Do you want to build an amazing music library? Do you love collecting obscure songs by forgotten bands? Do you prefer to listen to the latest pop hits? No matter what sort of music you love, you can find great songs to listen to online. For tips about downloading your favorite music, keep reading.

An inexpensive way to download music is to follow wireless microphones feeds from popular music download sites. Sites such as Amazon or iTunes have free music downloads available on a daily basis. Just search for "free music" and a list of free songs and albums will be listed for you to download.

If you intend to download songs from a free site, be careful. There are many viruses that you can pick up. They can easily attach a virus to these downloads, and you might not know it is there until it is too late.

You must use your antivirus software when you download music. This protects you from any malicious files that could damage your computer. Be careful when you download various music. If you use a P2P client, this is of the utmost importance. Always scan any file you download before you try to open it. Otherwise, you may end up with something more than music!

If you really love an artist, check out their website for music. Most bands maintain an online presence where they offer information on music and tours, and they will sometimes offer free music there. This might include otherwise unreleased tracks or a song off of a new album they are trying to promote.

Free Music Archive and The Internet Archive offer free music that is completely legal to download. Check them out if you are working on building your collection. They often contain music from obscure or lesser known artists, and the music spans every genre. Downloading is simple once you are at the site.

If you're downloading music from a little known source, make sure you have recently updated antivirus software running during the download. Anytime you aren't sure of where the file is coming from, it's a must to protect your computer. These files could be laced with malware and spyware. You'll need top antivirus protection to secure your computer.

For safety sake, download music only from sites you know and trust. This will ensure that the song doesn't have some sort of virus in it which can leave your computer a mess or your private data open to criminals. Stick to sites like Amazon or iTunes who scan the files they provide.

A website that offers legal music downloads will usually not have a wide range of custom files and mixes available. This is because they are distributing the music from reputable labels. If the website has a dozen versions of the song you are looking for, you are probably not on a legal download site.

Peer to peer software may seem like a great way to get free music, but the fact is that it opens you up to viruses, malware and more. To keep your computer free from these problems, stick to downloading through iTunes or from online retailers like Amazon.com or HMV.com.

Stick with trusted websites for your music downloads. The biggest problem with untrusted sites is that they can contain viruses, but you might also be putting yourself in legal jeopardy if you download music from a less respectable site. Take the time to research a site before you download to make sure it is both safe and legal to use.

If you download music from a peer-to-peer service, take the time to clean up the metadata of the files you get. The metadata is the who, what, and where of the file. Things like the artist name, the album name, the track title, and the genre. A little clean up can go a long way to your digital player being able to deliver the best experience for you.

If you are having problems downloading with a peer to peer program, check your firewall. Unless you allow the program, you won't be able to do any uploading or downloading. Windows comes with a firewall built in, and this will have to be altered to allow for your program's actions.

Look online to find out more about tweaking your network speed. It is likely that your computer isn't optimized right out of the box. That means you need to learn a bit about these alterations to your settings to get the fastest downloads for your online music needs. Custom information for your computer set-up can be found on the internet.

Even though iTunes is the most prominent name in the world of music downloads, it is not the only player in town. Amazon also runs a digital mp3 service that features affordable music and a huge database. In fact, Amazon does even have some material that you can not find on iTunes.

Avoid the temptation of downloading popular music from new websites that promise you free music downloads. Due to copyright reasons, most legitimate music downloads are available only with a fee. Websites that advertise free downloads of the latest songs need to be scrutinized because there are often strings attached to their offer which makes the download much more complicated.

Check out sites online which aggregate deals on sites like iTunes and Amazon when it comes to music. For example, DealNews provides up to the minute updates on what is on sale on many different sites, including those which sell MP3s. You can even subscribe by email for alerts.

If there is a specific band you like, sign up on their website wireless microphones. You may be offered samples of new music or even a free MP3 from time to time. On top of that, you can get discounts when you buy tour tickets or their album online along with other perks.

Downloading music from the Internet is a great way to find new songs and listen to old favorites. However, navigating the various sites can be tricky if you are not familiar with them. By using the tips you have just read, you can start building a great music library for yourself right away.