Downloading music is something many of us have done before. That said, how do we know if we’re doing it efficiently? How can we find some tips to help us do it even better? You’ve found this article and all the great expert advice it provides on the topic, so read on.
A good tip to consider when you’re downloading music is to organize the music you download into a neat folder. You don’t want to lose any of the music that you bought and paid for. It’s important that you have it all organized so that you can easily access it when you want.
If you download music from lesser known sites, having antivirus software on your computer is essential. This software can protect you from hackers who want to access your personal information. Make sure it is running anytime you choose to download some tunes, and always make sure to keep it updated too.
When you are looking for websites for music downloads, be sure that you are downloading from a reputable distributor. There have been instances when users have downloaded malware along with the song tracks. This will not happen at established digital music distributors with a good reputation. Keep this mind before you click on the download button.
Beware of using illegal means to download your music. There are many peer to peer networks out there that’ll give you access to lots of music. But this does open you up to potential legal problems and big fines if caught. These free files might also contain hidden malware. Overall, it’s a better and safer option to just purchase what you love.
Free Music Archive and The Internet Archive offer free music that is completely legal to download. Check them out if you are working on building your collection. They often contain music from obscure or lesser known artists, and the music spans every genre. Downloading is simple once you are at the site.
Watch the file sizes of your music downloads carefully. A normal music download will be somewhere between 2 megabytes and 5 megabytes. If you see something much less or much more, there could be something fishy about the file. It may be spyware and not the song you were hoping it was.
Be careful with music download sites that force you to download files prior to getting the music you want. Often times these files are nothing more than spyware that will hijack your computer. It’ll mean lots of pop-ups and strange software behaviors. It’s best to choose an alternative solution to protect your machine.
Stick with trusted websites for your music downloads. The biggest problem with untrusted sites is that they can contain viruses, but you might also be putting yourself in legal jeopardy if you download music from a less respectable site. Take the time to research a site before you download to make sure it is both safe and legal to use.
If you download music from a peer-to-peer service, take the time to clean up the metadata of the files you get. The metadata is the who, what, and where of the file. Things like the artist name, the album name, the track title, and the genre. A little clean up can go a long way to your digital player being able to deliver the best experience for you.
Keep an eye on bit rates and compression formats. Even a great song isn’t enjoyable if the quality is terrible. Different sites and distributors can vary on their sound quality. Shop around. Pay attention to the quality of the files you are downloading, and only buy music that sounds like it should.
Pay attention to music formats. Music files come in many different formats. Some of these formats are specific to certain music players or music playing devices. Don’t download music you can’t use. What are you going to use to listen to the music you’re downloading? Determine the type of file you will need.
There are many forums online where the sharing of MP3s happens every day. They allow you to check out new artists and songs in the genre you enjoy. That said, be aware that files can contain viruses and that sharing of these songs, unless they are posted by the owner, is illegal.
Even though iTunes is the most prominent name in the world of music downloads, it is not the only player in town. Amazon also runs a digital mp3 service that features affordable music and a huge database. In fact, Amazon does even have some material that you can not find on iTunes.
If you plan on downloading music frequently, make sure you have a fast Internet connection. Slow connections like dial-up do not handle downloading music files well. It doesn’t do any good to have access to tons of legal music downloads when it takes a long time just to download a few.
Not all free music is illegal music. Major online retailers of mp3 files routinely put out free samplers for you to enjoy. Older music performed by many artists might fall into public domain. Some artists even release tracks for free sheerly for the promotional benefits they get out of it.
If you want to score some music for free, try music archives. They let users download music that’s been publicly released, making it legal as well. There is an unlimited number of songs to listen to. You might be surprised with what you find.
With so much great advice at your fingertips, you’ll now be able to make your music downloads the best they can be. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have, you now know what the experts know, making you a master. Go forth and download some music right away!
