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

#41
Facts:
-CDs are in decline, but so are digital downloads.
-Streaming is on the rise.
-Vinyl is on the rise.

My 2 cents:
1. Streaming is the most convenient format ever. You can listen to your music on your phone, tablet or pc anywhere.
2. Vinyl appeals to collectors. CDs, 8 track, and cassettes are medium with a limited lifespan; vinyl can last forever if cared for properly.

I don't see how a USB flash drive can be more convenient than streaming or have more appeal for collectors than vinyl.
 
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#42
I went to a musicians get together/ networking party a while ago that when it really dawned on my that cd were finally finished.

I got several cd from other local band while I was there and I was excited to listen to them when I got home. Then I realized that none of my computer does not have a cd drive. Then I remembered that my car had a CD player that I hadn’t used in a while. I popped each one in at each one gave me some error message. I had all this music an nothing to play it on.
 
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#43
One problem I have noticed with flash drives is that when you load in mp3s, you can't control the volume. Some are loud and others are soft. You also have to format it in DOS Fat32. When burning an audio CD in iTunes, you can use the sound check feature and get even volume on all tracks. My new car radio reads mp3s so I burn up to 150 mp3s on a CD and play them in my car. I can get up to about 5 hr worth of music that way. With an audio CD, you are good for 80 minutes,but the sound quality is better. :cool:
 
#44
Morse_77 said:
1. Streaming is the most convenient format ever. You can listen to your music on your phone, tablet or pc anywhere.
Click to expand...

This is in fact what the majority of listeners want. They don't want a download card because they don't want media that is not their own photography filling up their phone's storage. And every MB counts when you need space for an essential new App.

No need to print anything, just tell your fans, "We're on Spotify."
 
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#46
I'm still a believer in CDs. They don't accidentally get deleted, you don't lose your login and have trouble accessing them, there are never problems streaming them (because they don't stream), and you can easily rip them to files and use/copy/stream them as needed.

I'm a believer that you only own music when you have it on a physical medium that's relatively non-perishable.
 
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#47
Son of Wobble said:
No need to print anything, just tell your fans, "We're on Spotify."
Click to expand...

I agree, sort of... :)

I think the big question is: What do you put on your merch table?

In that context, CDs are a kind of calling card. In one (somewhat convenient) package you have the name of the band, some artwork and the band's music (if you still have a CD player).

I like to buy CDs from local bands I go see. I don't think I ever played one.
 
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#49
RadioactiveGuy4 said:
I went to a musicians get together/ networking party a while ago that when it really dawned on my that cd were finally finished.
Click to expand...

So you were excited to play the CDs until you realized you never listen to CDs and didn't even own a player. Evidently CD-playing fell out of usage for you without you really noticing.

This sort of thing happens to me often, and I have come to realize that it tends to be symptomatic of larger trends (e.g., "Oh, that nice lady's Xerox store went out of business. Hmmm, how long since I spent money there, twenty years?" Or "Oh no, Hollywood Park Racetrack closed. I've been meaning to get back there for years").

I printed 1,000 CDs in 2015 and I've had a devil of a time getting rid of them. Young people especially seem perplexed to be handed a CD, it might as well be a drink coaster. Many say they have no way to digitize the disc. So different than fifteen years ago, when I'd hand someone a CD, and they'd say, "Wow, you MADE this?! And I can have it?!"

Younger consumers often have a queue of digital material they have to get to, and giving someone something new to review can actually cause them stress, as it represents yet another chore to be done. If you add a step by necessitating a download, chances increase they won't get to your stuff.

Morse_77 said:
I like to buy CDs from local bands I go see. I don't think I ever played one.
Click to expand...

A not inconsiderable detail! :)
 
#51
My band did pretty good business with CDs. Despite the hype, the format is still not dead, and I will bare knuckle brawl anyone (in the internet sense) that thinks it is.
Flash Drives are an interesting idea, but I haven't seen it used anywhere. If you are going to give the listener digital music then Bandcamp, Soundcloud or streaming services work better.
 
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#55
Never saw the point for music. Plus the "install virus" scare attached to it.

For me, publishing on bandcamp is stage 1, distribution on all the major online platforms is stage 2. Stage 3, whether or not to print cds is an afterthought. I'll have 100-200 made for a project if the members think it matters and willing to pay for it. (just had 160 cds made for a a duo with the other member in Europe, where cds are valued a bit more more than in the US)

A really cool alternative i have seen a few examples of recently is Biophilia Records | Official Website who use the (patented) Biopholio packaging: a 20 panel sheet that folds origami-style into a cd-size package with a download code in it. I think it's brilliant: you sell something that looks beautiful and is tactile, without dealing with actual cds. See also Glace BIOPHOLIO™ from Desmond White for an example
 
#56
I'm a "physical" guy, as is my partner. We both only buy cd's and vinyl. When I found that device that allows cassettes to play thru the computer, I was glad I never got rid of those either. During the mid 70's the bands I played in/with all recorded on cassette, a few reel to reel. But I never thought I'd hear my early stuff again. ( I also still have a video player, so I can see my kids as youngsters all over again). I have only ever downloaded 2 tunes, but only cuz they were a former bandmates original music he'd released. As you can prob tell, I'm not one to embrace new technology very quickly if at all. (My mobile was manufactured in the late '90's and still works fine) , lol!
 
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#58
RadioactiveGuy4 said:
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
Click to expand...
My band is finishing up an album for release later this year or early next. I think we're considering a limited vinyl run, a limited CD run and the rest will be streaming/downloads.
 
#60
Check out bandcamp. You'll see a lot of bands do some variation of this basic theme:

$ for digital download
$$ for limited edition vinyl, cassette, cd, etc
$$$ for a 'mega fan' limited pack: vinyl , a shirt, and other goodies.

I see lots of bands sell out limited edition runs on vinyl (moreso if its colored/multicolored vinyl) and cd.
 

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