Special Interest

Personally, I'd incline between three and four. I do think there's too much of a nostalgic element in cleaving so closely to physical formats, but I can't decry people their pleasures and would grit my teeth and pay through the nose for a re-release of material I would particularly like.

I'd choose the physical format option only including CDs if it existed. For me, downloads are not in the same league as CDs, tapes or vinyl, and I'm not sure this will ever change.

I wanna kvlt so I choose option no1. Definitely not a fan of digital format but nothing wrong with CDs. Online samples are nice because they help me to decide whether to buy "vynal" or not but they aren't necessary.

Vinyl and tapes please. I'm not really a stickler for sticking to the original packaging in every instance though.

I like collecting physical formats, but I don't care if the packaging is identical to the original. I like it when reissues have expanded booklets with an essay looking back on the historical context of the release.

I never buy digital downloads unless it is something I absolutely need/want and is impossible to find (especially obscure ethnical recordings with weird distros).
But there is an increasing amount of people that got disaffected with the physical format for several reasons: faster, cheaper-even-if-you-cannot-touch-it, avoid expensive extra charge for postage - one lp sent from Italy to europe can be 9.5 euro...
I am not enthusiastic about it but apparently it is the sign of the times.

Fourth option. Some out-of-print tapes are so overpriced, 40-50 euros... to the hell with this, rather give a few euro to files, than that amount of cash grab... My biggest problem with some downloads, that they are don't contains too much, mostly.. sometimes ,not even a front cover. At least include a normal booklet, or something.
Also, I don't see the point to release a CD, when there is a download version. Same files, same WAVs... CD don't add any kind of special character to the sound, not like tapes/or vinyl. It have no point nowadays. Also, downloads need to be more cheaper, because it's lack the phsyical cost... don't understand, when the CD, and the download cost's the same.
I prefer digital downloads nowadays, because I don't like to collect stuff (before misunderstood this -> files not require "real" place, like  large, physical collection)... also like to listen/make some tapes, because they are a new character to the sound, and for those, who don't like downloads...
So, 2 options: digital + tape/or vinyl ... or ... CD + tape/vinyl, but no digital, because CD does not make much sense in this case.

I chose number 1. I want to have my releases as they were originally released without any bullshit 'updated artwork' or 'digital remastering' or other such nonesense. I tend to think that the original release, the artwork, the production and all such represent the time, the resources and the  band during that time when everything was done. I also prefer physical copies and find paying for files strange. When I have files on a computer, I dont feel like I actually own something, they are just files indefinetly copiable, downloadable and re-uploadable. Of course if you want to reach wider audience for your material, then either cd or files are clear choice as most people can listen to those.

A lot of variables and context at play here.  There's a lot to discuss and some to learn with this subject.

I'm fine with downloading.  More art needs to be included?  Agreed, and it's a sign of misunderstanding, and probably other things, that causes artists and labels to not include art with bandcamp folders.  Some do understand it and see it as yet another medium; not as a necessity, a forced situation, or a throwaway option.  They're usually the ones that include art and are thorough in detail, just as they would be if selling a hard copy.

Andy (The Endless Blockade) said something on his blog that I found interesting.  He offers his bands and projects "pay what you want" on bandcamp.  He would prefer $3+ or $0.  Not being familiar with bandcamp's fee structure, I guess it isn't worth it to the artist if someone throws $1-2 at an album because bandcamp takes most of it?  The end point here is pricing.  I'm not paying $5+ for files.  Then again, I remember when a label would make $.75-1/7" and $2-4/LP after costs and royalties.  If you think I'm giving $8-12 for a set of files, we aren't on the same page, and I feel you're operating from an old model of numbers.

I prefer digital at this point.  I run a digital out on my tower to a digital in on my receiver, and my receiver has an onboard DAC (not a very nice one, but up to 24/96).  I mention it because I get the best sound from lossless files.  I want all-encompassing releases and reissues with the best audio possible, and I feel that is entirely covered with files.  And I certainly admit to enjoying moving a handful of hard drives over hundreds of pounds plastics and print.  CDs are a waste of label and environmental resources, but if a hard copy remains a demand, the CD is still the way to go.  I won't go into it again here but vinyl...what a clusterfuck in 2014.

And then for backcatalogs, the online library is the smartest option.  With ever-rising exorbitant postage and manufacturing costs, it strikes me as working stupid to burden labels and distros with trying to move, and pay for, physical product (*at the same time, don't congratulate yourself too much with calling 100 copies a worthwhile reissue).  If a hard copy remains a demand, the data DVD is the way to go and 2nd to the online library.

I noticed an artist the other day, who has maybe ten items on bandcamp, was giving away most of their catalog, but then charging for a couple.  Maybe that is a sharp way to go about it while striking an agreement with the audience.  "I'll give you most of my material for free so maybe you'll still feel it a good value to pay for a couple."  Maybe that is desperation, or maybe we're still feeling out the boundaries of consumerism of digital information in a culture so rooted in owning physical things.

I prefer physical copies if they are available.

I prefer CD releases (not CD-R) because vinyl reissues, while nice, are often prohibitively expensive. I would rather labels just do reasonably priced CD reissues.

