Physical vs Digital Download music: Which do you buy most often?

I have to say I bought more physical copies more than digitally downloads songs/albums. In fact the only time I bought digital copies is when I can't find it anywhere else. But most of my friends just download musics, they don't seems to like physical copies, too much work for them to import to iTunes I guess. I haven't pirated a song ever since 9th grade. Feeling fine buying it, supporting the band.

I'm confused of what I'm talking about, but if you got offended, I'm just talking s***.

Both, but tend to get albums off iTunes more often and burn them on a disc, just in case my laptop ever crashes.

I will never buy a digital copy of any music (unless it is only available digitally). Give me the CD or vinyl every time. Love having an actual physical copy to hold in my hands.

Plus a lot more vinyl albums come with a free mp3 download of the album as well (see Flying Lotus' Cosmogramma --- "CD and Vinyl purchases include an instant Mp3 download"), all the more incentive to go with the vinyl.

I purchase physical media exclusively. Never have purchased digital content.

Physical whenever it is reasonably possible.

Digital for me

Download music, unless its a band which I've being collecting CDs for i.e. Metallica

Physical. Better quality.

dowloading is my only option,cause they don't sell my favorite stuff here where i live,i feel bad about it sometimes nevertheless,i remember reading a blog by an artist i was going to download his stuff,in which he had pointed the fact out that the record label of his album was about to get bankrupt because of the pirating,.i downloaded the album anyway but it left a bad impression on me.

Dance music aside (much of which goes straight to digital these days), then I'd much rather have the CD. I love the warmth of vinyl and still have a a couple of hundred records gathering dust 12000 miles away, but those days are sadly over now. Hell they've even stopped producing 1210's now more's the pity. Regardless you can play digital music through a pair of vinyl decks these days and pretend all your digitial music's on vinyl... (can't remember the program - amazing technology...)

dowloading is my only option,cause they don't sell my favorite stuff here where i live,i feel bad about it sometimes nevertheless,i remember reading a blog by an artist i was going to download his stuff,in which he had pointed the fact out that the record label of his album was about to get bankrupt because of the pirating,.i downloaded the album anyway but it left a bad impression on me.

VaguelyTagged

You could always buy them new from eBay, that's what I do most of the time.

[QUOTE="VaguelyTagged"]

dowloading is my only option,cause they don't sell my favorite stuff here where i live,i feel bad about it sometimes nevertheless,i remember reading a blog by an artist i was going to download his stuff,in which he had pointed the fact out that the record label of his album was about to get bankrupt because of the pirating,.i downloaded the album anyway but it left a bad impression on me.

stevoqwerty

You could always buy them new from eBay, that's what I do most of the time.

I haven't brought music in ages. I do prefer physical copies, just because it's something tangible and easy to show people.

I have no choice but to buy digital because I live in a small town.

I buy CDs.

I like having uncompressed audio quality, and a case with artwork, lyrics, liner notes etc. sitting on my shelf.

Digital for me. I don't like paying $15 for a cd and only wanting 1 or 2 songs off of it.

I prefer physical copies by far, even if once I rip them into my PC I might not use them again.

I only buy a physical copies unless I can't find it anywhere then I will digitally download.

I like it physical.

CD always. I can honestly say I hope MP3 doesn't completely succeed CD

I prefer the physical to the digital unless the only way to get it is digital.

cds have far better sound

I download quite a lot of music, but generally speaking I will not pay for digital. If I'm going to spend the money then I want the physical artifact. As for the whole digital vs physical debate I'm of two minds. On one hand I think digital can be wonderful. I grew up in the cassette era. When I was a teenager I use to have my Walkman with me everywhere I went. I remember the careful deliberations about which two (maybe three depending on how much pocket space I had on my clothing) albums to bring with me for the day. I love that I can now carry my entire music collection around on a device roughly the size of one of those cassettes. As an artist I'm strongly considering, when the time comes, releasing my music digitally alone. CDs/vinyls use material taking from our dwindling resources often end up in landfills where they contaminate the soil. On the other hand, like I said, I enjoy having the physical artifact. Many others do as well.

cds have far better sound

dontshackzmii

Not if you have FLAC files.

[QUOTE="dontshackzmii"]

cds have far better sound

worlock77

Not if you have FLAC files.

True. When FLAC or some other lossless format becomes standard, that's when I'll consider switching to digital.

[QUOTE="worlock77"]

[QUOTE="dontshackzmii"]

cds have far better sound

broken_bass_bin

Not if you have FLAC files.

True. When FLAC or some other lossless format becomes standard, that's when I'll consider switching to digital.

buying music? j/k. I prefer physical unless I feel like having some instant gratification.

I buy CDs.

I like having uncompressed audio quality, and a case with artwork, lyrics, liner notes etc. sitting on my shelf.

broken_bass_bin

Buy? Can someone please define this word for me?

dowloading is my only option,cause they don't sell my favorite stuff here where i live,i feel bad about it sometimes nevertheless,i remember reading a blog by an artist i was going to download his stuff,in which he had pointed the fact out that the record label of his album was about to get bankrupt because of the pirating,.i downloaded the album anyway but it left a bad impression on me.

VaguelyTagged

I believe the record label era is about to end. You see, the bad thing about "illegal" mp3 downloads is that musicians will no longer be able to make a living from record sales, but, at the same time, digital recording is taking over and getting cheaper and cheaper. Nowadays, pretty much anyone who's tech savvy enough to have a blog should also be able to handle DAW software and plug ins. And, once you have your DAW software, you have a bunch of options and a lot of freedom, and those options range from relatively expensive to almost free; all of them will provide excellent results. You can buy some mics for your drums, you can trigger them, you can use electronic drum sets, or you can just do the MIDI file yourself. If mixed properly, only audiophiles will be able to tell the difference, and most of them won't care, as long as the songwriting is strong. Hell, nowadays, guitar players don't even have to spend thousands of dollars on amps and pedals, there are emulators that do a surprisingly good job! And yes, those are "fake" drums and emulated guitar gear.

Of course, making money off your music requires more creativity now. Merchandise, live shows and even an option for those who want a physical copy of your music (vinyl seems to be the preferred format for some) can help with that

Buy? Can someone please define this word for me?

Crimtmp

I buy Cd's used mostly and then rip them to my PC, love my newbury Comics, and having the original artwork and cd

[QUOTE="Crimtmp"]

Buy? Can someone please define this word for me?

DmadFearmonger

Then a crook I am.

I'll buy music for an artist that I really like and support, but I ain't gonna pay **** for music I just casually listen to.

I am gonna buy Detox day one though.

I buy physical copies most of the time but some of the music is hard to get so i just buy it digitally.

lol at ppl who actually buy their music...

[QUOTE="Crimtmp"]

Buy? Can someone please define this word for me?

DmadFearmonger