Composers Forum is a daily web log that allows invited contemporary composers to share their thoughts and ideas on any topic that interests them--from the ethereal, like how new music gets created, music history, theory, performance, other composers, alive or dead, to the mundane, like getting works played and recorded and the joys of teaching. If you're a professional composer and would like to participate, send us an e-mail.

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Wednesday, November 02, 2005
CDs vs audio DVDs vs downloads

I've argued before that the CD format is largely obsolete; once I receive one, I rip it to AAC or MP3 format on my computer, transfer it to my iPod, and I'm all set to go. My CDs get filed away, and I'm sure they would make great coasters or mobiles.

But not everyone does that. A lot of people still listen to their CDs at home, in their cars, on their portable CD players, etc. There are also audio DVDs available for some albums (one example that comes to mind is the Flux Quartet's great performance of Feldman's String Quartet #2, all 6+ hours of it), but I'm not clear if audio DVDs will play correctly on most computer DVD drives, nor am I aware that the audio tracks can readily be extracted and converted to MP3 format (I have software to to this for noncommercial DVDs, but if the commercial audio DVDs are copy-protected, this is not an option).

Certainly, downloadable music is the way to go. It's environmentally-friendly, easy, and bypasses the ripping process. However, I'm wondering if most audiences for new music would be willing to bypass the CD entirely and go to MP3 downloading, or even consider purchasing more pricey, but higher-resolution, audio DVDs in place of CDs.

There's been an interesting thread going on the Why Patterns mailing list about just this issue, and as a result I've had a good dialogue with Glenn Freeman of OgreOgress Productions over several e-mails. He is very likely abandoning the CD format entirely for the forthcoming For Feldman release in favor of direct MP3 downloading and a limited-release audiophile DVD version. The truth is that it is nearly impossible to realize a profit from CDs when you're an independent music label with limited distribution systems. For-fee downloads are more profitable. Same with higher-priced, limited edition audio DVDs. Glenn is also worried about music piracy.

I put my own thoughts down in my blog, but would like to get input from others specifically on this issue:
  • If you have a choice as to how your music is to be distributed, would you choose CD or downloadable MP3, and would 100 or more of your potential audience be willing to pay a much higher price for an audiophile-quality DVD of your music?
posted by David Toub 1:35 PM


 


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