Are C.d's On The Way Out ?

[Guest sharmo 1]

Hi there don't know if this has been discussed befor but four of the distributors that I deal with have told me that C.D sales have gone through the floor however Vinyl is on the up.What's the preferance ? cd's or vinyl regards Simon.

[Guest MrC]

Vinyl for me.

[Mark Bicknell]

Hi there don't know if this has been discussed befor but four of the distributors that I deal with have told me that C.D sales have gone through the floor however Vinyl is on the up.What's the preferance ? cd's or vinyl regards Simon.

Here we go again, the first person to mention original CD's only ge'st a kick up the bum lol I just did so kick me lol

[Pete S]

Been saying this for a couple of years but it's not to do with vinyl, it's to do solely with itunes. I imported all my cd's into itunes then sold the lot, and thats what an awful lot of people are doing. It's flexible, it's interesting, it's just brilliant. Why buy a cd for one or two good tracks when you can buy them for 99p each? (Apparently thats what people do) And it's only in these last few years when the record companies realised they could no longer overcharge for their product that they've actually reduced the prices of cd's - remember how long we had to pay 12, 13 quid for a cd?

[Guest sharmo 1]

Been saying this for a couple of years but it's not to do with vinyl, it's to do solely with itunes. I imported all my cd's into itunes then sold the lot, and thats what an awful lot of people are doing. It's flexible, it's interesting, it's just brilliant. Why buy a cd for one or two good tracks when you can buy them for 99p each? (Apparently thats what people do) And it's only in these last few years when the record companies realised they could no longer overcharge for their product that they've actually reduced the prices of cd's - remember how long we had to pay 12, 13 quid for a cd?

Pete it seems there are mountains of c.d's in the states .It's obvious with what your saying that itunes must be the reason however they are still saying new vinyl and re issue vinyl is selling well and production is up !! good news eh ? regards Simon.

[Pete S]

Pete it seems there are mountains of c.d's in the states .It's obvious with what your saying that itunes must be the reason however they are still saying new vinyl and re issue vinyl is selling well and production is up !! good news eh ? regards Simon.

Yeah great news and I"m sure it is - but just taking me for example, my cd consumption has gone from 'a lot' to zero in the space of maybe 4 years

[Scooterboy]

My 15 year old nephew has explained iTunes to me.

My 11 year old neice just about remembers seeing a CD.

Neither has ever held a vinyl record...of any genre.

I feel sorry that they have missed out for so long.

Uncle Chris is now on a mission to turn them into Soulies & Vinyl Hounds...though as their parents binned the record player long ago I suspect I may have an uphill battle.

[dthedrug]

Been saying this for a couple of years but it's not to do with vinyl, it's to do solely with itunes. I imported all my cd's into itunes then sold the lot, and thats what an awful lot of people are doing. It's flexible, it's interesting, it's just brilliant. Why buy a cd for one or two good tracks when you can buy them for 99p each? (Apparently thats what people do) And it's only in these last few years when the record companies realised they could no longer overcharge for their product that they've actually reduced the prices of cd's - remember how long we had to pay 12, 13 quid for a cd?

I DO PETE And I don't buy CD's often, However last Sunday I was driving home from north Yorkshire remanising to Marie about how I went to the CATS WHISKERS VAVA and lied in PRESTON the turn of to Wigan, as we went oer the Ship Cannel and singing knutsford city limits, we stoped for a burger, in the shop I spoted a 4 CD SET caled 101 NORTHERN SOUL ANTHEMS £4.99 and sat in the car park playing great records and being taken back to 1974, to me that's when you really get the best from CDs much better than playing the tape of last nights records played at the casino? DAE

[Shinehead]

Sorry to say but for me vinyl is dead and why its on the increase i can't understand, give me cds any day .I still get the collector thing though , thats totally a different thing , but buying new released vinyl over cds don,t get it at all.

