Recording roadblock

funkalicious101 · #1 07-26-2008, 07:40 PM

I recently bought some recording equipment and all finally got some songs down then when I tried to convert them to useable files it said it could not be done.

I am using Cubase LE that I got with my interface. And because it is a watered down version I cannot export files to mp3s.

I really dont want to spend more money on this and buy a full version, but it is looking like it might be the only way.

Does anyone know any other ways of converting the files to mp3s?

Thanks,
Sam.

fretlessrock · #2 07-26-2008, 07:50 PM

Export as WAV or AIFF and then encode that to MP3. There are a lot of choices in encoding software. iTunes is one that a lot of folks overlook.

MyUsernameHere · #3 07-26-2008, 07:55 PM

Don't spend any money. There are quite a few free format converters out there. Type free MP3 converter, or free (whatever format Cubass records in) to MP3, into goggle and you'll find some. Download one and you'll be set.

I'd tell you which one I used, but I somehow deleted it and can't remember what it was called. Not all of 'em work great, but if you look around a little bit you'll find one that does.

Edit: Actually why don't you check the free software thread here. I bet it has the name of some program you could use.

funkalicious101 · #4 07-26-2008, 08:01 PM

Exporting to mp3 gets me "You have either reached the maximun amount of encodings of 20. or exceeded the 30-day free trial period. To get unlimited encoding you have to buy the MP3 Updater!" I havent encoded 20 files, but I did install cubase on my computer when I got my laptop(late may), but my interface did not work, so I promptly uninstalled it. I think that may have screwed me over.

A conversion to any other format gets me "An error occured during the export!"

johnmark · #5 07-26-2008, 08:04 PM

You can buy the mp3 encoder from Steinberg for $15 as a download.

https://shop.steinberg.net/cgi-bin/pp

funkalicious101 · #6 07-26-2008, 08:06 PM

Thanks guys, those asre both grea ideas/

funkalicious101 · #7 07-26-2008, 09:44 PM

Okay, the only software I could find I think may have messed up my computer. And I dont think that my version (LE 1, I think) will support that upgrade.

I dont think my music was ever meant to be heard.

Nick Kay · #8 07-27-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessrock

Export as WAV or AIFF and then encode that to MP3. There are a lot of choices in encoding software. iTunes is one that a lot of folks overlook.

+1. No reason to mix down directly to MP3.

funkalicious101 · #9 07-27-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

+1. No reason to mix down directly to MP3.

I cannot convert to any format. And I cannot find any software that can convert .cpr files.

John Wentzien · #10 07-27-2008, 04:48 PM

Try this one.
http://www.nch.com.au/switch/

funkalicious101 · #11 07-27-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Try this one.
http://www.nch.com.au/switch/

.cpr isnt included in the supported formats list.

fretlessrock · #12 07-28-2008, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkalicious101

I cannot convert to any format. And I cannot find any software that can convert .cpr files.

Regardless of what DAW software you are using, you need to create an audio file from your mix. This is different from a project file (I believe that .CPR is a Cubase PRoject file). Some packages call it a "bounce" and some call it an export. What you probably want is to bounce the master outputs to a WAV/AIFF file. I have never been a Cubase user, but have Audiodesk/DP, Logic, PT and Live experience and each one of them does it a little bit differently. Some require you to select the tracks that you want to send, some make you select the outputs you want incorporated into the output.

Don't worry about trying to create an MP3 directly. You need to output a mix in a standard format first.

ReedSpacer · #13 07-28-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkalicious101

I cannot convert to any format. And I cannot find any software that can convert .cpr files.

.cpr files don't contain audio -- they contain information about the project.

In Cubase LE you create an audio file by choosing > File > Export > Audio Mixdown...

As others have suggested, you can export your audio mixdown as a WAV file (Stereo Interleaved, 16 Bit, 44.100 kHz is CD quality) and then use other software to convert that WAV to an MP3.

Personally, I use iTunes for the WAV to MP3 conversion.

lowEstring · #14 07-28-2008, 09:43 AM

Audacity is free, and allows for easy mp3 conversion. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

mambo4 · #15 07-28-2008, 02:10 PM

If you can play back in cubase error free, you may be able to r4ecord directly from the audio card out put using something like total recorder

http://www.totalrecorder.com/

basically it records anything you play thru yr audio card.
not free, but very cheap.

funkalicious101 · #16 07-28-2008, 07:09 PM

Ugh, I think I might just have to get a new program and re-record everything.

John Wentzien · #17 07-28-2008, 07:21 PM

Open the project first...Go to "file" then "export" then "mixdown"---this will create a WAV file in stereo.
You can then use the free program (switch) that I mentioned earlier to convert it to MP3 or any other type of audio file you want.

funkalicious101 · #18 07-28-2008, 07:26 PM

I've mentioned in the thread that I cannot convert to any format.

John Wentzien · #19 07-28-2008, 07:34 PM

Make sure none of the tracks are "highlighted" before attempting mixdown.

jkramer5 · #20 07-28-2008, 11:08 PM

You have to set the left and right start and stop points before you can export. Untill you do you'll get an error message that there isn't anything to export. check the quick start or help file for the specific instructions.