Outline [Standard] Linear+ Illegal Downloading, Whats your take on it?

Ever since someone discovered how to download a song for FREE, record companies and bands have gone broke and are heading straight for it. I'll admit I rarely download, but only if I can't find the record. I don't buy on the net. I still buy CD's whenever I can to support the band financially since money is what helps them make new records and new tours. As good as helping bands are....well, what do you think of the whole downloading thing?

Ever since someone discovered how to download a song for FREE, record companies and bands have gone broke and are heading straight for it. I'll admit I  rarely download, but only if I can't find the record. I don't buy on the net. I still buy CD's whenever I can to support the band financially since money is what helps them make new records and new tours. As good as helping bands are....well, what do you think of the whole downloading thing?

The big companies and the big bands are the only ones who have really complained. Smaller companies, and especially smaller bands have, through all of my experience, been pro-free-downloading content to a certain extent. While their support varies from only clips, (which now is a policy the larger companies have come to support,) downloading only a song or two, or downloading a whole album for free varies from company to company and artist to artist. Most artists initially run their own show and attempt to make it on their own, though a large portion fail. They then have to turn to larger companies to help produce and distribute their stuff, in turn "selling their souls."

It is only recently since the advent of the internet and P2P networks that the ratio has shifted noticably more toward "indie" artists. Many fans only find these artists through the internet and most artists know that. The artists already signed to huge labels are influenced by their labels, since the labels are now almost purely to make money through sales. If they could get away with not hosting shows, then they would, but they know that withdrawing from a band known for their tours would be a bad idea, since many fans would be upset. However, it is a common policy to drop acts known for being terrible live, and occasionally just being "mediocre." Sponsoring large shows for everyone they sign is generally too risky an investment, except in the case of a fesitval, where they have a captive audience and can get a bunch of extra revenue through on-site sales.

As for myself, I am in full support of downloading, provided the artist gets compensation in a timely fashion. If I download an album, I'll listen to it, make a note of whether or not I should spend money on it, and keep it around for a week or two. At the end of that, I'll either purchase it or not, but either way, it gets deleted. I must admit, having an Excell sheet for purchasing [albums] is one of the wisest things you can do if you collect [music]...

Bands, whether they be underground, indie or mainstream, make alot of money touring.

I usually only download album advances and recent releases from independent labels, and then go out and purchase the ones that I liked. But I heard most artists see very little money from album sales, so sometimes I'll pass on the album and pick up merchandise when I see them live.

I download a lot of music, but usually if I lke what I hear I try to actually buy it later.

I play a little game called "everything is free on the internet". Hooray pirating, ARGH!

I play a little game called "everything is free on the internet". Hooray pirating, ARGH!

Just like my brother. He'll download anything interesting. We got over 400 files on Limewire.

I play a little game called "everything is free on the internet". Hooray pirating, ARGH!

Where most people download what they can't find to buy, I buy what I can't find to download.

Just like my brother. He'll download anything interesting. We got over 400 files on Limewire.

400 SONGS HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE TO FIT ONTO A COMPUTER

400 SONGS HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE TO FIT ONTO A COMPUTER

What would I do without your sarcasm?

My entire CD collection is probably 800 songs : \

Just like my brother. He'll download anything interesting. We got over 400 files on Limewire.

OH WOW>>>>>

my cd collection wound up to be around 1000 songs.

but i have close to 6000 on iTunes

I like to keep my library underneath 2,000 files. Every so often I'll do some cleaning and delete old stuff.

I download and burn most of my CD's. I generally only buy albums that are exceptionally good or are greatest hits compilations.

Ever since someone discovered how to download a song for FREE, record companies and bands have gone broke and are heading straight for it.

No. They. Aren't. Filesharing has actually increased record sales, and if any artists are going broke it's BECAUSE OF the record companies which take most of the money they make.

If you really want to support an artist, mail them $20. It'll help them more than buying a CD.

I like to keep my library underneath 2,000 files. Every so often I'll do some cleaning and delete old stuff.

i love my music too much for that, my libraries around 4800 and the only things i ever delete are videos, documents, software, and images.

In the metal community, downloading is supported because it's the only way to hear about bands.

Extreme metal genres get no radio time, no promotional campaigns, nothing. Word-of-mouth and internet promotion is the only thing that gets a band heard.

Extreme metal genres get no radio time, no promotional campaigns, nothing. Word-of-mouth and internet promotion is the only thing that gets a band heard.

Except the metal channel on Music Choice. But that's only if you get those channels.

I hate those Music Choice channels.

I almost always buy an album if I download it and like it. I shudder to think what shit I could be listening to without the help of the Interwebs.

I shudder to think what shit I could be listening to without the help of the Interwebs.

I agree with this. If I didn't download music, the good bands would never get my support. However, I find it a waste to buy from major labels, since they suck most of any profit the band could make from the sale. I do buy a lot of albums, but I download far more.

I try not to listen to bands on major labels.

Oh snap!

I try not to listen to bands on major labels.

Oh snap!

That is just stupid.

How so?

How so?

You're limiting yourself. Just because a band is on a major label doesn't mean they're bad (even if they are most of the time). I would understand if you try not to BUY music from bands on major record labels.

I've not had much success with bands on major labels, and so it usually seems like a waste of time to check out those bands annat. You know what I'm saying?

but whats your idea of mainstream?

My opinion about illegal downloading is that it is illegal.

I don't think you can get in trouble for downloading something if it's made public to you. I'm not sure about that. It's certainly illegal to distribute it, though.

This post has been edited by BUDDY: Apr 26 2007, 02:49 PM