If you are attempting to export an audio file (File > Export > Audio File) and would like to create an MP3, but this option is not available, your playback options may be affecting this choice.
Finale has two main modes of playback Play Finale Through MIDI or Play Finale Through Audio Units (or VST for Windows). Both of these options can be found under the MIDI/Audio menu. If you have Play Finale Through Audio Units/VST selected, Finale will not be able to export directly to MP3. If you do have Play Finale Through MIDI selected instead you can then export to MP3 directly from Finale.
However, it is not always the best option to switch your file to play Finale through MIDI in order to export to MP3. This can cause playback sounds reassign and, especially when using percussion, cause incorrect sounds to be loaded by default. Also, the playback quality of most AU/VST instrument sounds is better than the default SmartMusic SoftSynth that is used when playing Finale through MIDI.
So, in order to get an MP3 file for your Finale score, but still use AU/VST sounds you can do the following:
- Leave the file set to play through Audio Units/VST in the MIDI/Audio menu.
- Export the file to audio (File > Export > Audio File).
- Choose to save the audio file as an AIFF (Mac) or WAV (Windows). Save the audio file somewhere it is easy to find.
- Use a program like iTunes to convert the saved AIFF or WAV file to MP3.