Downloading

I use too many music sites already, sorry man.

I rate them all at RYM, though.  Don't have the time/desire to rate them all at two different places.

And I only have the 75tracks/month plan, unfortunately.  At some point, hopefully, I'll upgrade.

Don't take it too seriously, I just found it ironic.

I'm an avid emusic user, and I currently have 62 albums in my save for later, which should last me about 9 months (and that's ignoring all the albums that will get added to the list as I discover new bands that pique my interest).

Mr ProgFreak wrote: http://www.emusic.com/album/Subterranean-Masquerade-Suspended-Animation-Dreams-MP3-Download/11383478.html There's no excuse for not downloading legally!

Edited by Pnoom! - February 15 2009 at 09:45

Trouserpress wrote: When I was a student I had literally no other means of experiencing new music than to download it. I could only just cover my bills and had nothing spare to dish out on CDs. As a result of the bands I discovered through this means (most notably Cardiacs) I have subsequently spent a great many pounds on seeing them perform live. That's money I would not have spent had I not downloaded albums by them. Personally, mp3s aren't enough. The money I HAVE spent on CDs (when I can afford to) usually goes on albums I already "own" in mp3 format. I'm sure the same goes for a lot of other illegal downloaders like myself.

This pretty much applies to me.

I buy about 10 Cds a month.  7 or so are from emusic, and then I buy 2-3 albums (always ones that I've already downloaded).

When there are alternatives to downloading (such as free streaming on last.fm; I've got a long list of albums I'm interested in that are available free on there), I use those.

As it stands, though, music is currently one of the few industries where a great many artists don't allow you to "test-drive" (so to speak) the entire product.

progaeopteryx wrote: I don't really have any significant comments to say about downloading in general. About the closest I can come to downloads is listening to streaming samples from an artist's web page, just to see if I like their music before considering a CD purchase. On another issue, I don't understand listeners that prefer downloads over actually having the CD. It seems like they aren't getting the full artistic effect of what the artist was trying to get at. Instead it would appear to me they are only getting a fragmented picture of the artist's message or intentions. An album is just not the same to me if it isn't listened as a whole, with the visual experience of the insert artwork (this was an especially better experience in the days of vinyl). And for audiophiles, it's a better listening experience than a compressed mp3 file. My only problem nowadays is that I wish I could buy more CDs than the handful I have done over the last two years, but economic times aren't what they used to be. Clearly, big tax cuts for filthy rich people don't do a bit of good, but that's another argument for another thread.

Streaming is one of the best ways to gin up interest in your band these days.  Those who want to enjoy music without paying for it should take advantage of that.  When I was a young 'un we had this here thing called the radio, sure it had commercials, but we liked it, well not all that much.  College radio stations were always the best to encounter stuff you hadn't heard before. 

Totally addicted to hard copies and love albums with good cover and/or booklet art, particularly lyrics in print for the vocal artists.  I have cut down on new acquisitions, too.  Partly for economical reasons, partly for space reasons.  As you can see I can't possibly fit much more music into my signature.  V


Edited by Slartibartfast - February 16 2009 at 05:48

Sckxyss wrote: Option 2. If the only way you can get an album is by forking out $40+ on ebay or Gemm, the artist isn't getting anything for it either way, so there's no point IMO (unless you want the hard copy). Otherwise, I think it's important that the artists get paid for what they're doing.

Unless you buy directly from the copyright holder, the artist doesn't get any money from your purchase.

micky wrote: discussion is akin to promotion...

This just isn't true.

Guess we can't discuss any news stories where someone did something illegal, then.  After all, we're promoting their actions.


Edited by Pnoom! - February 15 2009 at 09:33

I don't really have any significant comments to say about downloading in general. About the closest I can come to downloads is listening to streaming samples from an artist's web page, just to see if I like their music before considering a CD purchase.

On another issue, I don't understand listeners that prefer downloads over actually having the CD. It seems like they aren't getting the full artistic effect of what the artist was trying to get at. Instead it would appear to me they are only getting a fragmented picture of the artist's message or intentions. An album is just not the same to me if it isn't listened as a whole, with the visual experience of the insert artwork (this was an especially better experience in the days of vinyl). And for audiophiles, it's a better listening experience than a compressed mp3 file.

My only problem nowadays is that I wish I could buy more CDs than the handful I have done over the last two years, but economic times aren't what they used to be. Clearly, big tax cuts for filthy rich people don't do a bit of good, but that's another argument for another thread.

I have a huge collection of music that was paid for.  I actually have a hard time getting my head around stuff that I have legally downloaded for free.  I still have to have a hard copy.  I can understand younger folks trying to get their hands on as much as possible but still, have some respect for the artists.  They're trying to make a living here.  I was young once and built up my collection the hard way.  Many a used LP.  I did occasionally cassette tape something from a friend that I didn't buy.  Even back then, if I really liked something I still had to get an original.

Edited by Slartibartfast - February 15 2009 at 09:35

When I was a student I had literally no other means of experiencing new music than to download it. I could only just cover my bills and had nothing spare to dish out on CDs. As a result of the bands I discovered through this means (most notably Cardiacs) I have subsequently spent a great many pounds on seeing them perform live. That's money I would not have spent had I not downloaded albums by them.

I am with you 100% on this - I too have seen bands and artists suffer from illegal downloading. The PA stance on this matter is simple - no illegal activities,

Hercules wrote: Dean wrote: This thread will remain open until someone crosses the line. We don't forbid these kinds of discussions, but they never end well. Crosses what line? Never end well? I really do take exception to these comments.