bigOfeature

Well, there goes the need to continue manufacturing and/or selling cd players which will soon make them obsolete. So, I assume all those cd’s I’ve bought and collected over the years will also become useless. After all, how would I play them? Another ploy in the music industry’s plan to rule the world…

By Tom Billings on Nov 1, 2011

It’s called evolution folks deal with it.

By Tim Martin on Nov 1, 2011

Time for a truly lossless media player. Guess eventually we’ll all have nanotechnology implants at birth and everything will be streamed on demand.

By NAMoosedog on Nov 1, 2011

Having spent much of my life working in record stores, I can’t help but feel sad to a certain extent, even though I understand the need for progress. This will certainly be the death knell for any music retailers that have managed to exist up until this point. The upside is convenience. The downside is the compromise of the quality of tangibles, aesthetics and, most importantly, sound.
Music will now become a disposable medium, with the printed word following closely. I can think of a thousand things that should go the way of the dinosaurs other than books and records.

By Tom L. on Nov 1, 2011

They sell us downloads of inferior sound quality. They don’t include liner notes. Nothing but a front cover. The music companies have gotten rid of bands in favor of pop stars and studio musicians. iTunes charges as much for an album download as I used to pay for a physical cd. Now they say it costs too much to store the product in a warehouse. So who is making the money when you get rid of everyone involved in the process?

I used to by records. I used to buy cds. I used to have an income. I used to not bitch so much.

By sking on Nov 1, 2011

i need something physical to stimulate my other senses. usually this works best by vinyl.
can´t deal with virtual music that much.
save vinyl!!

By peter on Nov 1, 2011

Seems to be the death knell for the whole album format. Soon only songs will be released. No need to release music 50 minutes at a time.

Damn shame…

By john on Nov 1, 2011

Being a bit on the old side I can remember 8 track, vynly and cassettes as well as other non runners such as mini disc. When each of them started to dissapear there was the usuall uproar but as good people do we adjusted and got used to the medium.
I do think that maybe somewhere allong the line we are missing the main point and that is its not the medium that counts but the music. Long live a vibrant and varied music scene and if downloading is the best way for me in france to listen to something new and interesting from say Australia then so be it.

By abramson on Nov 1, 2011

Well, as you said, it makes sense. But it is a shame. I still like to buy cds, when is something I really dig…Cds will become like a piece of the past. I felt that when I began to see in second hand record stores, back at the end of the 80s, the lps began to lose ground, and the CD took over. By the middle of 1993, those stores, where I bought lps I now consider gems (Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Deep Purple, Utopia…)did not sell them at all. All around were cds, cds, and cds…It is ironic to say, that LPs are coming back -like a revenge- and the Cds will be buried for good. Life is strange sometimes, dont you think?

Sometimes I play a CD when I want to play it easy and the music to be part of the background noise. When I want to HEAR something with attention, I play the old LP. Genesis`”The Lamb lies down on Broadway” or Steely Dan`s “Aja” are a couple of good examples. I got them both in CD and LP formats. I always prefer the ritual of playing the record on the turnable when it is worth….

By Alberto Boschini on Nov 1, 2011

In one single line, I will express my feelings about this mesure: I DONT LIKE IT. Period. I prefer to go to a store and buy physically the recording, no matter if it is a CD or a LP. Simple and straight.

By Alberto Boschini on Nov 1, 2011

well that sucks. i for one prefer cd’s and still won’t buy an mp3 cause they’re inferior. i continue to download mp3’s cause they’re free and convenient, if you have an mp3 player.

in b’ham, al we don’t really have any record stores left except two independent ones. all that is left is best buy or walmart. it’s sad and been that way for years.

the problem is lp’s aren’t really cheap anymore, unless you find them at a flea market and are lucky the lp is in good shape and cheap. if you see a nice blue note jazz lp, johnny cash, dylan, or pink floyd in good shape, it’s cheaper to buy it on cd. lp’s have just gotten more collectable and expensive. it’s not like it was when i was growing up. you could buy new lp’s when they came out half the price of a cd.

i still think some smaller artists will release their stuff on smaller labels cause they tour and most fans don’t like the idea of buying a download card to take home with them. i know i don’t.

thanks,
ed

By Ed Saad on Nov 1, 2011

This is sad news, because so much of what you discover about an artists comes from the physical presentation of the music. When the Beatles music came to iTunes it was hearlded as a necessary step for their music to last into the new century. But the artwork, attention to detail, charting of session musicians and lyrics in one package would fall victim to this thinking. The eventual phasing out of CDs will not mean lower download prices. Instead, it will remove the physical competition keeping downloads low and increase emphasis on sites like Spotify and Pandora, where the music conforms to you. A sad day for artistic presentation and discovery when it happens.

