• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

CDs are pretty much dead... Long Live USB?

RadioactiveGuy4

RadioactiveGuy4

Feb 24, 2011
857
1,202
New Orleans
#1
Hey Guys,

I'm curious to see if any of you have stopped using CDs to sell/distribute your music and have moved to USB Flash Drives.

I'm looking into this for my band and I was wondering if any of you had any experience with ordering them as well as how they went over with you fans.

Cheers
 
#2
I'm curious about the format. I see adverisments for photo sticks and music sticks. What makes them any different than standard USB Flash Drive sticks? A few years ago we bought cheap USB sticks for each band member with all of our songs on them. When it was time to learn new songs we would call them back for an update. It worked great. We would actual download every viable version we couls find of each song to help determine what our version direction might be. We also sold cd's but as the OP says no one uses them anymore. So what is the selling point of photo and music sticks? I hope this isn't stealing or bushwacking the thread, I think it's relevant.
 
#3
I ripped all mine to my PC and put everything I want on flashcards for my car. And gave all the CD's to Goodwill. I have more than 2,000 songs on individual flashcards that work great. heck, my car doesn't even have a CD player in it. it's not standard
 
#4
For those dwindling few who still want to pay for a physical music format, I see many bands and labels including a card with a download code with the CD purchase.

I've heard of bands selling USBs but have never actually seen it in the wild. Seems like a download card would be a better option along with a piece of merchandise like a sticker, patch, button or something.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ElGoodo, pie_man_25, Rickter and 5 others
#5
bottom line is that except for the very top .01% of artists/bands, there is pretty much no money to be made in music any longer. You can have hit songs now and still qualify for foodstamps. That being said, its become cheaper than ever to make music - studios no longer really required. And more music is being now than ever. It's just a 200-foot dive into a glass of water if you think you're going to make a really comfortable living from it. there's even less money in downloads than there was in CDs. The whole industry is turning into something that is very wide, very varied in style and creativity, but something that's done more out of passion than logically to make yourself a long-term living
 
  • Like
Reactions: J_Bass, PauFerro, Spectrum and 12 others
#7
here's the difference. Cassettes hurt vinyl sales because you could copy songs. CDs overcame them, but technology made sharing/stealing music for free simpler. USB/downloads make it not only less likely to make money but even easier to steal/share. What's next? An ever dwindling market for selling music. The last time music was really "safe" and widely profitable was when the only medium was vinyl/wax, except for a brief period when people went bonkers for CDs...before Napster heralded the end to them as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SpyderX, Aqualung60, justjake and 2 others
#10
Thanks for all the replies.

I’m not concerned with making money on these. They would be just for giving out our music in a tangible form. That why I wanted to hear if other had used it and if so what service did they use.

Out philosophy is to get the music out to people which will draw them to shows.

T-shirts with a cool design are still the best merch for making money. I’m not questioning that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KevInDaBassment
#13
Digital distribution no longer requires physical media. It's been that way for quite some time :thumbsup:

As an aside, there is no way in heck I am going to put a USB storage device of unknown origin/ content into any of my PCs/ devices. I've been a software engineer for 25 years and have seen what the horror shows that occur when folks don't listen to that little voice in their head when it asks "Should I really trust this device?" :wideyed:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickter, stylonpilson, Wookieeboy and 23 others
#14
Kriegs said:
As an aside, there is no way in heck I am going to put a USB storage device of unknown origin/ content into any of my PCs/ devices. I've been a software engineer for 25 years and have seen what the horror shows that occur when folks don't listen to that little voice in their head when it asks "Should I really trust this device?"
Click to expand...

I was just about to say this. I mostly use Linux and MacOS these days so I don't have to worry quite as much, but anyone running Windows is taking a huge risk sticking a random USB drive in their computer.

If I wanted something to hand out to fans other than a CD I'd probably make business cards or some kind of merch with a link to download or stream the music. That link could be the band's website or facebook page, but also soundcloud or youtube or whatever. I think you can also sell cards with individual download codes for services like iTunes, though I've never done it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kriegs
#16
Kriegs said:
Digital distribution no longer requires physical media. It's been that way for quite some time :thumbsup:

As an aside, there is no way in heck I am going to put a USB storage device of unknown origin/ content into any of my PCs/ devices. I've been a software engineer for 25 years and have seen what the horror shows that occur when folks don't listen to that little voice in their head when it asks "Should I really trust this device?" :wideyed:
Click to expand...

I had not given this aspect much thought. I didn’t think about being on the other side of the table and some one handing me a USB and say that it was cool to plug into my computer. How would I know there was nothing malicious (intentional or not) on there

I had also thought about download cards and just having our logo printed on them. Perhaps that’s the way to go after all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kriegs
#17
I get most of my music through digital downloads or online streaming but I still buy CDs on occasion to support bands I like. The format is quickly becoming obsolete though. Many people use a tablet or phone as their main computing device and even desktop PCs and laptops rarely include optical drives any more.

I do still prefer the uncompressed sound quality of a properly mastered CD since its better than what you typically get online, but its certainly not as convenient. And in all honesty, when I buy a CD I just rip the music to my computer then set it on a shelf and never touch it again.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sandman64, SactoBass, osv and 1 other person
#18
Just about everyone gets their music online now. Physical mediums are just for collectors at this point and super fans. Like vinyl releases. Just hand people a card with where to find your music. Make sure your music is on popular steaming platforms or some sort of buy to download websites.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back