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Free MP3 Downloads: MP3 Music, Songs, Ringtones And Audio Books
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Published: October 2, 2007
Forget 8-tracks, records, cassettes and compact discs – MP3 downloads have become the easiest way to own and enjoy music. MP3 music downloads are computer files downloaded from the Internet to a personal computer. These files can be played through computer music players, copied to compact discs, or copied to MP3 players and iPods.
Other MP3 uses include audio books and ringtones.
MP3 downloads can be free or purchased. For a long time, illegal P2P networks were the most used form of MP3 downloads. P2P, or peer-to-peer, networks allow users to search for and download music from other users. These networks are largely illegal because artists have no way of receiving royalties for their music. Most MP3 downloads must now be purchased, although there are some legal ways to receive free music downloads.
About.com has created a list of the most used free MP3 download sites. Amazon.com is the largest name on the list, with a few others promising free music from a range of genres. Epitonic.com, CommonTunes.org and Garageband.com are among the other sites that offer free, legal, MP3 downloads. Most free sites are tailored towards independent and unsigned artists, but more popular music may be found. Most MP3 downloads can be previewed for free, even if the full length song must be purchased.
The largest collection of MP3 downloads can be found using iTunes. Offering a free music player and a music store featuring over 1,500,000 files, iTunes is used by owners of the Apple iPod as well as computer users looking for a player with burning capabilities. iTunes MP3 downloads are all $.99 per track, with options for albums. Entire albums can be downloaded for $9.99-$13.99. One convenient practice is offering credits for albums purchased after a single track or two has been downloaded. iTunes offers many other benefits that make it the premier MP3 source.
After MP3 music tracks are downloaded, for an additional $.99 each, songs can be cut into MP3 ringtones. Unlike many cell phone providers and other ringtone sources, iTunes MP3 ringtones allow the user to choose the portion of the song to be played when receiving a call. Another convenient option for iTunes users is the iTunes gift card. This card is available for purchase at many retailers, such as Target, and offers an easy way to give the gift of music to others. For those who do not prefer MP3 music, audio books are also available on iTunes. Starting at $.95 each, even the newest releases are available to be purchased for use on the computer, iPod or iPhone.
iTunes is not for everyone, and there are many other places from which to acquire MP3 downloads. eMusic, Yahoo! Music and Wal-Mart are a few other services for MP3 downloads. Though they are cheaper than iTunes, the amount of files available is significantly lower. Of these three, Yahoo! is the only one offering downloadable software to accompany their songs. Comparing rates and services can be done with the About.com comparison chart, as well as consulting each service's website.
MP3 downloads make receiving new music simple. MP3 downloads can be purchased any time of day, any day of the week. They can be listened to on the computer, as well as burned onto compact discs. MP3 discs can be played in some cars and CD players, and can hold over a hundred files. Audio CDs can be compiled with about 20 songs on them, and played in any CD player or car. MP3 files can also be converted into cell MP3 ringtones and listened to as audio books. The flexibility of use makes MP3 downloads the most convenient way to acquire new music.
Sources:
Apple – iTunes – iTunes Store – Audiobooks. 2007. Apple, Inc. 1 Oct 2007. http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/audiobooks.html.
Apple – iTunes – iTunes Store – Music. 2007. Apple, Inc. 1 Oct 2007. http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/music.html.
Apple – iTunes – iTunes Store – Ringtones. 2007. Apple, Inc. 1 Oct 2007. http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/ringtones.html.< br />
"Downloading Legally – Understanding the RIAA Lawsuits." About, Inc. 2007. The New York Times Company. 1 Oct 2007. http://mp3.about.com/od/isitlegal/a/riaalawsuits.h tm.
eMusic.com. 2007. eMusic.com, Inc. 1 Oct 2007. http://www.emusic.com/.
"Free and Legal MP3 Downloads – Where to Buy Free Music Online." About.com. 2007. The New York Times Company. 1 Oct 2007. http://mp3.about.com/od/freemusicdownloads/tp/free andlegalmp3.htm.
