MP3 and the Internet:
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The internet and the introduction of broadband has provided extremely valuable tools for the songwriter/producer: See the Links page for...well links!
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COLABORATION: Songwriters can work with each other in any corner of the globe. Compressed audio files can be emailed to and fro and imported into working projects. The transfer of large files can use the, sometimes free, services of companies such as www.transferbigfiles.com/
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DISTRIBUTION: Completed projects can be made available at numerous commercial delivery sites such as iTunes.
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PROMOTION: Free sites like MySpace and Facebook provide places when you can share your talents with the on-line community.
- WEBSITES: Web hosting starts from just a few dollars per month and if you have an ISP then there may be some free web space on their server included with your package. URLs can be registered for less than $15 per annum.
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SONGWRITING CONTESTS and SUBMISSION SERVICES: Apart from many songwriting contests there is a growing number of websited dedicated to the promotion of original material. For example a film company might be looking for new music and consult one of these companies for assistance. Be aware subscription is required and a fee charged for each submission: www.songcentral.com.au; www.taxi.com; www.sonicbids.com...there are many more...but check them out first!
- COPYRIGHT: Nothing is ever a sure thing but you can join your local performing rights association, in Australia this is www.apra-amcos.com.au and register your songs.
MP3 format:
The most common format for non commercial on-line music is the MP3 file. This employs data compression that renders the file a much smaller size than that used on CD audio for example. Popular computer operating systems can play this file format without having to install extra software. Compression settings of stereo 128kps at 16 bit 44.1kHz sample rate are approximately 1/10 the file size of CD audio. This was originally the most common compression setting but as broadband has increased in speed larger files (and less compression) are common.
More advanced music sequencers can 'export' or 'save as' the file in MP3 format. Dedicated Mastering software will include this option. If this feature is not available there are free or cheap applications available for download that can do this for you. For example: www.goldwave.com is available for free trial and is relatively in-expensive. This is just one of many applications that can convert files to a multitude of different formats.
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