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| Get our free newsletter for the latest releases Contents Music Software Quick Reference Resources Online Ordering Software Authors Company Info | Shareware Music Machine News MP3: is it worth all the hype Date posted: August 13 1999 From time to time, the whole hype surrounding MP3 files gets a bit too hard to take. While it can't be denied that the ability to download and distribute MP3 is having some serious ramifications in the music industry as a whole, it's still a case of click and wait. And wait some more. Leaving the usual arguments over piracy and copyright aside, a three megabyte file will still take sometime to download on a 33.6 kbs modem. It gets a tad frustrating to wait for the file, while simultaneously surfing web sites slows down the whole download process. Obviously it's an improvement on trying to download a song converted to wav format but for those of us who drink instant coffee and heat our food in the microwave, downloading an MP3 file is still a waiting game. You might question these words if you've got a wonderfully fast connection. But, for many people around the world, the likes of ISDN and cable modems are out of reach. The other major issue is the audible quality of some MP3 files. Leaving aside a lengthy technical explanation, MP3 is based on a psycho-acoustic model which recognizes that the human ear cannot hear all the audio frequencies on a recording. When sound is compressed into an MP3 file, an attempt is made to get rid of the frequencies that can't be heard. As such, this is known as 'destructive' compression. After a file is compressed, the data that is eliminated in the creation of the MP3 cannot be replaced. One problem is that some MP3 files sound 'gutless' because of poor encoding. If you encode at 192 kbits, it will be very hard to find somebody who can pick the difference between the MP3 and a CD track played on a stereo. But, quite often, people encode at lower bit rates in order to decrease file size. Consequently, you can certainly pick the difference between a CD track and an MP3 encoded at 32 kbit monophonic. This is an issue that should be remembered by those who want to put their demos online. While music industry people care more for the quality of a song's performance and structure, the average listener also wants to hear something that has punch and vigour. Some MP3s sound just that little bit 'thin' because of the way they've been produced. Some may point to the amount of software which attempts to improve the sound quality of an MP3. But, for the average person with an average system, downloading yet another piece of software and installing it can be a hassle. Of course, MP3 is a wonderful format and its massive popularity in the search engines is proof of online acceptance and approval. But, sometimes, it all seems like a bit too much hype. Waiting for a download can be irritating and a poorly encoded MP3 drives me nuts because I'll only drag it into the trash can. And, another thing, where's the art work?
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