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Free MP3 resources on the Web
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Before the controversial MP3 sound file format came along, downloading an entire song from the Net was often impractical.
With most sound formats, even a portion of a tune was often several megabytes in size and took forever to download.
That all changed with the advent of MP3 technology. Using this technology, a 50 megabyte file can be squashed down to five megs, making downloads much more practical. Moreover, very little audio sound quality is lost in the compression.
If you're going to be downloading MP3 files off the Web, then you'll want to check out our free music software section, which features the Web's best freeware programs for playing your sound files.
Always be wary when downloading from MP3 sites: many feature copyrighted materials. Be sure to read each site's disclaimer. To learn about the technical aspects of MP3 files, go here.
Please send us E-mail if you're aware of any such free sound-related resources that we haven't listed below.
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 Energy Audio - An excellent example of what a good free MP3 resource should be, Energy Audio offers a growing collection of quality MP3 tunes, along with descriptions of the artists and their music. There's an MP3 archive, a "Top 10" section, news, Winamp skins and a "help" section about using MP3 files. There's also an MP3 software section, which includes reviews of PC and Mac players, encoders, CD rippers and other utilities. Artists here include Sticky Pistil, John Ludi, Debris, Emmett Brown and Lagoona.
- The MP3 Site Search Directory - Looking for a particular MP3 file? This popular, well-established site offers a good search engine to help you find just the sound file you need. Categories here include "Legal MP3 Sites," "MP3 Direct Download Sites," and a roundup of sites that feature the latest news on MP3s and more.
- MP3 Fiend - If you're really serious about building your MP3 sound file collection, then this wonderful program is for you. MP3 Fiend is a freeware, ad-supported MP3 metasearch engine. It quickly queries 11 MP3 search engines simultaneously and will locate both FTP and HTTP files (and will verify the search engines' results for you). It's also available in an ad-free version, which costs $25. (3 megabytes). For Windows 98/95 and NT4.
 Napster - A must for MP3 enthusiasts, Napster takes the hassle out of searching for MP3s online. Using Napster's easy-to-use interface, you can find your favorite files, while avoiding broken links, slow downloads and disorganized FTP sites. Other handy features include chat; a hotlist to help you keep track of your fave MP3 libraries; and an audio player (so you can play MP3 files). (620 kilobytes). For Windows 98/95 and NT.
- Real MP3 Search Engine - Here's a good resource for helping you find that MP3 file that's been eluding you. Note that if you're searching for a particular song, this search engine won't return a direct download link; instead it'll point you to the site that offers the title. There's plenty of other MP3 resources listed here, as well. (However, some of the MP3 sites they list have dubious names like "Extreme Illegal Music," so be careful). Categories here include "legal" MP3 archives, other MP3 search engines, FTP download sites, independent bands' MP3 sites, MP3 software sites and more.
- Multi Audio - Good, all-around MP3 resource that offers sound files, software reviews, MP3 news, FTP sites and more. There's also lots of handy links here to many of the Web's top MP3 resources, ranging from search engines to other sound file sites. There's also information here on VQF sound files, a newer format that has compression advantages over MP3s (but has not yet gained wide acceptance).
- MP3 Bible verses - At this site, you'll find a nice selection of verses from the New Testament and Psalms in MP3 format. The recordings are original, free and categorized. The Scriptures here are from the modern English American Standard Version of the Bible.
- Abstract Mp3 - Large selection of current MP3 files at this well-done site. Another plus: there's no annoying pop-up banners and no porn banners. Be sure to read the disclaimer on their welcome page. Abstract Mp3 also offers info on encoders, decoders and players, lyrics and more.
- The Real MP3 City - Good selection of MP3 files here, including our favorite: "Independent bands" featuring the work of up-and-coming groups. Other categories include alternative, rap & hip hop, international, comedy, theme songs and more. They also take requests, if you can't find what you're seeking. The only drawback to this site is that, like an increasing number of MP3 sites, you have to sometimes wade through a lot of JavaScript pop-up windows. Still, The Real MP3 City is worth a visit.
