All About MP3

What is Napster

Since its high profile lawsuit with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Napster has almost become a household name.

Napster was founded in May 1999 by Shawn Fanning, a high school student that developed a program for people to share music files over the Inernet. The program caught on with the allure of "free music" and turned into a worldwide phenomena. However, Napster came under legal trouble and was found to be aiding copyright violation through its program. The central server was shut down by court order and the original program ceased. However, the program was bought out by media giant Bertelsmann AG (BMG) and is undergoing a reorginization.

The core concept of Napster has since inspired a whole generation of file sharing devices like KaZaa, Music City Morpheus, and BearShare. Napster may have been the single biggest influence in popularizing the MP3 format.

MP3 file sharing programs are software tools that let you download mp3 files from other users of the same program that have allowed files on their computer to be shared. Napster is the father of all mp3 file sharing programs.

What do these programs do?

File sharing programs in general let you swap any kind of file with other people that are connected a network through the software. You can trade pictures, movies, text documents, and music files by downloading them from another person's computer. The software only lets you access files that a user has opened to the public. You can in turn offer files on your computer to be downloaded by others. Most file sharing programs today include filters to help you get what you want and stay away from what you don't.

Are these programs safe?

Any time you connect your computer to a network or even go on the Internet you are at some level of risk to hackers and viruses. Most file sharing programs try to minimize the risk through security measures but you are still putting your trust in their programming and maintenance skills. The biggest risk with MP3 file sharing is viruses disguised as MP3 files. However, dilligent and careful use of your virus software should catch most problems.

What Is WAV ?

WAV is a file format developed by Microsoft and IBM for use on the PC. The format was built into the Windows 95 operating system and quickly became a standard. The format ends with the .wav file extension.

Uses of the WAV Format

WAV files are typically large in file size due to the high quality the format and are used for CDs. An average pop music song is around 50MB in size. WAV files can be made smaller and converted to MP3 format through a process called encoding. This process always yields some kind of quality degradation, depending on how much compression is applied. When MP3 is converted to WAV, the process is called decoding. When MP3 is decoded to WAV, there is no increase in sound quality whatsoever, the file merely increases in size and can be read by common CD players. CD rippers (or CD recorders / extractors), are sofware programs that record CD audio to WAV format on your hard drive.

WAV format is necessary for editing sound files. Technically, MP3 cannot be edited to remove defects or add effects, it must first be converted to WAV format. A WAV editor is needed to alter the WAV file. Some programs like Rip Edit Burn include a WAV editor in the program.

There is one program that will actually compress WAV files without a loss in sound quality. Monkey's Audio compresses WAV files to as much as 60% of the original file size. Files are then saved in .ape format and can only be read by a few compatible players. The program is free and great for those who want to store high quality sound files and want to maximize data storage space at the same time.

What Is WMA ?

WMA is a file format developed by Microsoft to compete with MP3. The letters stand for Windows Media Audio and the file format ends with the .wma extension.

Is WMA Better Than MP3?

The latest release of WMA technology is version 8 which is the best yet. I believe WMA files produce better sounding files than MP3 at similar bitrates. My entire music collection is encoded in WMA 8 format at 128kbps and it satisfies my picky ears. The drawbacks of WMA is that it is a proprietary format meaning that Microsoft charge whatever fees they wish to developers that want to incorporate support for the format in their software. The format also incorporates differing levels of copyright protection which angers some users, limiting them to what they can do with their own music. However for simple encoding and archiving for a jukebox collection, it suffices.

How Do I Make WMA Files?

Making WMA files requires a WMA encoder. Windows Media Player comes with a free CD ripper and WMA encoder, enabling you to easily convert CD audio to WMA on your computer. For more advanced WMA converting and organizing tools, see our WMA converter section.

What Is Real Audio?

Real Audio is a technology developed by Real Networks that includes streaming audio and media as well as a compressed digital audio format to compete with MP3. Real audio carries the .ra file extension and Real Media uses .rm.

