What is Mp3?
1.
A codec used to store music. mp3 is short for MPEG-1 Layer 3.
Many argue that mp3's are of lesser quality than CDs. This is partially true. CDs are recorded at a sample rate of 44100 hz, and so are most mp3's.
Mp3's
The reason why mp3 files are about a tenth of the size of the same music recorded to CD is that CDs use a 30 year old codec, whereas the mp3 codec is much more modern, thus allowing for better compression.
The problem with mp3 quality is that people are so uneducated. When the average joe gets an mp3 player and wants to encode his music collection, he does so at the default bitrate of the ripping program he is using. For example, foolish rippers such as the evil RealPlayer state that 64 kbps is CD quality. 256 kbps+ is the best to rip at for quality.
For some, but not all audio, it is wisest to use a variable bitrate (VBR). This encodes at a higher bitrate for more musical data, and a lesser bitrate for less data. For example, a VBR encoding of a song may have a lesser bitrate for the introduction where only one instrument is playing, than for the more intricate passages where more detailed sound is being made.
iTunes is the best mp3 ripper I have ever used, unless you want to use LAME from the *NIX command line.
Mp3 audio can be played on a variety of devices, including but certainly not limited to: Personal computers, most modern DVD players, portable mp3 players, such as Apple's
In the mid-1990s, members of the GNU project created sets of software tools that allowed CD audio to be 'ripped' to a digital storage device, such as a harddrive. With the aid of software such as
Then Napster happened, and the average joe could get involved. Napster ended in a messy legal battle, involving
Napster's flaw was the fact that it had a central server, which could be shut down. The newer, more robust networks that rose to take napster's place do not have this problem, instead relying on 'ultrapeers'. See
Some, such as the iTunes music store, have decided to sell music files. THESE ARE NOT MP3's. the
See also
I ripped my music collection to mp3.
I want an
iPod , because it is a great mp3 player.
Why buy CDs when you can share mp3's?
2.
A format used in digital compression of music that makes entertainment industry executives shit a brick.
Check out my mp3 collection. I heard it gave the president of EMI an aneurysm.
See
3.
The best thing to happen to the music industry since the CD-- yet the RIAA hasn't taken advantage of it, but thinks of it as an enemy.
"Dur... I am the head of the RIAA, and I wanna take all of the money of the little people sharing MP3s!"
See
4.
One of many audio compression methods. Apparently targeted by the RIAA because they are too stupid to realize that the pirates will simply switch to another audio file format to distribute music at the PROPER price.
By shutting down
Napster , the RIAA lost the war against piracy, because thousands of MP3-sharing networks sprouted like mushrooms in Napster's place.
See
5.
1) A popular file format for music - stands for "MPEG Layer-3". Music downloaded off the internet is usually in MP3 Format, usually at a bitrate between 128kbps and 320kbps. It's balance between compression and quality is excellent, making it optimal for music.
2) "mp3" is what dumbasses call any MP3 (Player) that is not an
Joe: I don't have an MP3, i have an iPod!
Sandeep: 1) its MP3 Player,
2) iPod IS an MP3 Player
3) ur a f*cking dumbass
---------------------------------
Sandeep: yo, i ripped all my CDs to 192kbps MP3s
Alex: tight.
See
6.
an audio format in the mpeg compression family. by removing frequencies that are higher or lower than the human hearing thresholds file size is significantly smaller than that of a wav file, which includes all frequencies, audible or not.
mp3 has become synonymous with music piracy, though that isn't neccessarily so. even p2p file sharers like kazaa are completely legal...it's only some of the content that isn't
riaa: mp3's are bad! napster is bad! burn fossil fuels!
me: stfu shitcock
7.
Popular audio format. Abbreviation for MPEG 1 Layer3.
Dude, my MP3 collection pwns yours!