Exporting to MP3

To export a project in MP3 format

1.	Set all volume, pan, effects, and automation settings just as you want them.

2.	If you only want to mix down parts of tracks, select those clips now.

3.	If you are using effects on the tracks and want to mix the effects down at this time, select the whole length of the longest track or clip plus an extra measure for the reverb or effects “tail.”

4.	Choose File > Export > Audio to open the Export Audio dialog box.

5.	Under Filename and Location, enter a filename and select a destination folder.

6.	Under Format, click the File Type drop-down list and select MP3.

7.	Click Channel Format and select one of the following options:

Follow Source. Create stereo files for stereo tracks, or mono files for mono tracks.

Mono. Creates a separate mono file for each track or bus selected in the Sources list.

Stereo. Creates a separate stereo file for each track or bus selected in the Sources list.

Split Mono. Creates separate mono files for each track or bus selected in the Sources list. Stereo tracks/buses are split into separate files for the left and right channels. If the selected bus is a surround bus, the selected bus produces as many mono files as the bus has channels.

8.	Under What to Export, select one of the following Source Category options:

Tracks. Creates a separate file (or group of files if Split Mono is selected under Channel Format) for each track that you select in the Sources list. The audio is captured at each of the selected track outputs, before it reaches any buses.

Note: When the Source Category is Tracks, the project selection has a special meaning: 4 Having a project selection means that there is a time selection. If tracks are selected in the project, then all the tracks selected in the Sources list will be exported at exactly the length of the selection. All exported files will be the same duration. 4 If there is no selection, then no specific export time range has been set, and the duration of each tracks’ audio file will be the length of each individual track.

Tracks Through Entire Mix.  Exports individual tracks, including all downstream bus effects and automation, as heard through the main output. The result is the same as if you solo one track at a time during export.

Track Folders. Creates a separate file (or group of files if Split Mono is selected under Channel Format) for each track folder that you select in the Sources list, as heard through the main output. The result is the same as if you solo one track folder at a time during export.

Buses. Creates a separate file (or group of files if Split Mono is selected under Channel Format) for each bus that you select in the Sources list. The audio is captured at each of the selected bus outputs.

Hardware Outputs. Creates a separate file (or group of files if Split Mono is selected under Channel Format) for each hardware output that you select in the Sources list. The audio is captured at each of the selected hardware outputs.

Entire Mix. Creates a single file (or group of files if Split Mono is selected under Channel Format) as heard through the main output.

Clips. Creates a separate file (or group of files if Split Mono is selected under Channel Format) for each clip in the current project selection.

Mix Recall. Creates a separate file (or group of files if Split Mono is selected under Channel Format) for each Mix Recall scene that you select in the Sources list, as heard through the main output.

Arrangements. Creates a separate file (or group of files if Split Mono is selected under Channel Format) for each arrangement that you select in the Sources list.

Arranger Sections. Creates a separate file (or group of files if Split Mono is selected under Channel Format) for each Arranger section that you select in the Sources list, as heard through the main output.

9.	In the Sources list, select the buses or tracks you want to use as a source to create your mix. If you chose Tracks in the Source Category field, only tracks will show up as choices in this field.

10.	Choose the sample rate that you want your exported file to be.

11.	In the Bit Depth field, select 16. If your source file is 24 and you export to 16, you lose some sound definition, but you get some of it back if the Dithering option is on in the Edit > Preferences > Audio - Playback and Recording dialog box (see Dithering for more information).

12.	Under Mix and Render, choose the elements you want to include in the mixdown. If you want to exclude muted tracks and/or include only soloed tracks, make sure Track Mute/Solo is checked.

Note 1: If you have patched a synth into a track or bus, make sure you check Track FX to include synths that are patched into tracks, and check Bus FX to include synths that are patched into buses.

Note 2: If you don’t check Track Automation, any initial volume and pan settings in an exported track are ignored and the track’s audio data will be exported at the level that exists in the track, with pan set to center. If you don’t check Clip Automation, any trim settings are ignored during export. If you don’t check Bus Automation, any volume and balance settings at the main outs are ignored.

13.	If you want to save the settings you created in the Export Audio dialog box, type a name in the Preset box, then press ENTER or click the Create Preset button .

14.	Click Export.

The Cakewalk MP3 Encoder dialog box appears.

15.	Choose options and click OK.

The audio is compacted and exported to a file or files with the extension .mp3.

 

See:

Exporting audio

Exporting to Wave format

Exporting to Windows Media format

Exporting tracks

Exporting clips

Exporting