An Introduction to MP3 & Audio Software

Audio and video fans can find everything they need here. For mixing, sampling, and tweaking your music files, audio-production applications allow you to cut, paste, and remix sounds. Encoding software converts your digital files to and from all the popular audio formats such as MP3, WAV, WMA (Windows Media Player), AAC (iTunes files), and OGG (Ogg Vorbis). Media players and jukeboxes, including the popular iTunes, are available along with programs that enhance both iTunes and your iPod. You can search for MP3s with P2P apps such as LimeWire or Morpheus and the popular BitTorrent apps, or you can record streaming audio from the Internet. When you're ready to publish your audio or video creation, several programs can help you burn CDs and DVDs. Ripping software works the other way, converting songs from CDs to digital files. You can organize your library with music-management apps and edit song-file data with MP3 tag editors, or learn how to create your own ring tones.

For aspiring moviemakers, video-editing apps can add effects or let you adjust the pacing and sound of your video project. DVD tools let you write and burn your own DVD discs complete with tables of contents, track listing menus, and transition effects. Use our CD- and DVD-labeling software to add your own artwork to your productions, or even create your own jewel cases. For massaging your files into the right format, video converters let you output your finished work to virtually any video format.