(ARA) - Is your music collection as out of date as shag carpet and bell bottoms? Along with that album that's as classic as a '65 Mustang, do you have 10 that are as hopeless as a '73 Gremlin?
Take heart. The Internet offers tools and information to preserve your classic tracks or find new music faster and easier than ever. And it's not just geared toward college kids: in fact, 35- to 49-year-olds account for nearly half of all music downloaded from the Web.
Whether you're looking to preserve old favorites like Frank Sinatra and The Beatles, or hoping to discover new artists and sounds to add to your collection, online resources can help.
Out with the Old?
Admitting that it's time to refresh your music collection doesn't mean you have to give up all those old favorites that bring back special memories. In fact, "jukebox" software programs like MusicMatch Jukebox (available for download at www.musicmatch.com) can turn your computer into a personal music system.
Do you have albums and CDs with only one or two tracks you still listen to and enjoy? A closet full of cassette tapes with the sound quality of fingernails on a blackboard? With jukebox software, you can easily convert your favorite tracks from vinyl albums, cassette tapes and CDs into MP3 files that you can listen to on your home computer, or burn to a CD that can be played in your car or on your home stereo system.
Tony Abbott, a music lover from El Taloma, Calif., started using jukebox software to preserve his music two years ago. Most of his favorite music was on vinyl or tape, so he converted it to MP3 files that can be played on his computer. This keeps his music library organized in one place and not only clears out closets, but eliminates the need for different equipment -- a turntable, tape deck and CD player.
"Turning older music into MP3 files is the natural step toward enjoying it in the future," says Tony. "I love to resurrect old tunes, knowing that they're all in one place and that I can keep listening to them without loss of quality."
In with the New
There are also online resources to give you advice on the newest bands and artists. Web sites like All Music Guide (www.allmusic.com) provide information on favorite bands including biographies, discographies and the artists' roots and influences.
Many downloadable jukeboxes also have music guides available for those hungry to find new music. The benefit of a music guide that is integrated into the jukebox software is that it is regularly updated and you can record, store, download and discover new music all in one program. Many music guides also let users type in the name of a specific artist and then generate recommendations for other bands the user might like. This kind of recommendation site can open many doors to new music based on your existing tastes.
Another way to discover new music is as close as your nearest music store. Many stores have "music listening stations" where you can sample newly-released CDs before buying them. For some music lovers, this can become an all-day expedition exploring new artists, styles and genres.
The Best of Both Worlds
Once you've combined your old favorites with your new discoveries in one spot and in one format, you can enjoy your collection. Jukebox software lets you create and save playlists -- handpicked lists of songs in any order you choose -- to listen to on your computer, or to burn on to a CD, or to download to a portable MP3 player. Once you've created a playlist for a special mood or occasion -- for a dinner party or for working out -- you can name and save the list so you can enjoy it any time.
Online resources and the latest technology allow you to renew your music collection without sacrificing old favorites with emotional connections, which can not only rekindle your enjoyment of music, but also maintain the sound quality of your favorites -- and give you a cleaner closet!
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/10-6-2001-5101.asp
