Encoders
Currently a wide range of software encoders are available. These can exist as a stand-alone package or can be integrated into a software editing or audio application. When choosing an application to encode MP3, I recommend that you use one that has been built upon the original Fraunhofer codes (as is the Syntrillium MP3 plug-in).

One application that can encode .WAV into .WMA files has been jointly created by Microsoft and Sonic Foundry is the "Windows Media On-demand Producer" and is available free.

Players
Of course, there are a lot of media encoders, players and jukeboxes on the freeware, shareware and commercial markets. These software apps range from being a clunky interface that takes over your PC to simple and elegant systems that do their job well. The choice is, of course, up to you... however my personal favorite player is Winamp. It's free, simple and works great! The site includes an amazing array of free skins and visualization eye-candy that interacts with the music. Another is the Windows Media Player from Microsoft. It's simple and has a number if built-in skins and visualizations that can be expanded using other plug-ins which can be downloaded from their and other sites.

MP3 CD Players
The ability to play MP3 files from a CD player is one of the best concepts to come along in a long time. The ability to play 10+ hours from a single CD has obvious advantages over the traditional CD. Here are a few of the player system types that are coming onto the market:

MP3 Solid State Players
Speaking of MP3 players, the data can be quickly downloaded into a solid-state MP3 player, letting you take your favorite music to the streets without having to deal with bulky CD cases, etc.

The obvious advantage of these players in their portability and insensitivity to skipping. If you have a PC or laptop with you, you can quickly download MP3 or other format files into the player (giving you access to your music collection without having to lug CDs around.

The downside is the fact that memory is often expensive; a fact that often limits memory size to 64Mb (about 55 minutes at 160kps). Having a player that reads .WMA files can more than double the playtime at 64pks.

A major consideration, when buying a player, is the choice of memory media type. For, example, I have a digital camera that uses the "Compact Flash" memory media. As a result, I got an MP3 player that uses the same memory type. The fact that the player has a USB card reader, allows me to take the card out of my camera and convert/process pictures much more easily... such considerations should be carefully made when choosing a player/media type.

Batch Processing
In multimedia production, one of the more common day-to-day tasks includes the need to convert a large number of files in an existing format to another format. This tedious process can be automated and sped up by using a "Batch Processing" utility. Of course, Cool Edit 2000 and Cool Edit Pro lets you batch process any number of source files in any way, including: converting .WAVs to MP3, effecting files, changing pitch/time, etc... and then convert then to a wide range of available formats. The basic directions for "running a batch" are:
1.Open the "Scripts and Batch Processing" window (Options/ Scripts and Batch Processing)
2.Select Batch conversion from the Scripts Collection window.
3.Select the source files - Open the files from the newly created program directory and select the files that are to be batch processed.
4.Select the destination directory - Select the directory that the processed files are to be saved to.
5.Select the output format - Select the output format (MP3, etc.) that the processed files are to be saved in. Select the Options button and choose the compression rate that the files are to be processed and saved at.
6.Disable Undo - This causes CE 2000 or Cool Edit Pro not to save undo files during the batch process phase (essentially, this acts as a time saver during the batch run).
7.Run the Batch Processing script.

Any number of complex processing and encoding steps can be automated as a batch function by following these steps:
1.Open a file that can be processed as you'd like future batch files to be processed/saved.
2.Open the "Scripts and Batch Processing" window (Options/ Scripts and Batch Processing)
3.In the top right hand-side, enter the name of the script (functions) to be recorded.
4.Press the Record button (the dialog box will clear).
5.Begin any number of processing and/or file encoding moves that you'd like to be encoded in the "script" from beginning to end.
6.Once done, simply recall the "Scripts and Batch Processing" window (Options/ Scripts and Batch Processing) and select << Add to collection >> (this will save the script) or Clear (will erase the script, allowing you to cancel the operation or record the script moves again)
7.At any time in the future you can select the script and have it perform its moves on any number of files (in the same manner as the batch processing section above).

The batch process can be sped up by:
1.Turning off the Enable Undo function - This causes CE 2000 or Cool Edit Pro not to save undo files during the batch process phase (essentially, this acts as a time saver during the batch run).
2. Unchecking the "Pause at dialogs" button - which would otherwise cause Cool Edit 2000 or Cool Edit Pro to pause at each processing dialog step (often a source of nuisance).

Dave (who is an avid techno-evangelist for Syntrillium) has finally finished the update of his best selling book "Modern Recording Techniques" (www.focalpress.com) to its 5th edition. His musical explorations can be found at www.51bpm.com

(c)2001 Syntrillium Software Corporation