- eatsleepmusic.com - A quality MP3 site that offers a nice selection of free sound files from up-and-coming bands, as well as live, rare and offbeat tracks, categorized by genre. The site is well-designed and is not burdened by annoying pop-up ads (as are so many MP3 sites). There's also music news, reviews of sound file software, loads of links and more.
 My Mp3 Storage - MP3s are cool, but they sure can eat up your hard drive space quickly. This new free service offers you up to 50 megabytes of online storage space for your MP3 files. With this service, you can access your files from any Net-connected computer (and you can easily swap files with your friends, as well).
- The Kosmic Free Music Foundation - Here's a "not-for-profit" resource that offers an eclectic collection of free, original MP3 music from around the globe. Kosmic is more than just another MP3 site, it aspires to "provide a channel between artist and audience separate from the monopolistic worldwide entertainment industry." Much of the music on tap here is in the house/rave/techno and experimental genres.
- AudioGrab.com - Good, all-around resource devoted to the MP3 format, AudioGrab features a good collection of legal sound files (mostly from small, independent rave and techno artists and bands). There's also lots of news about what's going on in the world of MP3, as well as articles and reviews about freeware and shareware MP3 software and utilities. Artists here include Debris, Hagman, Zava and 13 Stories. (I haven't heard of them, either. But, hey, they're free---and some are quite good).
- MP3meta - A helpful resource for locating that hard-to-find MP3 file, this is a "metasearch" engine (which means that it sends your query to several other search engines and integrates the results into a standardized format, removing duplicates and adjusting the ranking for "optimal relevance.") From the pioneer metasearch site, SavvySearch.
- MusicMatch - One of our favorite MP3 sites, MusicMatch offers loads of free (and legal) sound files, by an eclectic assortment of artists. Basically, most of these artists are giving away a track or two of their material, hoping that you'll like what you hear and will buy their CDs. Most of the acts here aren't big names, but there is plenty of worthwhile music, including folk, rock, jazz and country. Each artist has been rated, on a scale of one to 10, by the site's visitors. Examples of the artists here are Michael Lille, Napalm Beach and Saskia Muroe.
- Atomic-Silence - A nice site (if you ignore the annoying wacky JavaScript effects) Atomic-Silence serves up a good collection of free sound files of the hottest, most cutting-edge music from the underground German techno scene. Here, you can listen to an intriguing collection of innovative artists via either MP3 files or RealAudio.
- Noisebox.com - This is an interesting MP3 site with a unique twist: they pay artists for their music and then offer their MP3 files for free to the Web community. Here, you'll find features like "Soup of the Day," which highlights a new artist and gives you a chance to download their single. Artists here include Julian Lennon, the Fixx, Helium Angel, Buck Cherry, the Twigs and more.
- WorldWideBands - Here's a free MP3 site that offers an eclectic selection of tunes that we've not seen elsewhere. Over 130 artists are listed here. Categories include rock, alternative, folk, funk, metal, industrial, punk, ska, reggae, hip hop, dance, techno, Christian, acoustic, big band, blues, instrumental, fusion, R&B, soul, ambient, New Age and avant garde. Artists are conveniently listed by state, by country and alphabetically. The site also features RealAudio content.
- MP3.com - This is the largest and perhaps the definitive MP3 resource on the Web (it's certainly the most commercialized). It offers up-to-the-minute news, contests, information about sound utilities and, of course, free sounds (over 3,000 legal MP3 files). Categories include dance/techno, electronic, experimental, heavy metal/acid rock, industrial, instrumental, new age, pop, R&B/soul, rap, reggae and rock. Be sure to check out MP3.com's Best free (or almost free) MP3 stuff And if you're new to sound files, be sure to check the "MP3 for beginners" section.
- MPEG3 Music Archive - Nordic offers a massive audio archive with nearly 5,000 song selections on demand. Many titles come in three varieties "MP3 Stereo," "MP3 Mono," and WAV files (the latter for faster samples). Categories include everything from Big Band, to techno to bluegrass. There's a helpful search engine for locating songs by album name, artist name and song title.
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