Frequently Asked Questions


What are FLAC Files?

Why settle for Mp3 audio files when you can buy high-definition FLAC files (free lossless audio codec), rich in all of the technical nuances that jazz artists spend years learning to master for the same price?

It is no secret that MP3 audio files are missing audio information from the original recordings. Mp3 audio files are compressed to produce smaller file sizes to reduce download time and facilitate streaming. Although there may be little noticeable difference with much of today's popular music, jazz artists spend years mastering many of the technical nuances routinely discarded by this compression process.

Because physical CDs contain audio files (e.g., WAVs) generally considered too large for downloading, FLAC files were developed to facilitate downloading without loss of audio information. Although still larger than MP3s, FLAC files are about half the size of standard WAV files. While they take a little longer to download and require additional disk space than Mp3s, most jazz fans believe that FLACs are well worth the effort. Some jazz fans even equate shopping for jazz at a giant download store to going to a fast food restaurant for gourmet truffles (i.e., the vegetable, not the chocolate, although chocolate truffles are pretty good, too). As you would expect, many of our customers shop the Blue Truffle Music Store for premium jazz FLAC downloads.

The two most popular free FLAC players are

Foobar 2000

VLC



What is the Blue Truffle Jazz Club?

Free Blue Truffle Jazz Club membership includes:

Monthly newsletter (email) featuring artist spotlights, jazz fan tips, new albums, composer notes, instruction books, free jazz community resources, coupons and more

Free Downloads for all new members:
Jazz Fan Guide (pdf) learn to enjoy the art of fine jazz - perfect for new jazz fans

Fenway Funk (MP3) from Conquistador by Ed Byrne's Latin Jazz Evolution

Discover, learn to play, and/or enjoy today's finest music.