Mapleshade Records is currently replacing 'Real
Audio' with MP3s, the new standard, and best sound quality for
streaming audio from the Internet.
1) What are MP3s?
2) MP3s on the Mapleshade Records Site.
3) Configuring Your Browswer to work with a Plug
In.
4) How do I save or download MP3s for later playback?
5) Saved an MP3 file, but can't find it.
6) Software Players.
7) Quick Tips for Optimum Playback.
MP3s are the most popular format for listening, transferring
and storing audio from the Internet. On-line, MP3s can be streamed
or you can download MP3s to your hard drive for later use. These
files can then be catalogued and played by both home computers
and portable MP3 devices. MP3s can be backed up on any hard
drive or floppy disc and can even be burned to a CDR for playback
on any CD player. Today, this is the most popular format for
the personal playback of MP3s.
The MP3s on our site are "audiophile
quality" MP3s, encoded using a "proprietary signal
path" called "Maplestream." Each MP3 is tweaked
by ear resulting in the highest definition and playback at the
standard 128k bit rate. A Maplestream MP3 streams with startling
stereo detail and high resolution depth of field.
These files are mostly short clips
taken off of the CDs we sell providing you:
M
Any time you click the MP3 link, assuming your browser is configured
with the proper plug-in, a separate window will open and a sound
clip will start to load. We find that the Quicktime plug-in
is best.
Our clips are almost all partial tracks.
Each album also features a free, complete track. Tune titles,
composer and performer information etc. are all included with
each clip.
Although MP3 files can be streamed
without copying them onto your PC, unless you have broadband
Internet access like cable, DSL or better, we recommend downloading
and saving before playback. This will reduce the buffering time
at slower connection speeds. To further optimize the MP3 process,
burn them to a CD and then they can be played on any personal
CD player. Alternativly you can transfer these MP3s to any of
the poular personal MP3 players.
Most modern Browsers are already set up to play MP3s. You may
however need to "fine-tune" your settings, plug-ins
installed etc. Because of the number of players, browsers and
versions that exist, it's impossible for us to give specific
instructions.
With most software you install, set-up
happens automatically. Programs such as Internet Explorer and
Netscape Communicator are best used with transparent plug-ins
such as Quicktime. All can be downloaded for free for both Windows
and MacIntosh platforms.
Download
Netscape
Download
Internet Explorer - PC
Download
Internet Explorer - MAC
Any browser with a properly installed
plug in will open our MP3 files exactly the same way as activating
a text link on the web. For both sound quality and functionality
we prefer the Quicktime Plug-in. Clips play automatically after
they have completely loaded. Alternatively, partial clips can
be listened to during the loading process. We've tested this
using a very slow cell modem connection of 9600 baud without
problem (other than the length of time to load). For the "audiophiles"
Quicktime offers the best sound quality either as a browser
plug-in or as a stand alone media player.
Download
Quicktime Plugin
You can preview the clip by letting it load to approximately
10% and then manually activating the player. If it's the tune
you want, let the entire clip load before saving. Once loaded,
it is in your cache it should play flawlessly. If you want to
save it just go to the file menu and choose Save As. ... and
file it away in an appropriate directory. Be sure to "Save
as Source" otherwise you'r be left with a useless text
file.
For Windows use your computer's find command and type in *.mp3
as the file name, looking in all directories (C: for most computers)
(Mac just go to the Finder and issue a seach command for .mp3).
This tells the computer to look for any MP3 files on your hard
drive. Your browser typically will save by default to a temporary
folder. Many programs prefer you save downloads into their default
folder, which can make finding tunes a little confusing. You
can avoid this situation by creating a new folder that you use
to store all of your MP3 downloads. Or, choose to save all downloads
to your desktop. Either way, your files won't get buried deep
inside your computer where you can't find them.
Some popular software players include I-Tunes for Mac and Windows
Media Player.
Download
I Tunes - MAC
Download
Windows Media Player - PC
Download
Windows Media Player -
MAC
There are also dozens of hardware
devices which act as portable stand-alone players. Other multi-purpose
devices are proliferating include cell phones with players built
in, PDAs with MP3 capability, the I-Pod etc.
