AAC is the successor to the MP3 format of audio this is the default audio format used by iTunes and iPods. AAC generally provides a much better sound quality than MP3!!

An old school function found on portable CD players to allow continuous play even when the player is knocked. The player will memorise a number of seconds in advance this allows it to compensate for any skips that may occur when reading the CD.

Bass is the lower frequency sound in all music. When using a bass boost you receive a fuller sound from your music by adding extra depth.

The Bit Rate is to do with the way music is compressed and determines the quality of the music file you are transferring (some download site will offer different rates for downloads). The higher the bit rate, the larger the file, therefore the less you can store, the better the music quality. The lower the bit rate, the smaller the file, the more you can store, the lower the music quality.

A CDR is basically a recordable CD. Data is written to the CDR using a special CD Writer but, once it’s written, it’s permanently burned into the CD. If you need to be able to record, erase and re-record data, use CDRW.

Recordable and re-writeable CDs.

Compression is the process of reducing the size of large music files to save space on a computer's hard drive.

These radios receive digital radio signals. They can tune into more radio stations with digital sound quality and no interference.

More power from a smaller unit combined with hiss-free and better sound quality.

A stand that enables you to recharge iPods and MP3 players. Often incorporated into portable speakers.

Digital Rights Management Software that encrypts a file to control sharing and use of digital music.

An alternative type of connection to a USB that’s found on all modern Apple Computers, some digital devices and sound and graphics cards.

It refers to a type of memory, i.e. how much you can store. The memory can be erased and new information can be stored. It tends to come in the form of a memory card or a memory stick.

They are compact and lightweight and perfect for storing just a few songs, instead of your whole music collection. They have a built-in solid state memory and resemble USB sticks.

An FM transmitter is a device that lets you listen to music from a music device through the speakers of a regular FM radio.

Gigabyte. It refers to hard drive capacity i.e. how much you can store on it. One GB is equal to 1024MB (megabytes).

It refers to a unit of memory and is abbreviated to GB. The amount of memory determines how much you can store.

They have a built-in hard drive. They have much bigger memories than flash drive versions.

This allows you to connect a headphone set.

A “tag” is data stored in an MP3 (as well as other formats) that contains data such as the title, artist, album and track number.

Apple’s software package for organising audio tracks, ripping CDs, downloading songs and transferring songs to iPods.

This allows you to connect audio devices (such as MP3 players) to your hi-fi and listen to music through your hi-fi.

Micro systems are compact and are ideal for places where space is at a premium.

A files format for compressing and storing songs. This is the most common type of file format and is compatible on most MP3 players.

A file format for compressing and storing video files

Moving Picture Experts Group. MPEG is a file format for digital video and audio files.

A device that supports and plays back multiple media types, such as MP3 and MP4 files.

The process of saving CD files in digital format on your computer.

A speaker that allows for deep and powerful bass.

This refers to the way the sound seems to ‘surround’ the listener. This is done by the using three + channels and speakers to create directional and enveloping sound. Generally it’s sound from the left, right and back instead of the standard sound from the front left and front right speakers.

This is Microsoft’s audio file format.

The name of a brand of digital music products and services sold by Microsoft. It plays music, pictures and videos, displays images, receives FM radio and, on a limited basis, shares files wirelessly with other Zunes.

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