Music Download Software

Build a great collection one tune at a time

These days, the most popular music stores aren't found in the mall; they're on the Internet. By downloading digital music files, you can easily get a great music collection with the exact songs that you want.

To get started, you'll need a computer with plenty of hard drive space – music files will fill it up fast. You'll also need a fast Internet connection to download music. Finally, you'll need to decide what website you'll be downloading from. There are many legal music download sites out there, and just as many shady ones. Typically, the legitimate ones will provide you with the software you need.

Commercial music software comes with an option to purchase mp3s through the company's online store. The software usually has a navigation pane that allows you to preview a few seconds of the artist before committing to a purchase. You have flexibility to download just the song you want or the entire album, complete with liner notes. Mp3 software will also allow you to convert your mp3 to different audio formats, so you can play your music almost anywhere.

Features and Benefits

There are several advantages of downloading music:

• Convenience: You can update your music library without ever leaving your chair.
• Selection: The selection of music online is vast, offering far more than a typical mall music store can carry.
• Customization: You can download individual songs, rather than having to buy the whole album. Download just the songs you like to create your own playlist.
• Digital format: A music file downloaded to your computer takes no physical space, eliminating the clutter of CD jewel cases. It's also easily transferred to an mp3 player or other music device.

Top Choices

• iTunes by Apple
• LimeWire by LimeWire LLC
• FrostWire by FrostWire LLC
• Morpheus by StreamCast Networks
• Audials One by RapidSolution Software

Major Considerations

Any given music download site will have a slightly different playlist, so that will largely determine which one you choose. Here are a few other considerations:

• Can I save my mp3s to a different format?
• Can I preview the songs before buying?
• Do I have to purchase complete albums?
• Does the software allow pop-up ads?
• Are there copyright restrictions for free music?

Price Range

There are two main types of pricing schemes to download music. Some sites charge per track, usually in the range of a dollar per song. Other sites charge a monthly fee. Purchasing music downloads software will remove the ad banners found in most free software. This type of mp3 music download software typically costs between $20 and $60.

Summary

With the low cost of portable music players, it really makes sense to get your music in a digital format. Mp3 download software allows for easy search ability and complete music customization in an easy-to-understand graphical format. Artists themselves are driving the price of music down and making it more accessible online so that the music is practically free. If you don't mind the odd ad on your screen, the multitude of free download programs makes finding your