Best program for making Mp3's??? Advice on file size?

[bloozguy]

I've been using my Cakewalk to convert a few songs to mp3's, and wondering what my options are.

I have MusicMatch Jukebox, but at this time only the basic version. I also think I have mp3 capabilities with my CD burner, Adaptec's "EZ Cd Burner".....

Anyone know if one is better than another or all about the same. I saw that the first time I downloaded a file on Cakewalk into mp3, that a licensed window came up saying I have 30 days free trial version, and will have to pay $29 to keep this utility. Ssheesh, would have thought the $500 to buy Cakewalk and Aardvark would have covered that....hahahaha...oh well.

Also, as for general downloading files to mp3's...any rule of thumb for setting bit and sampling speeds. What is the minimum for quicker uploading time that yet has some assemblance of quality? Thanks.....

bloozguy

[Gidge]

I used SCMPX....works well.....when Im in a hurry and it doesnt matter, I use N-Tracks built in encoder and it sucks.....

sjoko2 recommends MusicMatch so if I was you Id give it a try....I did and I think it does a tad better job that SCMPX, but that may be the power of suggestion working on me......

I would suggest encoding at least at 124kbps and up to 192kbps, depending on the original file size and how big you want the mp3 to be.....

[dr.colossus]

i use blade encoder, its freeware and really easy to use.... you just drag and drop the .wav file into the blade icon and it does the rest....and like gidge says 128kbps minimum, go 196 to ensure quality though... but that will also increase the size of the mp3.....personally there are so many free encoders out there i wouldn't pay for one

[bloozguy]

thanks ....appreciate the info, I'll check stuff out about both your recommendations.

I think I'll send the Cakewalk guys an email too, and ask why charge $29 for what others offer for free, see what they've got to say.

I'm a bit surprized at the higher kbps you two recommended. Just for an exercise, I emailed myself and a friend a song I completed at 48000, 64kbps....with "Speed" as the quality designator.

Didn't turn out bad really. Still, it must have taken 12-15 minutes for my email to go out. Took my MusicMatch no time to open it.
I imagine a file size of double the kbps must really take time to go out. At the moment, I'm waiting for my host server of my own domain web site to complete upgrades they were working on. I totally redesigned my site...but then will put up a number of mp3's there. I imagine the hassle then, is the upload time of a file, but that the opening of such by mp3 software and RealAudio is not nearly the same.

bloozguy

[clubzero]

I use Sound Forge 5.0 and the custom "High quality" option. It's pretty slow but it does quality for ya.

Club Zero