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Reading MP3 files requires a specific software allowing decompression "on a whim". Therefore, a proper configuration is essential. Quality of reading varies according to various software packages as well as the charge required by the CPU. The software works in background mode and the time required by the CPU to decode must be as little as possible in order to allow resources for other applications to run.
What are the basic functions that a good MP3 reader must fulfil ?
It must provide a good sound quality, ant the MP 3 decoding algorithm must be of good quality. It must be able to read other sound format such as WAV and CD audio files.
It must not require a large amount of CPU resources (less than 20% of charge) in order to let you to work on other applications without loosing sound quality.
It must contain a file manager (playlist maker) allowing a simple and intuitive search of your MP3 files library.
It must integrate all functions needed to an easy reading (fast advance and return mode, time positioning bar in a song, random reading, volume, balance etc…).
What other functions can be added bonus?
The audio reading software can support visual plugins (2 and 3 Ds) and sounds. For example, Winamp has more than 300 plugins.
It can support skins, change of appearance of the interface and even sometimes the interface itself (buttons emplacement), Winamp has more than 1000.
It can read MP3 files via the net, referred to as the streaming HTTP.
It can also read other sound format such as MODS, VQF, AAC…
It can integrated an oscilloscope and/or a spectre analyser.
It can also integrate an MP3 files header editor and ID3 tag editor. This process stores data in the MP3 files such as the title of the album, the artist's name and the title of the song. During the reading, all these information can be displayed on the view window.
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 Winamp
Winamp is the most widely used reader in the world. It is simple and intuitive.
The Winamp.com site offers more than 9000 skins for this software, enough to illuminate your office. Close to 500 visualisation plugins, effects plugins are also available for free downloading.
Winamp integrate the shoutcast technology (streaming HTTP) allowing you to read sound via the Net like a ordinary radio.
The site offers a great deal of choices of Net radios for all kinds and all type of connections.
It requires little of your CPU however the use of visual plugins requires a lot of power from the processor. Winamp can read different kinds of formats and audio support such as Window Media, Mjuice, MIDI and more...
It has an integrated spectre analyst, oscilloscope, file listing manager, MP3 header editor and a playlist editor. It also has an equaliser, 10 bands with safeguarding and downloading adjustment parameters.
Winamp allows MP3 decoding toward WAV however not a very intuitive method (refer to the instruction manual). A Mac version is also available (MacAmp).
In conclusion this software is without a doubt THE reference for MP3 playbacks.
You will find on the Winamp Website some of the best skins that you can download (thanks to the respective authors).
Installation of skins and plugins:
The main feature in using Winamp is the possibility to obtain different menu commands depending on where you right click the mouse on the interface.
In this manner, the main menu is available by clicking the right button of your mouse on the title bar.
After having downloaded a plugin or a skin, you have to extract the file (most of the time a .zip file) to the Plugins directory (or skins).
To select the plugins (or skins), go to the main menu/Visualisation/Select plugin for the skins.
After having modified the parameters and selected the plugin (or skin), close the window and enjoy the result.
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