The Cost of Free Downloads
Monday, June 23, 2008 at 12:01AM Downloading (or file sharing or whatever) is a hot topic among music fans these days. I know a lot of people that use Torrents to grab tracks and even whole albums, but I am just really against illegal downloads.
I won't lie: the thought of downloading leaked tracks for free and before an official release is downright intoxicating. I didn't illegally download Motley Crue's Saints of Los Angeles even though it's been on the Internet for about a month. I think there is something truly special about waiting until the day of a big release, going to the store, buying the physical album and then letting the music blast all the way home. I know many of you can attest to my honesty here: a lot of you have sent me download links or asked my opinion of the album and my response was always "wait until the day of the release." I'll review Motley Crue's new one right here tomorrow, after listening to my advance copy (and yeah, I pre-ordered a copy too, so Motley got my money).
I know kids like to download because 1) it's free and 2) it's quick. The problem is, Torrents and the like are basically stealing. No, you're not throwing a brick through a big glass window at the bank and robbing the safe, but you're still hurting the artist and everyone else who worked on producing an album.
There is no way in HELL that I would work without getting paid, so how can I rob someone else of their salary? Yes, bands like Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Guns n' Roses, Metallica, The Rolling Stones...are filthy rich, but that doesn't make file sharing acceptable. Producers, sound engineers, publicists, managers, writers, gear techs - not to mention distributors and and your local music store - all get a piece of the pie when a band records an album. When sales fall off - sometimes due to downloads or a million other reasons - everyone involved suffers. Problem is, that lost revenue comes right back to you and me. Promoters set ticket prices for tours, but with the sky high cost of just about everything, bands need a surefire way to guarantee money. It's a vicious cycle because kids think they'll download an album, then spend their money on the concert. The only problem is, if not enough people buy an album, it's kind of hard to generate hype and that can hurt shows, too.
The music industry is fatally flawed, there's no doubt about that. I'm also not judging people for downloading songs without payment, but I felt it was important for you to know my stance on the issue. I've always been "choosy" when it comes to purchasing albums. When I was in high school, I bought nearly all my own CDs, so I couldn't go to the mall and pick up five or ten discs at a time. My rule was one CD a week, so I made sure I really wanted the album before I plunked down my 15 bucks. Now, I have more money but I'm still the same way: I think about my music purchases and I buy used if I can meaning I can get more in one trip. I can't say what position I'd take on downloading if I was 16 again. Like I said, the thought of immediate, free music is very intoxicating.
What is your opinion on the matter?
Reader Comments (49)
xandra, back in the day it was a huge deal. the records companies started a campaign against home taping in which they told everyone that they were stealing and taking bread out of the mouths of the bands (i'm paraphrasing) by doing this. it's the same concept just on a much larger scale with much better technology nowadays. they even tried to make the tape companies stop selling blank tapes but of course that was doomed to fail before it began.
i say again that it's good to listen to a release and see if it's worth spending your hard earned money on it. in my opinion the new crue sucks and i will not spend any money on it. maybe next time they'll worry about putting better songs out, maybe not. in any case the cd that i was given will be thrown out.
and not everyone is blessed to be able to spend all of their cash on music. some have families, etc. so whoever bragged about spending most of their money on music please realize that's not the norm for everybody. i wish i could but i'm not rich, just a working guy so i only spend money on groups that prove to me their product is worth it. i'm out.
Why is it when someone tries to be a smartass, they end up looking like a dumbass?
I can be sanctimonious and call people names if I want, because I obviously think I'm better than you.
Holier than thou? I guess we struck a nerve of someone who is too cheap to buy a cd.
I have no problem with people buying or selling used cds. The people involved with the recording already got their royalties. I don't believe they need to "double dip."
And by the way, I didn't copy tapes either. I always wanted the artwork, and copies didn't sound as good as an original.
Like you, I stated my opinion. Glad you felt the need to call me out, it reinforces my belief in everything I said.
"funny how downloading is so huge and nobody on here does or at least admits to it. "
I like to think that teenyboppers are the main downloaders and the sort of people who read this site are actual real music fans.
"i think its crazy to spend 12- 15.00 on a cd that only costs less than 3.00 to make. i will never support any band that charges that kind of money"
This is plain retarded. The main cost of a CD is recording, a cost that is increasingly not recouped because of people who download/steal.
Hey Rob. What a pile of crap. You want to tell me every song on Number of the Beast is a classic ? That every song on Screaming for Vengeance is kick ass ? If you only like a couple of songs, you can buy just those songs for a buck apiece on any number of legal mp3 sites. What you're doing is making excuses to try to excuse your actions. If you don't tnink it's worth $10, don't buy it.
"if these bands really cared about their fans, they could do something about the cost of cds"
Well, Metallica did it for an ep, to make sure no-one was charged full price. They are not in a position to actually push down prices overall. And, who the hell doesn't have $10 for a CD ? They cost $35 here.
I can be sanctimonious and call you names if I want, because I obviously think I'm better than you.
I guess I struck a nerve. At least now we know one person who's too cheap to buy a cd. Thanks for coming forward champ.
If you join their mailing list through myspace, they'll send you an exclusive mp3 of their new song. Now that's a great way to use free music. Create a fan base, spread some love around and the fans will return that love many fold.
Racer
The Ripple Effect
www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com