The MP3 player, which is a compression format that shrinks digital audio files with negligible sound-quality degradation, has revolutionized the way people can listen to music (MP3 Developments). The technological advances that the player has made were all possible due to its predecessors. The MP3 is incredibly small, dynamic, slim, easy to operate and lightweight to accommodate all types of people who might purchase and use one. The history of is extremely in depth and just recently, up for debate mp3juice.
MP3 is short for MPEG Audio Layer III, which is a standard for audio compression, making music files smaller with the same type of sound quality they had in their bigger files (The History of MP3). Although Apple did not invent the MP3 player, its line called iPods, helped soar the MP3 to unprecedented popularity (What is an MP3 Player. All the music can be stored on one device, which one downloads on to, making it portable and easily accessible. The user of the device can create song playlists tailored to their likes and wants.
One can access files off the internet, either free or at a small fee, or could copy songs off their favorite CD’s, to put on the MP3 player and listen to. When Shawn Fanning started Napster in 2000, the online music base where downloading music was free, music moguls were scared that their industry and business would be ruined. CD sales, however, actually increased by 6 percent in the beginning of 2000 (Rage Against the Machines).
Since Napster was founded, it has been reformatted to where the user now has to pay a fee and can then download music. Napster is not a free service anymore. Since these technological developments and advancements were making headway in the world, this meant that profits would inevitably decrease for these music moguls who had already been in the business for more than sixty years. Technology made listening to music extremely easy (Rage Against the Machines). There have always been new forms of music emerging, new enemies that the competition or the already established companies had to deal with. It was a never-ending cycle and battle.
In the 1920’s and 30’s the radio was seen as the foe. Record companies and musicians’ unions would wage war with the radio stations that played recorded music instead of featuring the live performances (Rage Against the Machines). In 1963 Philips presented the audio cassette tape, which in turn pivoted the rage and anger towards that market, instead of the radio (Rage Against the Machines). History repeats itself and with each new technology in the free mp3juice world, the anger is directed towards the new implemented idea or product. These feelings by the various companies are inescapable.
Audio technology is forever improving its quality and technologies accessible to their clientele. In the early 19th century, the phonograph, invented by Thomas Edison, and the Gramophone, by Emile Berliner, were massive and bulky (MP3 Developments). Through the decades the music players changed, creating the small, compact image of today’s standards. One benefit of the player has been how the device aids in exercising. Since the MP3 player is portable, lightweight and easily accessible, it’s the perfect companion to those who like to exercise and burn calories.
Often people listen to music to work out because it helps them keep pace and motivates them. The tempo of the song can also help speed up the person’s workout or get the person ready for the cool down based on the songs pacing, like a slower song verse a fast pace one. MP3 players are currently all the rage. From its predecessors the MP3 player technology has taken the way everyone listens to music to new heights. Its versatility, mobility and accessibility help in making the popularity of this device soar.
