It works great, is free, install is dead easy, and has more options for conversion than you can shake a guitar neck at. Just launch a search for Aaron's Sonar Patch.

http://www.softpedia.com/...-Sonar-Mp3-Patch.shtml

Tom, I hope that I didn't come off as offensive/insulting. Didn't mean it that way.

I remember a Jose Cantena back in the Pro Audio days that made a program that could tell you how many trks of audio you could record and playback at the same time.

He also went to great lengths to explain the advantages of using DMA when it first came out.

I am making an assumption that jcantena is that same person.

I happen to agree with you that it shouldn't be that hard to update the encoder that's included with X3.

Grem
Tom, I hope that I didn't come off as offensive/insulting. Didn't mean it that way.

Hi Grem:
 
No, you didn't come off to sound offense/insulting. Your post was funny and entertaining.
 
I just want to be sure I'm not misunderstood, as I think jcatena is talented, as well, and a really nice guy.
 
He's probably the same Jose Catena you're thinking of. One thing that's certain is that we (the SONAR community) certainly have benefited from his programming skills through his updated TTSLame dlls.

thomasabarnes



Hi Grem:
 
No, you didn't come off to sound offense/insulting. Your post was funny and entertaining.
 

Great!. That's what I was going for!! : )