I am fine with paid lossless downloads, unlike Zeno, I am willing to pay a little more for a digital version of an album, especially if there is no CD version available a reasonable price. I think there were a couple of instances where I paid almost $15 for a couple of digital albums, but I would prefer it if they were a little less expensive since I'm not getting a physical CD with liner notes and such.

For example, Nocturnal Emissions and Severed Heads have their entire catalogs up on Bandcamp for $5 each. That is a good price that convinces me to buy more albums from the artist. I just saw Seth Nehil did the same. Kudos to them. $7 or $8 is fine too, but again, I'm more inclined to buy, and buy more albums at $5 each.

I don't have a digital music system set up like Zeno, but I may look into that in the future.

Bottom line is that if a label or artist is making the choice between a Bandcamp archive and leaving albums out of print, I'll take the Bandcamp archive any day. I don't like paying excessive prices for out of print albums on eBay or whatever, and I'd rather my money go directly to the artist or their family/estate.

i've choosen the second option but only about artwork and packaging as close to the original as possible.
i dont' like so much Reprints with axactly the same artwork and packaging.

i've really appreciate the approach to reprints of Urashima records.


absolutely not contemplate download

Quote from: SILVUM on March 20, 2014, 03:49:17 PM
Of course the ultimate solution is pro pressed data DVD, but for some reason nobody is doing these, which is annoying... FLAC and MP3 disc filled to the gills, give me a physical thing and then files to do with as I wish.

Actually a few ambient and musique concrete type labels/artists are doing these. I agree it is a good solution that should be explored more often.

Quote
I am annoyed by bands that are awesome and don't have an obscene amount of releases putting things out as file only reissues, like Vox Populi!.  Hopefully now that Cut Chemist and all the dudes who used to only like old soul and funk records are creeping into gothy dark territory, ugh... these things might get better full physical releases instead of just bullshit, here's a selection by XXX.

I haven't heard the Cut Chemist curated release, but I have thought about buying. It's tough to complain about the VP re-issues in digital format since they are all free with the blessing of the artist. I do think it would be nice to see physical re-issues of a few full albums though. The "Half-Dead Ganja Music" LP reissue actually sold out before I could buy a copy. So there must be some demand there...but with this sort of music these days, it is hard to know what will sell and what will just end up collecting dust.

QuoteOf course the ultimate solution is pro pressed data DVD

My and many people's computer doesn't have any kind of optical media drive.

Quote from: Cementimental on March 21, 2014, 03:22:18 AM

QuoteOf course the ultimate solution is pro pressed data DVD

My and many people's computer doesn't have any kind of optical media drive.

How about a flash drive then? Small pocket flash drives go up to 128 GB (at least) now.

Physical release with a complementary download/stream. For the time being it feels more natural to pay to get a physical release (be it vinyl or not) but I wouldn't be too surprised if this would change. I'm listening to digital stuff mainly at work and away from home and I don't see that important to get the actual downloads. Bandcamp and Rdio are catering quite well for these purposes, it is ages since using less official/legitimate channels (except listening an odd track from Youtube). Most of the releases I've been listening to from Bandcamp can be listened for free, fortunately it seems that they do generate some revenue for the artists (and Bandcamp terms seems quite fair: http://bandcamp.com/pricing). As said, at the moment I don't care too much about the actual downloads but still I'm occasionally paying for the artists I like to support.

Quote from: jadderly on March 21, 2014, 03:49:19 AM

Quote from: Cementimental on March 21, 2014, 03:22:18 AM

QuoteOf course the ultimate solution is pro pressed data DVD

My and many people's computer doesn't have any kind of optical media drive.

How about a flash drive then? Small pocket flash drives go up to 128 GB (at least) now.

Indeed, can be a good solutio. The internet goes up to as many GB as anyone could ever need tho. :)

I just find it hard to get too excited about, as a physical object/product, data files on physical media as opposed to playable disks (fairly arbitrary distinction anyway I admit).

I chose option 1, because I think it's missing best alternative I'd support:

Release physical formats AND ALSO download. Sold separately (unless given).
I think it's certainly good move from labels to make their stuff available in format what people prefer. I have chosen to do several releases on multiple formats (variation of tape/vinyl/cd). I have no released anything as download, but I trust stuff is out there anyways. I'm considering opening bandcamp or such thing for band(s) or label where people could listen good quality versions and download them, yet now it seems like it requires work that doesn't inspire me at all. I don't mind dubbing tapes all day, but uploading files somewhere... pfff.. Just utmost lack of motivation for it right now. But anyone uploading label releases to blogs or whatever, it's 100% approved & encouraged if you spread them for free of charge.

Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on April 04, 2014, 01:03:19 PM
I chose option 1, because I think it's missing best alternative I'd support:

Release physical formats AND ALSO download. Sold separately (unless given).

That's basically option three.

Maybe. I read it that one wouldn't care. "Either way", wouldn't appear same as "both"? But anyways, to minimize need of re-issues, I think perhaps labels keeping stuff in print would be nice.

"I'm okay either way", meaning fine with one or the other, or, implicitly but clearly, both. No necessary exclusion. It wasn't meant to mean one didn't care - didn't see the need to include that as an option.

Basically, the middle path without the need to exclude either option, since neither options need to cancel each other out. I've got my prejudices, which seem to run counter to the norm, but with the reality being people prefer the physical formats, I can't see any reason to exclude the one over the other.