Fender Players Club - Converting to MP3

This article is from:
Recording in the Digital World
Complete Guide to Studio Gear and Software

by Thomas E. Rudolph and
Vincent A. Leonard, Jr.
Berklee Press

Build the perfect digital studio, no matter what your budget! Creating high-quality digital recording does not require buying the most expensive equipment, but it does require buying the right equipment and knowing how to use it.

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MP3 FILES.

MP3

The most popular audio compression format used on the Internet is MP3 (Motion Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3). MP3 uses a compression scheme that reduces the size of the audio file to approximately one-tenth of its original size and does an amazingly good job of maintaining the original fidelity. The sound quality is not as good as that of a CD, but it is pretty close. MP4 (Motion Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 4) is under development and promises additional enhancements.

MP3 files can be played on a computer using one of several MP3 players, such as QuickTime. They can also be played on stand-alone players similar in concept to a Walkman or Discman, only they play MP3 files.

Converting Audio Files to MP3

To convert audio files to MP3 format you will need software that can save in MP3 format. First, check to see if the MIDI/digital audio software you are using will allow you to save in MP3 format. If so, that will be the easiest way to go. If not you will need to purchase software designed to to convert files to MP3 format. There are programs available for both Macintosh and Windows.

An excellent source to read reviews of various MP3 software is on the mp3.com web site (http://software.mp3.com/software). Some of the options include Musicmatch Jukebox (www.musicmatch.com) for Windows and iTunes (http://www.apple.com/software/) for Macintosh (free download). Many of these programs are free or can be purchased for under $50.

There are essentially two processes for creating MP3 files. There is a "ripper" that converts songs from a CD and turns them into wav or aiff files. There is also an encoder that converts the wav or aiff to MP3. Using MP3 software, you can convert your wav or aiff files [or CD tracks] to MP3 and then put them on the World Wide Web.

So here is what you need to do to create MP3 files: Record an audio file using your recording device. Copy that file onto your computer [or insert the CD into your computer]. Then load the MP3 ripper/encoder software and encode the file as MP3. Your files are now in a format that can be uploaded to sites on the Internet and shared with others who have MP3 players.

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