"Where to Buy Your Digital Music." About.com. 2007. The New York Times Company. 1 Oct 2007. http://mp3.about.com/od/wheretobuymusic/a/all_prof ile.htm.
MP3 downloads can be free or purchased. For a long time, illegal P2P networks were the most used form of MP3 downloads. P2P, or peer-to-peer, networks allow users to search for and download music from other users. These networks are largely illegal because artists have no way of receiving royalties for their music. Most MP3 downloads must now be purchased, although there are some legal ways to receive free music downloads.
About.com has created a list of the most used free MP3 download sites. Amazon.com is the largest name on the list, with a few others promising free music from a range of genres. Epitonic.com, CommonTunes.org and Garageband.com are among the other sites that offer free, legal, MP3 downloads. Most free sites are tailored towards independent and unsigned artists, but more popular music may be found. Most MP3 downloads can be previewed for free, even if the full length song must be purchased.
The largest collection of MP3 downloads can be found using iTunes. Offering a free music player and a music store featuring over 1,500,000 files, iTunes is used by owners of the Apple iPod as well as computer users looking for a player with burning capabilities. iTunes MP3 downloads are all $.99 per track, with options for albums. Entire albums can be downloaded for $9.99-$13.99. One convenient practice is offering credits for albums purchased after a single track or two has been downloaded. iTunes offers many other benefits that make it the premier MP3 source.
After MP3 music tracks are downloaded, for an additional $.99 each, songs can be cut into MP3 ringtones. Unlike many cell phone providers and other ringtone sources, iTunes MP3 ringtones allow the user to choose the portion of the song to be played when receiving a call. Another convenient option for iTunes users is the iTunes gift card. This card is available for purchase at many retailers, such as Target, and offers an easy way to give the gift of music to others. For those who do not prefer MP3 music, audio books are also available on iTunes. Starting at $.95 each, even the newest releases are available to be purchased for use on the computer, iPod or iPhone.
iTunes is not for everyone, and there are many other places from which to acquire MP3 downloads. eMusic, Yahoo! Music and Wal-Mart are a few other services for MP3 downloads. Though they are cheaper than iTunes, the amount of files available is significantly lower. Of these three, Yahoo! is the only one offering downloadable software to accompany their songs. Comparing rates and services can be done with the About.com comparison chart, as well as consulting each service's website.
MP3 downloads make receiving new music simple. MP3 downloads can be purchased any time of day, any day of the week. They can be listened to on the computer, as well as burned onto compact discs. MP3 discs can be played in some cars and CD players, and can hold over a hundred files. Audio CDs can be compiled with about 20 songs on them, and played in any CD player or car. MP3 files can also be converted into cell MP3 ringtones and listened to as audio books. The flexibility of use makes MP3 downloads the most convenient way to acquire new music.
Sources:
Apple – iTunes – iTunes Store – Audiobooks. 2007. Apple, Inc. 1 Oct 2007. http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/audiobooks.html.
Apple – iTunes – iTunes Store – Music. 2007. Apple, Inc. 1 Oct 2007. http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/music.html.
Apple – iTunes – iTunes Store – Ringtones. 2007. Apple, Inc. 1 Oct 2007. http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/ringtones.html.< br />
"Downloading Legally – Understanding the RIAA Lawsuits." About, Inc. 2007. The New York Times Company. 1 Oct 2007. http://mp3.about.com/od/isitlegal/a/riaalawsuits.h tm.
eMusic.com. 2007. eMusic.com, Inc. 1 Oct 2007. http://www.emusic.com/.
"Free and Legal MP3 Downloads – Where to Buy Free Music Online." About.com. 2007. The New York Times Company. 1 Oct 2007. http://mp3.about.com/od/freemusicdownloads/tp/free andlegalmp3.htm.
"Where to Buy Your Digital Music." About.com. 2007. The New York Times Company. 1 Oct 2007. http://mp3.about.com/od/wheretobuymusic/a/all_prof ile.htm.
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