By Tony on Nov 1, 2011

Truly sad news, if true. I believe it will truly hurt artist music sales in the future. The future of browsing a store in search of one cd/album always lead to buying one or more others…just because there was something that interested you on that album cover or jewel box. Yes, the times are a changing. Too bad the artists and fans will suffer.

By Jerry on Nov 1, 2011

I like the portability of MP3s and the convenience of CDs. But more than anything I love the panorama of information I get from packaging. When bands I like started putting albums out only on CD and not on vinyl, it felt odd not having each new album filed alongside its brothers. Ultimately, if I love something, I want to be able to touch it. That’s how I grew up — I heard a song I liked, I wanted to go to the store, pick it up with my hands and take it home.

By wardo on Nov 1, 2011

Revolution times…

By Rochacrimson on Nov 1, 2011

let`s see..I have the same release of some recordings now on 33 rpm lps..cassette tapes, eight track tapes , and cds..I guess there is some nefarious need by the companies to milk me again..
can`t wait.

By sluggo on Nov 1, 2011

Just another one of my favorite things being “obsoleted”. Loved the days of cracking open a new album, putting on the turntable, and listening to the music while reading the liner notes. CD’s came along and that was ok; sound quality was a little “less” but it sounded as good the 99th time played it as it did the first …. and because of the “booklet” format the liner notes were expanded. So bummed.

By Rico on Nov 1, 2011

I agree with Tim. It’s evolution. We’ve gone from 78’s, 10″ records, 12″ records, 45s, 8-track, cassettes, CDs, etc. The large companies are trying to find a way to hold control of a market that is changing fast. If it doesn’t work for the artist we’ll find them selling their CDs on CD Baby or other venues.

By Cowgill on Nov 1, 2011

What’s a cd?

By Craig on Nov 1, 2011

as spike milligan said,what are we gonna do now?

By paul on Nov 1, 2011

wow - i did not hear about this! really?

so much for being able to touch the music.

I-)

By I-) on Nov 2, 2011

“perhaps the real scenario will be that independent CD releases will continue”

Yes this is what will happen , it’s about all I buy anyway . Used CD stores are going to be in high cotton .

By bruce on Nov 2, 2011

Doing what is convenient for the major labels and sticking music lovers with inferior quality downloads instead of a CD, for nearly the same price, is not “progress.” It does not please the collectors among us, who would prefer a CD with all the packaging/photos/liner notes. Downloads are fine for those who think in terms of singles rather than in terms of albums. And for those whose ears cannot detect the inferior sound quality of downloads compared with CDs (try listening to classical music as a download and see if you enjoy it). But those of us who like to support the artists by buying their CDs would like it if CDs remain available. And what good is it to have a CD player in your car if they quit making CDs? I have no intention of getting an iPod.

“Normal CDs will no longer be available because they don’t offer enough value”

Enough value for whom?

It’s bad enough all the record stores are gone. Now the physical product they sold has to go away as well, just to ramp up the profits of the major record labels? So they can sell you less for more? At least when they replaced LPs and cassettes with CDs, the format change was considered by many an improvement. Now they want to replace something with nothing. If they do that, I will stop buying music and live with what I have. What is the point of being a record label if you have no physical product to sell? Keep the CDs and get rid of the major labels instead.