[Pete S]

My 15 year old nephew has explained iTunes to me.

My 11 year old neice just about remembers seeing a CD.

Neither has ever held a vinyl record...of any genre.

I feel sorry that they have missed out for so long.

Uncle Chris is now on a mission to turn them into Soulies & Vinyl Hounds...though as their parents binned the record player long ago I suspect I may have an uphill battle.

Don't get me wrong, vinyl records are a very important part of my life and have been for 50 years but itunes enables me to store 25,000+ tracks in one place and manipulate them however I want! The playlist facility is one of THE great inventions. Want to do a themed playlist for example with the word Star in it, takes 2 seconds to find me 50 records with the word Star in the title. Would have taken a whole afternoon to research all my lp's and 45's.

[Guest Matt Male]

I'll be glad to see the back of CDs. They never worked as intended, the tiniest scratch and they are knackered, same for DVDs. At least with vinyl you can skate down the street on it and it will still play.

I know people who are going back to VHS tapes because they are sick of knackered DVDs.

Edited October 18, 2011 by Matt Male

[Guest sharmo 1]

I'll be glad to see the back of CDs. They never worked as intended, the tiniest scratch and they are knackered, same for DVDs. At least with vinyl you can skate down the street on it and it will still play.

I know people who are going back to VHS tapes because they are sick of knackered DVDs.

Yes Matt didn't they say that you could have your dinner off them ect and they'd alway's play? if they were so good why didn't they have a life time guarentee ?

[Shinehead]

I've hundreds of cds and not one is knackered , maybe people think they can abuse them and they will still play ok , they still need to be looked after like vinyl and not left lying around like people seem to do with them.

[MrsWoodsrules]

Linn Audio have stopped making CD Players, there's a clue, lots more big audio name will follow suit.

Loads of good digital audio systems popping up these days.

I recommend a Logitech Squeezebox Touch, this is a very cheap solution & sounds great.

https://www.logitech.com/speakers-audio/wireless-music-systems/devices/5745

Or you can just get a B&W Zeppelin Air, and stream directly from your ipad/iphone out of the speaker.

https://www.bowers-wilkins.com/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/Zeppelin_Air/overview.html

This is an interestng site a use a lot.

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/

Mind you, my turntable will never be beaten for sound.

Cheers ears

Aid.

[Guest Polyvelts]

Spoke to a guy who worked at the big rough trade shop in east London a while back and he said within 2 years it will be vinyl only.

[TOAD]

cds are often cheaper than a lp plus more tracks !

[Guest sharmo 1]

cds are often cheaper than a lp plus more tracks !

Hi Tim you o.k boss ? it look's like the el cids are about to become even more cheaper as well mate. regards ect.

Edited October 18, 2011 by sharmo 1

[Shinehead]

cds are often cheaper than a lp plus more tracks !

The informative booklets are sometimes worth the cost of the cd also.

[Chalky]

Vinyl sale in the first half of this year up 55% here and up over 40% in the US and they have been rising for years. There was an article last week about vinyl in the US but I never got chance to read it , it was a link on BBC News page.

I still buy CDs, I like to read the info that comes with them. Might shift all my Goldmine and such like soon though, not much by the way of liner notes.

[Guest sharmo 1]

Thank's for the replies chaps .

[Shinehead]

Vinyl sale in the first half of this year up 55% here and up over 40% in the US and they have been rising for years. There was an article last week about vinyl in the US but I never got chance to read it , it was a link on BBC News page.

I still buy CDs, I like to read the info that comes with them. Might shift all my Goldmine and such like soon though, not much by the way of liner notes.

Got to agree about the Goldmine CDs , Kent put them to shame .

[Daved]

Sadly CDs are on their way out. I still buy quite a few. However, downloading is cheaper and quicker. I nearly bought the new Lalah Hathaway CD today but the shipping costs were as much as the CD, so I'll wait. As soon as I buy a CD, I import it onto iTunes and listen to it on my ipod. I still prefer to have a physical CD but gone are the days when I let it cost me an arm and a leg.

