The book begins by showing you why MP3 is one of the best digital music formats. For one thing, most MP3 encoded music is legally free of charge. And because it's completely digital, an MP3 file loaded into a handheld player won't skip while you exercise the way CDs can. On the software side, the book focuses on playing MP3s with Winamp. They also cover Virtuosa Gold and MusicMatch Jukebox for ripping, ie. encoding music files into the MP3 format.

The book devotes more space to the Diamond Rio than any other piece of MP3 hardware, but they do an even-handed job of exploring the other MP3 players available. Perhaps more importantly, the book explains little hardware hacks, such as using a cassette-deck adapter to connect your MP3 device to your car stereo (though they might also have included information on connecting a PC's sound card to a home stereo).

About a third of this book is a directory of musicians who have given permission for their MP3 music to appear on the book's companion CD-ROM. --David Wall

Book Description
Authors Rod Underhill and Nat Gertler give the reader a history of how MP3 came to exist and what the technology is. They explain how and where to find the technology as well as how and where to find the music. They explore the legal issues that are brewing from recording companies and artists; what the implications are for the public; what can and cannot be digitized. Rod and Nat share with the reader "digital successes" of bands and individuals who have built success through MP3. They offer pointers and tips for would-be artists who want to make a run for the music industry. Rod brings more of the technological and historical expertise to the project whereas Nat puts the information into the easily read, conversational tone of the Complete Idiots Guides.

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