Articles Index

iTunes Genius Definition: What is iTunes Genius?

When using iTunes to listen to your digital music, you've probably already seen the iTunes Genius option, but what exactly is it? And what is its purpose? To find out if its a feature worth using, read this glossary article that explains what iTunes Genius is, how it works, and how it can be used.

AirPlay Definition: What is AirPlay?

You've probably heard of AirPlay, but what does Apple's wireless technology enable you to do? And more importantly, what hardware do you need to start streaming your digital music, videos, photos, and other stuff around your home? For a quick primer on AirPlay, this article covers the basics on Apple's multimedia Wi-Fi system.

Windows Media Center Definition: What is WMC?

Windows Media Center is an audio visual application that has many capabilities that range from the playback of digital music, movies, and videos, all the way to viewing photos or even capturing live television through the use of its digital video recording (DVR) features. For a more detailed look at Windows Media Center, read this glossary article for more information.

RealAudio Definition: What is the RealAudio Format?

RealAudio is an audio format that can be used in streaming audio (typically via Internet radio stations) or downloaded as files -- these usually have the .ra or .ram file extensions. For a more in-depth look at the RealAudio file format, including how to playback files in this format, read this article for more information.

LRC Format Definition: What is the LRC Format?

A file ending with the extension .LRC is a format used for displaying lyrics in time with the playing song -- very much like karaoke or subtitles in fact. If you want to find out more about how this format works and the types of software and hardware devices that use it, then this article on the LRC format goes into more detail on the subject.

Monkey's Audio Definition: What is the APE Format?

A file ending in the letters .ape is encoded in the Monkey's Audio format. This is a lossless audio format similar to others compression shcemes like FlAC, Apple Lossless etc., often used by audiophiles and music fans to perfectly preserve their originals. To find our more on this lossless audio compression system and how it can be used, read this definition article on the Monkey's Audio format.

Audible Format Definition: What is the Audible Format?

The Audible format (.aa) is a digital audio standard that is specifically designed for audiobooks. Common applications include novels, newspapers/magazines, radio, film, TV, etc. For a more detailed look at the Audible file format, read this glossary article that explores its functions and some of the types of software and hardware devices that use it.

WMA Definition: What is the Windows Media Audio Format?

A brief description of Microsoft's WMA format

CDDB Definition: What is an Online CD Database Used For?

CDDB is short for Compact Disc DataBase. It is commonly used for automatically filling in CD information when you rip the tracks from an audio CD or use tagging software. For more information how CDDB works and examples of how you can use it for your music collection, read this definition article for the lowdown.

Digitizing Definition: What is Digitizing?

Digitizing is the process of converting a source (usually in analog) and representing it in digital form. In digital music, it is common to digitize a vinyl record or analog tape and store it in an audio file format such as MP3. However, there are other uses for digitizing that you can employ in order to capture audio. To discover some of its real-world uses and find out more on the subject of digitizing, take a look at this article for a quick run-down.

Kbps Definition: What is Kilobits Per Second?

kbps stands for Kilobits Per Second and is a a unit of measurement commonly used in digital music playback. Find out what it actually represents.

HE-AAC Definition: What is The HE-AAC Format?

You've probably heard of the AAC format which is used with Apple devices such as the iPod, iPhone ,and iPad, but what about HE-AAC? Is this the same? The HE-AAC format (sometimes called aacPlus) is an enhanced format that is particularly good for streaming audio. To find out more about this format -- including how it differs from standard AAC and examples of its applications in the real world -- be sure to read this HE-AAC definition article.

iTunes Match Definition: What is the iTunes Match Service?

iTunes Match Definition. You've probably heard all the hype surrounding Apple's iTunes Match service, but what exactly is it? By reading this article, you'll be able to find out how this service works to enable you to store your iTunes song library in the cloud. You will also discover its features, supported audio formats, and service limitations to be aware of.

M4b Definition: What is the M4b Format?

Audiobooks that you purchase and download from the iTunes Store come in the M4b format, but what is the difference between this and other common digital audio formats such as MP3, WMA, M4a, etc? For a complete explanation of the M4b format,including the advantage of using it for the spoken word, read this M4b definition article for more information.

iTunes LP Definition: What is iTunes LP?

iTunes LP is a feature of Apple's iTunes Store. When you buy an album that is in the iTunes LP format you get extra content along with the purchased music. But what type of bonus content do you get? And is it all viewable on all your Apple devices? If you want to know more about iTunes LP, then read this definition article that goes into how this facility works and what you'll need to use it.

iTunes Ping Definition: What is iTunes Ping?

iTunes Ping is Apple's integrated social networking platform for iTunes. But what exactly can you do with it, and what benefits are there in using it? To find out the answers to these questions and more, read this short iTunes Ping definition article.

AMR Definition: What is the AMR Format?

Discover by reading this glossary article what the AMR format is and how it used. By reading this definition, you will also learn about some of its applications in the real world.

Crossfading Definition: What is Crossfading?

You have probably heard of the term crossfading. It's a mixing effect often used by DJ's to smoothly fade one song out as the next one starts to play. If you've got a digital music library that you listen to using a software media player like iTunes or Windows Media Player for example, then did you know that you can crossfade your MP3s? In this article, we'll describe in detail what Crossfading is and how you can do it using the right software.

Music Metadata Definition: What is Music Tagging?

Music Metadata is the information contained in an MP3 file that identifies various aspects of the encoded audio. But how is it stored? And what software is needed to view and edit this information? Read this quick glossary article about music metadata to find out more.

Apple ID Definition: What can I do with an Apple ID?

What exactly is an Apple ID? And more importantly, what does it enable you to do? This feature, which is also commonly known as an iTunes account (when using Apple's online store), is Apple's all-in-one security platform that enables you to do far more than just buy products on the iTunes Store. To find out more on the Apple ID term, and what you can do with it, read this short definition article to get the lowdown.

Lossy Format: What Makes a Compression Format Lossy?

Lossy - A definition of the term lossy.

Google Play Definition: What is Google Play?

If you've already heard about Google Play, but don't know much about it, then this article will quickly give you the details. By consulting this glossary article, you'll also discover how you can use Google's hub of media services to listen to digital music and take advantage of its cloud storage services to stream your existing library to practically any mobile device.

MSC Definition: What is MSC Mode?

You may have seen MSC mode in your MP3 player or PMP device's settings, but what does it actually mean? This article explains what this term stands for and how it relates to digital music devices that support it.

Bit Depth Definition: What Does Bit Depth Mean?

The term Bit Depth is often confused with another similar sounding audio definition called bit rate. This article will explain what bit depth means and how it can be differentiated from bit rate.

Audio Clipping Definition: What is Audio Clipping?

In digital music, the term audio clipping describes the sound distortion that is generated when an audio signal is too large to be represented. If you've tried to record your own audio via a microphone or soundcard input in the past and heard distorted sound during playback, then there is a good chance that you have suffered clipping. In this article, we will explore how this happens and what you can do in order to remove clipping when dealing with your digital music library.