| Why use mp3 sound files? | • |
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How do I play mp3's? |
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How do I make new mp3's? |
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Where do I find mp3's on the Internet? |
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What software is out there, for Mac, Linux, Amiga, and Windows? |
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| Give me more technical information on mp3 compression! | • |
| What's the difference between AIFF, WAV, SND, and SD2 audio files? | • |
| Is mp3 legal? | • |
(click on the blue button for information...)
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MIQ
ONLINE MP3 TUTORIAL
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To encode mp3 files is more complicated than playing them back, since it involves 2 discrete stages:
If you have a CD you wish to convert to mp3 format, you will need "CD ripper" software.
NOTE: MANY INEXPENSIVE CD-ROM DRIVES ARE NOT ABLE TO "RIP" CDs. Click here to see if your Windows drive is capable of ripping CDs! (To the best of our knowledge, all Apple standard CD-ROM drives included in machines with 603e and faster chipsets (603e, 604, 604e, G3, G4) have no problem ripping audio.)
If you need to record analog audio, either live, or from analog tape, you need a good audio card with analog inputs, and recording software. The field of audio recording is quite diverse and can involve some very expensive equipment and software -- we have not the space here to promote or recommend recording software or audio cards, since there are hundreds of options for each platform. However, we will advise you to record in the .AIFF or .SD2 formats, which tend to be supported and glitch-free by mp3 encoders (see our article on audio formats).
After you've acquired the audio files, you need to encode them into the mp3 format. There are many options here, depending on the nature of the sound file, your intended audience, and what level of compression you can get away with without significant degradation of sound.
For more information on compression ratios, stereo formats, and psy models, click here...