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FROM: Kam Tsui
DATE: May 15, 2000 TIME: 13:19:07 REMOTE IP: 163.238.61.21 |
Beginner's Guide To MP3 |
Beginner's Guide To MP3
If you keep hearing about this thing called MP3 but secretly have no idea what it's all about, you've come to the right place. With my beginner's guide to the MP3 explosion I'll cover all the bases and point you in the right direction to join the party.
An MP3 is a sound file that uses high-tech compression technology to shrink music (or other digital sounds) ten times or more but still deliver near-CD-quality sound. This saves you a bunch of download time and disk space! If you really must know, "MP3" is short for "Motion Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3," but that's not so important. All you really need to know is they're small, they're fast, and they sound fantastic.
Well, like I said, you can download them way faster and lots more of them can live on your hard drive (or ZIP drive, or whatever), but it gets better. Many of them are FREE, for one thing, from sites all over the Web! And, if you want to join the ranks of the Power Users, you can make your own MP3 files — even your own CDs, if you have the right hardware! Just make sure you're careful about the copyright laws if you do!
First, you've got to get a piece of software for your computer to play MP3s. If you're a Windows user, you might want to try WinAmp. If Mac's your style, there's MacAmp. But there are lots of other players with different styles and features — check them out and see which one's best for you. Whatever player you pick, you'll need to download and install it, but don't worry, they're all pretty simple and come with instructions. After you've got a player, you'll be good to go. Just open up the file you want, and get ready to rock (or swing, or hip-hop, … etc.).
If you don't mind spending a little money, you can listen to MP3s while you walk, jog, or skydive. The first portable MP3 player, the Diamond Rio is priced to compete with the Sony Walkman, and it's small and sleek enough to slip into your pocket. If it succeeds, there'll be more, and price competition will probably mean everyone will have one. Load the player with files from your computer and get a move on!
There's a vast number of sources for MP3 files. The most popular sites are MP3.com and Napster.com. It's a great way for Windows users to find their favorite tunes — or anything else they might be looking for — on the Web. For Napster, you have download a small file, run the installer, and search the music, artist or album with the program. For MP3.com and most of the MP3 sites are even simpler, just go to their sites and now you're ready to look for MP3 files of your favorite music!
Everyone can make his/her own MP3s. Be warned, though, it's not quite as easy as listening, and this is where you might start to get in trouble with the authorities. You'll need some new software, too: a ripper to transfer the sounds from your CDs onto your hard drive and an encoder to turn those files into lean, mean MP3s. Then only your imagination, your CD collection, and your hard drive space limit you.
There are all sorts of software tools for use with MP3 files. Of course, the one tool that everyone who wants to enjoy MP3 files needs is a player, but if you want to make your own MP3's you'll at least need an encoder, and maybe even a ripper (combination of these software is called an All-In-One program). To convert songs from a CD, place the CD in the PC's CD-ROM drive. Using a ripper, you can grab the song off the CD as a WAV file. Then use an encoder to convert it to the MP3 format. But as soon as you have the appropriate tools that meet your needs, just follow the software instructions, and you'll have a party in your house in no time. Here is the list of the tools that may meet you needs:
P L A Y E R S Windows WinAmp 2.5 <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: Nullsoft File size: 680k An early leader in the MP3 field, WinAmp is noted for its ease of use, and support for sound and visual effects plug-ins and customizable "skins" that let the user choose from literally thousands of different looks for the player. Real Jukebox player <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: RealNetworks File size: 5.6/2.5 mb The recently released Real Jukebox player from Internet audio pioneer Real Networks supports a variety of popular formats and also doubles as a high-speed ripper/encoder to record songs direct from CD into MP3 format. Quicktime 4 <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: Apple File size: 367 k Apple's own QuickTime technology, already a virtual Swiss Army knife capable of handling practically any media format, has added MP3 to its spiffy new, faux brushed aluminum player. MyNetMedia <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: MyNetMedia.com Download the demo version of this software and play MP3 files and experiment with recording those files to a cd. Macintosh MacAmp Lite 1.5.2 <http://www.macamp.net> Created by: @soft File size: 700 k MacAmp brings the features of WinAmp to the Macintosh operating system, including the ability to package the player in customizable "skins." A utility program offered on the site even lets users convert WinAmp skins to work with MacAmp. Quicktime 4 <http://www.apple.com/quicktime/> Created by: Apple File size: 367 k Apple's own QuickTime technology, already a virtual Swiss Army knife capable of handling practically any media format, has added MP3 to its spiffy new, faux brushed aluminum player. ~SoundApp 2.61 <http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/franke/SoundApp/> Created by: Norman Franke File size: 1.2 mb The king of all Macintosh audio tools, SoundApp's simple interface belies its amazing abilities to play and convert almost any audio file format ever devised. Regular updates and improvements make this a valuable piece of software for any Mac audio enthusiast.
E N C O D E R S Windows AudioCatalyst 2.0 <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: Xing Technology Corporation File size: 2.8 mb The demo version of AudioCatalyst delivers all the features of the commercial program, including analog and digital encoding capability, with a slight degradation in sound quality. If you like the program you can buy the commercial version and start making crystal clear CD quality files. MusicMatch Jukebox 4.0 <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: MusicMatch File size: 4000k A full-featured jukebox that can handle any common task associated with making or playing MP3's, MusicMatch offers downloaders near-CD quality audio. Pay the registration fee to get true CD quality files. Real Jukebox player <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: RealNetworks File size: 5.6/2.5 mb The recently released Real Jukebox player from Internet audio pioneer Real Networks supports a variety of popular formats and also doubles as a high-speed ripper/encoder to record songs direct from CD into MP3 format. Macintosh AudioCatalyst 2.0 <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: Xing Technology Corporation File size: 2.8 mb The demo version of AudioCatalyst delivers all the features of the commercial program, including analog and digital encoding capability, with a slight degradation in sound quality. If you like the program you can buy the commercial version and start making crystal clear CD quality files.
