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Jan. 8, 2007 Anyone reading an e-zine such as this has at least heard of "downloading" popular music via the web. However, a few readers might not realize that, in case they happen to like classical music and jazz, there are continuous ("24/7") sources of such music on the web, similar to ordinary radio or TV stations. These days there are not many classical music stations remaining on FM radio, and they often include a lot of talk, and also a lot of ultramodern stuff. Also there is not much "modern jazz" (1950s and '60s) on FM radio, even if you live near a big city. For lovers of Mozart and Brubeck, it might be news that there are literally thousands of "WebRadio" stations on the internet that broadcast their favorite music from many different countries, often with practically no talk. New computers, laptops included, almost always include "soundcards" and "MP3 player programs" already installed when they are bought. If the owner searches google.com for "webradio," "web radio," or "internet radio," the web addresses that show up will be in the tens of millions. Refining the search for "classical" or "jazz" will show more stations than one can ever explore. Some listeners will not know how to hook up their laptop outputs to the inputs of their high quality stereo systems. However, almost all computers have an "output to headphone" socket. From that, an adapter plug can be obtained from Radio Shack or similar stores, to hook up stereo cables with RCA plugs at the other ends, going to the inputs of an audio amplifier. Without doing this, one would have to be satisfied with the sound quality of the computer's own small loudspeakers, but at least the music could be heard. Of course playing this music requires a computer with linkage to the internet, preferably of high bandwidth. Then all the listener has to do is "visit" a station such as http://www.wwfm.org, and click on "Listen Live," and after a few other appropriate clicks, the music will play. For people with older computers that do not have built-in MP3 players, they can download two free-of charge players, iTunes, and QuickTime. Search for those two words in google.com, and click on "free download," which is usually at the top of google's listing. The present versions work properly in almost all Windows computers, as well as in Macintoshes. (There are other player programs, but most require periodic payments.) I recommend having the icons of both iTunes and QuickTime visible on your computer desktop. Then most web radio stations can automatically link to whichever of them is most appropriate (it varies). If you search google.com for one of my favorites, www.sky.fm/ classical, and then click on google's listing near the top, then click on "Listen Now", you probably can hear classical music any time of the day, with practically no spoken announcements. (In contrast, there are many government stations having lots of good music, but that's often interrupted by too much talking to suit me.) Another music-only and very good station, to be googled and then opened, is www.avroklassiek.nl. Click on "Web," and then on "Webradio." Three others that can be depended on for enjoyable classical music, pretty much all the time, are kusc.org, wcpe.org, and radioioclassical (that's not a misprint). Again, google first, then go through appropriate clicking, which might require carefully perusing the computer screen to find the right button (such as "Ready to listen?") for the next step. While the music is playing, the composer and the name of the piece are usually visible on your computer screen. However, to see the composer listing in the case of kusc, you have to visit the www.kusc.org site on a separate web window, and then click on Music Playlist. The technology involved in all this is pretty complex, but it was explained, using nothing more demanding than high school science, in a series of articles that I published in the magazine "The Audiophile Voice" (Upper Montclair, NJ). Their website happens to be defunct right now, but their e-mail address for (buying back issues) is audiophilevoice@verizon.net, and the phone number is (973) 509-2009. The title of the first one of the series is shown at http://www.enjoythemusic.com/tav/vol11issue1/ (That's Volume 11, Issue 1). Then, in Volume 11, Issue 3, I explained "streaming," which can provide continuous music all day long, rather than being a single download. The paper copies of the magazine have multicolor diagrams, but a text- only (and shorter) version is visible in my website at http:// shanefield.blogspot.com. More of my little blogs are also posted at that site, but you probably would find them to be long-winded and rather boring. However, if you scroll down the page about one third of the way, there are some concise explanations of streaming, MP3 companding, wi-fi, and other WebRadio items. ------------ About the author: Dan Shanefield is a retired engineering prof, who worked at Bell Labs and then at Rutgers University. He wrote the book "Industrial Electronics for Engineers, Chemists, and Technicians". Visit his website or email: shanefield@ieee.org Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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