[Chalky]

Did iTunes etc ever come out with the liner notes download? If could get Kent via iTunes with the booklet in PDF or something similar then that would be great.

[Daved]

Yes, a few releases come with the liners on pdf but it's not the same though, is it.

[Shinehead]

Not gone down the iTunes route yet, and if cds can't compete with iTunes what chance has vinyl got , what a f..k about playing a record is.

[Gigs]

I would say yes they are,along with those green exit signs

[Guest Mart B]

Credit due to Vinyl collectors as always,sold mine to best buddie Steve L.

I have cds in in my car Northern of course.

[Scotters]

I used to buy lots of CD's (mostly soul comps & modern soul albums) but can't remember the last time I purchased something on CD.

Find recordable CD's REALLY useful to record my 45's and LP's onto, then listen to 'em in the car and upload into i-tunes so I can listen to great cracklin' soul on the i-pod now & then .

Yet to fathom out the shortcut of getting a record player that lets you put stuff straight into i-tunes, and pretty sure sound quality is lost through compressed MP3 data. Better to record CD into itunes using apple lossless mode to keep as much depth as poss.

For me nothing beats getting in from work and sticking a few records on. Got to be able to TOUCH music as well as listen I think.

Mind you, i-tunes is useful for downloading the awful pop records my kids like to listen to from time to time, which I just don't get

All the best, Steve

[Chalky]

Not gone down the iTunes route yet, and if cds can't compete with iTunes what chance has vinyl got , what a f..k about playing a record is.

Apple have a huge slice of the download market too, some 70%. It is great when you want to hear something and it is readily available, bought a couple of albums on the basis of listening to one track, can only be good for some artists and small labels. I wouldn't be without my iPod to be honest.

[Chalky]

Yes, a few releases come with the liners on pdf but it's not the same though, is it.

No you are right, it's not the same. But if I could get the notes via PDF I might consider buying labels like Kent via Download. I rip the cd and it never comes out again. The notes do now and then but if on PC tin would be easier for going back to and searching.

[The Tempest]

I had about 500 cd's at one time that basically took up a lot of space !!! Sold the lot and ploughed the cash back into my album collection , get rid everybody !!!!!!!

[Guest Ollie Lailey]

Recently traded in the vast majority of my CDs at a local record shop and bought some Jazz LP's and Soul and Reggae 45's.

If I buy music it's on vinyl or downloaded. Much easier and better value. If I want music in the car I just hook up my phone/ipod.

CDs are a pain in the arse and i'll be glad to see the back of the shinny little sods.

Edited October 18, 2011 by Ollie Lailey

[Shinehead]

Even though the vinyl thrill has gone i still like the feel of something physical that cds give,but times change and whatever we think downloading is the only way we will be able to buy new released stuff in future.

[Shinehead]

I had about 500 cd's at one time that basically took up a lot of space !!! Sold the lot and ploughed the cash back into my album collection , get rid everybody !!!!!!!

Not surprised you had loads of boots.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Hi there don't know if this has been discussed befor but four of the distributors that I deal with have told me that C.D sales have gone through the floor however Vinyl is on the up.What's the preferance ? cd's or vinyl regards Simon.

It needs to be put in context. CD sales have just had their biggest 6 months since 2004 in the U.S. but are significantly down in the U.K. mainly due to the mass compilation market shrinking. Vinyl is a tiny fraction of the whole market on both sides of the Atlantic so even a small increase in what is a niche market gets all the 'vinyl revival' headlines.

I've personally noticed a much bigger swing to digital over the last 6 months especially - my last release, the "Weekender" soundtrack has sold very well across both CD and Digital with a ratio of 75% CD to 25% Digital - a rise of around 10% towards Digital. There was no point in doing vinyl as to reproduce the 3CD package on vinyl would have meant a 6 LP set retailing at around £40 as opposed to the CD @ £10.00.

