Slashdot Mirror

I'm going to throw this out there, but what are people's opinions about different DRM-free retailers?

I have liked Amazon for their ease of use, but their encodings are usually only 128-bit MP3s. I just found 7music, but haven't tried them yet. AudioLunchBox has nice encoding choices, but their music selection has been greatly limited in my experience. I used to have a subscription at Emusic, but the subscription model does not feed my desires.

I've got a subscription at Audio Lunchbox. For $100 a year, I can download on average 4 or 5 albums a month, which is under $2 per album. Everything is MP3, so you get to keep it when your subscription ends. You can buy songs without a subscription too, but the subscription is significantly cheaper if you buy indie stuff.

They've got a huge catalog, which means there is plenty of good stuff, but it can be hard to find. The editor's picks are a good place to start. When I find a band I like, I usually look at the other bands that are signed to the same label, often there is another band that suits my taste. They also have a "listeners also bought" frame that points you to similar music, but it has a tendency to show popular albums rather than similar albums.

Actually you can easily 100 free:

http://www.google.com/search?q=emusic+100+free

BTW, there is also http://audiolunchbox.com/ if you are not into the subscription plan.

AllofMP3 does nothing but illicitly make available tracks to make a profit. Sure, they claim to pay the Russian equivelant of BMI/ASCAP but that is not enough! To sell digital music you technically need to have the performance rights (a la BMI/ASCAP, etc...) but ALSO have a master agreement with the label. Oh... and you are also usually required to have a separate license for each region you are selling to. Do you think AllofMP3 has all of that in place?

The question implies that DRM stops people releasing unprotected tracks to the Internet for illegal download. But it doesn't. It is a trivial matter to bypass any DRM and extract the content. No ammount of DRM has even slowed illegal downloads, if anything it has added to it. People would rather have a non-DRM copy. If you want to know about an economy without DRM talk to emusic, or Audio Lunch Box. It might not be all the music you are interested in personally, but they have a business model based on non-DRM music downloads.

To defeat the RIAA all you have to do is purchase music at sites that don't support DRM or the RIAA such as:

http://www.audiolunchbox.com/AudioLunchbox
  or
http://www.dreamfreeze.com/DreamFreeze

I'm an Emusic subscriber and love them, but there are LOTS of legal services out there, these days, selling good ol' MP3s (or even FLAC/OGG) with no DRM

• audiolunchbox.com
• mp3tunes.com
• Many record labels like Magnatune and Bleep
• and the somewhat-legal allofmp3.com for the major-label stuff.

We keep a full list of them at cdbaby.net/dd-partners (in 10 languages!). Though that list is meant mainly for our musician clients, it's a good permalink for a constantly-updating list of digital music sellers, with a short description of each.

Eh? Where the hell does iTunes get their music? It's making the record companies suffer? Using iTunes, Google Music, Rhapsody, Yahoo Music, Amazon, et al, supports the miserable music industry. It lets them think you want 'Fair' content that can only have 5 copies of. That's still being treated like a criminal, just with a bigger cell.

Buy DRM-less independent music if you want to be treated fairly.

eMusic Subcription-based, very cheap, a lot of great artists and indie labels (New Pornos, Spoon, Blackalicious, CCR, Thelonius Monk)

BLEEP A-la-carte, most electronic but has a lot of small labels, some stuff in FLAC (Warp records, Ninja Tune, One Little Indian/Bjork)

AudioLunchbox Subscription and a-la-carte, a little pricier than emusic but has some different artists (Death Cab for Cutie, The Sounds)

Calabash Mostly world and folk music (Tinariwen, reggae)

There are more. Hopefully Songbird will make it easier to access them all through a single interface.

Not true at all

320bps VBR MP3s:

http://www.audiolunchbox.com/
http://www.magnatune.com/
http://www.bleep.com/, who sells FLACs as well.

There are more.

Try http://www.audiolunchbox.com/ They offer a variety of plans - either a la carte or subscription with no DRM and they have a huge selection of indie music

If the major labels really want to try an interesting experiment, why not offer the albums on a store like http://www.audiolunchbox.com/ or emusic.com where the users don't feel handcuffed by DRM. Just a thought..

Maybe if they notice the bands I listen to, they will make deals to distribute music from Epitaph and Fat Wreck Chords artists. . . 'cause currently iTunes have almost nothing I want to listen to.

While many have mentioned lots of good serves, I didn't see anyone mention Audio Lunchbox which not only sells mp3s, but also sells you both mp3s and ogg files. Not either BOTH. For 99 cents you can download the song in both mp3 as well as ogg if you want to.

