Most people download today, more than buy CDs. You may have no clue where to begin. The information that follows will help you understand more of what you need to know to get the right start.
If you are looking for a cheap way to download music, try using a free service instead of downloading. Service such as Pandora or Slacker will let you listen to music from any device. You do not have to store the files on your phone or tablet; just listen to them streaming online.
A good tip to think about when you’re looking to download music is to be completely sure that you’re downloading the right version of whatever it is that you want. You might want something specific, perhaps the radio version of a song. It can be difficult to make sure you download exactly what you want.
In order to make sure the music you want to download fits into your monthly budget, consider using a site that charges a subscription fee, rather than a fee for each download. You can budget the exact amount of money you want to spend on downloads each month and know that you won’t go over that amount.
When you are looking for websites for music downloads, be sure that you are downloading from a reputable distributor. There have been instances when users have downloaded malware along with the song tracks. This will not happen at established digital music distributors with a good reputation. Keep this mind before you click on the download button.
If you are looking for new music to download, consider visiting websites that provide music from up and coming artists. These music sites offer song tracks plus reviews from listeners who have listened to them through streaming. This is a good way to add good music to your collection that is not in the mainstream yet.
Safety is key when it comes to downloading music. That means you shouldn’t download any music for free if it isn’t offered directly by the artist, production company or some other promotional company. If you do, it is illegal and you can face major fines if you are caught.
Aside from the legalities of downloading free music, you also have something else to worry about when choosing free music files from different sites. Hackers often offer these files, so think twice before you join the bandwagon and download free music. It’s much better to legally get your music by paying for it the right way.
When you download a song online, check its size. If it is less than 2 megabytes, unless it is a very short song, it is likely to be a virus. Most viruses are just text and they don’t take up much hard drive space, so be wary of small files.
One way to get a low quality version of a song is to view the music video on YouTube and rip it using software. That said, this method is illegal and you can be charged if you are ever caught. Keep this in mind if you are considering this process.
If you plan on downloading music frequently, make sure you have a fast Internet connection. Slow connections like dial-up do not handle downloading music files well. It doesn’t do any good to have access to tons of legal music downloads when it takes a long time just to download a few.
Look at the local deals to get a better price. iTunes and Amazon both provide sales each day. This gives you the choice of a wide range of genres at an affordable price, and who could resist that?
Check out mainstream MP3 stores and look for their free music section. Often this is populated with songs from up and coming artists which are worth checking out. For example, MP3.com has a whole category dedicated to free songs. You can sample each and then download those that sound great.
If you’re using a major service for your music downloads, keep an eye out for Singles of the Week. These are normally free downloads that you can enjoy. Who doesn’t like the gift of free music? Oftentimes the free download will also include a discount on the full album, so you could save some money in this way.
While free music downloading sites should be avoided, there are free streaming sites that allow you to build playlists. As for downloading music, avoid any site that has not been established for a significant amount of time, whether paid or free. Go with one you know you can trust so that you can be rest assured your music will always be available to you.
Some websites make you download several files before you download music. On well-known sites like Rhapsody and iTunes, this is a safe thing to do. Free services may not be as safe. This will give you a better chance at attaining a virus.
One way to get access to free music that most people wouldn’t consider is liking an artist’s page on Facebook, particularly if they are not a huge mainstream artist. Sometimes, they may allow you to access free content just for helping spread their name. You can do them good while getting awesome music!
Be sure to have a backup plan for your music downloads. If you’re buying through a major provider, you’re likely covered as you can simply re-download your purchase at any time. But if you are downloading via other means, you’ll want to make a backup copy of your music files. A simple hard drive failure can destroy thousands of digital music tracks.
As mentioned at the start, downloading music is a very popular method of buying music nowadays. Just as with stores in the physical world, there are differences between all music downloading websites as well. Use the information here to make the most of your music downloading experience. You really will love it when your library is chock full!
