Some Quick Advice About Music Downloads YOU SHOULD USE Now

First, there were vinyl records and 8-track players. Then, there were cassette players and compact discs. Now, listening to music is as easy is pressing a button on your cell phone or computer. To really enjoy downloading music, be sure to read the following tips so you know what you are doing.

A great tip when downloading music is to preview similar artists on itunes. Most of the time, itunes will show a dozen of similar songs and artists on the right whenever you highlight a song in your library. This can be a great way to discover new music that you like.

Check your file size when downloading music. Most music files are about two to five megabytes. If you find that a file is much smaller, it might be a text file disguised as a music download. By downloading it, you could be putting your computer at risk of viruses, jeopardizing your personal information.

Consider joining an online forum of music enthusiasts. Many will share their downloads for free. This allows you to explore different genres of music or the latest cd from a known artist without committing a lot of time or money to the task, making it easier to build your library with an eclectic blend of tunes.

Beware of using illegal means to download your music. There are many peer to peer networks out there that'll give you access to lots of music. But this does open you up to potential legal problems and big fines if caught. These free files might also contain hidden malware. Overall, it's a better and safer option to just purchase what you love.

Look for downloads that feature high quality files. Be sure the kilobytes are looked at when you're checking out the music. The higher the number, the better it's going to sound on any device you're using.

If you generally like an artist's songs, don't be afraid to get his or her album. It is often cheaper to buy an entire album than it is to download individual songs. You'll have more to listen to, too. Perhaps you will even come across a song that will become your all-time favorite.

If you want to avoid getting a virus when downloading music, make sure you download from a reputable site. There are many websites where you can download free music. These sites are usually less secure than the ones you pay for, increasing your chances of downloading a virus. If you want to avoid getting a virus, consider paying for music you download.

If you are downloading music from a site where the songs are free, you run the risk of getting a virus on your computer. Before downloading, check the size of the file. Although these file can be small, most range from 2MB-5MB. If the file is less than 250KB, steer clear since it is probably a text file. Most viruses are transmitted through maliciously coded text files.

Try registering an account with a major online music retailer. Getting accounts with some popular ones like Amazon and iTunes can give you access to many old and new tracks. Amazon has over 20 million songs in its database, while iTunes has over 500, 000 in its database. You are sure to find something that you like, and having an account can make checkout faster. You can also get some great recommendations based on your previous purchases.

You should always have an antivirus program if you download music on a regular basis. An antivirus program will scan a file before it is downloaded, letting you know whether the virus has a virus or not. If a virus somehow gets into your hard drive, then the antivirus program can neutralize and remove the virus.

If you're a music lover and using a paid downloading site, always look for deals on certain music by browsing. Some songs and albums will be available at a discount, and buying a whole album is going to prove much cheaper than buying individual songs in the long run. Of course, some people only want a specific song, but music lovers often enjoy a whole album.

Look Future online to find out more about tweaking your network speed. It is likely that your computer isn't optimized right out of the box. That means you need to learn a bit about these alterations to your settings to get the fastest downloads for your online music needs. Custom information for your computer set-up can be found on the internet.

Stay away from any music downloads that require a peer to peer client, also known as p2p software. No matter how slickly designed such sites are, they are probably just an access point for music pirates and torrent users. Avoid these, as almost all torrent activity is a legal risk.

In conclusion, music has changed throughout the times. People used to listen to music by purchasing records, 8-tracks, cassettes and CDs. These days, downloading music is the easiest and most popular way to listen to you favorite music. Use the above advice to see what downloading music has to offer you.