IanHenry Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 With the U.K’s largest high street “record shop” announcing yesterday that it was closing and calling in the administrators, it set me wondering, who still buy’s CD’s? I would much rather a CD to a download because I prefer something “physical” for my money, but am I just old fashioned? It also strikes me that, whilst the record industry complains about lack of sales, that to a large extent, they have brought about their own downfall through the download concept, after all why buy an entire album when you can just buy the one track that you like? It will be interesting to hear other people’s views on this. Regards, Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzy Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I do both. Used cds are a great bargain but I am ashamed to admit that some artists, once you sample the record, aren't worth buying a whole record from. The problem is this: you buy the one song and you miss out on that song that would have not been a favorite, a song you may have hated which, after hearing it once or twice when you didn't skip it, became a favorite. I can't tell you how many songs on records I bought were my least favorite and later became my most favorite. Also, I wonder if artists care to make whole albums anymore or just make singles and hope people decide to buy in bundle at iTunes for a better price. I bought music from Wallmart once AGES ago and I lost it all somehow because they expected me to have it and that's that. My computer crashed and with it I had to bury lots of songs. Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't iTunes restrict the number of times you can re-download songs from your profile? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I didn't vote because I do both. If I want a single song and fidelity is not important, I'll download. If highest fidelity is important in the song I want, I'll get the CD. If I want a collection or a symphony, I'll get the CD. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeterpicker Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I have to get the CD. I need that hard copy and still like reading liner notes. And I find it hard to mask my irritation for things like Spotify that are just a ripoff to anyone trying to sell their music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShredAstaire Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 If I go download, I try to go with a lossless format whenever possible. That being said...my ears aren't so amazing that I notice the difference between MP3 and FLAC so dramatically that I won't buy MP3s. I love music, but I'm not an audiophile... I don't buy many cd's these days...they just take up too much room considering I just rip them to my computer and thats that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I didn't vote because I do both. Ditto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyC Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Mostly I download from ITunes or occasionally another site. It's a matter of instant gratification and need. I'll hear a song I would like to attempt to play and I need it here and now. I usually do buy the whole album though, I agree with Izzy you miss out on songs that may become favorites if not. I'll buy a cd if it's something you just can't get from download such as Let It Be Naked, Beatles. But thats the only time I do these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPguitarman Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I buy CD's. I don't have an MP3 player, and I listen to CD's in my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I'm old so I still buy CDs - I've never bought a download. I hear Spotify or friends' mp3 players and if I'm familiar with the track it often does sound as if something is missing to me. Anyone who buys downloads would disagree I think, but someone recently played me Little Feat's 'Dixie Chicken', an album I know well, on mp3 and it definitely sounded gutless. The other thing is that as I understand it, you don't have the legal right to sell your downloads 'second hand'...?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 ...I still buy CDs - I've never bought a download... Ditto. P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matonanjin Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I'm old so I still buy CDs - I've never bought a download. +2 Surprising results to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I only download if the band never released a CD format (common) or if the Vinyl/CD is so rare that i can't find or to much money. I still buy CD's, also Records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaysEpiphone Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I'm basically poor, I got no extra money so I can't buy at all. I will look up a song on the web to listen to if I need to learn it but I'm not constantly nipping toon's just for a playlist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I buy CDs and the occasional import when I want a single song. If a vinyl record comes with the download, I will buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 It also strikes me that, whilst the record industry complains about lack of sales, that to a large extent, they have brought about their own downfall through the download concept, after all why buy an entire album when you can just buy the one track that you like? It will be interesting to hear other people’s views on this. Regards, Ian. The industry is having record sales on downloads, there are lack of sales on CDs not music. A lot more people download songs because it is so easy to preview and buy the songs they like. Sure they may only download a few songs but a lot more people do it. It is like going back to the 50's and 60's when singles were the leading market, all bands wanted to write that single, it was the thing to do, then you slapped a B side (even if that) some 45's had the same song on both sides or a different version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I would ALWAYS rather have the CD and then rip it to my server for playback. That way I ALWAYS have an archive copy and can change the bit-rate quality of the storage if I want to. Still like LP's for sound by far the best but they don't index easy if you just want quick background music. Will be setting back up a real STEREO system again this winter. Found some old tube equip. that a client had & didn't want anymore. Lost all my Tube Audio Research & Conrad-Johnson pre-amp power amp setup several years ago with a home theft. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Both, although having a pretty hefty gift card balance on iTunes, I'm partial to downloading at present. The advantage to me in downloading is I don't have to pay for the songs on a CD I don't necessarily care for. Three words...backup, backup, backup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recsec Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I'm like a lot of other's here as I like the Liner notes. I've never bought a download, and I always buy vinyl if I have the option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingarmadillo Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I used to download, but the quality of MP3s is so poor that now I just buy the CDs. I do use an iPod in the car since there the difference isn't so dramatic, but at home listening it's always CD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejay Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I download only if it is a song I really like otherwise I still buy CDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaleb Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I do both, but I picked CDs. I download from iTunes on my iPhone merely for travel, but I think that downloads have helped ruin the record industry. People don't buy full records anymore (record meaning CD in this case). It sucks. Plus, with a CD (or vinyl) you get all the extra cool stuff. Like on the KISS Alive! record, you won't get that booklet and the poster with a download. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Plus, with a CD (or vinyl) you get all the extra cool stuff. Like on the KISS Alive! record, you won't get that booklet and the poster with a download. Excellent point Kaleb and how extraordinary and unusual that you should cite that particular live album! (In Britain we call this 'taking the pKiss'). Also in the U.K., both Blockbuster video and the huge HMV chain of shops have just gone into administration as they can't compete anymore with CD/DVD prices and downloads from the net or with supermarkets discounting top 40 and new DVD product. HMV was once an EMI record label and the shops were the company outlet. But a decade ago no-one knew what effect the net would have. Here is a short and very interesting article about HMV and how they lost it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21028803 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I dread seeing an end coming to CDs and vinyl and other forms of recording music.I like to pick up something tangable with liner notes,lyrics and artwork included in the package.I have some recordings that some friends transfered onto CD from different music websites but I don't have the skills to download anything from the web anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I'm old so I still buy CDs - I've never bought a download. +4 I would ALWAYS rather have the CD and then rip it to my server for playback. That way I ALWAYS have an archive copy and can change the bit-rate quality of the storage if I want to. Still like LP's for sound by far the best +1 Like others I want something physical in my hand with sleeve notes and artwork. As said above it's also your permanent copy in case you lose your data. I worry about a future that doesn't have music available in a physical format. These days people want things straight away, dump them almost as quickly and don't care for quality or for the experience. I like the experience of putting on and listening to a whole album, especially a great album. There is potentially going to be a generation that won't have that privilege. I do transfer my CDs to MP3 format. It's a lot more convenient to go on holiday with an extensive choice of what to listen to by the pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirstMeasure Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 If I just like one or two songs or if I need to learn a song for the band I'll download it. If it's an artist I like or the album that simply rocks the I'll buy the CD and rip it to my MP3 so the CD will stay new FOREVER!!...or just extend the life a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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