Is Real Audio Better Than MP3?

Since Real Audio is a proprietary format like WMA, its uses are limited to only the Real One Player and a few supporting portable audio players. The quality is as good or slightly better than MP3. Only your own personal listening tests will show if you prefer Real Audio encoded files over MP3.

How Do I Make Real Audio Files?

Making Real Audio files requires the Real One Player with included Real Jukebox. After you download and install the program, you can find information on how to convert to .ra format. Real Jukebox includes a cd ripper and encoder.

What Is MP3PRO ?

mp3PRO is a file format developed by Coding Technologies to improve on the MP3 format. The company claims file sizes that have the same quality of MP3 at half the bitrate and file size.

Is mp3PRO Really That Good?

So far, mp3PRO has really disappointed MP3 fans. Complaints center around muddy sounding files and lack of compatability with most MP3 players. Coding Technologies have kept a tight handle on its proprietary format have really squelched development of software that handles the format.

My personal listening tests have given me mixed results. 64 kbps is the default (and currently only) option to encode files with the demo encoder. For 64kbps, it is superior to MP3 LAME encoded files at 64kbps. However, there was a substantial lack of clarity in the instruments especially background vocals, bass guitar, and drum cymbals. The quality is definitely better than what you would hear on your FM radio, but still has a ways to go before it supplants MP3 as the dominant file format.

How Do I Make mp3PRO Files?

A demo encoder and player is now available for download. The program does not rip from CD. You need to have WAV files available to convert to mp3PRO for this program.

Making Audio CD

Making your own audio CDs is a large part of MP3s popularity. Most store bought CDs contain many songs you don't end up listening to. Making your own CDs takes care of that.

To make your own CDs, you need:

• A CD burner drive on your computer
• CD burning software
• Blank CD-R or CD-RW discs
• Music tracks on your computer

If you don't have a cd burning drive, take a look at models from TDK, Plextor, Lite On, Cendyne, and TEAC at your local computer store or on the Internet. These companies usually produce high quality products. They will also include the necessary software for burning your own CDs. If you need CD burning software, see our CD burner download section.

For casual use, I would get inexpensive CD-R media (CD-RW is more expensive and not compatible with many CD players). I use Memorex, TDK, or any other name brand that is on sale at the local computer store. Ordering media over the Internet is usually much more expensive due to shipping charges. If you want the very best quality CD-R media and price is not an issue, try Kodak.

If you don't have music tracks on your computer to burn onto CD, see our guide to getting MP3s for a couple of ways to get music files. For use in most music players, it is easiest to have WAVE files for burning. If the WAVE files have not been converted to another format (i.e. MP3, WMA etc.) they will inherently have the highest sound quality and not need to be converted before burning. If all you have is MP3 files, many programs (like MP3 CD Burner) convert MP3 to WAVE during the burning process so your final CD will be ready for play in any CD player.

Once you have all the necessary equipment, the process is easy as following the burning directions in your software program. Many programs include a guide for burning files on your computer to CD. If you are having trouble with this, download and try MP3 CD Burner. The burning process is very easy and the help menu in the program provides a step by step guide to CD creation.

When making your own CDs, it is important to know that normal CD players in your stereo, car, or home theater system can only read WAV (.wav / WAVE) format unless otherwise specified. Therefore, if you burn an MP3, mp3PRO, WMA, or Real Audio format CD, a regular CD player cannot read it. Only players specified as MP3, mp3PRO, Real Audio and WMA compatible can play those formats.

Kunjungi www.investasi-saham.com untuk investasi saham dan bermain saham. Panduan Lengkap dalam Berinvestasi di Pasar Modal, Bursa Efek Indonesia, Saham, Obligasi, ORI, SUKUK, Reksadana, Derivatif, Investasi Syariah dan Produk Investasi Keuangan lainnya serta Belajar Menjadi Investor/ Trader (Main) Saham.