By aking on Nov 2, 2011

I too will miss the joy of browsing through CDs at a ‘record’ store. But face it, it changed forever when LPs became obsolete. I miss the days when Mom would drop my brother and I off at NMain Records while she did errands and we would browse for hours just to combine our money for one LP. CD covers never could have the same ‘browsing’ appeal as a record cover. This is why I prefer BigO to sites where I search for artists. Big O puts stuff out that I might not think to look for…

By steve22 on Nov 2, 2011

I am one that has always enjoyed the packaging that music came in. It made for a much more total listening experience. I loved buying a new album, or later a CD, and then coming home putting it on the player and listening while pouring through the package, reading everything. Then there was the fun of seeing if any secret messages were hidden in the cover. It was a special way for the artist to connect with and communicate to the fan. Gonna miss that.

By Dick Cole on Nov 2, 2011

I’ve always enjoyed the artwork and artist information that comes with an album or CD. The initial, knee-jerk concern I have about this proposal, is the lack of permanence of the world’s music if it all gradually becomes a floating fog of bits and bytes out there in the cloud.

By James on Nov 2, 2011

This saddens me. I love reading liner notes and playing high sound quality music on my home stereo. I don’t hate downloads but I love my CD’s.

By Phil Brickey on Nov 2, 2011

Things change, but not necessarily for the worst scenario. You’ll have to go to websites like allmusic.com to find artist information and reviews for all LP and CD releases. If you’re lucky, you may even see a small picture of an obscure collector’s item if it is available. What you won’t have is an album cover to balance on your knees when you separate seeds and stems from your stash. At least that is what I have heard since I have no personal experience burning holes in my shirt while driving.

By George Emerick Martini on Nov 2, 2011

Having been a collector of music since the 70’s.I hate to see physical product go away. I have several 1000 cd’s, lp’s and tapes.More than enough to last me the rest of my life.After cd’s go extinct I can catch up on the music I have bought but never had time to listen to.Time to buy a extra cd player as back-up.Can’t stop progress.

By Bill H. on Nov 2, 2011

who will want to pay for music now? they will lose money hand over fist

By Liam NSW on Nov 2, 2011

George Martini- They don’t give you seeds & stems anymore. They didn’t want you making a copy. Besides it was taking up room in the warehouse.

By sking on Nov 2, 2011

I always enjoyed putting the record on the turntable and sitting down to read the liner notes; admire the art work and see where the record was recorded and who the producer was. I never liked the sound of the first CD’s but eventually the sound got better and I ended up getting a CD player. Now the CD’s are being replaced by digital. I’m not an IPod kind of guy but eventually I see myself getting a digital music player so i can buy the Rolling Stones and Beatles back catalog for the umteenth time in digital. You cannot stop progress but sometimes I wonder how much of it is just the big record companies scamming us to increase their profit margin.

By Mackster on Nov 2, 2011

Yes downloads are of inferior quality. I still want a physical product you can hold in your hand.

By Nick on Nov 2, 2011

I still miss lp’s, in a way… those big covers, the lyrics, the graphics, the smell even… I bought a lot of cds, got used to them, almost got to love ‘em… and now, another massive change… I know it’s progress but… And I’ve done some iTunes downloads, they’re fine… but I’d rather stick to something physical and with great sound quality, definitely.

By frank capra on Nov 2, 2011

At the end of the day, every time a new format is introduced music lovers have to invest in new machinery in order to play their music. I can remember moving from my original Dansette mono record player to stereo so that I could experience the ‘full effect’. Then cassettes became the in thing, 8 track, CD and now soon something that is intangible.
What about the people who are not techno and the term ‘download/stream-only releases via iTunes’ may as well be written in a foreign language – how are they going to listen to the music?
This is a change for the worse I’m sure.

By Daij on Nov 2, 2011

It’s all about developing new habits - and there are plenty of enterprising folks who will fill in the void (CD covers, artist info etc.) as we shed the old ones. Not much sense in lamenting the “good ol’ days.”

By tajackson on Nov 2, 2011

In my younger days I used to spend hours in record shops, listen to LP`s, studying the covers and lyric sheets. Later it was the same thing with the CD`s. I like physical albums, and I think it is a pity if the music industry realizes their plans, but if they do so I`ll learn to get along with it.

By johnny82853 on Nov 2, 2011

Marketing. Free trade. Took the industry long enough to embrace download mentality.