R I P P E R S Windows AudioCatalyst 2.0 <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: Xing Technology Corporation File size: 2.8 mb The demo version of AudioCatalyst delivers all the features of the commercial program, including analog and digital encoding capability, with a slight degradation in sound quality. If you like the program you can buy the commercial version and start making crystal clear CD quality files. MusicMatch Jukebox 4.0 <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: MusicMatch File size: 4000k A full-featured jukebox that can handle any common task associated with making or playing MP3's, MusicMatch offers downloaders near-CD quality audio. Pay the registration fee to get true CD quality files. Real Jukebox player <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: RealNetworks File size: 5.6/2.5 mb The recently released Real Jukebox player from Internet audio pioneer Real Networks supports a variety of popular formats and also doubles as a high-speed ripper/encoder to record songs direct from CD into MP3 format. Macintosh AudioCatalyst 2.0 <http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html> Created by: Xing Technology Corporation File size: 2.8 mb The demo version of AudioCatalyst delivers all the features of the commercial program, including analog and digital encoding capability, with a slight degradation in sound quality. If you like the program you can buy the commercial version and start making crystal clear CD quality files.
Be creative and have fun with MP3 ^_^
Question: It is illegal to obtain other musician’s work without their permission. So why are so many MP3 sites out there letting people download MP3s? Also, are we against the law by downloading, listening, and exchanging MP3s without the authorization of the music companies? What makes those legal MP3 sites and software legal?
But if someone use it to earn money, it will be illegal. For example, if you by a CD, you are actually buying the right to listen to that CD at 1 time in 1 place. If you have a CD, and play the same song on MP3 at the same time, you are breaking the law (as stupid as it is). Even personal use is prohibited if you did not pay for it (likewise, warez is illegal for personal use as well). As long as you use them for personal use and do not redistribute them for profit or for any other reason Mp3s are fine to download and listen to for as long as you want.
REPLY TO THIS ARTICLE
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Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by Bougataya Mehdi on May 30, 2000 at 12:51:37 at IP 172.147.168.64
I think before I agree with people to download MP3s and listen to them I disagree with the law of the copy right till some extends. I think that copy right is a pure abuse of the owner of the right and I am thinking about microsoft how much money they are making for moderate products. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by HOI CHUN YUNG on May 29, 2000 at 2:37:39 at IP 209.255.50.86
do some poeple think of why MP3 and sex picture will come to two big favorite in computer world, but both illegal. People always like something cheap and good. On business look, MP3, will make the growing of the family computer and computer multimedia demand. This is the hot stuff for kids, most of poeple like to use computer more and more, because people like to use seraching all those kind of stuff in net. Make growing of business, why not. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by Bobbie Razo on May 28, 2000 at 18:27:59 at IP 216.192.103.36
MP3’s are only legal to a certain point. For personal unprofitable use, yes. But, those that download mps’s for distribution and profit abuse the use of MP3’s and make them illegal that way. Its just like obtaining unauthorized copies of software. As computer scientists and programmers, we program for a living and use our skills for profit. We would think its unfair and unlawful for those people who obtain copies of our own program and redistribute them for their own profit without our permission. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by Wai Shing Chan on May 25, 2000 at 10:51:40 at IP 152.163.204.53
I don't think it is illegal since I only download it for personal use. And if the CD is good, I mostly will buy it. In contrast, it is illegal if play in the public because since we don't have the permition to do so. Anyway, I was against those use MP3 to earn money, it is like taking someone's effort to earn profit. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by Joseph Fardella on May 23, 2000 at 23:48:44 at IP 63.23.128.165
There is a fine line between legal and illegal in this situation. I feel that once someone makes a set amount of profit on the distribution of such information, they should then pay a percentage to the record label. I dont this should be illegal though. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by Dennis Healy on May 23, 2000 at 1:30:37 at IP 205.188.199.32
What about Napter and downloading from other users... if I buy a CD, do I have the right to give a copy of it to someone else?
I think not. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by mkhanum@hotmail.com on May 22, 2000 at 17:19:48 at IP 163.238.9.13
I think it is not illegal to download MP3 and listen to it. Those sights should know better before putting them up there. I am sure they have some kind of permit. It might be concered as advertising. But to download and tape it and sell it to some else is illegal. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by Jick Gee Chui on May 18, 2000 at 17:18:35 at IP 163.238.34.214
I think that the MP3 for the you to trial listen is legal. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by Han on May 18, 2000 at 14:53:10 at IP 198.83.28.35
It is not illegal to download MP3s. It is ILLEGAL to play MP3s if you do not have a "license" to play it. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by kit woo on May 18, 2000 at 0:05:55 at IP 152.172.131.138
In Spite of the fact that Mp3 is perfectly legal to download, I think it is so unfair for the singers and the musical companies. I personally do not use Mp3, because I do respect for the hard working singers. Just put your feet on their shoes. Re: Beginner's Guide To MP3
Posted by Hector Blanco on May 17, 2000 at 14:21:04 at IP 163.238.244.230
Mp3 files are perfectly legal.
