CoCoA (Compilation Compiler Advisor)
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Through a project of the University of Trento (Università degli Studi di Trento) and Karadar Classical Music, thousands of free, uncopyrighted, legal mp3 downloads have been made available. CoCoA is a system that allows classical compilations to be easily created and downloaded, and also invites user comments and criticisms on other users' compilations.
There are two ways to download music from CoCoA. Both require a (free) username and password from CoCoA. Signing up is very simple once on the site. One method is to begin on Karadar and do searches in their mp3 archive. Searches can be done by composer name or title of work. Listed results include both of these as well as names of individual movements (if applicable), orchestra/conductor/soloist information, file size and timing, and other recording information. The second method, which is to search directly from the compilation advisor homepage is more efficient because it does not require an outside website, but does not give as much additional information; CoCoA results return only composer name, and title and length of work, but do not include recording information.
In addition to simply downloading music, CoCoA users are encouraged to browse other users' compilations and rate them or comment on them.
Currently, CoCoA's interface is not very user-friendly; right now the site operators are taking suggestions as to how to improve the site.