By Jeff on Nov 2, 2011

Worlds falling apart left and right these days….chalk up another one biting the dust

By dogtears on Nov 2, 2011

Hello BIG-O,
This news story is the just a continuation of the GREAT ROCK & ROLL SWINDLE.
As a retailer, I can’t see why the Record Companies won’t consider making LESSER amounts of stock CD’s and emphasizing the CD Single, Limited Editions and Vinyl; both colored and splits. This would maximize the profit and continue with providing selection for the consumer. Oh wait, I forgot, we’re dealing with GREEDY BASTARDS. They’ve cut their own employment rolls to maximize profit and provided us with their Saviour; Justin Beiber!!! Now 21 cent cd’s are obsolete. How wicked sad-
Records are more alive than ever and MP3’s pale comparison to the sound of quality wax. A compressed FLAC file “stuffed” would end up sounding a LOT better. [and take up less bandwidth] There are MANY Big-O files I’ve passed because of the mp3 format. I do appreciate both the forum BIG-O provides as well as the music. I could go on about this forever but the answer seems to have been satisfied to some degree. I don’t know that GREED, AVARICE and SLOTH can be tolerated much longer by the Majors.

By John McNea on Nov 2, 2011

This is the last generation that wants to buy things and have them in hand. We used to want to read a book, now we read everything on a device. We used to want to put music on a stereo and listen to how it sounded and hold that record in our hands, to feel it, to know it was ours. And now we don’t want any of this stuff. I know I’ll always want that and it doesn’t make me a luddite — I just want to HAVE the things I buy, not see them on a list on a computer screen. The difference between owning the new Tom Waits Deluxe Edition is huge compared to if I had just downloaded it — that enjoyment, that small rush from unwrapping and holding the new album was so much better than when I downloaded something else a few minutes earlier.

And this isn’t even touching on the economic issue: not having an in-person middle man is devastating to the economy: no one has to sell you that CD and clean that store and stock and return and do inventory. That’s a lot of jobs the world over — even at a place like Target, which has a few CDs, that’s just another job they won’t need to fill.

By Brian Fairbanks on Nov 3, 2011

Having grown up with vinyl (along with 8-track, cassette tapes, reel-to-reel and now CDs), I tend to buy mostly on-line. However, local aspiring artists often prefer the CD format as it gives them more exposure and they can sell them easily at gigs

By Graham on Nov 3, 2011

IT’S A SHAME ABOUT CD’S & THE WHOLE MUSIC SCENE
IN GENERAL! THERE’S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PHYSICALLY HOLDING THE CD IN YOUR HAND. HAVING THAT HARD COPY ON YOUR SHELF WHEN NEEDED.
STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPEN THOUGH, LOOK AT THE RETURN OF LP’S FOR EXAMPLE.

JUST A CRYIN SHAME!

By richie on Nov 3, 2011

I will NEVER own an Ipod or any such device. I will spend the rest of my days enjoying the music that i already have and maybe even discover music of generations before me via LPs bought at flea markets and antique shops. I will continue to go see live shows and buy cds at the swag tables of bar bands. There will only be mass produced ad jingle friendly music made once the music shop and the packaged music album disappear. HELL, most of what i hear now sucks anyway and has for a long while. WOW !! I sound like my dad now or at least what i remember him sounding like back when i was playing records too loud and lovin’ it. Unfortunately, I think this will mean never having anyone produce anything as important as Dark Side of the Moon or Days of Future Past ect. again because there will be a generation that grows up and not see the need to make that kind of statement or paint that kind of sonic tapestry. Thank God I have been alive in a time when masterpieces were still produced !!! Guess i”ll spend my cd money on some good beer instead, ROCK ON Y’all !!

By Steve on Nov 3, 2011

Progress?
It is not progress if the product degenerates. It is not progress if the product deteriorates. It is not progress if we end up with recording of lower definition and are slaves to the dreaded iTunes (am I the only human being who refuses to touch iTunes, even if a very long bargepole were available?)
This is all about some greedy, money-grubbing scum trying to maximise their profits.
I wonder if I can arrange a Viking funeralk for myself on a pyre built with my vinyl and CD collection?

By tony on Nov 3, 2011

This old dinosaur can’t bear to part with his vinyl, let alone the CD’s he’s purchased. I still buy vinyl and CD’s, but I am now also purchsing music online and streaming music.

