Do you download music? (from sites like napster)

[bigtree]

Just currious to see how many of us download songs or file share (from sites like napster). Feel free to comment...

[bigtree]

I never do because I feel this is a big reason why we're not seeing more new bands being signed. I look at this as stealing. So far I stand by this.

I think the public needs to be educated.

Where are we headed?

[Consul]

In the spirit of this poll, I answered no, because I do not use P2P file sharing services.

However, that does not mean I do not download music. I do, but from artists that choose to allow it. Generally, these are people who have their own home studio and release their stuff as files (occasionally you can even buy a CD) to an Internet audience.

I'm sure we're all familiar with Mp3.com, but there's also the Internet Underground Music Archive (www.iuma.com) and Ampcast.com. I've found some great artists this way.

Truthfully, I feel the reason the current music market is failing is because of labels turning out the same old pap over and over and not taking risks. I'm tired of it, to the point where I can't stand the radio anymore, except to listen to some of my favorite NPR shows.

Just my two cents.

EDIT: This was my hundredth post! Do I get a cookie? :D :D

[bigtree]

Kudo's on you 100th! Keep on truckin.

It seems labels don't take chances because of the loss in revenue because from tape, CDR and HD. If no one could third party dup there would be way more capital for new artists. I think this is why major labels are pumping out generic sounding music. It sells so I guess this is why they keep on producing it. The sad thing now is it's breeding more and more of it.
Piracy must have a lot to do with this problem.

[Tore Nylund]

Sometimes I download music.... but I do it for two main reasons:
1. It's a song that's not available in any store.
Not released or completely sold out. I would buy it if I only it was available.
Like some of the songs from my old worn-out vinyl collection.
2. To listen to an artist that I've only been reading about... to see if it's something I'd like to buy..... because it is impossible to hear new music on the radio here that isn't "mainstream".
So I use it more like a "radio".
If I like it I'll buy the CD.
I don't make my own CD's out of those songs.

I've found many great artists this way... and bought their CD's .

Sayng that piracy is the whole truth about the drop isn CD sale is a lie.
Even among people that never download or copy CD's the salas has dropped ~30 %... and that is mainly because the labels has a passion for money and no visions about music and artists.
When I listen to some of my favourite albums from the 70's, I realize that these artists would NEVER get a record deal if they had started today.
Tell me wich big label would today release something like:
Early Genesis
Frank Zappa
Gentle Giant
Early 10 cc?
It was an adventure to go to the record dealer and listen to new music in the early 70's.... because even big labels released records with very much "artistic freedom".
That doesn't happen today.

[Consul]

I think this is why major labels are pumping out generic sounding music. It sells so I guess this is why they keep on producing it. The sad thing now is it's breeding more and more of it.
Piracy must have a lot to do with this problem.

I'm not too sure I agree with this. I saw the pattern of "regurgitated pap" happening from the main record labels as early as about 95, long before file trading really took hold. In fact, it was about that long ago that I stopped listening to commercial radio.

It is possible we may be seeing a "vicious cycle", where homogenized music begets more file swapping which begets more homogenization.

As for my part, I intend to encourage file trading of my music. I'm a sort-of retro-prog rocker type, and I have no hope of any radio exposure or in-store distribution. My best bet for self-promotion is the Internet and free file swapping in the hopes that I gain fans willing to buy merchandise (not just CDs) to support an artist they like.

Will it make me a living? I have no idea, but I would like it to. But if it doesn't, will I have fun? I'm willing to bet I will. Isn't that a worthy goal in and of itself?

EDIT: Added quote to make it clear who I was replying to. Sorry for the confusion.

[launchpad67a]

I have a "sour" feeling about this whole deal. I feel that the record companies have destroyed themselves by never "embracing" the internet!
And Also, for never dropping the price of a cd.

This is a media that has been around for 20+ years and opened on the market at $16 and is still there today. This is terrible, when I can buy a spindle of blanks for $15 (for 50).

I am all for the artist making money, and always will be....because I have 2 cd's for sale in stores around the country.
But I don't necessarily discourage P2P sharing, because it Does get your product "out there".

And for the people that don't know that an MP3 is the Worst possible audio quality (which is most of the public), they should be educated to know and hear the difference, between a .Wav and an Mp3.

These new companies trying to sell online music for a dollar a song should be shot!! I will not pay any amount for an Mp3 quality file....never!!

Just my thoughts, and I'm fully involved in this whole process. I really think it's the fault of the "source", the record companies!

Mike

[Dave Nyberg]

Yeah, it's just soo untrue that labels don't have enough money for artists. After all the artist just get's a very, very little piece of the pie. The label could very easily release the same amount of music. It would just take for these hotshot label dudes to earn a few hundred thousand dollars less a year. Which they are stealing from artists anyway. Here in Holland we had a band called Volumia. They sold millions of records and they maybe earned like 25 million with it. Still the total band (9 ppl) only received 100.000 to share. Where is the rest and who is the real thieve??? And this is by no means a unique story. It happens all the time and more then we might believe. That's why i just don't fall for the loss of revenue crap.

I'm against theft of any kind, including illegal music but these cries are just so stupid and not appropriate. Back in the old days ppl would copy cassettes all the time. Now it's mp3 and more visible but i really don't think anything has changed at all.

[missilanious]

I do not download music, though I often copy CD's from my freinds. For me a morality vs quality issue, for someone to have the nerve to take a full album or singles or songs or whatever and make it avalible to millions of people in a mater of seconds takes some balls. I constently get in arguements with my freinds over this matter and usaully ends with tying music to free speach and our ammendment rights. Most people think artists from labels get paid mega bucks and have so much money, and it doesn't effect the artist but rather the label, and also people don't understand how much money and time are spent into making a "quality" album. I see most of my freinds in college downloading full albums but they always buy the albums after they find it in the stores, than I have other freinds who have not bought an album since audiogalaxy and napster went up, also he refuses to buy any cd's unless there album bootlegs that he buys off a corner venders 3 for $10.

[Rod Gervais]

Originally posted by missilanious:
I do not download music, though I often copy CD's from my freinds.

What's the difference?

Getting a copy with out paying is getting a copy without paying........ i must be dense or something...........

Rod