MPC is, in many ways, a similar audio compression system to MP3. It was developed in 1997 as an efficient way to compress music for limited hard drive space. Because it is an open-source release, the software is constantly being updated by the Musepack Development Team (see Resources for links to updates). Musepack technology has been developed to work on Windows, Mac, and Linux machines. The most recent release is Stream Version 8, released in April 2009.
Musepack files have the .mpc extension and can be played in a variety of media players. There is a full list linked in References, but popular choices include MusicBee and foobar2000 for PC users, XMPlay and Vox for Mac users, and VLC for Linux users. Windows users can also use WinAmp to play Musepack files with the addition of a downloadable plug-in. Unfortunately, other popular media players like iTunes, Quicktime, and Windows Media Player do not support Musepack technology.
In a 2004 double-blind listening test conducted by researcher Roberto Amorim, a Musepack file was declared to sound better than an MP3 recorded at the same bitrate. Musepack files compress audio more efficiently than MP3s, leading to smaller file sizes and less distorted sound. Due to the open source model under which Musepack operates, the technology is constantly being revised for maximum possible efficiency.
The majority of music fans will probably want to avoid Musepack. Though it is technically a more efficient file type than MP3, without support from iTunes or iPods it requires new programs in order to play. As hard drive sizes grow and space becomes less of a concern for computer users, the advantages of a more space-saving compression scheme lessen.
For those who want to turn their Musepack files into more compatible MP3s, the first step is to download the free Musepack software linked in Resources below. Drag the Musepack (.mpc) file onto the program labeled "mpcdec" and wait for the command-line interface to disappear. A WAV file will now be saved to the folder containing the Musepack. Many audio programs can compress a WAV file to an MP3. In iTunes, for instance, one need only load the file, right-click it, and select "Create MP3 Version." At this point the MPC and WAV files can be safely discarded.