The new sound of music.(use of MP3 to download digital music from the Internet)(Brief Article)

MP3 lets you download your favorite songs from the Net

Record companies are always looking for clearer and more efficient ways to distribute music. The evolution from analog formats such as vinyl, 8-tracks and cassettes to the digital clarity of compact discs and mini-discs has benefited both record labels and consumers. However, MP3, the latest format for compressing digital audio, could shake up the entire record industry and switch the balance of power away from traditional record companies.

MP3, short for MPEG Audio Layer 3, lets you shrink songs into small digital packages that can be downloaded from the Net or sent via email and played on a PC. Unlike …