Does anyone know a program that does this?

[dcsos]

I need to cut down 300 or so full song files in MP3
to 40 second sample length.

Ideal would be a batch cutter program, that doesn't destroy the ID TAG DATA, keeping mp3 format and bit-rate without losses (or too many losses if its not completely lossless i understand I'm trading speed for accuracy)

I've been doing this in AUDACITY and SOUND FORGE one by one

It would be nice, though not essential, that the MP3 cut or out point be furnished with a quick-fade out.

obviously this is to provide samples from the larger dowloadable file for audition
(like all the 'big' commerce sites have)

[Marvingj]

Try Goldwave it can do it....

[dcsos]

Gold wave even has a quick stting pull down for that very setting --the first 40 seconds (sweet) thanks!

[rjc7394]

MP3Cutter is a very small program and superfast and the simplest program out there but it will not fade in/out.

[olyteddy]

MP3DirectCut seems to have 'fade' (in or out) and doesn't re-encode. IIRC, it only handles ID3 v1 tags though. And if it batches, I don't know.

[dcsos]

Thanks now I've tried it
Direct Cut does what I want with the fade but it can't handle batch processes
also it creates a new ID tag or preserves the old one (it can't add a new data field while keeping the old ID TAG)

Goldwave seems easier to use, but for a "QUICK CUT INCLUDING FADE" Direct cut is good.
Gold wave will even do the fade I believe though I haven't created a script for more than a batch cutting operation... cutting now works great (without a fade until I fggure goldwave out more)

[zee944]

Maybe you can use command line tools.
For example, sox.exe is quite a useful one. It can cut your music the way you want, and as far as I remember it can also do fading in/out.