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What MP3 Is
MP3 is a compressed audio format that allows for smaller file sizes with similar sound quality to PCM WAV format, the format found on normal music CDs you would buy in a store. Thompson and Fraunhofer helped develop the coding algorithm, or system of rules and processes, that encoded audio to this incredible format. For more on exactly how this encoding technology works.
Why MP3 is Popular
The popularity of MP3 comes from its practical uses. Music tracks in WAV format are extremely large in file size, averaging around 50MB in size. Since it is so large, it is not practical to send WAV files through email or offer them for download on the Internet. MP3, however, compresses WAV audio on average of 10 to 12 times smaller than the original size. The result is audio tracks around 3 to 4 MB in size, perfect for downloading and sending through the Internet. Thus, custom MP3 format CDs can be created with 10 to 12 times the amount of tracks of a normal 12-15 track audio CD, producing CDs with over 100 tracks easily. The format is also popular for turning your PC into a jukebox of hundreds or thousands of songs or loading them into a portable mp3 player and taking your music collection wherever you want.
How do I get MP3s?
As of now, you cannot buy MP3s in a store on a CD. Therefore, you can either make them yourself or get them from others who have made them.
Making MP3
To make your own MP3s, you need a CD with music, a computer with a CD ROM that supports digital audio extraction (also called ripping, most CD ROMs support this), space on your hard drive, and mp3 ripping software. The process than is simply putting your CD in your computer CD drive and then running the mp3 ripping software. Each software program has its own way of letting you do this and you will need to become familiar with each program. Search rippers to get started with and use.
Getting MP3s from Others
If you don't want to make your own MP3s, you can get them from someone else. The most popular ways include using file sharing software (similar to Napster) and downloading them from someone else over the Internet. Although this method is popular, there are some risks. Most music is copyrighted and if you don't own the CD of the songs you want to acquire, you will technically be breaking the law. Also, there is the risks that downloading files over the Internet will contain viruses or other unwanted material although the majority of files will probably be safe. Other ways of getting MP3s is from free MP3 sites like EMusic or by copying files from another person's MP3 format CD that they have created. |
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