MP3 Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are commonly asked questions regarding MP3s. If we haven't answered your query here then simply send us an email using our Contact Form, and we'll try and find the relevant information for you.

What are MP3s?
Will I go to jail for listening to MP3s?
How do I save or download MP3s for later playback?
How do I get started with this MP3 thing?
How do I get an MP3 player?
How do I get music from CDs to MP3s on my computer?
What else can I do with MP3s?
Why are they called MP3s?

What are MP3s?
MP3s are digital audio files that have been shrunken down while still maintaining their original sound quality. Before there were MP3s, digital audio files took hours to download. But on a modem, most MP3s can download in just a few minutes. MP3s are widely recognized as the most popular format for storing and listening to music on the World Wide Web.

Will I go to jail for listening to MP3s?
MP3 is simply a file format. Just like a regular CD, they can be pirated or used illegally. All MP3s that are available here have the legal permission of the copyright holder (artist, record label, etc.).

How do I save or download MP3s for later playback?
There are a few different processes, depending on how your player is set up. After you click the download link, the song should either save itself automatically to a temporary directory, or a personal folder or directory on your hard drive. Or you might get a pop-up prompting you to "Open the file" or "Save to Disk." In this case, choose "Save to Disk." Your computer will then ask you where you would like to save the file. Choose a destination you can remember so you can find the MP3 later.
Most players have a settings area where you can specify how you'd like to download songs. Try playing around with these settings to see which process you like best.
If you're still having trouble downloading MP3s, a quick solution is to right-click the Download link (or left click and hold if you're on Macintosh), left-click Save Link As or Save Target As, name the file and click save.

How do I get started with this MP3 thing?
In order to start playing MP3s, you will need an audio or MP3 player.

How do I get an MP3 Player?
Visit our MP3 Player section to find the best Player that suits your needs.

How do I get music from CDs to MP3s on my computer?
Rippers and encoders do the job of making MP3s for you. Visit our Rippers & Encoders page to download the software of your choice.

Step 1. Download and install a ripper/encoder.

Step 2. Make your MP3 files.
Procedures vary, but in general follow these steps: Put the CD you want to encode into your computer's CD-ROM drive. Launch the software you've just installed and click on the record button. A window will appear, listing the tracks on the CD by number. If you're connected to the Internet, the names of the songs, the artist and album name will be filled in. If you do not have an Internet connection or the CD information isn't appearing, you can fill in the available fields, if you want to. Click the box next to each track you want to convert to an MP3 file. When you've finished choosing the tracks, click the record button. Wait a few minutes while the track is encoded into the MP3 format.

Step 3. Play your new MP3 files. Now that you've made an MP3 of your track, you can listen to it. The tracks you've recorded will be stored and listed in a directory, typically called a music library or database. (You can change the directory where files are stored, usually under preferences or options.) In the library or database, you can enter additional information about each track. To play the tracks, you usually double-click a track, or drag it into a playlist window and click the play button.

What else can I do with MP3s?
Maybe the better question to ask us is what can't you do with MP3s. Remember, the real beauty of the file format is its versatility! With this technology you can...
.Convert your CDs to MP3s with rippers and encoders.
.Listen to your CD collection from any Internet device with My.MP3.
.Cross-fade MP3s to create a continuous mix DJ-style with musicians' software.
.Take your MP3s to go with personal digital assistants and teeny portables.
.Play more than 100 songs on a single CD with MP3/CD players.
.Store hundreds of songs in your car with car players.
.Promote your music to the world by joining the MP3.com artist community.

Why are they called MP3s?
MP3 is short for MPEG Audio Layer 3. MPEG refers to the Moving Pictures Experts Group, an organization that sets international standards for digital formats for audio and video. The file-shrinking technology itself was developed by the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany.