Now here's a title for anyone interested in knowing more about MP3 technonogy and the music revolution that's currently taking place in the industry. Justin Frankel, along with Ben Sawyer and Dave Greely have produced a book that details the whole scene as of April 1999 in an interesting and informative manner. Until now there has been very little documentation on how to configre and use WINAMP; however MP3 POWER is right from the man who wrote the program and is probably the best authority to do so.
In addition to very detailed coverage of the WINAMP player itself, this book covers many other subjects including plug-ins and skins for the program, the MP3 format, history, interviews with musicians, etc. as well as information on how to optimize your modem using TweakDUN and MTU Speed, both readily available online.
Another area that I found quite interesting are the chapters dealing with Internet broadcasting containing information on how to set up your own on-line broadcasting station using SHOUTcast technology.
This is another book that needed to be produced. Michael Crestohl -- posted on the Internet; June 1999
There is a reason lightning bolts were emblazoned across the front and inside cover of the penultimate MP3 book by WinAmp founder Justin Frankel. MP3 Power is not only a book but a revolution in Music. It is designed to hit you over the head like a charged bolt and wake you up to the future.
This amazingly detailed book shows you how to get the most out of MP3 technology as a user, musician, and technical expert. It will teach you how to create, distribute and promote MP3 files with easy detailed instructions within the hallowed covers of this book.
Author Justin Frankel introduces you to skins, plug-ins, filters and MP3 enhancements you can't find anywhere else. This was my favorite part of the book as I had no idea of the capabilities of the burgeoning technology and the ways you can utilize it to your best advantage.
By the time you finish reading this book, you will feel like somewhat of an expert on MP3 technology and be able to wow the average digital music listener with your MP3 knowledge.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in mp3 technology. After all, what better place to educate yourself than by learning from the Master. -- MusicDish , October 1999
This book is an excellent guide to how to make full use of Winamp's capabilities.
Beginning with a brief history of MP3 and Winamp, the authors review how to download and install the player on a Windows based computer with step-by-step instructions (Instructions are also provided for the MacAMP player for Macintosh computers). They devote an entire chapter to Winamp's basic controls for listening and provide information about designing your own look for Winamp (called "skins"). There is an outstanding chapter on where to look on the Internet for MP3 files.
The authors include information for creating one's own MP3 files and webcasts. The discussion about computer sound cards and getting good sound from live performances is outstanding and includes links to relevant products. They also review how to get and use encoders for making MP3 files and how to create your own CDs from MP3 files.
I strongly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to make full use of Winamp's considerable capabilities. I also highly recommend it for those considering webcasting using SHOUTcast. -- Mike Powers, Internet Radio Guide, September 1999
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
From Chapter 1: What Is MP3? MP3--short for MPEG Layer 3--allows you to store music or other audio files on a computer disk so that the file size is small but the quality is near that of a compact disc. Without the compression of MP3, a one-minute CD-quality recording would take up more than 10 megabytes of disc space. MP3 compresses most sound files 10 times or more. In other words, you can download music files from the Internet and listen to them while taking up a fraction of the space otherwise required with little or no injury to the sound quality. Playing MP3 files requires a player such as Winamp (www.Winamp.com) or MacAmp (www.macamp.com).
