How to Convert Cakewalk Guitar Tracks to MP3
Converting Cakewalk Guitar Tracks music recording files to MP3 format is somewhat of a mystery with older software versions. Although audio files can be saved as .cwp (Cakewalk Project files) or exported as WAV files, older software requires the optional Cakewalk MP3 Decoder add-on to make direct MP3 conversions. Most newer Cakewalk software versions now include the decoder, but for older version users who do not wish to invest in the add-on, an easy, free, and completely legal solution exists by downloading Apple's free iTunes program, available from the Apple web site.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Open the internet browser on your computer, and go to the Apple computer website to download iTunes. Apple's iTunes is completely free to download and use, and offers numerous music file management features.
-
2
Open the Cakewalk Guitar Tracks program and locate and open the .cwp file you wish to convert. Cakewalk Work Files (.cwp) include all the recording session information necessary to edit the work, so it is important not to delete this file if you wish to retain the audio information for later use.
-
-
3
Click "File" on the Cakewalk menu bar, scroll down to "Export as", choose "WAV file" from the export menu, and save the file to your desktop. Don't forget to name the WAV file for easy location later.
-
4
Open the Apple iTunes program, click "Music" under the "Library" heading on the left side of the screen. The Music Library will open, showing any music you may have stored in iTunes.
-
5
Minimize the iTunes screen by clicking the middle square button on the top right of the screen. Minimizing the screen will allow desktop space to click and drag the WAV file into iTunes.
-
6
Locate the WAV file on the desktop, click once with the mouse, and while depressing the mouse clicker, drag the file onto the iTunes music library screen. Single clicking selects the file without opening it, and depressing the mouse clicker allows moving the file around the desktop, and into other programs or folders if desired.
-
7
Locate the file in the iTunes music list, position the curser over it, and click the right mouse clicker once. A menu box will open, and include "Create MP3 Version" as one of the menu items. Scrolling to the MP3 selection, and left clicking once with the mouse, will begin the iTunes MP3 conversion process. When finished, the MP3 file version will be shown underneath the original WAV file. The MP3 can remain in iTunes, or can be left-clicked once, and dragged onto the desktop or into a folder by holding down the clicker and dragging.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
An alternative method in newer iTunes versions, is to select the music file, and select "Create MP3 Version" in the "Advanced" tab at the top.
MP3 size and quality can be altered by going to "Edit" at the top of the iTunes screen, clicking "Preferences", and clicking the tab for "Import Settings". Follow the iTunes recommended settings for sound quality. Higher quality files will be larger in size.
Avoid converting files lower than 128 kbps (kilobytes per second). Although the files will be much smaller, the audio quality may be unusable.
Save all WAV files on iTunes or in a separate folder, and .cwp files in the Cakewalk folder. MP3 files that are accidentally converted at lower quality cannot be converted into higher quality files. Deleting the WAV or .cwp files will provide no master file to make an MP3 correction.
