I used to buy a lot of music but physical medium seems to be on the way out and there are even artists that skip entirely publishing in such format.

Streaming is not my cup of tea nor a luxury I can adhere too, as I mostly work outside and there are spots where internet coverage is just non existant.

I would gladly pay for a service that would enable me to pull down and store music I pay for.

  • Otherbarry@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyzEnglish
    32·
    17 days ago

    Bandcamp and Qobuz both offer non DRM music purchases for download, I buy FLAC files from both.

    There are probably a few others though my preference is lossless FLAC so that’s what I’ve settled on for the moment.

  • wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    17·
    17 days ago

    Doesn’t iTunes let you pay like $0.30 more for the non-drmed file for most music still, or did they kill that in the last decade?

    To be honest, I buy CDs where possible, Bandcamp where I can, and shamelessly pirate the rest.

  • a_jeering_serpent@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    10·
    17 days ago

    I just discovered Qobuz, its a French music streaming app that feels more like a record store than a streaming platform. You can also buy tracks, many of them in audiophile quality. Their pro plan includes a discount on lots of tracks.

    What you dont get is anything algorithmic or AI at all. New music discovery is fully back on your hands but you’ll have to decide for yourself if the editorial content is enough to offset that

    I am splitting my purchases between subvert.fm (over bandcamp these days, look into it and make your own call) and qobuz is the only music streamer I’ll use, they are at the top end of artist compensation per stream.

    Discovery is a more interactive process for me now, but, i personally find it more rewarding. YMMV.

    Even if you decide this isn’t for you, please use subvert or bandcamp or direct purchase in those rare cases that they offer it.

    Stay away from the big names in this space, go to live shows, buy direct merch, we need to do anything we can to remove every intermediary between us and the artists we love and that provide the soundtracks to our lives.

    I realize that I’m saying this all from a place of privilege. To those who can’t afford these things, i have been in that position. Do what you have to do, support artists as best you can, but only if you reasonably can. Look out for yourselves first.

  • Boozilla@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    17 days ago

    I haven’t purchased anything for a while, but I think Amazon still lets you download your digital album purchases as individual mp3 tracks.

  • 𞋴𝛂𝛋𝛆@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    17 days ago

    Do any artists make substantive revenue from physical media? I am under the impression that the only meaningful revenue available to artists is from live performances. I get the impression that physical media is either someone else buying publishing rights from the artist, or basically someone selling the illusion of support. I could be wrong, but I see the whole thing as audio art ads for exposure/influence, that drives the live performance revenue source.

      • bluGill@fedia.io
        2·
        17 days ago

        physical media only paid the bills for a handfull at the peak. The biggest names sold enough to make money - sometimes they even lost money touring. Everyone else made money from touring (much smaller shows - few special effects, nothing expensive). The media was a bonus to fans and a way to get word to the next place that might book you when you are in town.

  • nocturne@slrpnk.net
    2·
    17 days ago

    Tidal allows you to download music and play offline. It even has a “only play downloaded music” option as to not use mobile data should you be on a metered plan.

  • solrize@lemmy.ml
    1·
    17 days ago

    Magnatune still exists but they want you to buy a one time all you can eat membership.