How to Buy mp3 Tracks on the Internet

The most remarkable manner in which the MP3 file format has transformed the music industry is in the purchasing of individual tracks over the Web. While CD singles are popular in certain countries, they are less so in other country, where the overwhelming majority of CDs in chain stores are albums. This creates a problem in that people who like one track may not want to purchase an entire album to hear it.

Buying tracks over the Internet not only allows the customer to choose individual songs from an album, but also to quickly and easily sample the tracks before making a purchase. In addition, free MP3 downloads from artist or record label websites have proven to work as promotional and marketing tools before an album's release or a concert tour.

Hardcore music fans really love the ability to purchase tracks from foreign artists that have been released in other countries before anyone else has heard them. There is no import surcharges associated with the purchase and online shops are never out of stock. Moreover, Web commerce gives smaller labels and independent artists an advantage and allows them to compete on the same level as huge entertainment companies.

Best of all, there is no need to leave your home or office when purchasing MP3s and purchased music can be enjoyed the moment the download has completed.

Of course, some music lovers or collectors just want to own the better quality CD, and many DJs still rely on 12-inch vinyl singles. Plus, there is a dark side to this revolution, and it is the problem of piracy. Digital data is easily copied and transmitted over the Internet, and despite the best efforts of the music industry and software makers, early versions of digital rights management standards have not slowed the illegal transfer of files one bit. However, many of the unauthorized MP3 files available are poorly or improperly encoded. Some artists have even "leaked" bogus editions of albums before they have been released, embedded with recorded messages or other surprises instead of the expected material. As you would expect, these have worked very well as prerelease promotion.

Windows Media Player and iTunes both allow users to access libraries of music over the Web with their own online shops, but by using your browser you can access dozens of other sites to suit every conceivable musical taste. For example, www.mp3.com has been around for ages and offers a good general range of music.

For more adventurous listeners, www.insound.com is a good choice, they offer a huge collection of free, full length MP3 samples to download as well. www.karmadownload.com is a good choice to find quirky music from up and coming European artists, some of which is not even available in CD format.

All online MP3 shops offer shortened samples of the music, so you will never have to worry that you are about to purchase the wrong track or one that you might not like. But with the prices at only about 99 cents per song, you can afford to experiment a little!

Be sure to visit your favorite artists' websites often, because most will offer free MP3 downloads from time to time, and these can sometimes be exclusive or unreleased tracks that will not be made available for purchase.