WELCOME to PLANET MP3
The mp3 audio file is fast becoming the standard and will soon replace the CD as the storage method of choice:
- IT FITS THE TECHNOLOGY: measured in terms of memory and bits/sec it fits into the digital universe as does CD. So they both occupy the same niche
- IT IS VERY PORTABLE: With the deveopment of Flash memory, 128 billion bits can be put on something about the size of a fingernail (miccro Secure Digital High Capacity card). This amounts to something like 10,000 songs on something that you can fit in your wallet.
- IT IS BECOMING UBIQUITOUS: mp3 players are becoming commnon and abile to use both internal memory and these tiny cards. These players are just about everywhere; in computers, phones, some digital cameras and pocket-sized physical digital media players.
- IT IS BACWARD-COMPATIBLE: DVD players some 5 to 8 years old can read mp3 CD's and DVD's
- IT IS EASY AND CHEAP TO PRODUCE: A good computer based media player can convert the material on CD to mp3 and you can store mp3's on CD and DVD as well as use these same media players to create CD's
- PERFORMANCE-RECORDABLE: the final output of most digital studios, like Audacity, is or can be in mp3 format and there are several audio capture programs that output in mp3
Thus you have the ingredients to make a strong market.
the mp3 format easily accommodates all but the most complex audio. Sattelite Era popular music was primariy distributed on 39 cent records and non-hi-fi LP Albums. There was very little high fidelity in this market and you can easily get by with mp3 recordings of 128 kbs.
There are 4 stpes to the process:.
- GETTING: I've gone through as many "free" mp3 generating programs as I care to and they don't cut it. My choice isYouTube Audio Capture. The download is free but the Registration costs about $US15. Don't think twice; register, if you do, they throw in 1 fully functional prgram of your choice registered free. I took MP3 Workstation.
- "POST PRODUCTION". Dynamic control and song information.
- PLAYING: These songs were played mostly on lo-fi media players (radio and rcoord players with 39-cent recores). They were recorded to sound original. some even have record scratch. Before you try to play them to modern stadards, READ THIS
- ORGANIZATION: How you set up and play the media, Playlists, Libraries and stuffl like that
MEDIA TOOLS PACKAGE
In line with this, I am distributing several programs in one Media Tools package. These are freeware that you would have to chase all over the Web for and make up a great starter kit since they are very easy to use:
- MP3Gain lets you bring a folder full of audio files within a couple of decibels of each other.
- AudioShell works in properties to create and edit ID3 tags which are the standard format for song or "track" information storage and access
- Media Monkey Standard. The free version of a very powerful audio file player and management system that even I can use. This little gem
- >lets you create and use playlists or just select some criteria to play a set of songs: Artist, Album, Genre, Year, or the like
- auto-levels the volume so that tracks aren't really loud or really soft.
- intuitively organizes your audio
- rip and burn CD's
- has an "auto DJ"
- sync's other devices
- has built in EQ and Crossfade
- choice of skins and custom display attributes
- Is very easy to use
- IrfanView can be used to create slideshows and screensavers that use mp3's for music, convert image file formats; including icons (ICO) and add transparency to gifs.
- GIF Animator. Very easy to use free Corel/Ulead program using wizards to create aniGifs. Corel/ULead is a very good set of digital photogrpahy programs
- a javascript slideshow page template with provision to embed music
These are available in the "miscellaneous" downoad at the main download page
But wait: There's more!
We are planning a similar but scaled-down version of this program for our Clssic Rock site at FIRSTSTRINGERS.