free mp3 downoads?

[jumpy]

Anyone know of any legit sites to download free tracks of good quality unprotected mp3's?

I'm after some ZZ Top tunes that I have on audio tape, very old original tapes that have been played to death.

I had a look at that rhapsody.com place but am not entirely convinced by the registration thing, also a few other sites that told me that access was denied because I'm not in america?

ta.

[Zachstar]

Mp3s suck. Buy the CDs and experience the greatness in full quality.

On amazon they are cheap.

[Task Force]

I... dont... think there are... any legal sites.

[jumpy]

There's actually quite a few, or so it appears. They don't seem to be p2p or torrent type sites as one might expect from pirated music dl sites.

Which is why I was enquiring if anyone had any knowledge of the subject. I'm sure I've read on here somewhere about above board music sites that host/stream/dl music.

[Letum]

Originally Posted by Zachstar

Mp3s suck. Buy the CDs and experience the greatness in full quality.

On amazon they are cheap.

The majority of sold .mp3s are of equal quality as CDs. Some are of higher quality.

[kranz]

dunno if it is legal, remember not to open the door if THEY come.
http://www.mp3raid.com/

Ps: if you have them on audio then dl-ing them is legal(at least I think so)

[Digital_Trucker]

Originally Posted by Letum

The majority of sold .mp3s are of equal quality as CDs. Some are of higher quality.

If I'm not mistaken, it is impossible for an MP3 (compressed) audio file to be of higher quality than an uncompressed CD audio file. Having said that, the average person listening to both files on anything other than high end audio gear wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Similar to the difference between a raw data digital photograph and a jpeg of the same photo.

[Oberon]

This is dodgy legal territory. Let's not get Neal into trouble, folks

[SteamWake]

Library... cough cough... rip... cough cough :hmm:

[Jimbuna]

mp3raid is legal provided you agree to their terms ie review/preview purposes only, then delete the file and purchase from a legitimate source if you enjoyed/liked said music.

[Letum]

Originally Posted by Digital_Trucker

If I'm not mistaken, it is impossible for an MP3 (compressed) audio file to be of higher quality than an uncompressed CD audio file. Having said that, the average person listening to both files on anything other than high end audio gear wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Similar to the difference between a raw data digital photograph and a jpeg of the same photo.

It is hard to compare the two.
It is certainly possible to have a lossy audio file that is closer to the original
analouge signal than a lossless audio CD. If only because the sample rate and bits
per sample of a audio CD are limited (to 44.1khz and 2x16bits).
Although the bit rate will almost always be above lossy formats, that does not
always show the full story. Sometimes the sample rate is more important.

That said, the majority of Mp3s knocking around have come from CD quality
originals, and not high quality originals.

[Digital_Trucker]

Originally Posted by Letum

..whole bunch of stuff others and I have said already....
It is hard to compare the two.
It is certainly possible to have a lossy audio file that is closer to the original
analouge signal than a lossless audio CD. If only because the sample rate and bits
per sample of a audio CD are limited (to 44.1khz and 2x16bits).
Although the bit rate will almost always be above lossy formats, that does not
always show the full story. Sometimes the sample rate is more important.

That said, the majority of Mp3s knocking around have come from CD quality
originals, and not high quality originals.

Good point. Most folks don't have access to high quality (not CD) originals, but a high bitrate MP3 from a high quality original could be better than a lower bitrate CD.

[Letum]

Best not to talk about "bit rates".
The bit rates on CDs are astronomical compared to standard mp3, but this is more because they
are uneconomical, rather than better quality.

That is why it is rather hard to objectively compare the two.

[jumpy]

Yup, my intention with this thread was not to explore or condone anything that was not kosher.
Mp3's and the internet are somewhat of a grey area and with that in mind, I figured the collective knowledge here might be able to shed some light on the matter without directing me (or anyone else) to anything illegal.

[kiwi_2005]

I have a huge collection of ZZ tops favourite songs i thrash occasionally Blue Jeans blues, Fool for your stockings, im bad im national wide, Jesus just left Chicago, cheap sunglasses, and the list goes on. Went and saw them when they came here 15 odd years ago for a one night only concert. Best night ever