My bias is toward the physical product because of the artwork, credits, liner notes and other ephemera. I have a deeper connection to the music I have physically.

Of course, most people have made the switch and are buying all of their music online, or ripping their collection onto their computers, then selling the physical product, so it makes business sense to do away with products deemed obsolete.

I will continue to purchase music online while still visiting whatever music stores are still open to purchse new and/or used vinyl and CD’s. And I will still burn the albums I’ve purchased online to CD’s, just in case.

By Bremble on Nov 3, 2011

I still miss vinyl! What happens to liner notes,artworks, lyrics, all the stuff that made buying music fun?

By Ken on Nov 3, 2011

I remember, as a kid, the pure excitement of going into Chicago with my folks and being allowed to spend 2 hours in Rose Records while my parents hit Marshall Fields. When I moved to NYC, I used to walk to Tower Records with my young son on my back. Now, living in PHX, I visit Revolver Records with my daughter, where I always get the trivia question and get a free $1 used disc. I love record stores! I also realize that technology changes and improves all our lives. I have been transferring all my LP’s to digital mp3 format for a little over 2 years in anticipation of this very future. While I still love spinning discs, vinyl and plastic, there is nothing left to lose, to quote Dave Grohl. Except, for me anyway, the experience. Oh yeah, and the artwork.

By Johnny Kinkdom on Nov 4, 2011

i dont like this at all. not at all. im hoping this is just an idea and not written in stone. think about all those without computers or older folks who havent gotten to the point where they will connect to the net with high speed or into an area where they have that ability. many ppl dont have internet abilities. some are blind but can listen to music. why make their lives harder? yeah stores are essentially gone or going away now but to make cds something that u can buy as used or only at flea mkts or yard sales etc is a sad thing. this will not help bootleg or pirating at all. it will make it worse. ppl will have a hard time knowing if what theyre getting is official or unofficial. sharing will become more rampant than ever before. im not saying its not now but if u say its x now it will be 1000 times x when this comes to pass. if it really does happen that is. cds havent really been around that long. what..30 yrs? i didnt bother with them til 89 and i was a hold out. i held onto lps and cassettes longer than most. i will hold onto cds for a long time. however i havent actually bought an official cd in a long time either. i burn my own. i still have a hard time dealing with the loss of lps.
if they do this with cds.. the outcry will be enormous and i dont think the public will accept it. ill continue to dl the way i have been. the industry will suffer like it has never known suffering before. mark my word. we need new leaders to follow and guide us…well the ones among us who dont know what to do to make those who are running the show do the right things by us. the suits. know what i mean? we need to bring back the 60s and early 70s. its time for a revolution people. oh whats the difference.. none of yall are reading this anyway. im surprised anyone knows how to read anymore anyway.

By darth on Nov 4, 2011

Technology being what it is… I can see the migration to online downloads and streaming media only. Unfortunately, true, it will cut out the “materialness” of the music experience… no more booklets, cool art, jewel cases and physical worth. I have many limited cd editions from Euro/Japan, obscure, out of print, rare boots etc. that will be obsolete… No one in the industry seems to care that they have taken most record/cd stores out of business. For artists, downloads will be like voting machines, you give the keys to the king (Itunes) to handle and hope the accounting is straight so you can eat … sad really. I have amassed lots of “downloads” legal or otherwise. I would still prefer something to have and to hold till death do us part…

By Woodstock on Nov 4, 2011

Since this is something like the fourth format transition I’ve lived through, it’s hard to get too worked up about it. I’m not crazy about lots of changes involved in getting old, but it seems to be part of the deal.

I’m hoping that an industry structured around downloads will give artists more viable alternative paths to function and even make a living than being forced to deal with the megacompanies if they want to. That will make worldwide superstars a much rarer occurrence, but it shouldn’t drive any of those artists out of the business and may allow more of the lower (commercial) tier artists to stay active.

As annoying as some of tech changes may be, I LIKE the fact that a music collection that would have required a station wagon to carry when I was in my 20’s now goes into my shirt pocket. As far as playing CD’s, as long as PC disc drives continue to read them (and how expensive is it to maintain that functionality?) they’ll continue to work. They shouldn’t go obsolete any quicker than vinyl has and we can still play that.