"I've stopped purchasing RIAA encumbered music"

And it seems that is the only way they will learn, or end up on the scrap heap.

While I have been tempted by some new albums I have to refrain from allowing any of my cash to end up in any RIAA pockets. I've been purchasing indy CDs through http://cdbaby.com/ and I purchase music downloads in both MP3 and OGG formats from http://audiolunchbox.com./

I refuse to hand over my hard earned money for a product which robs me of fair use rights.

burnin

Audio Lunchbox

EMusic

Both offer regular old MP3s (and AL offers .ogg). No Britney Spears, but a decent (not perfect, but decent) selection of good music. For less commercial music, there's also Magnatune, but I've not had much success finding stuff I really want there (other people seem to enjoy it, though).

"...isotope soap, isotope soap...
...wash my head, now my brain is dead...

with isotope soap, isotope soap
...wash my ear, couldn't hear for a year...

isotope soap, isotope soap..."
...wash my dick, now my babies are sick

isotope soap, isotope soap..."

For example this one. Granted, the stores that sell MP3s *legally* sell mainly indie music.

On the other hand this may bring a wave of indie bands getting a fairer share by bypassing the big labels. If they succeed, mainstream bands may discover that tying themselves to the big labels may not be as good as they thought, and perhaps they'll figure out how to nullify their contracts.

You can also buy music from stores that sell their music in DRM-Free MP3 and Ogg formats like AudioLunchbox, Mindawn, or MP3Tunes ;)

I buy from Magnatune, Audio Lunchbox or one of the many other sites that sell open, non-DRM music in MP3, OGG Vorbis and FLAC formats.

Why should I buy things from people who don't have respect for me and my wishes as a customer?

No major label will ever again get a single penny from me until they say "screw DRM" and mean it too. If they don't, that's just fine with me. They can just wither and die for all I care.

Solution provided.

You mean I have to use iTunes to get music on my iPod? Really!?!? News to me...

If you want to legally download it you do.

you can get around this by using non-DRM laden mp3 files, but no legitamate on-line stores sells such a thing.

you can get around this by using non-DRM laden mp3 files, but no legitamate on-line stores sells such a thing.

How are they making less money now than with CDs/tapes? they lose all the manufacturing and overhead of a CD, and still make the same profits. BESIDES the issue of people only buying select tracks and not the stinkers, how can they complain?

Kronos...i couldn't agree more. NO DRM is a huge factor in online purchasing of digital music. For me it really comes down to choice and options. The smaller guys like Audio Lunchbox. etc are focusing on catering to what people really want and have the ability to deliver on our demands...

Maybe the smaller platform is the way to go...if i can download OGG and MP3 at the same time for one price with NO DRM...RIGHT ON is correct!

*if you haven't been, check em out: http://audiolunchbox.com/

Sites like http://www.audiolunchbox.com/ Magnatune, eMusic and mp3Tunes are one main reason why this trend is happening. NO DRM, Oggs and sometimes even FLAC - I'd say that is one major reason for the shift. Smaller sites with less mainstream content that let their users actually own the files unrestricted seem to finally be catching on. RIGHTON

Wow, that's news to me. Who knew?

Bleep is great and sets the standard for what other labels should do.

If you're looking for music from other labels, however, I suggest http://audiolunchbox.com/.

While the selection isn't quite as good as iTunes, their catalogue is extensive and the prices are the same ($.99/$9.99). The music has absolutely no DRM and you get both 192 kbps VBR mp3 and Q6 Ogg Vorbis . My only complaint is no lossless formats. Before buying something at iTunes, it's always worth it to check out audiolunchbox first.

I like Audio Lunchbox for a la carte, subscription-free, DRM-free music downloads, complete with artwork.

You can also get entire indy CDs (actual physical media - remember that?) from CD Baby. CD Baby artists may not get the same airplay, but there's a lot of good stuff on there. I highly recommend that you try browsing by flavor.

...I'm an ardent supporter of independent music. My advice would be to seek out an indie label with good distribution and venue connections - if they can help out with CD packaging/reproduction and access to places to play, you're a few steps ahead of the game. Chances are they'll leave the marketing decisions up to your band for the most part, leaving your band in better control.

The smaller labels know that they have to form partnerships with musicians rather than act as parental figures as the large conglomerates do. If you keep each other happy and manage to make enough money to keep both you /and/ the label going, you have a decent shot of making music a career. Plus, you get to make more of your own decisions concerning direction, growth, etc.

