CNET is about to close its doors for the rest of 2008, but I couldn't take off on my extra-long, well-deserved holiday break without leaving you with one last tidbit of wisdom for the season of giving. Namely, what's a procrastinator to do when he or she wants to give the gift of digital downloads at the last minute? A couple of options for you below.
(Credit:
Amazon)
Q: I, as most people, am trying to find the last gifts on my list before Christmas. Instead of sending people CDs or movies in the mail, however, I wanted to send them digital CDs or movies to make sure they get there on time and save shipping. Do you guys know of any good places that would allow me to do this?--Jereme, via e-mail
A: This is a great idea for last-minute gifting; in fact, I may have to steal it from you. Doing a little research, I found that two online stores stood out in making the purchase of digital gift certificates a simple task: Amazon.com and iTunes (warning: link launches the iTunes app). Both services offer a wide selection of both audio and video content, though you may want to note that Amazon's MP3 store and video service are in separate areas of the Digital Downloads department, and the iTunes gift certificate requires that the software be downloaded. I would go with iTunes if the giftee is an iPod user, but Amazon is a better bet for those with another portable device or none at all.
MP3 Mailbox Monday will return in 2009--happy holidays!
MP3 Mailbox Monday is a recurring feature where I answer a selection of questions about MP3 players and accessories, such as headphones, speakers, and music services and software. Check back often to see if the advice presented here might be of some use to you, or send your questions directly to me. (Note: We never include last names, but if you prefer to remain completely anonymous, please state as much in your e-mail.)
Like to listen to audio books on your MP3 player, but your player lacks a bookmark function? If you have long audio files that haven't already been split into chapters, it can be a pain to fast-forward to the desired point in the track. This tutorial can help you split audio books into shorter tracks on your own. It can also be used with music, although track length and nomenclature will be different than what is described here. (A tip: if you are splitting an audio file with several songs in it, use points of silence as a guide rather than the counter.)
Cost: Free
Time commitment: Varies
System requirements: Mac or Windows
- Download and install Audacity
For either Windows or Mac. - Download and install the latest LAME MP3 encoder
- Extract the LAME file
From the LAME.zip file, extract only the file lame_enc.dll. Save it someplace that's easy to find on your hard drive, such as the desktop. (When you export your files as MP3, Audacity will ask you to locate it.) - Open Audacity
Go to File > Open, then select the audio file you wish to split from wherever it is stored on your hard drive. In the upper-right corner of the window, ensure that the selection tool (it looks like an uppercase "I") button is highlighted. - Highlight selection
Starting at the very beginning of the audio file, click and drag the selector so that it highlights a selection of the file. (You can use the keyboard arrows to zero in on "0" if necessary.)
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The Upcoming Releases panel at Bandwidth 2008. Left to right: Chuck Fishman (Cisco), Michael Scherotter (Microsoft), Kurt Wolff (CNET Download.com), and Dave Goldberg (formerly of Yahoo Music).
(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)The Bandwidth music tech conference in San Francisco attracts folks from all corners of the music industry: from label owners and musicians, to Internet radio broadcasters and mobile phone software developers. This year, the conference featured panel discussions on topics such as the future of music gadgets (a subject dear to my nerd heart), developing music services for mobile phones, and the realities of running a label in today's fractured music industry.
One of the more popular themes drawing heated discussion across all panels was the idea of ditching the paid download model dominated by iTunes in favor of giving music away for free. Throughout the day I heard several compelling arguments for and against moving toward a free music download model, but my sense is that economic times will need to get a little tougher before the industry takes a serious look at a free music strategy. That said, with the decline in CD sales drastically outpacing the uptake of MP3 sales, a future of legitimate free music downloads may arrive sooner than you think.
As the nation's premier music phone, the iPhone and its App Store garnered plenty of discussion as well, with comments from Tom Conrad from Pandora connecting to an audience eager to leverage the iPhone's popularity and potential. During the same mobile music panel, Cindy Lundin Mesaros from Moderati spoke on the plateaued, yet profitable business of selling ringtones, software, and games for phones.
A discussion of emerging trends in consumer electronics was slow to gain momentum, but paid off handsomely with razor-sharp comments from Dave Goldberg, former VP of Yahoo Music, who stated with no uncertainty that MP3 player manufacturers competing with Apple are doing it all wrong (listen to an audio excerpt at the end of this article). CNET's own Kurt Wolff (Download.com Music) also used the panel as an opportunity to tease to Juke.com, a new CNET music Web site in development that has been veiled in secrecy (even to me).
One of the last panels of the evening brought together representatives from Rhapsody, Sony/BMG, and TAG Strategic to discuss the state of the music download sales model and its viability going forward. While never reaching a consensus, alternative models such as variable song pricing, flat-rate music subscriptions via ISP, high-fidelity downloads, and bundled incentives (concert tickets, T-shirts, etc.), were all thrown around. The only idea everyone agreed on was the suggestion that artists need to work on building unique, packaged experiences for their fans if they want to increase revenue through music sales (Metallica's Mission Metallica microsite was cited as a prime example).
Having just finished my review of the Edirol R-09HR portable recorder, I brought it along to capture a few great comments overheard at Bandwidth:
Dave Goldberg on why iPod alternatives fail:
Ted Cohen on why the subscription music model is broken:
Tom Conrad on the appeal of internet radio:
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Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
