01_575996 ffirs.qxd 10/19/04 3:50 PM Page i Windows XP ® Digital Music FOR DUMmIES ‰ by Ryan Williams 01_575996 ffirs.qxd 10/19/04 3:50 PM Page iv 01_575996 ffirs.qxd 10/19/04 3:50 PM Page i Windows XP ® Digital Music FOR DUMmIES ‰ by Ryan Williams 01_575996 ffirs.qxd 10/19/04 3:50 PM Page ii Windows®XP Digital Music For Dummies® Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc. 111 River Street Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774 Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published simultaneously in Canada No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permit- ted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600. 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Library of Congress Control Number: 2004115088 ISBN: 0-7645-7599-6 Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1O/QV/RR/QU/IN 01_575996 ffirs.qxd 10/19/04 3:50 PM Page iii About the Author Ryan Williamsis the Digital Multimedia Development Specialist for the Indiana University School of Dentistry. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Music with a master’s degree in music technology, along with a bachelor’s degree in communications from DePauw University. In addi- tion, he writes for indianapolismusic.net, a Web site focused on the musi- cal happenings in and around the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area. As a bassist, Ryan has played in most known genres of music and some addi- tional ones that seemed invented on the spot. While he was named “Best Bassist In Indianapolis” by shotgunreviews.comin 2002, he will happily provide you with the names of several local musicians who both inspire and embarrass him on a regular basis. He currently shares stages and studios with the members of Mother Grove, a Celtic rock band featured in shows and festivals from Ohio to Colorado. 01_575996 ffirs.qxd 10/19/04 3:50 PM Page iv 01_575996 ffirs.qxd 10/19/04 3:50 PM Page v Author’s Acknowledgments This book would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of Steve Hayes, Colleen Totz, John Edwards, and Erik Scull. Their efforts, advice, and encouragement were essential to this project. My sincere thanks go to Matt Fecher and everyone at indianapolismusic. net, Doug Babb and the Indiana University School of Music, and John Gosney, Nadine Florek, Brian Lich, and the Indiana University School of Dentistry. During my time in Indianapolis, I’ve been lucky to receive the patience and support of people like Candice Jackson, Matt Chandler, and all the musicians I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with in the last few years. You all have introduced me to new possibilities and views, and I’m a better person for it. And finally, I’ve been blessed with the support and love of my wonderful Jennifer. Here’s to future adventures. 01_575996 ffirs.qxd 10/19/04 3:50 PM Page vi Publisher’s Acknowledgments We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/. Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following: Acquisitions, Editorial, and Production Media Development Project Coordinator: Maridee Ennis Project Editor:Colleen Totz Layout and Graphics: Andrea Dahl, Senior Acquisitions Editor:Steve Hayes Lauren Goddard, Joyce Haughey, Stephanie D. Jumper, Barry Offringa, Copy Editor:John Edwards Lynsey Osborn, Heather Ryan Technical Editor:Erik Scull Proofreaders: John Greenough,Joe Niesen, Editorial Manager:Carol Sheehan Brian H. Walls, TECHBOOKS Production Media Development Manager: Services Laura VanWinkle Indexer: TECHBOOKS Production Services Media Development Supervisor: Richard Graves Editorial Assistant:Amanda Foxworth Cartoons:Rich Tennant, www.the5thwave.com Publishing and Editorial for Technology Dummies Richard Swadley,Vice President and Executive Group Publisher Andy Cummings,Vice President and Publisher Mary Bednarek,Executive Acquisitions Director Mary C. Corder,Editorial Director Publishing for Consumer Dummies Diane Graves Steele,Vice President and Publisher Joyce Pepple,Acquisitions Director Composition Services Gerry Fahey,Vice President of Production Services Debbie Stailey,Director of Composition Services 02_575996 ftoc.qxd 10/19/04 3:50 PM Page vii Contents at a Glance Introduction ................................................................1 Part I: Playing Music on Windows XP ...........................7 Chapter 1:Are You XPerienced? ......................................................................................9 Chapter 2:Wiring Your Computer for Sound ...............................................................25 Chapter 3:Basic Operations ..........................................................................................45 Chapter 4:Windows XP Media Center Edition ............................................................57 Part II: Making Windows XP Your Digital Jukebox .......65 Chapter 5:Stalking the Wild Jukebox Software ...........................................................67 Chapter 6: Ripping Music Files from CDs, DVDs, and More .......................................89 Chapter 7:Buying Songs at the 99-Cent Store ...........................................................105 Chapter 8:Radio Station WNXP ...................................................................................127 Part III: Goin’ Mobile: Taking Your Songs on the Road .............................................................139 Chapter 9:Choosing an Okay Player ..........................................................................141 Chapter 10:Feed Me, Seymour! Transferring Songs to Your Portable Audio Player ..................................................................................159 Part IV: Quiet in the Studio ......................................169 Chapter 11: Building Your Studio ................................................................................171 Chapter 12: Laying Down a Few Tracks ......................................................................189 Chapter 13:Recording, Looping, and Editing ............................................................205 Chapter 14:Mixing the Music ......................................................................................225 Chapter 15:Finishing Up Your Song ............................................................................233 Part V: The Part of Tens ...........................................237 Chapter 16:Ten Valuable Ways to Tune-Up Your Digital Music ..............................239 Chapter 17:Ten Legal Download Sites .......................................................................245 Chapter 18:Ten Download-Friendly Artists ...............................................................249 Chapter 19:Ten Songs You’ll Never Want to Download ...........................................253 Chapter 20:Ten Digital Music Toys for the Truly Geeky ..........................................257 Chapter 21:Ten non–Windows XP Sources for Digital Music ..................................261 Chapter 22: Ten Other Ways You Can Use Windows XP for Music .........................265