I personally have a house full of all 3 formats over here but my personal preference is to make sure I have everything on a pristine CD copy since I'm in the business of collecting masters and I need a bank of top quality digital masters.

I HATE i-tunes with a vengeance because the quality is shit and there's all sorts of issues with the useability of the system. The final straw for me was Friday night when none of the downloaded i-tunes songs that I burnt to CD would play on the system I was working on. Everything else was fine except for bloody i-tunes and their stupid format.

So CD for reliability for me (like Shinehead I have 1000's of CD's and they're all perfect), digital for overall convenience (except for the dreaded i-tunes) and vinyl for nostalgia and the smell!

I'll dig out the official UK figures when I get back to work tomorrow and see how they're stacking up.

Ian D

Edited October 18, 2011 by Ian Dewhirst

[Ian Dewhirst]

Did iTunes etc ever come out with the liner notes download? If could get Kent via iTunes with the booklet in PDF or something similar then that would be great.

That's another massive own goal that the music biz scored against itself. I would have thought that adding liner notes, label copy and full credits would have added value to digital sales and boosted them even more. But like most things these days, they wanted an instant, easy solution thus devaluing music massively in the process in my opinion.

Ian D

[Chalky]

The last track I downloaded Ian was 253kbps, nothing wrong with the quality I can assure you and I've never had a problem with a download. Have no problems using the system either. Guess it a case of each to their own. Format is ACC and is easily converted. I think you can also choose to download lossless now as well so no issues with quality really.

[Shinehead]

My heart has been uplifted by this thread i thought i was an isolated case who was buying Soul by the dreaded format of cd or downloading.

[Ian Dewhirst]

The last track I downloaded Ian was 253kbps, nothing wrong with the quality I can assure you and I've never had a problem with a download. Have no problems using the system either. Guess it a case of each to their own. Format is ACC and is easily converted. I think you can also choose to download lossless now as well so no issues with quality really.

The problem is more with the all-invading pervasiveness of Apple Chalky. You either subscribe to it or you don't. I'm on pc so everything to do with Apple is a friggin' nightmare in terms of compatibility whenever it comes to transferring artwork, audio etc, etc. I've had years of transfer dillemmas so I'm a long-term none believer.

I have an i-phone so I do use Apple products but they only seem to work properly with other Apple products, so it's all a bit of a hassle if you're not a 100% Apple convert. For instance, I plugged my i-phone into my computer and it synched up everything so now I've got 10,000 names, numbers and e-mails on my phone when I only really need a few hundred. There was probably a box I needed to tick but seriously, who has the time for all this?

Plus EXACTLY the same thing happened to Sutty on EMS vis a vis playing from a burnt CD on standard equipment. The only tunes which wouldn't play were the i-tunes downloads (in fact it's on a thread over there right now), so not just me unfortunately......

Ian D

[Chalky]

The problem is more with the all-invading pervasiveness of Apple Chalky. You either subscribe to it or you don't. I'm on pc so everything to do with Apple is a friggin' nightmare in terms of compatibility whenever it comes to transferring artwork, audio etc, etc. I've had years of transfer dillemmas so I'm a long-term none believer.

I have an i-phone so I do use Apple products but they only seem to work properly with other Apple products, so it's all a bit of a hassle if you're not a 100% Apple convert. For instance, I plugged my i-phone into my computer and it synched up everything so now I've got 10,000 names, numbers and e-mails on my phone when I only really need a few hundred. There was probably a box I needed to tick but seriously, who has the time for all this?

Plus EXACTLY the same thing happened to Sutty on EMS vis a vis playing from a burnt CD on standard equipment. The only tunes which wouldn't play were the i-tunes downloads (in fact it's on a thread over there right now), so not just me unfortunately......

