There's an EncoderConfig.exe in C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Shared Utilities

There are also some premade setups for encoders including LAME on the install DVD.

I haven't got a chance yet to see what the exact steps are to set it all up.

Why do people get so confused with this MP3 encoder thing?

LAME is free.

SONAR does not come bundled with LAME .

The MP3 encoder sold by Cakewalk uses the Fraunhofer IIS algorithm.

The reason you have to pay for the MP3 encoder that Cakewalk bundle with SONAR is because
of a royalty charged by Fraunhofer.

To quote Wikipedia:

"The MP3 compression algorithm was invented and patented by Fraunhofer IIS.
Its license revenues generated about €100,000,000 in revenue to the society in 2005."

ORIGINAL: emfrank72
I had this setup in 5 and working. I installed Sonar 6 on a new computer and spent a while searching for Jesse's instructions on setting lame up which worked great before but in 6 I don't see anywhere to set it up. Just wondering if there is an update on how to do this in 6.

It's in the "Tools" menu.

Cakewalk External Encoder Config

Once again, Sonar 4, Sonar 5, and Sonar 6 uses LAME.

ORIGINAL: bigweb

Why do people get so confused with this MP3 encoder thing?

LAME is free.

SONAR does not come bundled with LAME .

The MP3 encoder sold by Cakewalk uses the Fraunhofer IIS algorithm.

The reason you have to pay for the MP3 encoder that Cakewalk bundle with SONAR is because
of a royalty charged by Fraunhofer.

To quote Wikipedia:

"The MP3 compression algorithm was invented and patented by Fraunhofer IIS.
Its license revenues generated about €100,000,000 in revenue to the society in 2005."

I use FL Studio to do my mp3's, esp since I always back up my orignal wavs (if you dont, well.....) No idea what FLS uses, but the mp3's have always sounded great to me. To be honest, you could just whore out the demo, because the FLS demo lets you import export forever, you just cant save a "project". Try it out, you may end up working with its piano roll, and realize how easy life can really be

ORIGINAL: bigweb

ORIGINAL: emfrank72
I had this setup in 5 and working. I installed Sonar 6 on a new computer and spent a while searching for Jesse's instructions on setting lame up which worked great before but in 6 I don't see anywhere to set it up. Just wondering if there is an update on how to do this in 6.

It's in the "Tools" menu.

Cakewalk External Encoder Config

It's in the "Tools" menu.

Cakewalk External Encoder Config

It used to be under the tools menu in Sonar 5. But unless I'm blind, it is not there in 6. But I did find the encoder utility under cakewalk\shared utilities. Thanks

ORIGINAL: j boy

I use the LAME 3.96.1 encoder and I agree, it's the way to go - sounds great and it's free. I have configured Sonar to export using Jesse G.'s advice, and also have RazorLame to use as a stand-alone front-end.

One question - what is the difference between "joint stereo" and "stereo" encoding and why would one be better or more desirable than the other?

"Joint stereo" is...like....way....more.....mellow......man..
Or - "Joint Stereo" is what I'm doing when I'm not watching "Beer TV"

If you care about the best quality available go with -ms (stereo), and I also recommend the -k option to remove the lowpass filter.

I also thought that Cakewalk was using the Fraunhofer encoder for those that either paid or had Pro Audio 9. This is wrong it is in fact the Lame encoder. I just checked it. Even though you may have paid for it or not you are using the Lame version if you do your encoding via Sonar. The issue never came up with me because I have been using SF 8 to do this. In a way this is a bit disappointing but not really because as I remember the Fraunhofer encoder took for ever to do its encoding.

Best
John