[
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2008, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]
98.173.237.112
In Reply to: RE: Worth more than iTunes? posted by benie on March 10, 2008 at 21:24:45
I don't do downloads either; I like the totality of the physical object, and I am not interested in compressed formats. I do need to correct a misconception about the costs of downloads vs. physical cds. At the small level I (and most of the others in this field) operate, the cost of the physical cd is around $1.00 per copy (as retail in-store sales make up a decreasingly small part of the market, fancy packaging is a luxury most people can't afford.) For a major label it must be far less. Of course there are costs involved in storing and transporting the physical object, but most of them are borne by the purchaser (shipping and handling surcharges, etc.)
From what I can determine, anyone who wants the music I release will purchase either the cd or a download, but not both. In the pop field impulse purchases of single songs are probably an important revenue stream, but I doubt it is so for me. Given the the usual 1,000 copy cd press run, factor in the 100-200 promo copies given away (mostly review and d.j. copies) given away, my cost per cd is on average is $6.00 per copy. Maybe "indie" "lo-fi" bands putting out their own homemade recordings have almost no (direct) costs to create downloads. I deal with highly accomplished jazz musicians who expect to get paid; renting a first-class studio and employing gifted engineers, even for one day, costs real money. Then there is mastering, art work and promotion. Downloads compete with my cd sales; most online outlets I have for the physical cd pay me twice what downloads pay, yet the download is only about $1.00 cheaper for me to produce.
When you are outside the commercial mainstream, either as an artist, a producer, or an audience member you must reject the consumerist perspective. The value you receive for purchasing some music must extend beyond economic calculation to include the value the music makes in your life and must include supporting the costs of keeping that music viable. I pay for my productions by working as a waiter. Many truly great musicians get by on day jobs. I don't think it is too much to ask the audience to make some minimal sacrifices to support art that matters to them.
Follow Ups:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2008, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]