Music source - CD, iTunes, BitTorrent, etc.?

[Melodious Thunk]

In some other thread, Simon Cowbell proclaimed he had not bought a CD in 5 years.

I'm sure he's not alone, but personally, I probably get 98% of my music via CD, which I then rip to my hard drive or iPod.

Cons: I'm buying a whole album instead of a single song, as I might on iTunes, and I'm actually buying the music instead of getting it through a P2P system.

Pros: I'm a bit snobbish with my audio, and like the fidelity of the music off CD (not quite as warm as vinyl, but still). Far more stable storage device than an MP3 player (at least, I've found it to be that way -- once lost 30 GB of music when my mp3 player crapped out). Plus, if you have a good used CD store in your town, you're getting a lot of bang for the buck (just bought a 3 disc Trojan Records reggae set for $9 yesterday).

My favorite approach: head to the local public library and peruse their CD collections. Over the years, I've found hundreds of discs to take out 10 at a time, rip and then return.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[Perry White]

www.allofmp3.com

 

[shotglass]

Yeah, as far as those choices go, BitTorrent was my best option. But I'd only use that for movies, TV shows and the like.

There are better P2P programs still out there for MP3s.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

mininova

 

[markvid]

www.allofmp3.com

I thought that one was dead.

 

[Perry White]

www.allofmp3.com

I thought that one was dead.

They add new music, but I'm not sure how many ways there are to add $$$ to your account.

 

[Clever username]

What's BitTorrent?

 

[WaylonJennings]

I mostly buy CDs. It's a hobby - I like having the hard copy. The liner notes, etc., etc. I like the way the display looks. Much like a book shelf.

Downloading music at BitTorrent, AllofMP3.com, etc., etc., is stealing. Flat-out. No room for rationalization.

 

[sportschick]

I buy some on CDs, some on iTunes.

Can't see myself ever using BitTorrent, etc. I don't mind spending money to support things I love, including musical acts.

 

[Clever username]

What's BitTorrent?

All right, I looked it up myself. It appeared to be all free. How is that legal?

 

[sportschick]

What's BitTorrent?

All right, I looked it up myself. It appeared to be all free. How is that legal?

It's not.

 

[audreyld]

What's BitTorrent?

All right, I looked it up myself. It appeared to be all free. How is that legal?

It isn't. Don't steal.

 

[Football_Bat]

The No. 1 rule about BitTorrent ... is we don't talk about BitTorrent. ;)

 

[GB-Hack]

I have to say, I like buying CD's and LP's. I like being able to read the liner notes, acknowledgements, and a lot of the time, the artwork.

I don't own an MP3 player or ipod.

 

[John]

I haven't bought a CD in several years. I get almost all my music from iTunes. The rest is live stuff I buy off pearljam.com or other band sites.

LiveBonnaroo.com also has a bunch of good stuff. I don't know when it's putting up the shows from this year.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

I buy some on CDs, some on iTunes.

Same here.

If I only want a song or two, I'll go the Itunes route. If I really like the artist or really know the artist, I'll go buy the CD.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

OK, the "BitTorrent is stealing!" stuff is a little off. BitTorrent is software designed to share large files over the internet. The software is perfectly legal. Sharing copyrighted material is the problem; BitTorrent is not.

I mostly use iTunes at this point, or buy CDs used or directly from the band. I can't tell you the last time I went into a store and bought a CD (partly because my tastes tend to be esoteric enough that I won't find what I want in Best Buy anyway). I'll use mininova.org for stuff I'm curious to hear, but not enough to shell out $10 first. If I like it, I'll pay for it off iTunes. Now that radio is dead as a doornail it's the best way to hear a band.

Another reason I tend not to buy actual CDs at this point is that I have thousands and nowhere to put them. My CD collection is mostly in cardboard boxes in a spare bedroom, and everything I listen to is on my computer.

One other recommendation someone mentioned on the music thread: justthedisc.com, where they sell used CDs without the case or insert for $2.99 apiece. I just bought 5 and they waived the shipping. I had them in about 3 or 4 business days. Weird selection, but plenty of good stuff available.

By the way, for those of you who buy used CDs... the record labels think you're stealing too. They've tried to eliminate used CD sales but failed, and now the internet has made that impossible anyway.

 

[shotglass]

What's BitTorrent?

All right, I looked it up myself. It appeared to be all free. How is that legal?

It isn't. Don't steal.

Downloading music at BitTorrent, AllofMP3.com, etc., etc., is stealing. Flat-out. No room for rationalization.

Still waiting for intended guilt pangs to attack.

 

[shotglass]

Still waiting. :P

 

[imjustagirl2]

Mostly CDs, but I'll never pay more than $12.99 for one.

I get some stuff off iTunes. And I have downloaded some stuff from Limewire, but now I'm finding everyone has started putting voice overs (DJ CRUNK!!!!) yelled over parts so the song's ruined. So less of that for me now.