CD-format to be abandoned by major labels by the end of 2012

[michaelmaclauchlan]

This topic has generated some interesting discussion on another music forum. Thoughts?
================
"...The major labels plan to abandon the CD-format by the end of 2012 (or even earlier) and replace it with download/stream only releases via iTunes and related music services. The only CD-formats that will be left over will be the limited edition ones, which will of course not be available for every artist. The distribution model for these remaining CD releases would be primarily Amazon which is already the biggest CD retailer worldwide anyhow.

3 weeks ago we heard it for the first time and since then we have tried getting some feedback from EMI, Universal and Sony. All declined to comment. "

more at
http://www.side-line.com/news_comments. ... 80_0_2_0_C

[rich_h]

While I wouldn't rule it out, neither would I put much store by a story along the lines of "we heard it" but with no attribution. Certainly there are still many among us who like to have a physical product.

As a related aside, I totally agree with Pete Townshend's comment that Apple should start offering some artist support to earn their 30% cut of the profits on iTunes. Simply offering a place to sell is not worth 30% slice.

The download model isn't bad but it isn't mature enough (yet).

[Dooley]

Interesting post Michael and likewise Rich.

I'm still very attached to a physical product, one for the insurance it provides against loss of files and second for the quality of the recording.

If CDs were indeed to disappear then I'd certainly want to be able to download files of a much higher quality than a mere MP3 or AAC file for any piece of music. The other thought that comes to mind is the current inability to download from Amazon.uk to the U.S. If record companies are going to save on production costs of CDs then they will hopefully make music available to a global marketplace.

[rich_h]

I'm still very attached to a physical product, one for the insurance it provides against loss of files and second for the quality of the recording.

I think that is possibly the most important point in favour of CD (or physical media in general). Downloads are intangible, you need to keep back ups, and most people don't. One HD crash and potentially there goes your entire music collection.

[Micistm]

I would be effin bloody livid if true, almost to the point of boycotting said companies.
I don't believe it- the day will come, and I hope I'm gone before it does- but IMO it won't be for a few years yet.
I only download if there is no other option, and much prefer a physical product to add to the collection (even if the ipod is mainly used anyway).

Not only do I prefer the CD, a real gripe of mine is often the download product is not that much cheaper! Considering the costs considerably cheapened- No CD pressing, freight, cases, art printing etc...I expect more of a discount!

[Micistm]

I'm still very attached to a physical product, one for the insurance it provides against loss of files and second for the quality of the recording.

I think that is possibly the most important point in favour of CD (or physical media in general). Downloads are intangible, you need to keep back ups, and most people don't. One HD crash and potentially there goes your entire music collection.

Amen to that. Should my computer shit itself, my CDs are still in the rack. That's the best kind of backup (but a pain in the arse to reload).
I must external drive backup itunes...I've been meaning too...

[rich_h]

Of course, being an IT professional, all my stuff is backed up. Okay, _most_ of it

[Vox Humana]

I still don't have an mp3 player/iPod because I like the physical product, too. I certainly hope this doesn't come to pass just yet.

[Hyper Child]

It’s a bit rich when the poxy record labels – set about ruining Minidisc when it was released in the mid- 1990s. They killed it off with artificially inflated rates for their artists to use the medium, and maddening copyright restrictions - which in these times seem farcical.



It was the natural successor to the antiquated CD format…

I personally have all my CDs backed up to my hard drives…and “Minidiscs” that I happily play on my Tascam MD20b deck. The sound quality is excellent, and you don’t have the risk of scratches, dust, and other foreign objects buggereing up the…buggering up the laser.

[rich_h]

With a lossy data encoding system I beg to differ about it being a replacement for CD, certainly in terms of sound quality, although ATRAC 4.5 was a pretty good stab.

The casing was nice, as you say it protected the disc nicely.

Anyway, the CD won't be going anywhere soon, it still forms the bulk of music sales. That original article is BS.

[BlueSilver]

With a lossy data encoding system I beg to differ about it being a replacement for CD, certainly in terms of sound quality, although ATRAC 4.5 was a pretty good stab.

The casing was nice, as you say it protected the disc nicely.

Anyway, the CD won't be going anywhere soon, it still forms the bulk of music sales. That original article is BS.

It wouldn't make any sense to phase out the cd when there is no alternative physical media.
Anyway, if it does have any truth to it, it worries me. We trust computers too much now. It's like with books. Yeah, you can read ebooks on a frickin Kindle, but if the computer systems crash, all that knowledge is gone. I think it's one of those things people don't prepare for because they keep telling themselves "Oh, it'll never happen".

[98/1000]

And what happens one day when the internet is full or breaks down? CD's must be around for some time to come, after all they predicted the demise of vinyl and there's still specialist companies producing those.

[Micistm]

With a lossy data encoding system I beg to differ about it being a replacement for CD, certainly in terms of sound quality, although ATRAC 4.5 was a pretty good stab.