Ian D

Can't speak for individuals Ian but Ellie uses Windows, has no problems with iTunes, iTunes downloads or syncing her iPhone, anything she downloads plays on windows, she has no problems making cds or what you say. Like you said it is probably your settings etc.. Me everything I have is Mac now so don't have any issues with Apple. Any CD or even DVD I make plays on any system, it is infact easier to make a cd than on a windows PC. But again each to their own.

As for Apples pervasiveness, no worse than many other large tech corps, Windows etc.

I will go and read the EMS topic when I get chance and if I can remember my log in details.

[Geeselad]

I buy the odd jazz and folk release, and for this kinda 'quiet music' CD wins hands down for durability.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Can't speak for individuals Ian but Ellie uses Windows, has no problems with iTunes, iTunes downloads or syncing her iPhone, anything she downloads plays on windows, she has no problems making cds or what you say. Like you said it is probably your settings etc.. Me everything I have is Mac now so don't have any issues with Apple. Any CD or even DVD I make plays on any system, it is infact easier to make a cd than on a windows PC. But again each to their own.

As for Apples pervasiveness, no worse than many other large tech corps, Windows etc.

I will go and read the EMS topic when I get chance and if I can remember my log in details.

I'll tell you what Chalky, it makes a change from arguing about OVO all the time.

A key part in all this is precisely how computer literate somene is. I'm not remotely computer literate so most things are a pain for me to do. For instance, I've had a brand new laptop just laying here for 3 months because I DREAD trying to transfer everything from old lappy to new one - I don't want to lose any music and I need all my playlists exactly as I have them on the old laptop. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be an easy way to accomplish this (and boy have I talked to enough people). None of this stuff is easy for me. I don't understand the logic of a lot of technical things so therefore it's like having to do homework for me.

Plus I always get a really bad migraine when trying to figure out technical stuff. I'm just not designed for it.

A good example is how are you expected to send a reply to a long S.S. quote on an i-phone as just one example? The i-phone scrolling system doesn't really work properly for that.

Not easy for some of us mate......

Ian D

[Ian Dewhirst]

Also I'm curious why Apple would have DRM on the low-rate stuff only? I don't mind paying the extra 20p for the higher quality but really who the hell are they to tell me how many times I can burn or transfer something? Arrogant twats! In my line of work I often need to transfer multiple copies of things for different reasons so I don't like anyone telling what I can or can't do once I've paid for it!

I like the way they make transfers OK for 'an unlimited amount of i-pods' LOL. That's precisely why I don't like Apple. Too bossy.

1 iTunes digital rights management (DRM) protected music includes audio with a bit rate of 128 kbps and allows users to transfer songs and videos to up to five computers, burn seven copies of the same playlist to CD, and sync to an unlimited number of iPods.

2 iTunes Plus music refers to songs and music videos available in our highest-quality 256 kbps AAC encoding (twice the current bit rate of 128 kbps), and without digital rights management (DRM). There are no burn limits and iTunes Plus music will play on all iPods, Mac or Windows computers, Apple TVs, and many other digital music players.

Ian D

Edited October 18, 2011 by Ian Dewhirst

[MrsWoodsrules]

The game has changed with the technology, just look at apples new iOS, with the cloud, its not (or won't be) a question of ripping CDs & making play lists with iTunes etc etc, those days will be gone sooner rather than later.

In the next couple of years with the advent of cloud computing, everything, and I mean everything will be streamed directly from the cloud to 'a device', no one will own this music, it will be subscribed to for a fee, giving you access to tens of millions of tracks.

Even Virgin media have done a deal with Spotify so you can now do it through your tv box via an app, the phone companies & sky will be next, every track you've ever owned on a cd is available & in high resolution, this is why the cd is dead, nothing whatsoever to do with our beloved vinyl.

