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How:

It's very simple. After the words "Download Music", click on the title of each track of each release, and save the file however you like (as an MP3, or turn it into a .wav file, or convert it back to an audio track), on whatever format you like (burn it on a CD-R or record it onto a mini-disc, or even an analog cassette!). Then, after the words "Download Cover", click on both the front and back covers, and save them where-ever you like on your computer. Next, open both the front and back covers in a graphics program, and resize the pictures to whatever size your format requires (for example, resize the covers to 12 x 12 cm to fit into a standard CD-R plastic cover). Finally, print the covers, cut them out with a scissors and insert them into your plastic cover. Congratulations: you have now created an original MT release!

Why:

Underground music has always embraced new technologies. The main reason for this is often that these new technologies offer unknown, underground artists the chance to copy their music cheaply and to distribute it on their own. The experimental and punk scenes in the late seventies are a good example; they copied their music onto cassettes, photocopied their covers and sold these "releases" at their shows. Many of today's biggest stars started out this way. Years later, CD recorders offered a similar opportunity for bands, but with a sound quality that was never dreamed of with cassettes. MP3 is the next logical step.

How do major labels react to these new technologies? Simple; they are scared shitless. And why? Because they are huge, cumbersome bureaucratic monsters that can only move extremely slowly. The only thing they have going for them is unlimited money. They did not mind cassettes so much because of the relatively bad sound quality. They do stupid advertisement campaigns that try to trick you into believing that you are destroying newcomer bands by burning copies of CDs. The same is now happening with MP3. Instead of embracing the new technology, they are spending millions trying to figure out ways of stopping you from downloading your favorite songs instead of buying their overpriced CDs in shops. Just watch them squirm!

The biggest problem for small labels and unknown bands before was distribution. Sure, many got together into independent distributors and have had success (EFA has been doing a wonderful job with our JBO records!). The internet though is simply the best thing that could have happened for small, independent bands and labels in regards to distribution, especially those having trouble finding a label or a distributor willing to release them. Now, small bands and their labels can create, for less money than it costs to produce a CD, a homepage offering MP3s, and reach all corners of the world instantly. The unbelievable amount of underground bands and labels that have already begun to take advantage of this new technology is stunning. And, like always, the major labels were the last to notice this new trend in music.

We decided to take this all one step further, and instead of offering MP3s of songs from our releases (or worse yet, just snippets of songs, what worthless, major label tactics bullshit!), we decided to create a label where the songs are offered ONLY as MP3s. But why stop there? Why not create a label that offers not only the songs, but also the cover art (no cover art is the only real drawback to downloading MP3s from the internet)? The internet is now no longer a means of advertising the product, IT IS THE PRODUCT!

This is an idea we had been thinking about a long time, and discussing with our buddies over at Stickman Records, who must be given equal credit in developing this from a vague idea into a real label. Please, check out the official Stickman Records website for their own MP3 label "Webstick Recordings", which also offers internet only, free MP3 releases with covers.

And why for free? One would think we would like to try to make money off this music, right? It is simple, we want nothing to stand in the way of offering out this music all over the world. There is no risk, no obligation for anyone. Art should be available to everyone, not just those that can afford it.

As for the name of the label, "MT3", just how could we resist? Besides the obvious play on words, we also thought it appropriate in that it represents for us a third medium for releases after our beginnings offering analog recordings (cassettes and vinyl), and then digital recordings (CDs). As for musical style, we decided that we were not going to pin ourselves down too much this time, and offer out just about everything that could be considered "underground" music. Since we are offering the music out free, by necessity most of what we offer will likely be music recorded very inexpensively, meaning artists that are established in the field of "homerecording". Another option would be to offer live material. Lets just see how things develop.

Even though the MP3 format compresses the music data considerably, MP3 files still take up a lot of space, which means that we will likely be offering titles that one would normally consider an "EP" or even singles. If and when it becomes possible, not only in regards to space but also with faster downloading times, to offer full length albums on this format, be assured we will.

All tracks are saved as 128kBit/s, 44,100Hz Stereo, meaning the best possible sound quality at the current time. This does take longer to download though, but we feel that the better quality is certainly worth the wait. As for the covers, they are downloadable at 72dpi. For those wishing covers at 200dpi, we have them prepared for each release. Just send us an e-mail, and we will send them to you, free.

And one last word regarding rights. All artists offered here own the rights to their own material. This is not only an MT3 policy, but a complete label policy. Yes, the tracks are for free, the artists all agreed to that, which means that no one has to send us any money for anything. Still, we ask that all respect the rights of the artists and not try to sell the tracks further or use them as soundtracks, or to generally make money with them, and not to include the tracks on samplers (other than for personal use) without asking us or the artists first.

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