On another thread "Amir buys an LP" I introduced a site that I thought every music lover would know, and one of my most respected digitally-aware members on WBF said that he didn't know it. So, I thought that I would share where I buy some of my best digital (non-audiophile) demo music from.
1) Bandcamp provides a platform for artists to sell their music and "merch". They claim to bring music to an enlightened audience of music lovers who want to support music artists. To date, they have given artists $53million. Their take of the proceeds is only 15%, so much less than Amazon, iTunes, etc. All the music is available in at least high bit rate or variable bit rate mp3, and they encourage their artists to upload in higher resolution.
Why I go to Bandcamp FIRST when buying digital music - the musicians benefit more than if I supported a large corporation like Apple or Amazon.
2) CDBaby - an independent music store that also claims to support the artists ability to keep recording and performing. For downloads, they charge the musicians 9% but they charge an up-front cost to the artist for "hosting". They do say that they have paid out over $250million to artists since they started in 1998. They will also help musicians sell to Amazon, iTunes, etc.
Again, I support CDBaby when buying digital music not just because they have high-rez flac, but also because I want to support musicians.
3) Beatport - my go-to place for alternative music. This is where DJ's go to buy their music, and they have access to high-rez music to impress their patrons in club whereas the visitors only get mp3's. Great place to hang out for psy, trance, house, techno, dubstep, etc.
4) In Europe, you also have access to Qobuz. They sell 24/96 studio masters of some mainstream artists as well (Britney Spears in 24/96 anyone?) just not to the US.
1) Bandcamp provides a platform for artists to sell their music and "merch". They claim to bring music to an enlightened audience of music lovers who want to support music artists. To date, they have given artists $53million. Their take of the proceeds is only 15%, so much less than Amazon, iTunes, etc. All the music is available in at least high bit rate or variable bit rate mp3, and they encourage their artists to upload in higher resolution.
Why I go to Bandcamp FIRST when buying digital music - the musicians benefit more than if I supported a large corporation like Apple or Amazon.
2) CDBaby - an independent music store that also claims to support the artists ability to keep recording and performing. For downloads, they charge the musicians 9% but they charge an up-front cost to the artist for "hosting". They do say that they have paid out over $250million to artists since they started in 1998. They will also help musicians sell to Amazon, iTunes, etc.
Again, I support CDBaby when buying digital music not just because they have high-rez flac, but also because I want to support musicians.
3) Beatport - my go-to place for alternative music. This is where DJ's go to buy their music, and they have access to high-rez music to impress their patrons in club whereas the visitors only get mp3's. Great place to hang out for psy, trance, house, techno, dubstep, etc.
4) In Europe, you also have access to Qobuz. They sell 24/96 studio masters of some mainstream artists as well (Britney Spears in 24/96 anyone?) just not to the US.