• The Kosmic Free Music Foundation - Here's a "not-for-profit" resource that offers an eclectic collection of free, original MP3 music from around the globe. Kosmic is more than just another MP3 site, it aspires to "provide a channel between artist and audience separate from the monopolistic worldwide entertainment industry." Much of the music on tap here is in the house/rave/techno and experimental genres.
  
• AudioGrab.com - Good, all-around resource devoted to the MP3 format, AudioGrab features a good collection of legal sound files (mostly from small, independent rave and techno artists and bands). There's also lots of news about what's going on in the world of MP3, as well as articles and reviews about freeware and shareware MP3 software and utilities. Artists here include Debris, Hagman, Zava and 13 Stories. (I haven't heard of them, either. But, hey, they're free---and some are quite good).
  
• The MP3 Site Search Directory - Looking for a particular MP3 file? This popular, well-established site offers a good search engine to help you find just the sound file you need. Categories here include Legal MP3 Sites, MP3 Direct Download Sites, and a roundup of sites that feature the latest news on MP3s and more.
  
• Multi Audio - Good, all-around MP3 resource that offers sound files, software reviews, MP3 news, FTP sites and more. There's also lots of handy links here to many of the Web's top MP3 resources, ranging from search engines to other sound file sites. There's also information here on VQF sound files, a newer format that has compression advantages over MP3s (but has not yet gained wide acceptance).
  
• MP3 Top 10 - A well-designed, constantly-updated collection of current MP3 titles. There's also plenty of information here about using MP3 files. Be sure to read their disclaimer.
  
• MP3meta - A helpful resource for locating that hard-to-find MP3 file, this is a "metasearch" engine (which means that it sends your query to several other search engines and integrates the results into a standardized format, removing duplicates and adjusting the ranking for "optimal relevance.") From the pioneer metasearch site, SavvySearch.
  
• MusicMatch - One of our favorite MP3 sites, MusicMatch offers loads of free (and legal) sound files, by an eclectic assortment of artists. Basically, most of these artists are giving away a track or two of their material, hoping that you'll like what you hear and will buy their CDs. Most of the acts here aren't big names, but there is plenty of worthwhile music, including folk, rock, jazz and country. Each artist has been rated, on a scale of one to 10, by the site's visitors. Examples of the artists here are Michael Lille, Napalm Beach and Saskia Muroe.
  
• The Real MP3 City - Good selection of MP3 files here, including our favorite: "Independent bands" featuring the work of up-and-coming groups. Other categories include alternative, rap & hip hop, international, comedy, theme songs and more. They also take requests, if you can't find what you're seeking. The only drawback to this site is that, like an increasing number of MP3 sites, you have to sometimes wade through a lot of JavaScript pop-up windows. Still, The Real MP3 City is worth a visit.
  
• Atomic-Silence - This German site serves up a good collection of free sound files of the hottest, most cutting-edge music from the underground German techno scene. Here, you can listen to an intriguing collection of innovative artists via either MP3 files or RealAudio.
  
• Real MP3 Search Engine - Here's a nice resource for helping you find that MP3 file that's been eluding you. Note that if you're searching for a particularly song, this search engine won't return a direct download link; instead it'll point you to the site that offers the title. There's plenty of other good MP3 resources listed here, as well. Categories include "legal" MP3 archives, other MP3 search engines, FTP download sites, independent bands' MP3 sites, MP3 software sites and more.
  
• Audiodiner.com - This is an interesting new MP3 site with a unique twist: they pay artists for their music and then offer their MP3 files for free to the Web community. Here, you'll find features like "Soup of the Day," which highlights a new artist and gives you a chance to download their single. Also be sure to check out "The Freezer," which features a small, but intriguing collection of unknown artists who are turning out some very interesting work in genres from techno to rock.
  
• WorldWideBands - Here's a free MP3 site that offers an eclectic selection of tunes that we've not seen elsewhere. Over 130 artists are listed here. Categories include rock, alternative, folk, funk, metal, industrial, punk, ska, reggae, hip hop, dance, techno, Christian, acoustic, big band, blues, instrumental, fusion, R&B, soul, ambient, New Age and avant garde. Artists are conveniently listed by state, by country and alphabetically. The site also features RealAudio content.
  
• Abstract Mp3 - Large selection of current MP3 files at this well-done site. Another plus: there's no annoying pop-up banners and no porn banners. Be sure to read the disclaimer on their welcome page. Abstract Mp3 also offers info on encoders, decoders and players, lyrics and more.
  
• MP3.com - This is perhaps the definitive MP3 resource on the Web. It offers up-to-the-minute news, contests, information about sound utilities and, of course, free sounds (over 3,000 legal MP3 files). Categories include dance/techno, electronic, experimental, heavy metal/acid rock, industrial, instrumental, new age, pop, R&B/soul, rap, reggae and rock. Be sure to check out MP3.com's Best free (or almost free) MP3 stuff And if you're new to sound files, be sure to check the "MP3 for beginners" section.
  
• MPEG3 Music Archive - Nordic offers a massive audio archive with nearly 5,000 song selections on demand. Many titles come in three varieties "MP3 Stereo," "MP3 Mono," and WAV files (the latter for faster samples). Categories include everything from Big Band, to techno to bluegrass. There's a helpful search engine for locating songs by album name, artist name and song title.
  

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