Another way to sell your music (in addition to CD Baby) is to work directly with companies like Audio Lunchbox. ALB gives 65% of sales to the artist. They also offer up your music in the non-evil MP3 and Ogg Vorbis (even less evil) formats. You can also plug your band across the internet on various indie and digital music sites. Audio Lunchbox also offers forums for just that purpose as does CD Baby and MP3.com.

iTunes could do precisely zero business without DRM, because nobody in his right mind would sell content on line without some kind of rights protection mechanism to impede the casual pirates.

You mean, like Audio Lunchbox? They sell DRM-free MP3s from a large number of indie labels, who you'd think would have a lot more to lose than the big-guys.

Yes you can. I downloaded the song E.V.A. by Jean Jacques-Perrey at audiolunchbox.com since I couldn't find it at my store or iTunes music store. Also, it put a nail in thecoffin to the "iPod can only play Music Store songs" retarded argument of a colleauge.

first off, it looks like this is STILL some crappy service a la itunes:

"MP3tunes will use a service or tool called 'MP3beamer', which Robertson said would reconcile the need to store music in a centralized file store with the ability to play back the music anywhere, on any device. He declined to comment further."

Store music in a centralized file store? No, thanks. Give me audiolunchbox over an "mp3beamer" any day. I <3 192kbit mp3 downloads where the artists actually get paid.

not to mention that audiolunchbox actually has GOOD artists instead of mainstream drivel...a few I like: Interpol Noise Ratchet The Anniversary .hopesfall. Hot Water Music Grade ...the list goes on and on, and I don't really like a lot of different music. They give you zip file downloads of whole cds, with included cover art...ogg files on a lot of cds...

anyway, something to check out. I'm not a shill for ALB, just a fan.

first off, it looks like this is STILL some crappy service a la itunes:

"MP3tunes will use a service or tool called 'MP3beamer', which Robertson said would reconcile the need to store music in a centralized file store with the ability to play back the music anywhere, on any device. He declined to comment further."

Store music in a centralized file store? No, thanks. Give me audiolunchbox over an "mp3beamer" any day. I <3 192kbit mp3 downloads where the artists actually get paid.

not to mention that audiolunchbox actually has GOOD artists instead of mainstream drivel...a few I like: Interpol Noise Ratchet The Anniversary .hopesfall. Hot Water Music Grade ...the list goes on and on, and I don't really like a lot of different music. They give you zip file downloads of whole cds, with included cover art...ogg files on a lot of cds...

anyway, something to check out. I'm not a shill for ALB, just a fan.

first off, it looks like this is STILL some crappy service a la itunes:

"MP3tunes will use a service or tool called 'MP3beamer', which Robertson said would reconcile the need to store music in a centralized file store with the ability to play back the music anywhere, on any device. He declined to comment further."

Store music in a centralized file store? No, thanks. Give me audiolunchbox over an "mp3beamer" any day. I <3 192kbit mp3 downloads where the artists actually get paid.

not to mention that audiolunchbox actually has GOOD artists instead of mainstream drivel...a few I like: Interpol Noise Ratchet The Anniversary .hopesfall. Hot Water Music Grade ...the list goes on and on, and I don't really like a lot of different music. They give you zip file downloads of whole cds, with included cover art...ogg files on a lot of cds...

anyway, something to check out. I'm not a shill for ALB, just a fan.

first off, it looks like this is STILL some crappy service a la itunes:

"MP3tunes will use a service or tool called 'MP3beamer', which Robertson said would reconcile the need to store music in a centralized file store with the ability to play back the music anywhere, on any device. He declined to comment further."

Store music in a centralized file store? No, thanks. Give me audiolunchbox over an "mp3beamer" any day. I <3 192kbit mp3 downloads where the artists actually get paid.

not to mention that audiolunchbox actually has GOOD artists instead of mainstream drivel...a few I like: Interpol Noise Ratchet The Anniversary .hopesfall. Hot Water Music Grade ...the list goes on and on, and I don't really like a lot of different music. They give you zip file downloads of whole cds, with included cover art...ogg files on a lot of cds...

anyway, something to check out. I'm not a shill for ALB, just a fan.

first off, it looks like this is STILL some crappy service a la itunes:

"MP3tunes will use a service or tool called 'MP3beamer', which Robertson said would reconcile the need to store music in a centralized file store with the ability to play back the music anywhere, on any device. He declined to comment further."

