| eMusic is a major player in the iPod music | | | | about downloading illegal files. |
| downloads business. They are one of the pioneers | | | | They do have some major labels like Johnny |
| and rank second only to iTunes. They have a | | | | Cash, The White Stripes, The Prodigy and Mobi. |
| diverse catalogue of primarily independent music | | | | And they're continually increasing them regularly |
| labels. All their music is in MP3 format and works | | | | as the DRM free movement is spreading. America |
| on any platform. They also have very extensive | | | | is behind the Europeans in that regard.eMusic's |
| editorial content, archived shows and | | | | Interface |
| events.eMusic's Advantages | | | | So like I mentioned, eMusic only has MP3s, |
| One of their greatest advantages is all their music | | | | encoded at a variable bit rate (VBR). So you |
| downloads are in MP3 format and DRM free! That | | | | won't have a problem transferring your tunes to |
| means, unlike iTunes, Yahoo Music and so many | | | | your iPod, your CD burner or any portable player. |
| others, you not only own your music, but it | | | | All the tunes are accessed through your Web |
| continues to play when you discontinue your | | | | browser or with the free Download Manager. |
| membership with eMusic. And you can play your | | | | One note of caution is if you download from your |
| tunes on any portable PDA or your computer. | | | | Web browser you'll need to disable eMusic's |
| The sad fact about copy protecting music with | | | | Download Manager from your account |
| DRM is the version varies from one company to | | | | preferences. Then you'll have to change the file |
| the next. For instance, you can only play your | | | | extensions to .mp3 because the file will be |
| DRM protected iTunes on your iPod, iPhone or | | | | downloaded with an unknown file extension. That's |
| your desktop with the iTunes player installed. | | | | easy to do, just right click the file and choose |
| According to The New York Times: | | | | "Rename" and change the extension to mp3. |
| "A major difference between eMusic's service and | | | | Summary |
| other online music stores is that the tracks are | | | | On the eMusic site, you can search for tunes by |
| delivered in the unprotected MP3 format, which | | | | the artist's name, album, track, label, or composer. |
| means... that the songs will play on all portable | | | | Their 12 genres include Alternative, Punk, Country, |
| music players, including the Apple iPod(R)" | | | | Folk, Electronic and Jazz. As previously mentioned, |
| Another advantage of eMusic is the music is | | | | the bulk of their tunes are from independent |
| totally legal to download, unlike the prevalent P2P | | | | artists but you'll find quite a few from the major |
| file sharing sites. Don't get me wrong, many of | | | | record labels. |
| the top unlimited music download sites are | | | | They have around 2.8 million high quality MP3 files |
| definitely legal, to a certain respect. | | | | from over 13,00 independent music labels. And |
| One of the things I really like about eMusic is they | | | | you won't find a lot of them on competing |
| let you download 25 songs free before you have | | | | download sites or music stores.eMusic's online |
| to pay the minimum $9.99 per month for 30 | | | | interface is ridiculously easy to use. It allows you |
| songs. So the 25 free ones is almost like a | | | | to download entire albums at a time. There is a |
| month's worth of downloads for nothing.Not to | | | | review section and a star rating for each file. |
| mention the 33 cents per song blows away MSN | | | | Their FAQs are well written and they respond |
| and iTunes 99 cents per song. And it's even less | | | | very quickly to emails for support. |
| with the other levels with 50 and 75 songs per | | | | They offer a 2 week trial allowing you to |
| month at $14.99 and $19.99 respectively! | | | | download 25 tunes for starters before you have |
| One slight disadvantage with eMusic is although | | | | to pay the tiny monthly fee. One tip though when |
| they offer millions of music tracks; they're | | | | you start your membership, is to be sure you |
| primarily "indie" or independent artists. But, all their | | | | download ALL your allotted songs for the month |
| music is legitimately licensed from independent | | | | because you can't carry them over to the next |
| record labels so you don't have to be concerned | | | | month! |