Unable to export /convert MP3 files

[skj]

I just downloaded Audacity Beta 1.3 (Windows Vista) and the LAME MP3 Encoder. When I launch Audacity and click on "File" all of the export selections are grey (not highlighted). Both the Audacity and LAME files are located in my OS Program Files. When I click on Edit/Audacity Preferences/library, the LAME file is in the library export file. I've removed and reloaded the files, restarted my PC, and still am not able to use the export function to convert files to MP3. Thanks-

[steve]

When I launch Audacity and click on "File" all of the export selections are grey (not highlighted).

If there are no audio tracks in the project then that is normal. You can't export an empty project.

[skj]

Thanks Steve---so, if I have audio files in .wav format (in file on my desktop) which I want to convert to MP3 files, don't I need to export them first--or in otherwords, how do I confert each of these files into MP3?

[steve]

What exactly do you want to do?
Do you just want to convert some WAV files to MP3, or do you want to edit the WAV files and then convert them to MP3?
If you only want to convert WAV files to MP3, I'd recommend that you use a standalone encoder such as winLAME http://winlame.sourceforge.net/ (it's free and open source).

If you want to do more than just convert the files, please give details and we'll try to give appropriate advice or at least point you in the right direction.

[skj]

Hi Steve,
I just want to convert wav and other music files to MP3 so I can listen to the tunes (I'm a fiddle player and make digital recordings of music jams to learn tunes) in my car as well as using various music programs that allow you to slow down the speeed/tempo. Someone mentioned Audacity as being a good tool. I also have music files downloaded from the web in wav format, that I would like to convert so I can listen on my sansadisk clip via usb in my car (which only recognizes mp3). Thanks a bunch, I'm clearly new to all this!