I must be mixing my songs down differently to how I used to, or something is adding artifacts to my MP3 mixes of my songs now, the WMA file of te same song doesn't have an problems.
Is there a idiot proof way to mix down to MP3 format  from 24/ 48  to 16 bit 44.1 then MP3 128
 
Any Help graciously accepted!
 

I mixdown (export) to standard wav file (16 bit 44.1) and then convert to MP3.  I use Goldwave and the Lame encoder to convert to MP3.  I use 192 rather than 128 for my MP3's.  Better fidelity.

^^^ I use exactly the same system.

Bounce to wav first - make sure the wav sounds the same as my mix, then use that for Mp3 encoding, again using Goldwave + free lame encoder

How hot are your wavs? MP3 conversion requires a little bit more headroom (especially in good quality) not to clip.
The max level of the wav should stay in -0.3 dB or lower.

*** Yeah I use exactly the same method as well....

Mix to your standard WAV 16 bit / 44.1
then convert to Mp3

and I also use at least 192 or higher.....

I have found in the past 128 give all kinds of artifacts...It drove me carzy....or at least more over the edge that I already am....so if you are going to email it out 192 is a happy medium between better quality and mail-a-bility....

but if I am going to just keep it around then I will go for 320

Clifford

There's no need to dither or use a 16b file to make an mp3. 
Skip the extra step & conversion & use the 24/48. 


I'd also check any settings or options you might have in your software i.e. VBR quality, joint stereo etc. 
I usually limit to -0.5 for 128 mp3's, -0.3, -0.1 for cd's.

Always mix down or in "cake speak" .... export the file as a wave. 

Then use any external wave editor to do the conversion. My choice of editor is the NCH Wavepad. It does a fine job converting from wave to MP3. 

You do want to be sure the Wave file is not too hot or clipping. -3db is a good reference point for the wave. That gives the needed headroom to the MP3 conversion. 

Download sites (like iTunes and Amazon) have moved up to 256 kbps now anyway. That is if you plan on selling the tune. So you might as well skip the lower 128 kbps and use the better quality bit rate.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

..huh.  love this forum.  Learn new things everyday.  Just got to say. 

I've been wondering about these things, muddling along.  Now I know "that" much more. 

Just for simplicity's sake (until I get a project or CD finished) I export "mixes" into the project at project rates.  I then use those versions to "master" w/ software and set the Voxengo Elephant limiter to -.3 dB.  I convert that master to CD state using Sound Forge.  I use the CD copy to convert to mp3.  The -.3 limit keeps the mp3 conversion from hitting red and -.3 dB doesn't really matter (at this point) on the CD.  I use both the CD and mp3 version on different systems to check the mix - car, home stereo, computer speakers, SoundClick etc. 

If I'm happy w/ the mix I then go back to the project mix and use the high-quality format to master through external hardware and analog for separate CD and mp3 "masters," taking the extra time for 2 conversions.  And check it again.

@