I was told Sonar can convert to MP3 or AIFF files. I am reading on a web site "Flexible export options: AIF, Broadcast WAV, FLAC, SD2 (Sound Designer II), QuickTime video, and more". This was under "video" section. I just need to convert file to MP3 to e-mail it and AIFF to play on Mac. Is it possible? Thank you.

AIFF is supported natively, but MP3 requires an external encoder. You can either buy an encoder from CW or configure the free LAME encoder. For AIFF, it's just a matter of selecting it from the file-type dropdown list in the export dialog.

Can't you play a wave file on a Mac?

Thank you for your reply. I do not have a Mac. We need AIFF for the Q-Lab- it is a software for theaters to assign sound effects to action Qs- it may work with wav, but they had some kind of problem with it clicking all over- not sure.

I found AIFF, thanks, but it asked me "suboptions" if I want 8, 16, 32 and so on bit signed/unsigned PCM. I have no idea what that is, so I chose 16 bit signed PCM, and it did it, but I can not test it. So I have to put the file in a drop box for the play producer, and if it does not work- we will look bad- I will look bad. Oh well. Is it a setting I needed?

How is Sonar MP3 encoder works? There was MP3 option as well, but it says- it has to be encoded first and to go upgrade/buy Cake encoder. Does it support different MP3 resolutions, such as 128, 192, 256 bit?

I was advised to download Audacity. I can not find official site for Audacity, only cnet download version. I am not sure it supports Windows 8, as it was 2008 version. What do you, guys recommend for Win. 8 file encoding/conversion? Thank you.

 

The Cakewalk encoder is a commercially licensed version of LAME, it does all the resolutions you asked about and more up to 320. You could use LAME http://lame.sourceforge.net/ directly either as a standalone or as an external encoder in SONAR. Here is the direct Audacity link http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Thank you. So you saying- Lame is what Cake uses for what ever they call encoder (which I can not find on Cake web site any way)?

On Lame site it says, LAME is only distributed in source code form. For binaries and GUI based programs which can use LAME (or include fully licensed versions of LAME), check the LAME related links. What does it mean? (Do not see Sonar on the list of commercial)

The Audacity link you posted- is it safe? Big green buttons usually for spyware downloads. So what should I use- Lame or Audacity? Thanks.

Cakewalk MP3 encoder http://www.store.cakewalk...ory.aspx?categoryID=46 is a commercial version of LAME. If you pay the fee, the mp3 encoder will be available for all the version of Cakewalk you own or will own.
On the LAME site, the link that your posted has a Windows section. Of special interest might be the last one in the list of free open source windows offerings but there are a lot of free Windows binaries both open and closed source to choose from. The Audacity download link is above the big green buttons in the yellow box. The green buttons are part of the Google ad space.

I am not sure I understand binaries. So if I download the code, then I have to pick one of those free open source software? Thanks.  

You question is a little ambiguous? Does code in this context mean program source code, a code to unlock the mp3 feature in SONAR or something else? If you purchase the mp3 activation from Cakewalk, you will receive a small program from Cakewalk to turn on the mp3 encoder that is already part of SONAR (it just requires activation). All the other options we have discussed are separately produced products by third parties and would require you to download a pre-compiled program, not the source code (unless that stuff interests you and it sounds like it would not), to install on your PC to encode mp3.

Ugh. So I downloaded the Audacity, and it plays my wav file. It does not recognize my Presonus hardware, it sees it but gives errors, but that's ok. So it plays from onboard soundcard. What ever. Very uncomfortable program. So I got it to save MP3, and it says- it needs LAME. I cant believe this! It sent me to the link to download it. I resisted. I wanted to try the link you offered first. The link you offered me sent me to "Lame AINT MP# encoder". Catchy name. That link did not work. So I said- ok- will use the link that came with Audacity. That took me to some guy's web site that wanted me to listen his music, and then there are links that say- Lame for Audacity, but then it says- it is not Lame. http://lame1.buanzo.com.ar/#lamewindl I totally have no time for this- it takes whole day. I should just pay $20 and use Cake. This makes no sense. Thanks for your help. Just frustrated.

FWIW, I would never recommend Audacity for this application. Probably for the very reasons you are experiencing. Why download another DAW when all you need it an mp3 encoder. Don't understand why someone would suggest that as a solution.

I believe you are correct, the easiest solution in this case is pop the $20 and be done with it. It is a one-time fee and will unlock the mp3 encoder built right into the DAW you use. Should you ever upgrade SONAR, the mp3 feature will be unlocked in that version too.