MP3 is the latest and the most popular audio format that is used

now. This acronym stands for MPEG Layer 3. It is a compressed

audio format with a compression ratio of up to 12: 1. The sound

quality of the audio in this format is very high. A normal audio file,

which is 1200 KB in size, can be stored in just 100 KB if it is using

the MP3 format. The size of the audio files is very small when

compared to other formats of audio files. This makes it easily

portable.



Where to get MP3 audio files?



MP3 audio files are widely available in CDs now. Almost any album

that is released in the world is also sold in the MP3 audio format.

These albums in the MP3 formats are also available in some

websites that are dedicated for MP3 downloads. You can also

purchase these MP3 CDs at any audio store meant for that

purpose.

MP3 downloads

Free MP3 downloads are also available in some of the websites.

You need to become a member of these sites for a fee to

download unlimited number of songs in the MP3 format. Some of

the sites charge you for each song that is downloaded. Free MP3

downloads for testing the quality of the audio is usually provided

by most of these websites. Websites like http://www.napster.com allow

free MP3 downloads if you have MP3 players from select

manufacturers. You can download directly to the player by using

the software provided by the website.

How to play a MP3 audio file?

To play a MP3 audio you need separate players whether it is

software or a physical player that can be carried. MP3 software

players are used in your PC to play MP3 audio. Physical players

from many branded manufacturers are available in the market to

play these MP3 audio files.

MP3 Ringtones

With the advent of the mobile phones, it has become a fashion to

make your mobile call you with your favorite songs as Ringtones.

Youngsters particularly teenagers are more interested in using

Ringtones of the songs they like. This has picked up in such a

manner that MP3 Ringtones are now being sold in websites. Many

websites sell Ringtones in the MP3 format. The mobile you are

using should be capable of playing the Ringtones in the MP3 format

to use these MP3 Ringtones. These websites provide you with an

interface to select the model of the mobile phone you have and

then download MP3 Ringtones that suit your mobile phone model.