MP3 Encoders

*MP3 encoders convert WAV or CD files to MP3 through special compression technology to make significantly smaller file sizes while keeping quality levels high.

Free Trial Download (11.68MB)
[Win 98/NT/2000/ME/XP]

Virtuosa Gold Phoenix Edition  

Pros:  Great encoding quality from Fraunhofer L3Enc engine. Supports VBR encoding and a variety of bitrates. Does everything you want in one software packages. Performs all conversions between MP3, WMA, WAV, and CD. Burn custom CDs. Also plays movies.

Cons:  May be a bit harder to get going with for new users but can be overcome with use.

Trial Limits: 30 days free         Registration Cost: $39.99

Free Trial Download (4.05MB)
[Win 98/NT/2000/ME/XP]

Easy CD Ripper  

Pros:  Fast & easy to use, rips to WAV or MP3, includes high quality LAME MP3 encoder, skinnable interface, CDDB online database for fast and easy track naming. Will also convert MP3 to WAV, WAV to WMA. Supports VBR encoding and a variety of bitrates. Good trial length and inexpensive registration costs.

Cons:  Some Win 2000 & NT machines will need to download and install extra cdreader.dll file to read CD data.

Trial Limits: 20 Conversions         Registration Cost: $22.95

Free Trial Download (1.21MB)
[ Win 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP]

MP3 to WAVE Converter PLUS

Pros:  Easiest to use of all software, converts WAV or WMA to MP3 with a right click on the file. Uses LAME encoder for high quality. Can convert many files at once.

Cons:  Doesn't rip tracks from CD.

Trial Limits: Limited number of conversions         Registration Cost: $19.95

Free Trial Download (3.4MB)
[Win 98/NT/2000/ME/XP]

Advanced Audio CD Ripper

Pros:  Quality LAME MP3 encoder and FreeDB online lookup for track naming. Supports WMA 9 technology. Rip to WAV, MP3, WMA or Ogg formats. Batch ripping and encoding to handle several conversions at once.

Cons:  No decoding or burning.

Trial Limits: Rips 2 tracks at a time         Registration Cost: $21.95

Free Trial Download (3.2MB)
[Win 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP]

Alto MP3 Maker

Pros:  Multi-functional tool to rip, encode, decode, play music, and make Winamp playlists. Easy to use. Good price.

Cons:  Doesn't burn CDs

Trial Limits: 12 uses.         Registration Cost: $19.95

Free Trial Download (6MB)
[Win 98/NT/2000/ME/XP]

Advanced Encode Decode Tools

Pros:  Expanded version of Advanced Audio CD ripper with more conversion possibilities between MP3, WAV, WMA, and Ogg formats.

Cons:  A little more expensive than average.

Trial Limits: Converts 50% of the file         Registration Cost: $29.95