The casing was nice, as you say it protected the disc nicely.

Anyway, the CD won't be going anywhere soon, it still forms the bulk of music sales. That original article is BS.

It wouldn't make any sense to phase out the cd when there is no alternative physical media.
Anyway, if it does have any truth to it, it worries me. We trust computers too much now. It's like with books. Yeah, you can read ebooks on a frickin Kindle, but if the computer systems crash, all that knowledge is gone. I think it's one of those things people don't prepare for because they keep telling themselves "Oh, it'll never happen".

Don't start me on kindles and pads, tablets etc. Give me the old fashioned book for the shelf. It even smells nicer!

[BlueSilver]

And what happens one day when the internet is full or breaks down? CD's must be around for some time to come, after all they predicted the demise of vinyl and there's still specialist companies producing those.

It's because certain retro stuff is cool again, one of those things being records, which I love. I actually own more records than my parents do which is kind of embarrassing.

@Micistm: I say this about kindles and shit all the time: "If you drop a book on the ground, chances are you can still read it. If you drop a kindle on the ground, BOOM, there goes 200 bucks.".

[lagrangeaudio]

If CD's were to disappear I would want my downloads to be lossless i.e FLAC otherwise we all take a step backwards. There is a contributor to a well known music tech podcast who keeps saying that we have the technology to produce music to a quality never before heard and yet we seem compelled to squeeze the living crap out of it for the punter. If we allow this to continue we take another enormous step backwards. I don't mind CD's going necessarily but please replace it with a comparable spec.

[chritra]

I think they should just limit the number of copies released or make them on demand or something... I'm used to listen to music on CDs, not in the digital format. I like to look through the booklets. And the going to deprive me of all this?!

[Copper Cables]

It's already been said, but there is nothing quite like holding you favorite music in your hands as you get to see it for the first time. There's something special about unwrapping a new cd and knowing that it's YOURS - something the artist made for you and the rest of their fans. Sure, I'll upload it to my computer - but I would never trade my cd collection for pure digital.

[Micistm]

It's already been said, but there is nothing quite like holding you favorite music in your hands as you get to see it for the first time. There's something special about unwrapping a new cd and knowing that it's YOURS - something the artist made for you and the rest of their fans. Sure, I'll upload it to my computer - but I would never trade my cd collection for pure digital.

Yep, I remember when Dolbys new album hit the letterbox. I'd have loved to shoot out the day it was released and buy locally, sadly those days are gone though, the independant music specialist stores are going too, replaced by cookie cutter dept stores who stock the latest Boy band and idol show CDs. So online purchasing is required, and a week or so wait to get it down here to NZ.
But getting home, finding the new CD, opening it up and checking the artwork/packaging while giving it it's first spin...IMO that feeling can't be replaced by a sterile download.
Of course, I download on the ipod then to carry the CD around with me...but got to have the physical CD first!

[Micistm]

One of my fave local stores is a store set up by a few older Dudes who used to run specialist music stores, and started their own big store with new and second hand CDs.
Obviously, the record companies won't care about these stores...don't think they get much off old CDs reselling!
But it's just my fave store to go shopping at. New stores aren't interesting...the same pop/chart stuff, same prices...anything else they can order in for you (you can do that yourself!).
So this store is just enjoyment plus, the way old stores used to be...you never knew what you'd find, and it is an immense fun thing to flick through racks and find a CD you've wanted for a while...
I'm an old fart...usually you can find whatever you want online but it just doesn't have the same Buzz...and judging how popular it is many feel the same way!

[Bawdsey Buoy]

well all very interesting reading, I can't see them ditching CD LP's for a while... singles yes.
About the only format that has stayed the course is Vinyl.
Ok it's pretty niche now, but the Majors still release it in LTD runs, so I guess if/when CD's do start to go away, they will still do runs for people like us who all love to hold a product.

I can't wait for A Map Of The Floating City on Vinyl.

To see that lovely art work in full scale size.

Do get me wrong I love iPods & Apple lossless and a good Kbps Mp3.
it's great on the move in the car etc.

But when at home relaxing nothing comes close to a CD or a Record

[rich_h]

How about a live gig in your house?

[MrNormall]

I don't and won't buy music in non-physical format.

[Micistm]

I don't and won't buy music in non-physical format.

Same. Although I do admit I have bought downloads on the occasion I had no other choice, or the album in question was deleted and only on Ebay for eye watering prices

[korky123]

That's scary. I do download lots of my cherry-picked songs from iTunes and/or Amazon, but the thought of that being my only option to obtain music is frightening.

It was bad enough when albums stopped being pressed: Now CDs?

[Hammy]

Hmm, as one who still plays records,(vinyl to you modern fools!) I can't see them dropping cd's anytime soon, but the alternative, - lossy mp3's sounding like they've been recorded in a dustbin! - fills me with horror!