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What is an MP3?
Audio files recorded in MPEG level 3 encoding standards are more
commonly know as MP3. MPEG itself stands for the Moving Pictures
Experts Group, an organization that sets international standards
for digital formats for audio and video. The Fraunhofer
Institute in Germany invented the
technology.
How do I play MP3s?
You would use a program like WinAmp, Sonique or
one of many other typically free players you can find on a
download site like Download.com
What is CD Ripping?
CD ripping is the process of extracting songs
from a CD which is then converted into a WAVE (.wav) file on your computer.
Recommended CD Ripper:
AltoMP3 Maker
Are MP3s illegal?
No, MP3 technology is not illegal. If you use
the technology illegally, that's another issue.
Typically, you are allowed to make a copy or burn a CD of for
your own personal use. If you make further copies of the MP3 or
any CD you burn and give them away or sell them, you are
committing a crime and stealing money from the artist.
Is it illegal for me to make MP3 files
from my existing CD collection?
No. The Home Recording Act allows you to make copies of your
music CDs for personal use. You cannot share or sell these
copied files or CDs. Once you have distributed these files to
individuals who do not own the original CD, you have broken
copyright law. You are not permitted to go on the Internet and
trade your MP3 files with people who do not own their own copy
of the CD. Please note that copyright laws that pertain to ripping & encoding
legally-purchased CD audio music for your own personal use vary from country to country.
What is a codec?
A
codec is a software component that translates video or audio
between its uncompressed form and compressed form. A codec is
used to compress digital audio files by removing redundant
data. MP3 encoders and decoders are audio codecs.
MP3 To Wave Converter is an example of a very good codec.
What is an encoder?
An encoder converts a WAVE (.wav)
file into a compressed file format such as MP3. You
would use an encoder to create MP3s that have been digitally extracted from a CD.
An encoder is also known as a converter. Recommended MP3,
WAV, WMA Encoder:
Acoustica MP3 to Wave Converter PLUS!
What is a decoder?
A decoder converts an MP3
file into a WAVE file. This is the process most CD burning
software goes through in order to burn your MP3s onto CD.
Recommended Decoder:
Acoustica MP3 to Wave Converter PLUS!
What is a bitrate?
A bitrate
is the amount of information (bits) transferred in a second
bits per second (bps). With regards to
MP3 audio files, the bitrate unit is more commonly referred to
as kbps, which is thousand-bits-per-second. The higher the
bitrate of an MP3 file, the better the sound quality.
Most MP3 encoders support a range of bitrates from 24kbps up to
320kbps. Typically, 128kbps is quite adequate for listening to MP3s on your computer.
Some people prefer to use 192kbps when burning MP3s to CD.
What are ID3 Tags?
ID3 is a tagging system that lets you put enriching and relevant
information about your audio files within them. Tags can
contain any kind of information and data you could think of such
as title, album, band, website, lyrics etc.
Recommended ID3 Tag Editor:
Visual
MP3
What CD burning software would you recommend?
Acoustica MP3 CD Burner is one of the most popular CD burner programs.
It is easy to use and very reliable.
You can check out some of our other featured CD burning programs
here.
Check out our
MP3
terms and glossary and the
MP3 tutorials and articles section to learn How to Remove Vocals from an MP3, How to Convert LPs and Cassettes to MP3s and CD and much more...
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