The MP3 Question...

  If you've been in a hole recently, and haven't heard...MP3 is a file format designed for transporting CD quality audio via the Internet.

  Before MP3 came along, audio files had to be huge (about 50 megabytes for a 3 minute song) to retain the original quality of the music. MP3 is a "compression" scheme that allows the digital information to be compacted very efficiently (about 5 megabytes for a 3 minute song). This type of compression has nothing to do with the analog information (the music). Rather, it is a mathematical algorithm used on the digital information that finds and consolidates redundancy, thereby reducing the amount of data required to store the song.

  Yes, the analog information is affected by the digitizing process…getting your music into your computer requires you to “encode” it to a data or “file” format recognizable by your system. This is usually a WAV (title.wav), but more recent programs will encode directly to an MP3 file. So you should be aware of the variables involved such as “bit depth” and “sampling frequency” (16 bit; 44Khz is Redbook (CD-DA) standard). For more info in this area, visit http://help.MP3.com/help/faqs/.

  The "big deal" of the moment is how to protect an artist's work so they get paid for it...and still allow fair use of the work to the people that actually purchase a legal copy. There are far too many ramifications involved for me to speak with any real knowledge on this angle of the subject. I'll leave it to be ironed out by the recording industry and artists that have a vested interest.

  I will say, however...it's quite possible that the Internet (not just MP3 technology) will have a drastic effect on how the entertainment industry works. The ease with which information, entertainment and otherwise, can be disseminated, may lead to a radical change in how we consumers perceive that information or entertainment.

  In music, radio only plays a comparative few "popular" songs by "name" artists. Anything "new" on the radio has been around for a few years usually...paying dues, trying to break in.

  That may all change due to the ease with which you or I can write a tune, record it, mix it, MP3 it and upload it to an Internet site for major, worldwide distribution…all by ourselves.

The Tools You Need:

  As far as equipment is concerned...all you really need is a multimedia computer system. Internet access would be helpful (but not really required), and is available at no cost in many areas.

It would be nice to have a CD “burner” (a CD-R or CD-RW recorder), but it's not required unless you want to play your recordings in a regular CD player.

  All the software you'll really need to process MP3's either comes with your computer's sound card or is free to download from our beloved Internet! If you use Cakewalk, CuBase or something similar to digitally record yourself with, you may have to convert your mixes to WAV format before you can convert them to MP3.

Boon Or Bane?

  From a musician's standpoint...this can be a boon or a bane, depending on your particular circumstances. If you write all your own stuff and have no backing or following to speak of, it's like you're right in there with the big boys! You can make your music available to anyone in the world...anyone with an Internet connection, at least. You may not make any money, but you get to be heard. You can also collaborate with anyone in the world…by sending them MP3 files of your “works in progress”, they can remix, add parts or effects…virtually anything to the file, then send it back to you for you to do whatever else you want to it.

  That brings us to the bane part. Say you've been signed to a label and you're releasing your first single...people need to hear it, before they buy it. Getting a break on radio is next to impossible these days. You need strong representation and lots of advertising cash to get your CD in front of the public. Sure, you can release an MP3 version for free download, but you have no real way to tell if that helps, or hinders sales...and many people may think that's enough of you and won't buy the CD.

  Incidentally, in 1999, The Offspring was the highest selling band in the US, even though at the same time, they were considered the single most "pirated" band on the Internet! An exception, not a rule, I'm sure.

CD, or not CD…that is the question.

  To some, there is an issue of "quality". My personal opinion is that MP3, like any other file format, is only as good as the "mix" it incorporates. That means that you have to mix for MP3 distribution of your songs just as you have to mix for cassette or CD distribution.

  Of course you can simply mix your songs so they sound best on your equipment and in your room...and with your ears. Keep in mind that there are a wide variety of playback options out there. From boom boxes and walkmans to RIO (one of many portable MP3 players), Minidisks and car stereos...not to mention computer speakers and home theater with it's numerous "soundfield" settings. There's no such thing as a simple stereo anymore.

In The End…

  In conclusion, it all boils down to simply this…try it. If you don’t like it, or find little or no benefit, or find it just too much of a pain…don’t do it. You might find, however, that it’s not all that difficult and it doesn’t sound bad at all with a little effort.

  The major benefit, IMHO, is that others get to hear your music…anyone in the world with a computer, sound card and the Internet…and to me, that’s just wonderful!

Copyright © by Author: Dave “Bloozman” Sawyer, April 2000