MP3 or MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 is a digital audio encoding format that converts music files into smaller file sizes by taking out high frequencies and cutting down data by more than 1,000 percent. The mp3 format allows music files to be transferred to and played on digital music players. It also allows music files to be easily shared through mp3 download sites. Thus, you can build a library of music on your player without emptying your wallet by downloading mp3s online. But, what sites offer music for download?

Well, obviously you can log on to online digital music stores. These stores sell singles for around $0.79 to $0.99 each, and full albums for around ten dollars. Other stores allow unlimited downloads for a monthly subscription fee. But there are usually restrictions on the use of the music downloaded from these sites. For example, some will secure their songs so that you can only listen to them on your computer or mp3 player and not be able to share them with others. Other sites only allow streaming audio so you can just listen to the music on your PC after you select it.

There are two problems with using these sites. One, some digital music stores require you to download and install special software on your PC in order to browse and make purchases from them. Two, not all stores use the mp3 format; some support alternate formats such as WMA and AAC, which may not be compatible with your digital music player.

Thus, many people are turning to sites that allow you to download music for free. Of course, online stores do offer free songs for download, but these are usually just samples that are offered only for a limited time. Artists also sometimes offer free singles for download on their official sites or MySpace pages, but if you want a larger selection of free music, you’ll have to be more industrious in your search for mp3 download sites.

One good source for mp3 downloads is mp3 blogs. These are blogs maintained by music fans where they keep logs of their favorite songs and post mp3s that their fellow fans can download. The most popular genres featured on these blogs include hip-hop, pop, rock and independent/alternative. To make your search easier you can use mp3 blog aggregators, which scan popular mp3 blogs and create a searchable music database. Using aggregators is like using a regular search engine. All you have to do is type a song title or artist name into the search box and you will get a list of blog posts that match your search parameters.

You can also use search engines to find mp3 downloads. Try typing in “mp3″ onto any search engine to get a list of mp3 directories. You can also add the name of your favorite artist or a particular song to this string to refine your search results.

Using these mp3 download sites should enable you to find the songs you want and build up your music library at minimal cost. Just remember to exercise caution and make sure that you’re not downloading pirated music.