I have read quite a few threads close to this issue but not exact. I am using X3 and my song sounds fine when it's exported to a wave file. But when I export the song to an Mp3,(so it can be loaded onto a music site) one guitar track sounds like the reverb is under water. It not the guitar sound..it sounds like just the reverb is having issues. It is subtle but its enough to annoy me and ruin the effect of the song. Is there a way to isolate the problem?
 
Many thanks,
 
James

Hey, just a long shot, but are you 100% sure the settings are the same in your export dialog box and everything is checked the same?  I don't know the details about your project, but, just for example, if Live Input were not checked in one case, you may be hearing the reverb bus (return) but not the actual instrument.   Or, if automation is checked in one case and not another, there could be a huge impact on the effect itself and/or on the instrument volume.
 
Is the reverb in the FX bin, or are you using a Send; and, if it's a Send, is the Post button lit or dark on that Send?

Ok thanks, ,let me check that out. Let me see what the deal is with that.

Some sounds just interact badly with MP3 encoding. A higher bit rate will probably help if you're allowed to upload it. Or try a different reverb or less of it.

Sharkbite
I have read quite a few threads close to this issue but not exact. I am using X3 and my song sounds fine when it's exported to a wave file. But when I export the song to an Mp3,(so it can be loaded onto a music site) one guitar track sounds like the reverb is under water. It not the guitar sound..it sounds like just the reverb is having issues. It is subtle but its enough to annoy me and ruin the effect of the song. Is there a way to isolate the problem?
 
Many thanks,
 
James

In this situation I always use my exported wav to do the conversion to Mp3, using the Lame encoder with Goldwave (free): http://www.fileparade.com...tb_t0rwCFfPItAodsh8Alw

Does your interface have a loopback input?
 
I had a similar problem in S1 and I just recorded the mix, then soloed the recording and exported to mp3.
 

Jonesy +1
I invariably export as 24 bit wav, then either mp3 it straight via Goldwave or run through r8brain first; never dithering in Sonar on export either.
 I've found the more recent lame incarnations as used by Audacity tend to be too toppy for me by the time the mp3 pops out: I did have a phase of whacking my exported wav with 3dB of treble cut, but to be honest Goldwave does a smashing job with fewer artefacts.

Ok so it looks like Goldwave is the way to go. That did the trick.  Thanks for all of your help.

I was just going to chime it that if you're using the Lame Encoder, it does wreak some havoc on
material.  When I used it, the sound changed far too much, so I stopped using it altogether.

Interesting thread.  I always export wav and then mp3 right from Sonar and it is always fine.  I do them one right after the other so I don't have to change any export settings (or selected ranges in Sonar).  There are additional questions for the mp3--like quality and tags--but that's pretty straightforward.
 
Glad the problem went away, whatever it was!