Where Can I Find Digital Music?

By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-02-01 19:51:22.495769-05:00

By Erik Sherman

There are three main sources of digital music today:

Internet Radio
Downloadable Music
CDs

You’ll find the first two on the Internet, and you’ll probably recognize the third if you’ve been awake the last twenty years.

Internet Radio

Internet radio is like broadcast radio in that it plays music. That’s about where the similarity ends. What’s different is that you tune in and listen to the station over an Internet connection instead of a radio. You play the station either by pointing your browser to its web site or by using a built-in link in your music player computer software, one of a number of programs that usually come loaded on most computers today and convert data to music. Some stations are free, and some have subscription fees. One Internet radio service, called Pandora, is unique. It invites you to type in an artist or song that represents the sort of music you want to listen to. Within seconds it creates a custom music channel which plays songs by your selected artists, as well as those of similar musicians. It’s one more example of how the Internet offers content more tailored to your preferences, or maybe just your mood, than can traditional radio stations.

Downloadable Music Files

Use the Internet to build your own digital collection by downloading music files to your computer. Your music player software will probably have links to services that will sell you songs or even albums. Here are some popular ones:

AllofMP3
Amazon (choose "Music" from the "Browse" menu)
CNET's Music Site
eMusic
iTunes
MP3.com
MSNMusic
Napster
URGE
Yahoo! Music

All the above have music you can buy. Many, such as CNET’s music site and Amazon.com, will offer free tracks to give you a taste of artists new to you. Your music player computer software will likely play music in most companies’ formats. However, only software from Real, for example, will play the RealMedia format.

CDs

Most of us first listened to digital music on CDs. But because Internet-based music stores like those above send the content directly to your computer where it lives on your hard drive, with no CD appearing on your doorstep, fewer people are going to music stores to buy releases on compact disc. For the ones you already have accumulated, play them on your computer or transfer the songs to your hard drive. Then store the discs in the attic, or prop up that leaning coffee table, as you would with your "National Geographics." The market for blank CDs, however, has emerged. They let you transfer combinations of music from your computer to the CD, which make a great gift or road trip companion.