I can't remember the true origin, but I remember that
VGMusic was my earliest foray into the genre. I think I somehow got there sometime after looking around Nintendojo, or some other page with links to places, but I didn't know about search engines back then. I was excited to hear all the
midis.
As for mp3s, there was DJ Bad's site (now dead), which I somehow stumbled onto looking for keyboardmania music. Then I really picked up steam when I found Gamingforce a couple of years ago and was already excited at being able to find the
Wild Arms 3 OST. I started to use ftps and found
Galbadia Hotel just last year.
Now I edit my downloaded collection quite vigorously.
Jam it back in, in the dark.