Download Music for Free - MusicVixen vs. eMusic

MusicVixen.com, launched in 2001, is owned and operated by Traffix, Inc, an interactive media company which specializes in the development of proprietary content aimed at providing different types of internet and mobile communication solutions.

A free and 100% legal MP3 music download website, MusicVixen.com provides over 50,000 free songs, belonging to almost all kinds of music genres including pop, rock, dance, country, broadway, and traditional standards. The website also incorporates popular songs as well as recordings from top musical recording artists. You can also browse several categories such as hot artists, Best New Music, New Digital Music, Featured MP3s and online music news to know all about the latest in music!

MusicVixen.com does not offer peer-to-peer sharing (P2P). Music is made available for free because the website is ad-supported. MusicVixen enables free download of music in the popular MP3 format. Music could be played on various portable music devices as well as computer. MusicVixen enables users to listen to songs with 30 second previews before downloading, thus allowing users to decide whether to download the song or not. To enjoy free song previews, you need to be a MusicVixen member. However, music aficionados can also listen to the Online Radio for free!

eMusic is an online music store which operates by subscription. Headquartered in New York, it is owned by Dimensional Associates, LLC. Unlike other major subscription music services, files available for download are in the MP3 format, which makes them completely compatible with all kinds of digital music players, and not liable to digital rights management software restrictions including expiration dates or CD-burning limitations.

The website basically specializes in indie rock and pop, jazz, electronica, new age, underground rap, traditional music and classical music. As for subscription services, new subscribers receive 25 free downloads during a period of 14 days. Following the trial period, the trial account would turn into a subscription account unless the user cancels it. Subscriptions enable users to download a fixed number of tracks each month. Presently, a basic package is US$ 9.99 per month for 30 downloads, with Plus and Premium subscriptions which offers more downloads per month at higher rates. The download limit is reset every month. The "booster packs" provided to subscribers every month, expire after a year. As a majority of eMusic's contracts are with independent labels, the website mainly offers indie rock, indie pop, punk rock, jazz and classical music. In addition, eMusic provides a vast array of editorial content, which constitutes monthly "editor's picks", columns and guides.

Nayanathara. S.

Hi-Tech Editorial Division