If your questions are not answered below please use the link at the bottom of the page to get personal help from the support team. 

1. What’s an MP3 file?
   
2. What format do songs need to be in to upload to the Awards?
   
3. How do I make MP3s?
   
4. What is bit rate and what do you encode your MP3s at?
   
5. Why is the upload of my MP3 file not working?
   
6. I’m using an AOL Browser and my files appear to be uploading quickly to the site, but then my Status is still Please Upload Song?
   
7. How can I listen to streaming audio from the Awards website on my computer?
   
8. How come the sound quality of a song can vary when listened to?
   

1. Q: What’s an MP3 file?
   A: MP3 files are a special type of file, which uses the MPEG format. All MPEG files store audio in a compressed digital form. Currently the MPEG format defines 3 different categories: MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4. Each category describes 3 different layers of encoding: Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3. A true MP3 file is an MPEG version 1, Layer 3 file. In order to streamline the processing of your files, we request that all songs uploaded to us are encoded as MPEG version 1, Layer 3, 192 kbps or 128 kbps at 44.1 kHz. Unfortunately, this setting can be obscured by some of the encoding programs that are in use, please consult the program’s manual for additional information.
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2. Q: What format do songs and videos need to be in to upload to the Awards?
   A: Song files must be in valid MP3 format. This means:
   
   The MP3 file must be 128 kbps, 44.1 kHz, or 192kbps, 44.1 kHz in stereo. We recommend using the 192 bit rate (although please be aware that this will take longer to upload than a 128 bit rate file - if you have a slow internet connection you may prefer to encode at 128kbps). The MP3 file must be a complete song. We can't accept bits or clips of song files. Be sure to turn off any ID3v2 meta tags on your encoder. Do not add any graphics, video, or text to your MP3 files.

   Do not use shareware programs during the ripping or encoding process. Be sure to purchase a full version program. When recording your song do not touch the phasing. Many programs will process your song differently resulting in an incomplete song. If you are unable to encode your work on a computer you can use the Encoding Services offered by our technology partners at Broadjam.com who will encode and upload your files for you. All Awards entrants automatically receive free Broadjam MoB membership (worth $25) when they enter so that they can use this support service if they need to. Click here for the Broadjam encoding service.
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3. Q: How do I make MP3s?
   A: To make MP3 files from an audio CD you will need a program called a ripper or encoder. Most ripping programs are also an encoder as well. All that is needed is to place the CD in the CD-ROM drive and, using a ripper, grab the song off of the CD, which will save it as a wav file; the encoder then converts the wav file to the MP3 format.
   
   If you would like to read more information about mp3s and ripper/encoder programs please visit this site.
   
   Listed below are a few programs that can convert audio to mp3 format, but there are many others to choose from. Most of these sites offer free versions of their software, however you may have to look to find the free versions.
   
   *Disclaimer: Music Aid and its partners make no endorsement for and do not offer support for any of the following products.
   
   WINDOWS
   
   Windows Media Player 10 gives you more music and more choices, and for the first time makes it possible to sync high-quality music, video, and photos to the latest portable devices. Available for Windows XP.
   Download Windows Media Player 10
   Windows Media Player Help
   
   MusicMatch Jukebox is an excellent piece of software that enables you to play, encode and manage your digital audio files. MusicMatch allows you to listen to your CDs as you convert them to MP3 format. Features include an easy to use play list editor, a music library function with CDDB support and the ability to record from multiple input devices. It's ripper records at a rate 5x faster than the normal play rate, allowing you to rip through a CD in minimal time.
   Download MusicMatch Jukebox
   MusicMatch User Guide
   
   iTunes originally only available for the Mac is now available for PC. iTunes allows you to encode and manage your digital audio files into MP3 or ACC files formats. To upload to the Broadjam website, you will need to have your files in MP3 format. iTunes also has a music library function with CDDB support, and can group songs by album, artist, and more.
   Download iTunes
   For Beginners: Step by Step Instructions on How to Create MP3's using iTunes PDF.
   iTunes Windows settings help:
   
   • How to set import options
     
   • Importing from CD
     
     
   dBpowerAMP Music Converter (dMC)
   Often called the Swiss Army knife of audio, dMC can digitally rip sound from audio CDs to a multitude of formats. Convert from one format to another while preserving ID tags. Nearly every audio type is supported, including MP3, MP4, Windows Media Audio (WMA), OGG Vorbis, AAC, Monkey's Audio, and FLAC (with optional installs from Codec Central). For Windows Explorer integration, right-click Convert To which will show a pop up with useful information on audio files (such as bit rate and length). Record from LPs with an optional Auxiliary Input install.
   Download dBpowerAMP Music Converter(dMC)
   dBpowerAMP Support
   