Store music in a centralized file store? No, thanks. Give me audiolunchbox over an "mp3beamer" any day. I <3 192kbit mp3 downloads where the artists actually get paid.

not to mention that audiolunchbox actually has GOOD artists instead of mainstream drivel...a few I like: Interpol Noise Ratchet The Anniversary .hopesfall. Hot Water Music Grade ...the list goes on and on, and I don't really like a lot of different music. They give you zip file downloads of whole cds, with included cover art...ogg files on a lot of cds...

anyway, something to check out. I'm not a shill for ALB, just a fan.

first off, it looks like this is STILL some crappy service a la itunes:

"MP3tunes will use a service or tool called 'MP3beamer', which Robertson said would reconcile the need to store music in a centralized file store with the ability to play back the music anywhere, on any device. He declined to comment further."

Store music in a centralized file store? No, thanks. Give me audiolunchbox over an "mp3beamer" any day. I <3 192kbit mp3 downloads where the artists actually get paid.

not to mention that audiolunchbox actually has GOOD artists instead of mainstream drivel...a few I like: Interpol Noise Ratchet The Anniversary .hopesfall. Hot Water Music Grade ...the list goes on and on, and I don't really like a lot of different music. They give you zip file downloads of whole cds, with included cover art...ogg files on a lot of cds...

anyway, something to check out. I'm not a shill for ALB, just a fan.

first off, it looks like this is STILL some crappy service a la itunes:

"MP3tunes will use a service or tool called 'MP3beamer', which Robertson said would reconcile the need to store music in a centralized file store with the ability to play back the music anywhere, on any device. He declined to comment further."

Store music in a centralized file store? No, thanks. Give me audiolunchbox over an "mp3beamer" any day. I <3 192kbit mp3 downloads where the artists actually get paid.

not to mention that audiolunchbox actually has GOOD artists instead of mainstream drivel...a few I like: Interpol Noise Ratchet The Anniversary .hopesfall. Hot Water Music Grade ...the list goes on and on, and I don't really like a lot of different music. They give you zip file downloads of whole cds, with included cover art...ogg files on a lot of cds...

anyway, something to check out. I'm not a shill for ALB, just a fan.

Audio Lunch Box Here

MP3 and OGG, NO DRM!!!!!

It has been out for a while you know.

Have a good one.

Because we all know there are no drm free music services around that offer legitimate and legal in America music downloads.

Sure, in the rosy colored picture of the world, we'd somehow get uncompressed audio with no DRM

try Audio Lunchbox

not only are they high-quality mp3s and oggs, but they actually have good music that doesn't come from the RIAA.

AllofMP3
eMusic
Magnatune
Warp Records Bleep Store
Audio Lunchbox
I don't speak German so I don't know about this one
Creative Commons has plenty about DRM-free open music sources

Magnatune

Also worth noting: RIAA Radar

• Audio Lunchbox
• Magnatune
• Audioscrobbler
• tokyo dawn records

audiolunchbox.com sells both ogg and mp3 encoded music. So...there you go. Maybe not millions per week (mostly indie labels - not many big ticket players are sold because audiolunchbox will not include DRM in their files...big record companies don't like that), but a significant ammount.

Audiolunchbox.com has lots of great indie artists, sells straight-up MP3s and OGGs, and gives the artists a great deal. http://www.audiolunchbox.com/

Personally, I'd like to see a store that has a 24/7 internet radio station, on-demand streaming, $0.99 downloads

If $0.75+ out of those $0.99 didn't go to record companies, who then use the money to buy lawyers to make sure that things end in tears, I would be a happier bunny. I'd like to see more independent artists and online stores bypass the middle-men for mutual benefit. But that may be wishful thinking...

Or is it? Here's a cool indie music site to cheer you up (including political tracks of the season). Their artists "are given 65% of the end-user sales price". Hope they fix their site images up real soon.

Personally, I'd like to see a store that has a 24/7 internet radio station, on-demand streaming, $0.99 downloads

If $0.75+ out of those $0.99 didn't go to record companies, who then use the money to buy lawyers to make sure that things end in tears, I would be a happier bunny. I'd like to see more independent artists and online stores bypass the middle-men for mutual benefit. But that may be wishful thinking...

Or is it? Here's a cool indie music site to cheer you up (including political tracks of the season). Their artists "are given 65% of the end-user sales price". Hope they fix their site images up real soon.

Audio Lunchbox provides Ogg and album literature, whilst giving artists about 65% of album sales. Looks good, easy to use.