Cheers ears

Aid

[Ian Dewhirst]

The game has changed with the technology, just look at apples new iOS, with the cloud, its not (or won't be) a question of ripping CDs & making play lists with iTunes etc etc, those days will be gone sooner rather than later. In the next couple of years with the advent of cloud computing, everything, and I mean everything will be streamed directly from the cloud to 'a device', no one will own this music, it will be subscribed to for a fee, giving you access to tens of millions of tracks. Even Virgin media have done a deal with Spotify so you can now do it through your tv box via an app, the phone companies & sky will be next, every track you've ever owned on a cd is available & in high resolution, this is why the cd is dead, nothing whatsoever to do with our beloved vinyl. Cheers ears Aid

Quite right of course and I refer the honorable gentleman to a previous thread mentioning just this subject:-

Ian D

[MrsWoodsrules]

Your on the money Ian.

Only one thing, I'd bet me bottom dollar that Spotify or MOG or any other streaming service won't be carrying Mello Souls in it's catalogue!

Aid

[Guest john s]

For instance, I've had a brand new laptop just laying here for 3 months because I DREAD trying to transfer everything from old lappy to new one - I don't want to lose any music and I need all my playlists exactly as I have them on the old laptop. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be an easy way to accomplish this (and boy have I talked to enough people).

Can't be that hard, surely?

When I last bought a new laptop - about 18 months ago - I just sat the old and new side by side, turned Airport on to copy everything and went to bed. All done by the time I got up in the morning.

[Spacehopper]

not suprised really....each to their own but i think cds are shit.....they were sold on their durability..er nope...sounds like the band are their with you..er nope,unless you live in a 32 track studio...i prefer the 'warmer' sound of vinyl anyday...easier than getting up to flip a record over..yes..until downloads came along...on top of that cover art quality has gone down since the 60s/70s cos whats the point spending money on a lp design if its too bloody small to have the disired affect,unlike a 12" sleeve...which you can buy ready made frame to stick your faves on the wall

on top of that theirs the physical thing about getting something for your money and collecting which we humans love to do..nothing like a piece of black wax,cds could be data discs,games ,dvds etc

i think a lot of cd sales are supermarket based by middle aged people anyway aren't they?...buying shit like rod stewart does soul...or cliff richard does soul....or some classical singer does soul or the 30 greatest ska,punk,new wave,glam,soul new romantic ,disco or whatever genre was in when you were young

as i said back in the 80s when all my mates were flogging thier records..there will always be vinyl

in my opinion anyway

dean

[Chalky]

I'll tell you what Chalky, it makes a change from arguing about OVO all the time.

A key part in all this is precisely how computer literate somene is. I'm not remotely computer literate so most things are a pain for me to do. For instance, I've had a brand new laptop just laying here for 3 months because I DREAD trying to transfer everything from old lappy to new one - I don't want to lose any music and I need all my playlists exactly as I have them on the old laptop. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be an easy way to accomplish this (and boy have I talked to enough people). None of this stuff is easy for me. I don't understand the logic of a lot of technical things so therefore it's like having to do homework for me.

Plus I always get a really bad migraine when trying to figure out technical stuff. I'm just not designed for it.

A good example is how are you expected to send a reply to a long S.S. quote on an i-phone as just one example? The i-phone scrolling system doesn't really work properly for that.

Not easy for some of us mate......

Ian D

You simply need a data transfer cable, get one from PC world. There is a program in latest windows if I remember rightly to move your old files over to new PC, if not plenty available on the net. If not sure about moving iTunes, got to Apple Support pages on Apple site and search "moving iTunes on Windows" etc, really is a good support site.

As for iPhone, whilst in typing mode, hold your finger on text box till magnifying glass appears then scroll down by moving finger down screen.

Personally I use all the formats available to me to get my soul fix, vinyl, downloads and CD's. Not a problem for me to convert or do whatever to listen. As I said because I travel a lot my iPod is probably something I couldn't do without these days.

[Steve G]

Have about 5,000 CDs was thinking of dumping most of them on ebay since I rarely play the vast majority of them......