This is a bit odd because it only happened as of today.  I installed X3 about a month ago and have been able to export MP3's- until this morning.  The message I get is the MP3 encoder is locked. 
 
Can anyone shed some light on this?
 
Thanks

SONAR ships with a 30 day trial of it's integrated mp3 encoder. There is a one-time fee to unlock the integrated mp3 encoder. Once unlocked, the encoder will be unlocked in all versions of Cakewalk DAWs. Alternately, SONAR provides a utility to use the external encoder of your choice.
 
similar thread http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/2972656

well darn!  I've been a registered user since Sonar 6 or so.  I bought the encoder already once!  Maybe because this is a new computer with no previous versions of Sonar? 

You can also download the free LAME encoder software from third parties or purchase/find free external software to import your final mixes to for MP3 encoding.
 
I bought Cakewalk Pyro for this but there are many other programs.
 
From what I understand not all mp3 encoders are created equal though. So do your research.
 
Don't quote me on this (because I am far from an expert and mp3 stuff is a surprisingly complex topic) but I THINK that a high end mastering program like Wavelab has more and better options for encoding to mp3 than freeware or less expensive programs.
 
This is more the realm of the bitflippers of the world. Try searching the Techniques forum of this site for more detailed discussions on this type of thing.

Yes, you need to run the unlock against the new install. I had to contact tech support to get the 64bit unlock program when I moved to 64bit Win7 and SONAR on a new machine. It was a quick phone call and an email from tech support with the link.

Sacalait
well darn!  I've been a registered user since Sonar 6 or so.  I bought the encoder already once!  Maybe because this is a new computer with no previous versions of Sonar? 

Oh... yeah the encoder is probably in your store account then and needs to be installed. Ignore my previous post.
 
Cheers.

Thanks for the help!  I emailed tech support on Friday and as of this writing I haven't heard anything back.  I wound up purchasing the encoder.  The 10 bucks doesn't bother me but not responding does.  What's new with software companies- although I've found Waves to be pretty helpful.
 
...and I looked at my store account and didn't see the encoder included with the X2 or X3 upgrade.  ...I'm done with the little rant...

If you already purchased the encoder once, there was no need to buy it again. It is a one-time fee. I would suggest calling customer support. They are short staffed (more than normal) due to NAMM.

FWIW - the encoder activation .exe works fine in ALL versions of windows even 8.1 - from personal experience btw 
 
I bought mine about 6 years ago!
 
I think all it does it put a key in the registry???

That is correct. I had to call support to get the exe because I was using my PA9 CD for authorization. It seems like old CD authorization method was stopped with the X series.