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Several years ago I came across a digital software player by Cowan that I recall was feature rich, looked great and offered some great control over music files. For example, you could alter the pitch, speed and tone of the music, as well as a good graphics equalizer. In the rush to explore the latest and greatest from MusicMatch and RealOne, somehow I lost track of this great player. In a rush, I found the player, now under the name JetAudio in the U.S., and that this excellent software is still available, and surprisingly, the free version is still around.
The biggest change in the program is the interface. In the past Jet Audio had a smart looking interface, but it was not all that intuitive. It was a beautiful ocean of options. It was built around the paradigm of the stereo. Resembling a stacked stereo system, the interface was a jumble of buttons, options and dials. In the latest incarnation of Jet Audio, version 5 Plus, things have been streamlined. If you used the program and were put off by the interface, this time around Jet Audio has worked out the rough spots. While it may take a few moments to figure out where functions are located, it does not require hours and hours to figure out what goes where. Compared to the relatively cryptic, but also smart looking, WinAmp 3, this new interface is intuitive. This is a very good thing. With the new interface, Jet Audio may become that much more accessible to those who may have been put off by the detailed look of the program.
What has remained intact from the version I recall is that Jet Audio offers rich sound. Unlike some media players that seem anemic when it comes to customizing the sound and graphics equalizers, Jet Audio’s built-in settings allow for various music styles to sound as they should. If you are playing classical music, the built-in settings allows you to instantly adjust the levels for a listening experience customized for the music. Jet Audio has always been great at making digital music sound good, and this time around they have done it again.
Now a digital music player is usually only as strong as its sound quality and file formats supported. The range of formats supported include the following:
Certain file formats do require added software. For example, DVD and DIVX playback requires a third party decoder. Also, you do need to have QuickTime 4 or higher for compatibility in this format. The big plus is support for the ultra compact MP3 Pro as well as MP3 is here. These not huge issues, but something to be aware of when using the program. The added support for digital video file formats is another plus that is not added by all music players. But then again, Jet Audio is more than a player. One of the added advantages is that Jet Audio makes converting files from format to format easy. The button to do so is located on the front and it does an excellent job of converting MP3 files into MP3 Pro files quickly and effectively. I actually witnessed a 9 MB file reduced to just 3 and sound great!
Another plus, you can also broadcast your music files using the included Jet Cast and Jet Cast server. In short, you can literally create your own music channel, and thus become your very own DJ. If creating programming is a concern, Jet Audio in this version permits you to share and broadcast. Jet Cast also permits you to interact with ShoutCast, Ice Cast and supports multiple external servers. You can extend the bandwidth with multiple PC’s and the ability to broadcast from your desktop to multiple servers. The supported file formats for this function are:
If the look of the program does not suit you, like MusicMatch and WinAmp, you can select skins, offering another layer of customization. Jet Audio also includes a timer. You can set the player to come on and off at select times, thus turning it into an alarm clock. There is also cross fading, access to the CDDB database for recording information, and naturally you can burn directly from Jet Audio. The following file formats are supported for CD ripping:
WAV, MP3, mp3PRO, WMA, RealMedia, OGG, APE
Picking the right software to play, manipulate and burn CDs can mean picking several. One program’s strength can be another’s weakness. With the ever shifting demands of the digital divide, having control over music files means choosing several select applications. This is why Jet Audio should be included on your list of sound playing, burning and conversion programs. When you consider the sound quality of Jet Audio, and its powerful abilities, this program is less an option and more a requirement when it comes to enjoying music files on the PC. While other programs may offer specific rich features, it seems each has a speciality in some form or fashion, Jet Audio should not be overlooked. Once you hear sound files played via this software, you will want to have this program loaded for easy access. This software is downloaded only. Unfortunately for Mac users, there is no Mac version. Aside from this, this is one very well crafted able digital music player and burner, as well as a broadcaster.
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