Worldwide, legal downloading has steadily increased, while the physical CD has begun to suffer (although this suffering can be attributed more greatly to illegal downloading as opposed to legal downloading). It raises the question - is the CD becoming a threatened format? Are downloads the way of the future? Digital formats made up 20 percent of recorded music sales globally in 2008 according to IFPI figures, growing from 15 percent a year earlier.
A recent study in the UK however has found that consumers still turn to the CD as their preferred choice. The annual Speakerbox survey found that overall, 73 percent of music buyers prefer CDs. Even with the 14-18 year olds who are thought to be more download-friendly, 66 percent preferred the CD. Why do we remain loyal to the CD? Both formats have their pluses and minuses.
JOY music team administrator and on-air presenter Chris Jameson joined us this week to discuss the issue. He drew on his own personal experiences as a music lover and IT specialist. Here is a brief outline of the points discussed.
PROS OF THE SWITCH FROM CD TO DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
- Artists can more readily put music online because it doesn’t have to go through the long and costly manufacturing process. Especially great for indie/unsigned musicians.
- Download stores allow consumers more freedom to choose the songs they want. They are not forced to buy an entire album.
- Download stores allow consumers to sample (usually 30 seconds) before they buy.
- Physical music formats can break/scratch.
- Digital stores never run out of stock!
- Accessibility and convenience – you can buy music where you want it, when you want it. No need to travel to the record store.
- These days, most people listen to their music through computers – they rip all their CDs onto iTunes and rarely ever use them again.
- Environmentally friendly – no plastic or paper required.
- Effect on the charts. The inclusion of downloads means old songs can re-enter the charts. A song does not have to be formally released as a single to be able to chart. For example, Lily Allen's "Fuck You" was so popular on iTunes and begun charting around the world, the record label decided to turn it into a single. Inclusion of downloads means the charts are a greater reflection of what’s popular or events that are happening at the time. For example, the death of Michael Jackson saw his songs chart all over the world.
CONS OF THE SWITCH FROM CD TO DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
- Lack of physicality – what if your hard drive crashes and you lose all your music?
- Collectability – fans like to collect CDs by their favorite artists.
- No more artwork and linear notes.
- Killing the concept of the album? People now have the choice of only downloading the songs they want, as opposed to the entire album. From a business perspective, less money is being made for the labels. From an artistic perspective, are people missing the musical journey a full album takes you on?
- Quality of mp3s not as high as CD.
- CDs are available to all sections of society – you don’t need a credit cards/vouchers to purchase them. Older generations/ people who are not internet savvy loose access to music.
- Effect on the charts. The rise in legal downloads means the cd single is on its last leg and many retailers no longer stock them.
Further reading:
1. Monsters of rock sound upbeat at last
2. Music lovers still prefer CDs over digital downloads
3. Michael Jackson album sales highlight physical, digital merits
4. Vinyl record sales spinning upward
No comments:
Post a Comment