Digital song files versus CDs

[Monica_ICE]

This thread is my question to all of you about future Wildhearts new releases. My question is: how would you like that served? Do you prefer to buy physical copies of CDs, would you rather have digital songs files with no DRM and easily downloadable (I would say from the bands' website directly if it was my say), or some other combination or option such as, "I would like to download all of their future songs, but I also like having copies of their music on CDs which I could buy at live gigs." Depending on how a band wants to set up their downloads, new songs can be downloaded for free (Trent Reznor/NIN), they could be monetized individually (song-by-song) for, say, 10pence/ 20American cents each via the band's website, or you could go fetch through a third party distributor like Ginger has set up now. Other options are always P2P file-trading, but ideally, a band should distribute themselves as well. The question is how would you like your Wildhearts' music? Please post your thoughts and comments below.

[Damian]

I still like a CD. I wish the editions would be the same though. I'll want the download when it comes out but a) I prefer CDs and b) it'll have extra tracks... I think I'm going to end up waiting for the physical release. I'm busy enough for the next couple of months to have a bit of patience.

[zachary_storm]

ah, you need the physical cd!

its something to actually show for your money, and also looks good, and its always good to read the inlay... whether it be lyrics or foot-notes by band members etc...

im against digital downloads! (unless its stuff like the new NIN album ofcourse! )

[nuno75]

I've almost totally given up physical CD's. There are three or four bands that I buy discs of... and the Wildhearts are at the top of that list.

I'll end up getting both though.

[Keith Richard]

Physical CDs for sure. I want to look at it, touch it, smell it, and listen to it.

[thegweywabbit]

not even close.

PHYSICAL CDs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can rip my own discs for use on an iPod or in iTunes and I decide the bit rate. I always go for a much higher bit rate than anything I've ever downloaded. I want full strength, uncompressed, unaltered music with artwork, lyrics and all the trimmings. I like owning THE REAL DEAL!

I still play cds at home and in the car. MP3 cds sound like CRAP in the car when compared to full bit rate audio. And yes, I realize that cds do in fact have compressed audio on them, but I seriously doubt that The Wildhearts are gonna release a real uncompressed high res cd or DVD-Audio disc any time soon. But feel free to prove me wrong!

In the case of the new "Stop Us..." release, I will download on the release date AND buy the physical cd when it comes, but only because the cd is not being offered at the same time. If they were released simultaneously, I'd only get the physical disc. Same goes for DVDs. Sure you can download a 1 to 4 gig movie on-line, but it's not in the same universe as a 50gig hi-def blu-ray disc with uncompressed audio. Why in the world would I want anything less than the best quality available from my favorite band???

[sparky]

The physical CD and the art work, but I also still vinyl records

[spoon_of_grimbo]

physical CD, no question about it.

the only downloading i do nowadays is the free (and not entirely legal ) type, which i use to obtain out-of-print stuff, or stuff by bands i haven't heard (which if i like, i'll go and get the album, and if i don't like, i'll delete).

admittedly, all the music i listen to atm is in the form of WMA files ripped onto my laptop, but that's only for convenience, as i'm at uni, and my room insurance wouldn't even be close to covering the amount of CDs in my collection.

[vanrad]

Indeed a tough question.... I'm getting old and admittedly due to family and stuff, there's less time for me (or the interest) to seek out new music - so I admit I stick to my favourites or friends or what I hear on the radio.

I'll always buy certain artist's music - and the fact I'm here and writing this means Ginger / Wildhearts are top of my list.....

My personal view on this debate is really the same it has been since formats came into existence - Use as many different formats as commercially possible, people will choose what they want.

In this case I will download the music and buy the CD when it comes out, but only really cos it'll sit nice on the CD shelf dedicated to all things Ginger / Wildhearts!

[shockingcandy]

I prefer CDs because of i) the superior sound quality and ii) the artwork.

[seventieslord]

I'm all about the physical CD. For not too much money, you get the physical disc with no potential problems, the highest quality available, artwork, and the ability to rip/copy/store the tracks however you see fit.

Itunes is out of whack for charging $10 an album for getting something no better than what you can get on bit torrent for free, and it's not even close to cheap enough to make me think twice about just spending the extra few bucks on the actual album.

[Rancidpunk_76]

Cd's all the way, no question. I want the artwork to admire, lyrics to read, oh, and the actual cd to bung to my mates when i say "listen to this..."

[Ross]

CDs. I've never been a downloader, and maybe I'm a bit old-school, but if I'm paying for something I want to own it. What happens if my hard disk gets corrupted? Hundreds of pounds of music gone.

Nah, I've always wanted the physical product. If that means one corner of our dining room is given over to CDs then so be it.

[wildsam6o]

i love to have the acctual cd...ad to the collection haha

ive always prefered the vinyls tho

[Sarc]

I think the result is pretty much gonna be a no brainer, i think asking this question is like asking what do you like most daddy or chips?, whereas digital downloads/chips seem like a good idea at the time, to many of them will be bad for you/the music industry

To many chips equals high colestoral and you could die on your arse
To many digital downloads bad for physical cds, as someone said earlier, you've lost all your music if your hard drive dies on its arse.

Cd's are great fun, I've had loads of fun times actually leaving the house to get an actual cd, I've met a fair few of my friends through actually going to the record store and buying the cd that I wouldnt have met f i'd have bought the digital copy and through that had various random and completely bizarre adventures/experiences. Therefor cds have more than three* uses.

* 1- Listening to,
2 - Shiny beer mat when it gets scratched if youre a bit careless,
3 - Shiny wall hanging thing for students who think they're being clever and original when actually their parents where doing it with vinyl back in the day