First what is it?
MPEG
layer
3
or
MP3
for
short
is
the
name
of
a
type
of
compression
used
to
take
a
CD
quality
sound
file
and
squash
it
digitally
to
the
smallest
possible
file
without
dramatic
sound
quality
loss.
MPEG
layer
3
is
a
type
of
audio
code.
The
compression
up
to
12:1
produces
very
little
degradation.
Tighter
compression
can
be
achieved,
but
it
will
affect
sound
degradation
results.
To
obtain
certain
compression,
we
must
adjust
the
bit
rates.
The
standard
bit
rates
(near
CD
quality
result)
are
128
or
112
kbit/s.
Many
people
claim
that
low-rate
MPEG
layer
3
files
sound
better
than
Real
Audio
files
with
similar
bit
rates.
So is it music or
not
and
aren’t
they
illegal?
No,
Mp3
in
and
of
itself
is
not
music.
MP3
compression
can
be
applied
to
any
type
of
audio,
video
or
graphic
file
however
MP3
has
become
synonymous
with
music
files.
The
compression
is
not
illegal.
It’s
only
the
use
of
the
compression
on
copy
written
material
like
CDs,
DVDs,
etc.
that
is
illegal
without
permission.
Is
it
legal
to
burn
a
personal
copy
of
a
CD
through
right?
Legally,
no.
Any
use
of
a
copyrighted
material
without
permission
is
a
violation
of
the
law.
This
includes
CD
burning,
copying
a
movie
or
even
photocopying
a
book.
The reason music
mp3s
became
so
important
was
the
importance
of
the
internet
as
a
low-cost
alternative
for
distribution.
Early
on
there
was
tremendous
promise
with
sites
like
Emusic
and
Mp3.com
as
a
new
distribution
channel
which
would
eliminate
the
need
for
manufacturing,
record
labels,
retailers
and
anything
else
that
stood
between
the
artist
and
their
fans.
Unfortunately,
the
internet
decided
not
to
cooperate
and
never
delivered
on
the
promise.
While
mp3s
are
still
a
very
important
part
of
delivering
music,
greed
became
the
winner.
Hundreds
of
thousands
of
dollars
that
should
have
gone
to
artists,
songwriters
and
companies
who
support
them
lost
out. The value of a song is now equated with a 99 cent download
rather
than
as
a
piece
in
an
artist’s
vision
for
a
complete
album.
Greed
has
once
again
turned
art
into
commerce.
If
record
labels
are
guilty
for
cheating
artists,
I
think
we
found
out
that
consumers
turned
out
to
be
just
as
bad.
In
addition,
we
learned
that
through
this
incredible
delivery
system
not
one
artist
on
mp3.com
or
any
other
digital
distribution
system
broke
through
to
compete
with
major
label
artists.
The
error
was
in
relying
on
the
technology
to
bring
out
what
artists
do
best
–
write
and
perform
songs
that
move
people. The future will no doubt include MP3s or mp4, 5 and X,
but
let’s
not
forget
that
we
are
artists
with
a
song
first.
So how does it
help
me?
First,
we
are
finally
turning
the
curve
away
from
illegal
downloads
towards
paying
for
songs.
Digital
Distribution
sites
like
itunes;
Walmart,
CD
Baby,
Napster
(new
pay
model)
and
thousands
of
others
are
making
way
for
artists
to
sell
their
tracks
online.
The
best
list
I
have
found
of
all
the
sites
available
is
at
the
yahoo
business
directory
Secondly, Mp3s can
be
a
tremendous
marketing
tool.
MP3s
turn
your
homepage
into
a
retail
listening
station.
Upload
your
song
to
your
website
and
begin
immediately
sharing
with
people
what
you
got
(so
make
sure
it’s
good!).
You
can
point
potential
booking
contacts
to
your
website
for
a
sample
of
your
music.
Finally, go
global!
The
power
of
the
internet
is
realized
in
this
way.
Globally
you
can
reach
thousands
of
people
who
might
potentially
use
your
music.
Upload
the
song
to
one
of
the
many
community
sites
for
indie
artists
like
www.luma.com and begin to
spread
the
love.
Don’t
forget
to
add
a
link
to
your
personal
website
and
vice
versa.
Do
a
search
for
“upload
your
music”
in
google
to
get
this
list
of
the
thousands
of
sites
that
will
host
your
music.
There
are
also
thousands
of
Internet
radio
