DMOZ MP3 Frequently Asked Questions

Archive-name:dmoz.org/Arts/Music/Sound_Files/MP3
Posting-Frequency:none
Last-modified:2001-02-14 22:40:47
URL:http://dmoz.org/Arts/Music/Sound_Files/MP3/faq.html
Category:Arts/Music/Sound_Files/MP3

Table of Contents

1  What is this MP3 thing that everyone is talking about?
2  Why are MP3s so popular?
3  So are MP3s illegal?
4  What does this mean for artists and musicians?
5  What about using an MP3 as a sample before you buy an album/single?
6  What about the legal MP3 sites?
7  Software
     7.1  What do I need to be able to play MP3 files on my computer?
     7.2  How can I make my own MP3 files?
8  What is 'streaming' MP3 music?
9  How can I submit a new question or edit this FAQ in some way?

1   Q: What is this MP3 thing that everyone is talking about?
A: MP3 is just a file format, short for MPeg Audio Layer 3. It enables anyone to compress bloated WAV files into small and manageable files.

The compression ratio is about 1:12, allowing a 35 megabyte WAV sound to be reduced to a 3 megabyte MP3 file, without much loss in quality. You can however drop the quality rating, and get the size much smaller.

by simoneast at 2000-04-07 03:46:32
2   Q: Why are MP3s so popular?
A: They have become very popular because anyone with a CD-ROM drive can "rip" a CD, meaning recording an audio track and saving it into an MP3 file. These files can then be distributed across the internet or via other storage devices.
by simoneast at 2000-04-07 03:49:58
3   Q: So are MP3s illegal?
A: Well "MP3" is only a file format, so in itself it is not illegal. It can however be used legally or illegally. If a copyrighted song is recorded into an MP3 file and then sold or distributed, this is illegal, causing a breach of the artist's copyright.
by simoneast at 2000-04-07 03:51:56
4   Q: What does this mean for artists and musicians?
A: There are two main sides to this issue:

Some people and organisations (including the RIAA) accuses MP3 file distribution of copyrighting music and causing drops in sales of music. Many artists and recording companies have tried to sue various companies for distribution of copyrighted music. Some of the accused include MP3.com, Napster, and MP3 Board.

Other parties believe that MP3 files are helping to make little-known artists more popular - much like free-to-air radio does currently.

It's usually the recording companies who believe the former, while the users of the MP3 format who believe the latter.

by simoneast at 2000-09-01 00:22:43
5   Q: What about using an MP3 as a sample before you buy an album/single?
A: Apprently it is OK, to download a copyrighted MP3 song and keep it for up to 24 hours. If you delete it, that is alright, but keeping it for a longer period of time will mean copyright infringement.
by simoneast at 2000-06-22 10:24:19
6   Q: What about the legal MP3 sites?
A: Legal MP3 sites, are usually sites offering MP3 songs for download with the artist or writer's permission. This means you can keep the recordings for as long as you like without worrying about copyright. There may be conditions about this like not using the music for commercial purposes or something similar.

A popular legal MP3 site is MP3.com. This has a huge directory of legal MP3s for you to either download in full, or to just get a sample of the music before you buy. There are many other sites similar to MP3.com listed at DMOZ.

by simoneast at 2000-04-07 06:32:43
7   Software
The tools you need to make and play MP3s on your computer. MP3 Software can be found in this DMOZ category: Arts/Music/Computers/MP3/Software.
7.1   Q: What do I need to be able to play MP3 files on my computer?
A: Well apart from a soundcard and a pair of speakers or headphones, you need a player. An MP3 player decodes the MP3 file while its playing, and not every audio player has this ability. Many of the latest ones do, but just check.

One of the most popular MP3 players for windows is Winamp. It has a great range of features including an equalizer, playlist, name and artist display, random and repeat modes and more. It also has the ability to use "skins" which change the look or feel of Winamp. It is available from any good software download site, or from Winamp.com. Skins, plugins and more info about MP3s are also available from the Winamp site.

by simoneast at 2000-04-07 06:41:14
7.2   Q: How can I make my own MP3 files?
A: To make an MP3 file, you need two things (some programs contain both and can complete the two steps in one - you can find these here).

Firstly, a 'ripper' which records sound from a CD and saves it usually as a WAV file. You can find a list of rippers here.

Secondly, you will need an 'encoder'. This converts the uncompressed WAV file into a compressed MP3 file - making for a MUCH smaller file size. You should be able to choose options when 'encoding' to select the quality of the MP3, and thus the file size. You can find a list of encoders (and some decoders) here.

by simoneast at 2000-06-22 10:30:01
8   Q: What is 'streaming' MP3 music?
A: 'Streaming' refers to the process of listening to internet radio stations or listening to an MP3 file, while downloading it at the same time (ie. downloads the file partially, and starts playing while the rest downloads. Hopefully your download speed can keep up with your playing speed).

When listening to internet radio stations, the music is 'streamed' to you meaning that you are continuously downloading the music a few seconds ahead of playing it. Sometimes the sound can sound choppy and cut in and out because the speed at which you are downloading is too slow for the speed of the broadcast.

by simoneast at 2000-06-22 10:41:11
9   Q: How can I submit a new question or edit this FAQ in some way?
A: Contact the editor of this category, or anyone in any higher-level category. You can do this by clicking on their editor name and following the email link.
by simoneast at 2001-02-14 22:40:47

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