Why do you download MP3s???

Hi all,

I am about to start an essay on Intellictual Property with respect to Peer-to-Peer File Sharing and was thinking that I might start a poll here and maybe a few other places regarding peoples use of MP3s. I have heard that the majority of MP3 downloaders sample what they think they may like and buy the cds depending on how they feel after hearing some of the tracks. I would like to add this kind of information to my essay, however, like all good facts, it's nigh on impossible to prove.

So if you could, please vote above, and leave feedback if you fell it's neccessary. Maybe you could tell other ppl here to vote aswell so I can get a broader sample.

Thanks...

[mjn]

i don't rate MP3's at all, but i will ONLY download rare tracks or live tracks NOT available on CD.

If the music is available on CD, then i'll buy it, rather than download some compressed, low bit rate MP3.

[Lex]

I download new songs (where I have no plans to buy the album)... £3.99 for a CD-Single - they have to joking!

I mostly download old songs that I liked but never bought... I don't really see the harm in that as they are no longer available to buy as singles anyway

I dowload only a few MP3's then burn them to disc for my in car cd player

My mate has literally thousands and he sells albums at a massive profit........personally, id rather buy the real thing though

I download tunes that I can't get hold of in other ways (deleted old stuff, or rarities). I don't normally burn them to disc, though: I just listen while I'm working.

I also download some tracks to see what an album is like before I buy it. That's particularly handy if you're buying an album over the 'net.

And sometimes, I just download random stuff to see if I like it.

If anything, the ability to download music has caused me to spend more on CDs, rather than less.

I download before buying. So may times have I heard a couple of good tracks from an artist, only to go out and buy their album and it's rubbish. Try before you buy. That's my motto.

[tomson]

I usually download a few songs from an album (or the whole album) then decide if if its worth buying - if its good then i'll buy it on CD no matter how high a bitrate the mp3s are. If its crap I just delete it from my hard drive.

[Azrikam]

My MP3 collection is mostly a portable copy of my own CD collection back home. Since I have to move a fair bit, I don't like dragging all my CDs with me, so I just download them when I get to the new location.

I also download rare or out of print songs as well. I've got no qualms about "trying before buying", but I'm not too keen on current music, so I don't find myself doing this much at all.

On a related note, I don't think the music industry is afraid of piracy. They are afraid that people will actually listen to an album before buying it, and realize that most of these mass-produced one-hit-wonder albums aren't worth the money. Sampling is good for bands with talent, but tragic for bands who coast on massive radioplay of 1 or 2 songs.

[Gambit]

I never download MP3's, I think the quality is awful and I don't like to listen to any music that I would listen to at that sample rate. I occasionally rip tracks to my hard drive and send them to friends via MSN, and visa versa, but only as a sampler for something which I intend to buy. Even if I don't like a whole album, I still think it's worth buying CD's as if you look in the right places, you can get them a lot cheaper than the £16.99 highstreet store price.

[TheDufster]

I agree with most of the posts above, but I'm no snob when it comes to the quality. As long as there's no hiss/distortion or obvious quality flaws I am more than happy to listen to MP3s (usually at 128kpbs or above) - it's all about the music for me.

If I can listen to it and enjoy it, that ranks above any bickering about the quality not being the same as CDs etc. etc. etc. :o :o

[Gambit]

Originally posted by TheDufster
I agree with most of the posts above, but I'm no snob when it comes to the quality. As long as there's no hiss/distortion or obvious quality flaws I am more than happy to listen to MP3s (usually at 128kpbs or above) - it's all about the music for me.

If I can listen to it and enjoy it, that ranks above any bickering about the quality not being the same as CDs etc. etc. etc. :o :o

I think it's personal to me, I'm really really anal about the quality. Whislt I don't have the best set up, it is pretty good and I like to get the best out of it. I hate when things are ripped at 128kbps and the trasients sound digitised and you get a cher-like vocal sound. I can wait 2 weeks for the CD to come out, or pay the £9 or less.

1 and 3 for me so it's a shame you didn't make the poll so we can vote for more than one option (can't change it as a Mod either ).

As an example, Gambit sent me some American Hi-Fi tracks over MSN the other day so I could hear what they were like. I immediately ordered both their CDs as they were fab

[Shirker]

I download tracks to replace my old Cassette Tapes

[karkus30]

to listen to before buying, I love to have all the original packaging and want the best sound quality available.......I deserve it

I would be happy to send copies of tracks over MSN, if only I could get the damn thing to work

Router has IT gremlins, way too complex for me to resolve

I never download MP3s. It is US who suffer in the long run as CD prices will go up!