Complete Idiot's Guide to MP3: Music on the Internet

As an "oldtimer" just now realizing that I might want to use this technology, this book is helping me bridge the gap. The chapters I have read thus far have explained what MP3 is and the jargon used with it.

This book offers a kind of "bare bones" look at the MP3 phenomenon, starting off with chapters on what exactly MP3's are, and "A Compressed History" of MP3's. There are also chapters on finding and downloading MP3's, the software you can find to play them, chapters on making your own MP3's (hence the terms "ripping," digitizing, and "sound squishing"). There's good advice if you are a musician on marking MP3's, "marketing" them and where to post them to publicize your work.Also too, there's a long section on MP3's and the law, what's legal and what isn't about them. The author makes a good case for why "pirating" MP3's are not a good idea, but points out the music industry isn't making any attempt to hold down prices for music to the consumers, hence the popularity in downloading MP3's off the 'Net. There's also a glossary of terms in the back of the book, a reference card in the book's front listing MP3 reference sites, MP3 software sites, and sources for MP3 recordings.This book although now a bit dated offers a good introductory look at MP3's.

[...] This book is written by TWO authors: Rod Underhill of MP3.com, and Nat Gertler (who has written many other Complete Idiot's Guide and computer books). They each have their own slant. The book is DEFINITELY a big plug for MP3.com as an internet entity on the world wide web for online music (...). ... There is a lot of information in the book about MP3s in general as well as MP3.com - the company - in particular. So, in this case, it's a cool plug. There is also a good deal of REPETITION in the book. For instance, what it says in the "ROD SPEAKS" box on page 160 about LYCOS falling into Copyright Trouble is almost EXACTLY stated in slightly different wording on page 172 in the "JAM ON THIS" box where the heading is called: "Lycos Moves into Tricky Waters."... The authors also have included a humorous and healthy dose of democratic debate between each other as is evident on page 170 in the "NAT SPEAKS" box called: "THE ACT STINKS" where Nat Gertler CORRECTLY, I believe, clarifies the corporate unfairness of the 1992 AUDIO HOME RECORDING ACT of favoring big corporate interests over the consumer. Nat says: "My beloved co-author Rod, who wrote most of this chapter, isn't nasty enough towards the Audio Home Recording Act. This new tax (signed into law by Mr. "No New Taxes" himself, George Bush) has ugly causes and ugly effects: ... New taxes, weaker copyright, crippled and expensive technology, all in the name of funding international multimedia conglomerates. This act is a loser all around." ... BRAHVO, Nat! ... Spoken like a true Sociologist! ... YOWZA! - The Aeolian Kid

This book, I would recommend to a musician or just someone wanting to know about mp3's. The book has enough information, while the reader not needing to be a super - geek. The book covers most issues on mp3's, like, legal info, hardware, software (as the book comes with a CD, with all the major mp3 software), how to get you music online, were to get music, why to bother with mp3s, and a good history of mp3's. The book also devotes 60+ pages giving musician's opinions, and how mp3's got the musicians success and with their music, on the CD.I found this book to be very helpful, but not for any professional recording use.

For most, the term "revolutionary" conjures up an image of a slightly portly man, wearing fatigues, and chomping on a (you guessed it!) Cuban cigar. Not so. At least not in the digital age. There is a revolution under foot, and its called the MP3 revolution, and there is a book out now you might call "the bible of MP3 music". "The Complete Idiot's Guide to MP3: Music on the Internet" is a comprehensive book that does not overload the reader with unnecessary technicalities (although it points the reader in the right direction if s/he were so inclined) and should be a very useful resource for those music artists who are now thinking about getting into the MP3 game. What knowledge I have learned in driblets here and there throughout the last year and beyond is all collected within this book. It seems there is very little one needs to know in order to get involved in the MP3 revolution (you don't even have to risk your life for THIS cause), which should come as a relief to those music artists who are otherwise occupied with perhaps weightier causes (like the "rent" cause).The book is heavily biased (and justifiably so) toward MP3.com; this should come as no surprise as Rod Underhill, one of the authors, is the Director of Music for MP3.com. MP3 and MP3.com are changing the way people are accessing music, and it may give music artists more leverage, and hence more financial returns, in the future. I enjoyed the MP3 selections included on the compilation CD provided with the book, particularly the selection, "I Will Love You", by Fishe. I am also pleased to say that one of my own compositions, "Elegy: Adagio for Strings", was chosen to be included amongst the works of the 70 or so talented international MP3 musicians and composers.I enjoyed the book very much; it was useful, informative, and it read well (and quickly). If you haven't yet gotten involved in the MP3 revolution, buy the book: it can help you understand the revolution, why it happened, and it will show you how you too can become one of the MP3 revolutionaries. Enjoy!