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Before you get your tunes online, consider the information in this article. A little knowledge will go a long way with music downloading. Keep going and read through this solid advice that was put together to help you out.



If you are looking for a cheap way to download music, try using a free service instead of downloading. Service such as Pandora or Slacker will let you listen to music from any device. You do not have to store the files on your phone or tablet; just listen to them streaming online.



If you want to try out some more obscure artists, keep your eyes peeled for free music available from them. Even the most popular sites, like Amazon and iTunes, offer free downloads from time to time. This is great way to build your music library without spending money on tunes you may or may not like.



If you're downloading music from a little known source, make sure you have recently updated antivirus software running during the download. Anytime you aren't sure of where the file is coming from, it's a must to protect your computer. These files could be laced with malware and spyware. You'll need top antivirus protection to secure your computer.



You can obtain free and cheap music downloads from some band websites. Some popular bands like to give away rare tracks, live tracks, and rough cuts that you won't find on their albums. These are usually free or really cheap on their own websites. This is a great way to not only get music from a band you like, but to get access to cool extras that you won't find at large online music retailers.



A website that offers legal music downloads will usually not have a wide range of custom files and mixes available. This is because they are distributing the music from reputable labels. If the website has a dozen versions of the song you are looking for, you are probably not on a legal download site.



If your taste in music changes a lot, consider using a site that allows you to stream music, rather than download it. Streaming allows you to listen to a large variety of songs, but the music never resides on your computer. This can save you money and space on your hard drive, so it is sometimes the better option.






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Many artists have put up their own music for download at under one dollar per song. This is a good way of getting a copy of your favorite song and directing linked site to the artist instead of to a third party distributor. The artist gets paid in full for his work, and you get a great song.



Watch the file sizes of your music downloads carefully. A normal music download will be somewhere between 2 megabytes and 5 megabytes. If you see something much less or much more, there could be something fishy about the file. It may be spyware and not the song you were hoping it was.



Pay attention to music formats. Music files come in many different formats. Some of these formats are specific to certain music players or music playing devices. Don't download music you can't use. What are you going to use to listen to the music you're downloading? Determine the type of file you will need.



If there are certain songs that you always listen to, create an offline playlist of your music downloads instead of streaming them from the cloud. This is especially important if you're on a cellular data plan. These cloud files can eat up a lot of your monthly data plan. But if the songs are saved right on the device, it uses none of that data bucket at all.



You have to always pay attention to the size of the files you're downloading. A music file is going to regularly be anywhere between two and five megabytes. If you notice anything much smaller than http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/quakecon-2016-4-things-we-loved-about-gaming-convention-w433599 , beware. This is usually only going to be a text file and might contain a harmful virus.



There are literally thousands of sites which host music files. Even though many of these website are safe, there are still a great number that contain some infected files. Downloading just one of these infected files could possibly destroy your computer, so it is wise to be cautious. Before downloading a file, always scan it first with your anti-virus program.



A great way to access music for free is by turning to a web site that works with independent artists. NoiseTrade allows independent artists to get more exposure while allowing users to enjoy music for free. This site helps you support a small artist without downloading illegal content from the Internet.



Do you love to check out new music from up-and-coming bands? If so, you are in luck! Many websites offer free music downloads because the bands and record companies want you to sample the music. In a way, it is like hearing the song on the radio. If you like it, buy the album to support your favorite new band.



When you want to download great music easily, your best bet is to learn all you can about your options. You have taken the time to read this article, so you should be ready to start downloading with ease. Be sure to use the tips you have read to give yourself the best experience possible.