   MAC
   
   iTunes lets you create your own personal digital music library, allowing you to manage and play your collection of high-quality MP3s with drag-and-drop simplicity. iTunes adds the ability to create Smart Playlists, plays audiobooks from audible.com and includes many new MP3 tags for greater customization. iTunes is available for Mac OS X only.
   Download iTunes
   For Beginners: Step by Step Instructions on How to Create MP3's using iTunes PDF.
   
   iTunes Mac settings help:
   How to set import options
   
   Once you’re finished converting your songs to mp3’s it’s a good idea to listen to your MP3 files before uploading it to make sure your songs were encoding smoothly and the song files you’re uploading don’t contain skips or gaps. Now that you have your mp3 in 192kbps or 128 kbps 44.1 Khz format you can go ahead and upload them to your site.
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4. Q: What is bit rate and what do you encode your MP3s at?
   A: Bit rate is the number of bits per second used in the encoding process. Our Hi-Fi MP3s are encoded at 192kbps, 44.1khz in stereo. Our Lo-Fi MP3s are encoded at 24kbps 22khz mono. Please have a close look at the settings of your compressions: MPEG 1 Layer 3: sampling rate 44.1 kHz, compression rate 192 kbps, Stereo, is necessary. Otherwise the upload could fail or it may mean reviewing your song is only possible in Lo-Fi. Before uploading listen to the song in its entirety with an mp3 player. By doing this you're in control of any possible interference or any unexpected sounds within the mp3 file.
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5. Q: Why is the upload of my MP3 file not working?
   A: Here are many suggestions that may help your uploading process go more smoothly: Make sure your computer has the most up to date web browser (e.g. Netscape, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.). Older versions of web browsers may not work.
   
   Have patience: The large size of a MP3 file creates a pretty labor-intensive task for a 56k modem. A 5 MB MP3 file could take up to 30 minutes to upload. Longer uploading times can result in "timing out" errors, long waits and unsuccessful uploads. If your connection drops or is interrupted during the upload, you will need to re-upload the song. To be able to successfully upload your file, your upload needs to be completed in less than 40 minutes.
   
   When you are uploading a file we recommend that you do not perform any other activity on your PC. Every time you do something with your computer, resources are used up that may slow down the upload process.
   
   For various reasons based upon the structure of the internet, some people will continue to experience difficulties with the upload process, we suggest you try again, it can sometimes take a few tries to upload successfully.
   
   If you continue to struggle with the upload process you can send your your CD to Music Aid's technology partners at Broadjam Inc and they will convert it to MP3 format for you for a small fee. Please view the Broadjam.com Encoding Services section. All Awards entrants automatically receive a free Broadjam MoB membership worth $25 when they enter so that they can use this service if they need to.
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6. Q: I’m using an AOL Browser and my files appear to be uploading quickly to the site, but then my Status is still Please Upload Song?
   A: The AOL Browser does not support the upload feature on our site. We suggest using a web browser like Netscape, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc. instead of AOL.
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7. Q: How can I listen to streaming audio from the Awards on my computer?
   A: We use Macromedia’s Flash to stream audio. If clicking on Play does not automatically launch the pop-up player, double check that your browser's pop-up blocker has not stopped it. If the player is visible but does not play double check that you have the most current version of Flash on your computer. Also check that your computer's firewall settings are not blocking anything. Download Flash.
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8. Q: How come the sound quality of a song can vary when listened to?
   A: Songs uploaded to the Awards are encoded in Lo-Fi at 24kbps and Hi-Fi at 192kbps. However, the sound quality of streaming audio may vary due to which streaming audio file format you're listening to and your internet connection speed. 
   
   Recommended Streaming Audio Formats for Users based upon Connection Speed:
   
   
   Lo-Fi - Dial Up Connection
   Hi-Fi - Broadband Connection
   
   
   Click on the bandwidth settings button on the Flash player to change your current settings.
   
   
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   CONTACT:
   Technical and Payment Enquiries: If your question was not answered above and you need support or advice from our technology partners at Broadjam Inc please contact our special Technical and Payment Support Team. This is only for technical and payment support. Please note that when you enter the awards you automatically receive a free Broadjam MoB membership worth US$25. 
   Click here for Technical Support

   General Enquiries: Please see the general Help & Info page for non technical questions and general enquiries about the awards. If your question is not answered there please use the email address at the bottom of that page to contact Music Aid staff directly.

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