Where do you all download music from?

[Shady]

I actually have been trying to find somewhere online to buy music. I'd happily pay for a fast, easy to use, and high quality source.
The problem I've run into is that I'm confused. They all want a monthly subscription fee and in some cases more money by the song. iTunes, yahoo, and a bunch of others just don't make sense to me. the easiest ones to use are some Russian sites that are very straight forward. But like someone else said, they most likely aren't paying the artists.

The confusion comes from sites like iTunes. If I buy a song, can it only be used on an iPod? Can I convert to mp3 and load it on my memory card for the Treo to play?

[stevetaz]

So the real question is, how do the record labels control distribution of their property? Or how can they get people to buy their cd's in a store?
I have no idea.

Is that the real question? Or is it why does the public (not all, just in general) think they have the right to take something they know is not theirs simply because technology allows them to?

We all understand the artist as well as the record company have the right to make a profit, but the costs to purchase CDs just seem to be out of control and the artists complain they don't see that much. $18 for a two cent piece of plastic...Someone is making lots. Studios were always notorious for locking artists into low dollar and long term contracts and I think that is one of the reasons people have no problem with taking liberties.

No matter what others do, I find justifying theft and illegal use of copyrights to be simply that....a justification/rationalization.

In my line of work, I deal with dishonesty frequently and the rationalizations that people use are just amazing at times.

This could go on forever, so I better stop. There are no good answers here, but I do know that I can look at myself in the mirror and I sleep very well knowing that I do try to do the right thing. Many others laugh at me, but so what!

<sigh>
SteveTaz

[Shady]

I actually found two of my bands songs on Kazaa once! At first I was very flattered . . Then I got very mad!! We give a lot of our music away and make it a point not to keep too much in the band bank account . . . We are not trying to make it in the music biz, but we do incur some heavy expenses in our travels . . . Especially, with what Gas has become lately . . . . I can gripe about someone "sharing" my music, but at the same time, I have some software that I was going to "try out" that I downloaded from kazzaa a couple of years ago . . . I still use it from time to time . . . . . . So even I am guilty, even though I understand the "owner's" frustrations . . . .

I am not into online music sales actually. I am still purchasing the CD and ripping to my Treo/Zen. For what its worth, I have a buddy who brags all the time about Walmart. I think I would have Shady's problem with Walmart. My tastes in music wouldn't be found at Walmart.com . . . .

Do you have a website for your band. What do you play, Bass or guitar?

[Stillrockin]

Bass Guitar: Christian Rock/Blues/Jazz
http://exit33band.com
click on "The Journey" for samples of the latest CD. Produced by Dove Award Winner David Spear . .

Thanks for allowing me to hijack the thread

And by the way: Those two songs of ours on Kazaa? I tried downloading them, but there just wasn't enough bandwidth/users. I im'ed the guy and asked him where he got the CD from, but he never answered me . .

[Kreth]

I im'ed the guy and asked him where he got the CD from, but he never answered me . .

Bargain bin?



Sorry, couldn't resist...

[kabeyun]

This thread is taking on a philosophical tone, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This is a great debate that deserves bandwidth.

Once something enters the digital domain, I don't think it can ever be completely secure. As such, much relies on the honor system. My particular version of honor leads me to acquire new music from two types of source depending on my own admittedly arbitrary criteria. If an artist/band is new & struggling, more established but never really made it, or is still releasing new material I will likely purchase their music either on CD to be ripped or from Apple's iTunes music store. If an artist/band is already wealthy and extinct/waning, I (theoretically) will use Limewire. As Shady discovered, there's nothing like a P2P network to find whatever you're looking for.

For example, I'd buy God Street Wine or Leftover Salmon, but I'd (theoretically) download Led Zeppelin or Marvin Gaye. I know, I know... it's rationalization. But I register products, I buy shareware, I donte for freeware, and I am able to sleep at night.

-K

P.S. Stillrockin, you guys have a good funk going. Musically, I dig your sound.

[freezingprocess]

The real exciting thing that is going on here is that artists will be less and less reliant on a record label for purposes of recording. That's really where the labels get the artists by the balls. Recording has gotten less expensive and the level of quality available to your average musician can rival that of a major label recording. This is just going to get better in the future. Its an interesting dialogue. Whether it happens or not remains to be seen, but there is great potential for a major powershift. Its exciting.

[ffolliet]

The confusion comes from sites like iTunes. If I buy a song, can it only be used on an iPod? Can I convert to mp3 and load it on my memory card for the Treo to play?

my understanding is that you can convert to other formats but there is a limit to copies of 5 so that one download doesn't turn into millions of copies.

the ethics/legality of copying is problematic, becomes emotive and often radicalised in the anti-capitalism/big company thing and the lowly, poorly paid muso cliches (apologies to the latter on this thread!) but bands in the uk such as the Arctic Monkeys, Corrine Bailey Ray, Sandi Thom and your own Gnarls Barklay actually MADE it by allowing/encouraging free downloads.

just to further muddy the waters can i point out that in most countries it is actually illegal to copy your own music either cross format or even duplication eg ripping to mp3 from cd, taping your own vinyl (anyone still got theirs) making a cd for the car etc.

http://www.digitalproducer.com/2001/...9_24/cdlaw.htm

:steps back.

now what d'you think about that??

[Kreth]

just to further muddy the waters can i point out that in most countries it is actually illegal to copy your own music either cross format or even duplication eg ripping to mp3 from cd, taping your own vinyl (anyone still got theirs) making a cd for the car etc.

http://www.digitalproducer.com/2001/...9_24/cdlaw.htm

:steps back.

now what d'you think about that??

This is one thing I really disagree with. IMO, once I pay for music, either a "hardcopy" or digitally, I should have the right to use that music in any format I want for my personal use.

[kdallen]

This is one thing I really disagree with. IMO, once I pay for music, either a "hardcopy" or digitally, I should have the right to use that music in any format I want for my personal use.

I second that. I've been put off by music I've searched for, and chosen to buy (based on that site's having a lower price), only to find I can't do anything with it, other than listen to it on my PC (RealMusic).