2.15 mp3s (Smashing Pumpkins)
Description
This article is from the Smashing Pumpkins FAQ, by Mike Hamilton michaelh@ualberta.ca with numerous contributions by others.
2.15 mp3s (Smashing Pumpkins)
Recently, this has been one of the most commonly asked questions.
"What are mp3s?"
mp3s are a type of sound file that combines high sound quality with
relatively low (compared to .wav files) file size. The average 4
minute song in mp3 format is approximately 4 to 5 megabytes in size,
or about 1 megabyte for every minute of high quality sound. The same
song in wav format is about 50 megabytes, even at the same sampling
rate.
"I want some!"
"Hey, this is great!", you must be thinking. "These should be
everywhere! Free mp3s for everyone!". 'Fraid not, kiddos. While
there have been large archives in the past (Smashing Pumpkins Audio
Archive had over 600 at it's peak), they cost a lot to maintain, as
large amounts of filespace are needed to host these songs. The RIAA
also has a problem with these mp3 sites because they feel that with
easy access to such high quality songs for free, people will stop
buying CDs. Many mp3 sites are shut down for this reason.
"Can I set up a site?"
Since the downfall of the indisputable King of mp3 sites in November
of 1997 (the Smashing Pumkpins Audio Archive), many FTP sites and
various internet sites have tried to take its place, but most have
been unable to keep up with the demand for live (and occasionally,
studio album) mp3s, and have shut down within a month or two, whether
it be due to lack of server space, or the RIAA shutting them down.
If you watch the newsgroups, (alt.music.smash-pumpkins or
alt.binaries.smash-pumpkins), new mp3 sites will pop up, then quite
often disappear. Keep your eyes open, as a permanent site may one
day be revived.
However, in the meantime, there are alternatives. RealAudio is a
very cheap alternative, albeit quite a quality difference. For more
information on RealAudio, visit the website at http://www.real.com.
Smashing Pumpkins RealAudio songs are available at:
http://www.smashing-pumpkins.net
The SPLRA sometimes posts recent concerts in mp3 or RealAudio for
download, so check their website too: http://www.starla.org/splra.
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