Music

Read MP3: codec considerations to learn about this phenomenal solution to digital file swapping. One should not forget the very important open-source Ogg Vorbis format, see for example an article about the advocacy of its use over MP3.

While Napster has received (deservingly) the major attention on the revolution in commercial music by bringing together the convenience of MP3 with peer-to-peer connectivity, it is bound to disappear because of well-known legal attacks, but others may still linger. Among the alternatives "Napster refugees" are seeking, WinMX is the one that emerges as the most ambitious. This programme brings together its own partially decentralised user community (through the WinMX Peer Networking Protocol, WPNP) while still giving access to others, including Napster when it is active and the large array of OpenNap (all-crowded) servers. The development of FreeNet, a different centralised altenative aimed at ensuring complete anonymity online, should not be overlooked.

Centralised networks other than Napster do not practise blocking at present, but could be forced to in the future (OpenNap is coming next under legal attacks). That is not likely to happen in the Gnutella network (check my software page for a brief list of the best for Gnutella, or at to have all information and links to the different implementations and plattforms). Further sources of information are the interrelated Gnutellium and Gnutellanews portals, and the Gnutella Meter. At LimeWire there is a nice explanation of the difference from Napster-alikes, and a suggestion of "good citizen behaviour" while online in the network. More technological is the information on Clip2. Finally, to improve the connectivity one might need to get additional active routers, a list of which the Gnufrogs site provides almost at real-time.

General review sites are Zeropaid and Infoanarchy. The standards set by Napster are very difficult to rival, and this has fed certain criticisms to the Gnutella network, but as it evolves (and fast) the critics are reconsidering.

As to Webrings, I suggest those for Classical Music and for Drum'n'Bass. (I love both kinds, don't you?)

At enjoythemusic.com (see below) they provide a Browser add-on customized for the audiophiles.

In a totally different perspective there is the Music Machines site for looking up anything equipment for the production of electronic music, something in the vein of Stockhausen, Tangerine Dream, and the like.

Downloadable sheet music either in MIDI or PDF formats, but be reminded that one must pay. A similar one, probably with better choice, is Sheet Music Plus.

Check also (in Portuguese) my humble career as a choir director.

Vinyl is not dead, and certainly not on the Net. DeadWaxCafe is the current address for VinylZone, a legendary refuge for analogue addicts (those who coined the phrase "There's something about analog that just makes music, whereas digital just seems to reproduce sound." and also have a vast links collection). Clever phrases aside, in this area the VinylTourist and especially the Vinyl Collector's, thoroughly reviewing the subject of vinyl preference (as a tip, try directly the Technology page, the site is very easy to navigate around anyway), are a must. There are a few gospel-like sites, of course, for example Vinyl Bologna, while KeVlaR's World displays his own system and explains every detail of it, a shining example of audiophilia... Finally, Audio Web has its section on Phono from which links can be explored. One among them is the amazing ELP laser turntable (do check a review on this novelty). But current cartridge and needle turntables, clearly not looking like museum articles, certainly have an oddity of their own!

I like the approach by Opera-lover Mike Richter, who compiled a primer on CD-R (CD recording) that includes a good introductory text called Analogue Audio. The Curtin University of Technology in Australia conveys their own explanation of Analogue and Digital. And there is Flemming's Vinyl & Audio Obsession at Inner Ear Magazine, which relates actual comparisons with CD.

But if you are on to transferring every bit of analogue to MP3, there is a useful LP to CDR Tips page, the CD Recordable FAQ, Ganymede's tutorial page and, back with Mike Richter's site, a page linking to CD Recording software and another to further addresses.

Ralph Glasgal has released a description of the ambiophonics method for the optimal design of a domestic concert hall.

On the downside, read Analog Radio's Swan Song at Audio-Ideas Guide, a good portal on music and sound. This site includes very good reading on audiophilia such as Tweaking the Light Fantastic and MP3: The Death Knell of High End Audio? relating to the aborted rise of DVD-Audio.

Rather on the technical side, but with very interesting information on how analogue to digital conversion works, one can read the Microlink technical notes by Biodata Ltd. Another example that should be very pleasing to read is at the Songs site (see above), concerning Digital signal Processing. The tops in complexity are by MANTE, who from the analogue entry in their glossary open up a primer on communications systems that bear some relation, although pretty much from the digital communications angle. Other (more relevant here) glossaries are provided by Rane Professional Audio Reference, which is quite detailed, and the DAISY Consortium, just to name two more.

Loopasonic will open the way to music loops, software, a great list of links, etc. (checkout the software from Polyhedric too).