| What Do I Need to Play These Sound Files?
Our site features MP3 sound files. Compared to other formats such as RealAudio files that are "streamed" to your computer, the sound quality of an MP3 file is of a higher quality and smaller file-size. MP3 files are also more versatile as you can more easily save them to your PC for archiving, or even loading onto a portable MP3 player.
In order to listen to MP3 files you need to have the appropriate software helper (referred to commonly as a "plugin") and/or player software installed on your computer. Here's where you can find both:
The Quicktime player is available for all major internet browsers, Windows & Mac, free from Apple by clicking here.
Windows MP3 players
Macintosh MP3 players
Windows Podcast Clients
Mac Podcast Clients
What is MP3?
MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3) is an open standard for compressing audio files. MP3 files offer near-CD quality sound, while filling about one twelfth the disk space of their original counterparts. Smaller files mean less bandwith requirements, which provides for faster downloading of high quality audio. MP3 has become the standard compression scheme for music on the Web. Small file sizes and the abundance of free MP3 player software allow for easy distribution of music and other audio recordings online.
What are the advantages of MP3?
Compression of sound files into the MP3 format reduces file size by a factor of twelve, with little or no loss of sound quality. MP3 is already supported by highly-distributed software packages such as Windows 98, Macromedia Shockwave, and RealPlayer, and has become the standard for internet-based music. MP3 is supported worldwide by more listeners, devices, and software than any other CD-quality sound format.
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