Are there any freeware programs out there that will allow me to edit, cut, effect etc MP3's with out haveing to convert to .wav first? I'm looking for something similiar to SoundForge.

All you can do is cutting, joining and, at most, volume changing.

It's impossible to apply effects without reencoding.

For cutting and joining, you can use MP3directCut:
http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~pesch/

Or Mayah edit pro:
http://www.mayah.de/content/products/editpro/editpro.html

Regards;

Roberto.

...try mp3 direct cut for cutting and splitting, take a look at the webpage here!

...for adjusting the volume you could use mp3gain. Here's the link!

...if you really need effects than you have to use a sound editor and reencode (:spank: "Write 100 times I will not reencode any mp3's"), but be aware of the immense quality degradation, if you reencode mp3's.

EDIT: I need to type quicker the next time, damn!

Thanks, you're excused for slow typeing