https://www.fastcompany.com/40532455/the-cd-business-isnt-dying-its-just-evolving

Jeff(bigtikidude)

I agree

Jeff(bigtikidude)

bigtikidude wrote:

I agree

If the songs I had ripped to iTunes we’re all purchased from iTunes, the cost would be $15,000 to $20,000. I’m not worried about Apple going out of business, but if that collection were ever lost I’d hate to not have any physical backup. Most of the CDs in my collection have never been played on a player, just ripped.

There are losses in going to MP3, but there is some debate as to how much is perceptible.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

And on the MP3 vs. Lossless thing...

MP3s are fine. We aren't getting 128kbps MP3s anymore. We are getting much tidier compression and lower file sizes thanks to variable bit rate encoding.

It is pretty clear that higher quality streaming won't happen anytime soon. The telecoms are to thank for their draconian data limits. 1GB of data has been the same price for a decade. Data speeds and file sizes of images and videos have gone up quite a bit in that time. Fuck em all.

I'm an old geezer who wants physical media. I prefer CD's to vinyl. Yes, vinyl is warmer, but the clicks and pops drive me crazy. And I hate having to get up, and flip the album over, every 15 to 20 minutes. I do pay for downloads, but only if the album is not available on CD, and it is an album that I REALLY want.I prefer downloads in lossless formats to MP3's. If CD's went away, I would buy considerably less music. Like Jeff said, Amoeba is very successful, as are Bay Area independent record stores, Rasputin's Music, and Streetlight Records. These are pretty big places. Most Rasputin's stores are huge, with CD's, vinyl, and cassette tapes, but I would guess that more than half of the floor space is DVD's, VHS tapes, books, T-shirts, etc. Although there are die-hards like me still buying physical media, it is very clear to me that physical media sells way less than it used to. Top selling albums used to be well over 500,000 units sold. I may be wrong, but I think I heard that top selling albums now are in the tens of thousands. In interviews, mid-level artists often state that they can't make a living selling physical media. Most say that CD's and vinyl are promotional tools for their tours. Touring is where they now make a living. Granted, tour merchandise is a significant part of that. As Jake said, people often will buy physical media (T-shirts, posters, etc.) at concerts. I'd hate to see CD's go away, but more and more albums are not being released in CD format. I can see the writing on the wall.

Bob

Music starts and ends my day and there is nothing better than having a physical copy in hand. Yes, quality is important, but for me, the connection with an artist through the liner notes, art, etc. is essential. Though we are guilty of digital only releases up to this point we are going to do everything in our power to produce CDs for our next release. Why? Because people have asked for em. We are also contemplating vinyl for a holiday release. Why? Because people have asked! So, the demand is there and I am glad these formats are thriving.

The Me Gustas
https://themegustas.com

Vinyl w/code for mp3 > Vinyl > CD > mp3

Jake: Do you have data to support your assertion that people who buy vinyl don't listen to it? Or is that just a hunch? I listen to vinyl almost every day, and I suspect other vinyl enthusiasts (aka, weirdos!) like me actually enjoy the experience of interacting with the media and the equipment. And, of course, vinyl contains all the information (well, all the good information, anyway).

Too many seek convenience over quality. Probably why the largest US CD retailer is dumping them. It's sad but it evolutionary. I loved vinyl but moved to cassette for convenience and to make custom tapes. When CDs came I really liked the clarity especially for acoustic music. And I could still make custom CDs. Now that my collection is on my laptop the CDs are gone and I'm buying new music via digital download.

Happy Sunsets!

Last edited: Feb 28, 2018 15:53:36

What's the point of Vinyl if the master is digital? Sound-fidelity wise?
Realistic "Vinyl making" filters can easily be applied to any music file, yet there's a reason nobody does that intentionally for listening pleasure.
I love miss and cherish the medium too, mostly for the amazing lost art of album covers.
But even sadder is CD's. Nothing worse than early digital tech. It's round and spinning, yet no physical info, and sustainability of coffee coasters. Makes me sick. I have no words of comfort.

Last edited: Feb 28, 2018 18:27:47

Yeah I remember the early days of CDs. The sound quality was so hit and miss, more often miss. It was the era where tinny meant clearer!? I'm glad that issue has been pretty much resolved for most CDs. On the flip side I find that some of the newer vinyl releases can sound pretty bad too. I guess it comes down to a lot of factors beyond the final format used.

Rev

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/