Do you buy digital music?

Wpnfire · 07-01-2014, 10:54 PM

Here is my process with acquiring albums:

Download it (illegally, for free)
If there's a song I really really like, I'll buy it from iTunes or some other service. I do this mostly to offset the guilt of not purchasing the album, but also to get the highest quality file available.
If I like the enitre album, I'll get it from Amazon.

Most of the time I pretty much exclusively never listen to full albums but just my favorite songs from albums, so I buy digital music relatively frequently.

djchameleon · 07-02-2014, 08:30 AM

Yeah I sub to a music service where I can just DL everything but if they don't have a specific album then I have to set sail.

Estella Noire · 07-02-2014, 09:12 AM

I mostly buy digital music (usually on iTunes) because there is only one CD shop in my entire town. They rarely get in new releases and when they do they are always overpriced and very limited.

Occasionally I will buy CDs on the internet, but only older stuff which is priced lower than it is on iTunes. I do like having the actual CD -- it's just not worth paying extra postage or driving out of town for in most cases.

Mr. Charlie · 07-02-2014, 10:48 AM

What bitrate are most digital downloads these days, 320kbps?

Isbjørn · 07-02-2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

What bitrate are most digital downloads these days, 320kbps?

Yeah. Some sites also offer FLAC lossless files for audiophiles.

Wpnfire · 07-02-2014, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

What bitrate are most digital downloads these days, 320kbps?

It's good enough.

Isbjørn · 07-02-2014, 12:20 PM

iTunes has 256kbps, though. Don't think most people would care, or even notice, but I bet some audiophiles are defecating in anger because of that.

Mr. Charlie · 07-02-2014, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wpnfire

It's good enough.

Depends what you use to play music. I wouldn't argue that for portable music players, phones, laptops and many hi-fi systems, 320kbps is likely quite adequate, but it does sound pretty compressed through a good system.

But at the end of the day it's all subjective anyway. Like eyesight, some people have keener hearing than others. And if someone doesn't care that the minor subtleties of a recording are missing, who is anyone to tell them they should care.

I would like to see digital downloads offered in a range of bitrates however, that way everyone can be satisfied.

Wpnfire · 07-02-2014, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

Depends what you use to play music. I wouldn't argue that for portable music players, phones, laptops and many hi-fi systems, 320kbps is likely quite adequate, but it does sound pretty compressed through a good system.

But at the end of the day it's all subjective anyway. Like eyesight, some people have more sensitive hearing than others. And if someone doesn't care that the minor subtleties of a recording are missing, who is anyone to tell them they should care.

I would like to see digital downloads offered in a range of bitrates however, that way everyone can be satisfied.

Not to be a prick, but they would in all seriousness lose money to offer a more expensive option for a higher quality download when 90% of people don't care about that and wouldn't pay more money for very little of a difference.

It pretty much goes without saying that services that offer digital downloads aren't trying to appeal to audiophiles (not saying you are one), and iTunes specifically is trying to appeal to the mainstream that is used to radio and such.

Mr. Charlie · 07-02-2014, 12:44 PM

You prick! Just kidding.

I dunno, I don't know enough about digital downloads to hazard an opinion on the costs of storing/profitability of files with different bitrates. But someone on here might be able to shed light on it?

07-01-2014, 10:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
Wpnfire Dragon Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Kansas, United States Posts: 2,744	Here is my process with acquiring albums: Download it (illegally, for free) If there's a song I really really like, I'll buy it from iTunes or some other service. I do this mostly to offset the guilt of not purchasing the album, but also to get the highest quality file available. If I like the enitre album, I'll get it from Amazon. Most of the time I pretty much exclusively never listen to full albums but just my favorite songs from albums, so I buy digital music relatively frequently. __________________ Last.FM My RYM Ratings *My Glitchwave Beta Profile*

07-02-2014, 12:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
Isbjørn cooler commie than elph Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: In a hole, help Posts: 2,811	iTunes has 256kbps, though. Don't think most people would care, or even notice, but I bet some audiophiles are defecating in anger because of that. __________________ fast(ml) Hear me play the guitar Look, mom! I got a journal

07-02-2014, 09:12 AM	#13 (permalink)
Estella Noire Groupie Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 2	I mostly buy digital music (usually on iTunes) because there is only one CD shop in my entire town. They rarely get in new releases and when they do they are always overpriced and very limited. Occasionally I will buy CDs on the internet, but only older stuff which is priced lower than it is on iTunes. I do like having the actual CD -- it's just not worth paying extra postage or driving out of town for in most cases.

07-02-2014, 10:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	What bitrate are most digital downloads these days, 320kbps?

07-02-2014, 12:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	You prick! Just kidding. I dunno, I don't know enough about digital downloads to hazard an opinion on the costs of storing/profitability of files with different bitrates. But someone on here might be able to shed light on it?