MP3
A file extension and compression method utilizing the MPEG compression standard to reduce the size of a file often down by a factor of 12 and still have a CD-like quality. MP3 files are commonly used to store a song or complete CD and require very little hard disk drive space when compared to other files. Because of the file size, it is possible for a computer user to store several hundred or thousand songs on their computer and listen to the songs without needing to place the CD into the computer.
Click the icon to the right, to download an example MP3 audio file.
In addition to being able to store MP3 files, because of the size, users can also share MP3 files with other Internet users. This has caused many songs and CDs to be downloaded from various file sharing services without having to purchase the CD.
Also see: AAC, Encoder, iPod, iTunes, Lossless compression, Music, P2P, Sound definitions, WMA