how to make mp3 files

Got the demo cd, need the mp3

[tbear]

Phew, the description rhymes.
Anyway, I need to make a web site for a local spanish rock band and they want to post a few of the tracks from their (excellent) demo CD. I haven't studied deeply yet (not sure where to start) the theme, but wondered if any of you guys/girls had some ideas. Are there programmes for taking CD tracks and putting them into mp3 format. Are there good ways and bad ways of presenting same?
The band won a couple of Nationwide Spanish rock contests and are looking for a deal with a record company any ideas on sites to post theirs on to be seen?
They really are a good band!

[JamesR]

Best free program out there is CDex [cdex.n3.net]

[tbear]

Thanx JamesR looks promising, I thought of offering download and/or streaming, can WAV's be used for streaming, how do the two compare as far as bandwidth is concerned (they don't have a lot of cash)?

[oilman]

the wav file is going to be about 10X bigger than the mp3. If you're gonna put it up on the site you definatly want to go with the mp3. If bandwidth is an issue you should maybe put up just 30 second clips of the songs. No reason you should give them the whole song right? Just give em enough to bite and then sell the the whole cd.

[tbear]

Thanx oilman.
There's no issue of selling tracks as yet, they're still looking for a contract. The tracks are demo's (but very well recorded). I chose a server with plenty of bandwidth allowance. I'll have to suck and see. Guess we'll forget streaming for now.

[JamesR]

Both WMA (Windows Media Audio) and Real Networks offer some streaming solutions. I am not up to speed on charges though. Real Audio gets good sound at low bitrates.

[oilman]

you can http stream realaudio for free - can't remember how exactly but I used to do it a fair bit.

[tbear]

What's that Oilmanż
:+)
Hey any good SEO knows that 'free' takes the biscuit.
And I think these guys deserve it.....