• 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.

How popular are CD's nowadays?

How do you release your original music on albums?

  • CD's --

    Votes: 72 33.2%

  • Apple, Amazon, or other online music vendors

    Votes: 103 47.5%

  • Other (USB etc. or explain in post)

    Votes: 20 9.2%

  • Carrots

    Votes: 22 10.1%

  • I don't. I'm here because I have no life and I'm bored.

    Votes: 59 27.2%
  • Total voters
    217
alaskaleftybass

alaskaleftybass

Will Hanbury, Jr.
In Memoriam
Mar 21, 2012
9,920
22,352
Sitka, Alaska
#1
Moderators, feel free to move this post to where it belongs if I mis-posted.
I just viewed a nice thread of a bass player posting pics of his "CD Release Party" although the album is being distributed digitally.

That begged the question: How many bands are still releasing CD's? I had planned on doing one more CD before next year-- but nowadays I don't even know how to release a "digital album." You see, I'm an old fart! :laugh:
 
  • Like
Reactions: rollie 55, Jeff Scott and bassballs27
#2
I've actually been seeing an uptick in requests for CDs lately for my band...

Obviously just an n of one at this point, but I could have sworn I just heard somebody talking about there being a recent trend back towards CDs if I'm not mistaken.

In the immediate past I've released more vinyl than CDs because it's what my markets seem to be most interested in buying. Of course, digital still is the primary method of distribution.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheDayMan, Waltsdog, ObsessiveArcher and 1 other person
#3
Kro said:
I've actually been seeing an uptick in requests for CDs lately for my band...

Obviously just an n of one at this point, but I could have sworn I just heard somebody talking about there being a recent trend back towards CDs if I'm not mistaken.

In the immediate past I've released more vinyl than CDs because it's what my markets seem to be most interested in buying. Of course, digital still is the primary method of distribution.
Click to expand...
Thank you @Kro . What kind of music do you release on vinyl?
 
#4
My band has done CDs and digital downloads - Our CDs actually seemed to sell quite well at shows and while we haven't been very good at bookkeeping, I think we might have made a profit on them. Never bothered with vinyl because it's just too expensive and I don't think we have the following to ensure it's not a total loss. Plus we do all the recording/production/mastering ourselves; I've got no idea if it would sound any good on vinyl without an expert giving it a proper remaster/remix.

I've noticed that college radio stations seem to prefer getting their material on CD... I guess it helps weed out the artists that aren't serious enough to put in some sort of investment into their music. I'm also not sure how helpful it is to get played on college stations, though.

Digital distribution is easy and cheap to get onto... But I've watched the statistics and we really don't get a lot of plays. Kind of depressing to go onto Bandcamp and see that of the 40 people who went to the page, only 2 actually listened to a full song. At least with a CD, once someone buys it, we get the money regardless of how often they actually listen to it (if they ever do).
 
  • Like
Reactions: ObsessiveArcher, fretter and alaskaleftybass
#5
ForestFriend said:
My band has done CDs and digital downloads - Our CDs actually seemed to sell quite well at shows and while we haven't been very good at bookkeeping, I think we might have made a profit on them. Never bothered with vinyl because it's just too expensive and I don't think we have the following to ensure it's not a total loss. Plus we do all the recording/production/mastering ourselves; I've got no idea if it would sound any good on vinyl without an expert giving it a proper remaster/remix.

I've noticed that college radio stations seem to prefer getting their material on CD... I guess it helps weed out the artists that aren't serious enough to put in some sort of investment into their music. I'm also not sure how helpful it is to get played on college stations, though.

Digital distribution is easy and cheap to get onto... But I've watched the statistics and we really don't get a lot of plays. Kind of depressing to go onto Bandcamp and see that of the 40 people who went to the page, only 2 actually listened to a full song. At least with a CD, once someone buys it, we get the money regardless of how often they actually listen to it (if they ever do).
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing.
 
#7
I don't download ANY music. I want a CD, liner notes, a jewel case to put everything in, stuff I can hold in my hand! I never owned an mp3, & wouldn't know how to download using any other device since.

I'm mid-40's, I'm set in my ways about CD's, & will fight to the death or until I can't buy a physical form of music anymore. Then I will just enjoy what I've bought so far.







Having said that...our band will release our demo in both CD format & some sort of downloadable form. We don't know which form yet, or where, because we're old! :D :D :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Semi Actuated, Nevada Pete, rodak and 22 others
#9
Keger Jupit said:
I don't download ANY music. I want a CD, liner notes, a jewel case to put everything in, stuff I can hold in my hand! I never owned an mp3, & wouldn't know how to download using any other device since.

I'm mid-40's, I'm set in my ways about CD's, & will fight to the death or until I can't buy a physical form of music anymore. Then I will just enjoy what I've bought so far.
:D I feel ya brudda!






Having said that...our band will release our demo in both CD format & some sort of downloadable form. We don't know which form yet, or where, because we're old! :D :D :D
Click to expand...
 
#11
I teach college and sneak in some market research when I can. Of the classes surveyed at the end of Fall semester, exactly zero purchased a CD in 2018 (out of roughly 150 students). Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes are where they claim to stream or purchase.

It’s finals week, but I’m down with asking them anything you need and making it part of the exam, provided they are your target demographic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: T_Bone_TL, MVE, wintremute and 9 others
#19
alaskaleftybass said:
Moderators, feel free to move this post to where it belongs if I mis-posted.
I just viewed a nice thread of a bass player posting pics of his "CD Release Party" although the album is being distributed digitally.

That begged the question: How many bands are still releasing CD's? I had planned on doing one more CD before next year-- but nowadays I don't even know how to release a "digital album." You see, I'm an old fart! :laugh:
Click to expand...
The last recording I played on has charted on the independent blues charts for over 6 weeks and most of the sales are downloads through C.D. baby, its the way to sell in europe and the U.S. Who has a label deal with world wide distribution? Downloads are also cheaper because you dont have to pay shipping.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA and wintremute

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back