death of cd imminent

[MiscGenius]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080128/music_nm/music_dc;_ylt=AkhuPnbaFCjg94cygePkFohxFb8C

looks like the industry is now accepting that this is how it will go down
look at that qtrax service thing
looks like the big plunge into all digital release services is coming
with the cd getting less and less focus
thoughts?

[seraphim]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080128/music_nm/music_dc;_ylt=AkhuPnbaFCjg94cygePkFohxFb8C

looks like the industry is now accepting that this is how it will go down
look at that qtrax service thing
looks like the big plunge into all digital release services is coming
with the cd getting less and less focus
thoughts?

On a non-personal note, I truly think that this is the way to go. Really, people (your average music consumer) doesn't so much care about the packaging of the music. I'm sure more than a good portion of them just rip the music to their iWhatever's and cast the packaging aside. Not to fail to mention that the numbers grow daily as to how many people just download their music anyway; legally or illegally. I think it's been well proven that given the choice people will opt for the "get it free" method. Also there's the case of manufacturing the CDs and casings and the waste that comes from it, before and after, so yeah...a move away from all this "clutter" will be a good thing environmentally speaking.

Now on a personal note, I'll miss it and won't like it because I'm a fan and collector of not only the music but of the artwork and words that come in the form of that packaging. I like having something to physically hold and flip through as I listen to the newly purchased music (but boy does it take up lots of room). Also, I DJ, and I'm a physical/sight DJ. I like the feel of the CD and the feeling of actually doing something other than scrolling and clicking a mouse. Sure, I can burn the music out but it suffers in the encoding. But I guess eventually I'll have to make the move to digital myself someday.

CDs, this generations 8 track tapes? What's next? We convert books and stop printing those and only make them available s downloadable .pdf files? Ah, the future.

[Electroswank]

I understand and appreciate the natural progression; but working in the industry it's heartbreaking to see all our jobs disappear. Theres some really great talented people who do all the faceless behind the scenes things that people don't care to notice who are already out of a job and this Qtrax thing is pretty much sealing everyones fate.

[seraphim]

I understand and appreciate the natural progression; but working in the industry it's heartbreaking to see all our jobs disappear. Theres some really great talented people who do all the faceless behind the scenes things that people don't care to notice who are already out of a job and this Qtrax thing is pretty much sealing everyones fate.

Well then there is always that as well, the loss of numerous jobs; which is sad, but what can you do? What is the answer to the problem? In a perfect world you could ask people to stop downloading, but that'll never happen. Its fucked up and wrong. The record industry will adapt to survive and I'm sure not all jobs will be lost, people will just have to learn new jobs and grow with the industry they chose to be in. It was a choice, they must have known going in how fickle and unstable that market is. Like the computer industry, you're never 100% on stable ground.

[fen]

according to the local independent shops here, last years figures read: cd sales down 30%, vinyl sales up 15%. make of that what you will.
yes, i will miss the hardcopy.

[seraphim]

according to the local independent shops here, last years figures read: cd sales down 30%, vinyl sales up 15%. make of that what you will.
yes, i will miss the hardcopy.

One of our long time running indie record stores here in Seattle, among other reasons, said that web-shops and the ilk had a hand in their closing. People just aren't walking in like they used to, not to smaller indie shops anyway. Personally I'll always pay a little more to buy at an indie shop or buy direct from the band (when I can, but sometimes you just can't).

[Synthere]

The CD disappearing is a sad fact of where the whole digital pattern of things is going. My gripe is that someone should of had the foresight to create an alternative delivery product to replace the CD, like a "mediaKey" or something new and to go hand in hand with the whole new trend of buy and download. Things like artwork and handling of the music will not be the same for sure.

[Electroswank]

I guess, but what i still can't understand about people who steal music - how can you not feel bad about a band or musician spending all that time, emotion and energy and money in writing, performing and recording music for someone to steal it? Millions of dollars are being lost daily, yet theres no news about a crime. Thousands will lose their jobs and have already lost their jobs but yet again, its a footnote.

there has to be a way to fine ISPs and users who illegally download per track with out making the labels who sink millions of dollars into producing this music that so inspiring to people look like the "bad guys".

[AMuse]

Why do people steal? The Internet makes people feel safe when they are stealing. If you are stealing in a store then the cameras and security will pick you up and it is much harder. Online stealing is easy and so many people do it that most do not even think of it as stealing. This is the other edge of the Internet sword that will cut hard and deep for a long time across more than just music stealing.

[Electroswank]

Let's see what happens when its the Movie Industry and not the Music Industry that gets ripped off on line.

i know i sound like a broken record or perhaps crazy, but i love my job and all the people i work with as if they were my extended family. anyone whos' gone through a massive lay off like this knows the desperation i'm feeling now.

[Trentreant]

It will happen to the Movie Industry just like it is happening to music now. Commercially speaking, allowing product to become digital was the jab and the widespread acquisition of broadband was the upper cut that secured the knock out.

@Electroswank
Sorry to hear that you are hurting since you are in the biz. Not much hope when all that is left to rely on is human character and honor. With those qualities being the only things that will curb stealing online there is, well...... very little to hope for.

[marknicholas]

I'm surely being overly optimistic about it, but maybe the CD will stick around to some degree. Yes, an ever-increasing number of people using nothing but an iPod, but those same people may learn with time that the downloads they got from iTunes aren't up to the ever increasing quality standards. 2 years ago 128 with DRM was standard. Now it's unacceptable and we all want 256 minimum with no DRM. It'll keep climbing until we're all the way back to full CD quality. If anyone ever breaks a big news article about this, the CD could make a comeback as the "permanent" format. It's the only way to guarantee you'll always have the best.

It really is. Until downloads are uncompressed AIFF or WAVE files, anything else isn't really permanent. It's like a cassette dub... fine for casual listening, but you don't really own it. In a few years, if you still love that music, you'll likely end up rebuying it.

I realize many people don't give a crap - but at the same time, music (like most media; books, movies etc.) also is still a statement about who you are. What you have on your shelf still says something about you. I have a feeling that's part of the reason for the Vinyl comeback. It looks really cool on display - gives people something big to flip through and admire in a way an iPod never can. In fact, I actually agree with the notion that if the record companies think about this, a "mediakey" type of thing could actually sell., at least for larger bands. Give people something their iPods can't do yet (full quality 5.1 surround sound maybe?) that loads right on to their computer, and comes packaged in something they can display. There's probably something to that. Of course, DVD Audio was supposed to be that, and people don't care. (Gotta say, though, that if you hear those DM remasters in full surround, it'll make you really fucking wish people did care. Holy crap is it a cool experience.)

Then again, I'm probably just an old man who won't surrender the idea of physical product. CDs are likely dead (I heard that even Best Buy might scrap all but the new release CD section this year), and so too is any chance of making my money back on my music ever again. Ah well. Such was the unfortunately luck in being born when I was. Hopefully something reasonable will come along again for my kids so that they've got a shot.

-m

[Nautilus]

Unfortunately I have to side with the general sentiment that the CD is on it's way out. Not right away or anything but eventually for certain. It is scary to think of that CD collection today as the vinyl collection that lays stored safely in the basement but this seems to be the future. Hopefully something will take it's place though.

[MiscGenius]

movie industry is tasting this already
what starts to hit indie will soon destroy mainstream

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22921179/

[AMuse]

There's no stopping the digital runaway train. All media and businesses aroung them are at risk.