Free MP3s with Vinyl Purchase

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hi Riff!

I think the thread topic is an interesting one, but then you expanded a bit more on the questionable downloads. I don't have a comment on that.

Regarding the inclusion of MP3 codes when buying new Vinyl....I think its a wonderful idea. It's also a good marketing technique and perhaps a reason why vinyl sales are seeing a resurgence. I've used the codes on every one of my new vinyls, at least those that I opened (still have about 40 sealed LP's).

Would I buy fresh vinyl if it didn't have those free MP3 codes? Absolutely. It's not a deterrent for me, it's only a bonus.

John

[FreddieFerric]

I think it's a lousy idea myself. MP3 is the bane of the universe, the most god-aweful, lame excuse for storage expediency ever invented, audiophile anti-matter. In short, it sucks!

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by Gremal

That's a valid approach, actually! Vinyl ripped to apple lossless and played back on nice headphones doesn't sound half bad.

I agree on the decent sound. Several of my friends have transferred all of their records to digital, but it still seems very cumbersome and an unnecessary expense.

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

I think it's a lousy idea myself. MP3 is the bane of the universe, the most god-aweful, lame excuse for storage expediency ever invented, audiophile anti-matter. In short, it sucks!

Good lord!! Mp3's sound fine through crappy systems/earbuds/stock car stereo's. Those systems don't have the frequency extension for you to notice the MP3's missing frequencies to begin with.
How do you listen to music when you're not at home? Do you buy everything twice (vinyl and CD)?

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

I agree on the decent sound. Several of my friends have transferred all of their records to digital, but it still seems very cumbersome and an unnecessary expense.



Good lord!! Mp3's sound fine through crappy systems/earbuds/stock car stereo's. Those systems don't have the frequency extension for you to notice the MP3's missing frequencies to begin with.
How do you listen to music when you're not at home? Do you buy everything twice (vinyl and CD)?

I typically don't listen to music when I'm not at home. Usually just talk radio in my car, but even then the radio stays turned off most of the time. And I am totally out of the buying music twice business. Haven't bought a CD in months now.

Something you should know Riff, in the last couple of months I've bought about 4000 original pressing vinyl records. I still have alot of sorting out ahead of me.

[joe1515]

I understand your point, if anything I think the vinyl should come with a copy of the cd. I buy both the vinyl and the cd version of the bands I like. I would much rather have a copy of the cd than just the mp3 files. I don't listen to cd's ever I only use them to upload my music into Itunes, or I will listen to them If I am unable to find a copy on vinyl.


Joe

[richteer]

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

I think it's a lousy idea myself. MP3 is the bane of the universe, the most god-aweful, lame excuse for storage expediency ever invented, audiophile anti-matter. In short, it sucks!

I couldn't agree more! A couple of records I've bought recently (Mark Knopfler's last album, Kill to Get Crimson, comes to mind) included a CD copy in the package. That to me is a far better idea than some crappy MP3 version.

[btf1980]

Why not do a needledrop?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

I think it's a lousy idea myself. MP3 is the bane of the universe, the most god-aweful, lame excuse for storage expediency ever invented, audiophile anti-matter. In short, it sucks!

Originally Posted by richteer

I couldn't agree more! A couple of records I've bought recently (Mark Knopfler's last album, Kill to Get Crimson, comes to mind) included a CD copy in the package. That to me is a far better idea than some crappy MP3 version.

While I agree with both of you regarding the crap sound that MP3 is, I still think it's a handy thing. I don't listen to MP3 very often, but in the middle of the night while I'm on the computer, I can put on my headphones and at least listen to some tunes. I'm not looking for quality at that point, just some music.

John

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by John72953

While I agree with both of you regarding the crap sound that MP3 is, I still think it's a handy thing. I don't listen to MP3 very often, but in the middle of the night while I'm on the computer, I can put on my headphones and at least listen to some tunes. I'm not looking for quality at that point, just some music.

John

Hi John,

Why not slip a CD into the computer disc player and listen through headphones. I would venture a guess that the CD on the computer would sound better than an MP3.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi John,

Why not slip a CD into the computer disc player and listen through headphones. I would venture a guess that the CD on the computer would sound better than an MP3.

Rich

Hey Rich,

It would no question, but I don't have every LP on CD. So sometimes one compromizes. It's not a huge deal. Especially at 3am or when I'm sitting in the park on a sunny day.

Don't worry boys.....I'm not treading over the waters into digital downloads!

John

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi John,

Why not slip a CD into the computer disc player and listen through headphones. I would venture a guess that the CD on the computer would sound better than an MP3.

Rich

C'mon, if your listening to music through your computer on a crappy little 2" speaker or using some $10 earbuds, there's really not that much difference between a cd and a mp3.
Really i think more people would get into vinyl if audiophiles weren't such snobs and push people away that just wanna have a well rounded musical experience.
I've been a music freak since i was about 4 years old and i used to carry around one of those portable record players and a pair of headphones. I'm sure that wasn't ideal, but it got the point across and kept me from having to talk to my family.

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hi Riff!

I think the thread topic is an interesting one, but then you expanded a bit more on the questionable downloads. I don't have a comment on that.

Regarding the inclusion of MP3 codes when buying new Vinyl....I think its a wonderful idea. It's also a good marketing technique and perhaps a reason why vinyl sales are seeing a resurgence. I've used the codes on every one of my new vinyls, at least those that I opened (still have about 40 sealed LP's).

Would I buy fresh vinyl if it didn't have those free MP3 codes? Absolutely. It's not a deterrent for me, it's only a bonus.

John

So you're getting codes with almost all your new purchases? I only saw stickers advertising the codes inclusion on about 1/10th of the new releases, but i suppose at this point in the game people might just expect it and the record companies don't feel the need to advertise it anymore.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

So you're getting codes with almost all your new purchases? I only saw stickers advertising the codes inclusion on about 1/10th of the new releases, but i suppose at this point in the game people might just expect it and the record companies don't feel the need to advertise it anymore.

Hi Riff!

No. I guess the answer could be misleading. I meant I've used all the ones that came with the codes. I would guess it still represents between 25-40% of the new vinyl I have bought so far.

John