SHOULD I PAY FOR MUSIC SOFTWARE ?

Music Software is split into several different categories, first you have Music Players, then you have Software to Edit Music Files, and you also have CD Rippers. We will take each category and compare the Freeware and Commercial alternatives.

Music Players - What are they ?

• They’re used to Play Music Files.
• Often come with other Media Player functions.
• Can play CD, MP3, WAV and other Audio Formats.

Music Players are the most common of all Music Software, everybody has a Music Player of some form on their Computer. Even if you never use it, we are almost sure you have Windows Media Player installed! Yes this can Play Music, why don’t you try it ?

There are plenty of Freeware Music Players available, so why would you want to pay for any ? Well the majority of Freeware Music Players are actually limited versions of Commercial Software, for example Winamp. If you purchase Winamp Pro you will get extra features like faster Ripping, and Ripping direct to MP3 Format.

It’s completely up to you whether you should pay for this Software, if all you want is a piece of Software that can play your Audio CD’s and MP3’s, then there isn’t any need to pay for any. Do a search on the Internet to find the various different Freeware Audio Players.

Music Editors/Recorders - What are they ?

• Used to Edit Music Files.
• Used to Record Music Files.
• Used to convert Music Files between different File Types.

Music Recorders are much less common, the only time somebody would want one is if they are interested in creating their own Podcast. There are a couple of good Music Recorders available that are Freeware, for example Audacity.

Music Editing Software is also fairly uncommon, this is orientated more towards the Professional end of the market, and so you may have to shell out for this. You may be able to find some Software that suits your requirements, if you look hard enough.

CD Rippers - What are they ?

• Used to convert your Audio CD into different Formats.
• Used to Rip your Audio CD to MP3 to use on your MP3 Player.

CD Rippers are very common, mainly because of the number of people wanting to put their CD’s onto their MP3 Player. Trust us, without some form of conversion you’re just not going to be able to play those CDs on your MP3!

There are lots of Standalone CD Rippers available for Free, however you will probably find, there is some form of CD Ripping application already included in the Software installed on your Computer.

Windows Media Player supports CD Ripping, although sometimes due to Copy Protection, it does refuse to do it! Just have a look on the Internet, if you need alternative Tools.

You should not have to pay for CD Rippers there should be an abundance of them available all for Free!

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