By dr on Nov 4, 2011

Personally I perfer Albums followed by CD’s

My reason is this I had a drive crash and lost my Itunes library. Also my backup was bad.

While Apple did restore my library. I lost a lot of limited releases because Apple no longer had them available for download.

I have a two car garage at home 3 walls are lined with albums some that I had since I was a kid 30 years ago. A lot of them came from friends who moved or got out of albums.

Short of a fire that music (most of it not on CD) will be here its more permanent

By Keith on Nov 5, 2011

If the CD goes the way of the 8 track, I see a void left. A sound file is not tangible. It lacks permanence. It cannot be autographed. It can even be formatted to self destruct after a predetermined amount of plays.

While I figured that CD would be a supported format as long as data was transferred, thumb drives are more practical. My biggest complaint is that CD’s/external drives/I pod break. This would result in lost music.

When all is said and done, it was hard enough to try to clean a bag on the front of a CD case… ’nuff said!

By Kevin on Nov 5, 2011

To start with, announcements by so-called major music labels are increasingly irrelevant. The evolution of music to non-physical formats is an occasion to be celebrated (although it really happened several years ago). It is an era when music is more accessible and diverse than ever. I gleefully look forward to the final demise of these former monopolist “major label” companies and toward a brighter day when their opportunities to rip people off will just a distant memory.

By zaar locust on Nov 5, 2011

I don’t think that stores that sell hard copies of music will fade away. There will always be the need for somewhere to go to buy music, just as theaters didn’t disappear when other forms of watching film surfaced. Who’d have guessed that LPs would make a comeback? Part of buying music is a social thing - just like going to see a movie - and that’s not going to go away.

By Dave on Nov 5, 2011

RIP CD & LP

By Matt on Nov 5, 2011

The CD format was forced upon the retailers and the public in the late 80s. When open source digital technology took control away from the labels, they got their comeuppance.

I don’t buy mainstream music, so it doesn’t matter much to me. The independent artists I follow will likely continue to produce physical copies in fun, micro-release quantities, and I’ll buy them.

In the early 20th century General Motors bought up cable car companies and shut them down–now you need to buy a car, don’t you? The major labels are doing the same thing–ensuring their revenue stream.

By kingpossum on Nov 6, 2011

Maybe i’m just cheap or old but I don’t see that much difference between the quality of mp3s and regular cds. The majors etc. have continued to raise prices over the years and have outpriced themselves. I can do mp3s forever and be happy. Then again won’t that mean that if a store sells used cds they will be worth more???

By phil winans on Nov 6, 2011

I enjoyed all the particulars frank capra mentioned.Gatefold albums were perfect for the ‘cleaning’ process as well,although with Leon Russell’s ‘Leon Live’this could be a might tricky..
The smells? I remember The Millenium’s ‘Begin’ (see Curt Boettcher) had a particular aroma somewhat like dipped in cologne/perfume.Odd that.

By matt_the_cat on Nov 6, 2011

This just shows us how truly great BigO is!

The ablilty to download a title and share it has been a benefit of the new technology available today. Embrace it and hold on to your “old” lp’s, 8 tracks, cassettes, and cd’s. Players for these things will always be available if you’re willing to look for them.

Cheers, BigO…

By TDC on Nov 7, 2011

People must fight this - it’s what the public want that matters, not what the big corporations decide is right for us (hey - I’m an idealist!).

I also love the physicality of CDs and the fact that they generally survive a disk crash / lost mp3 player.

By AlanK on Nov 8, 2011

This, in a strange way may be what the independents need. They have had a tough time of it trying to stay afloat when faced with the chains. BUT when the chains go?
People will continue demand the physical product for many years to come and they will need to go to the independents to get it.
If you want new music you really need to go to the specialist indepents anyway.

By sebrof on Nov 8, 2011

I grew up working in retail music stores & then for a short time, one of the major labels. An hour killed in a record store was a great escape from life’s pressure. It was the facebook for the past generation, where you met up with your friends, or picked up a new girl for Saturday night. Seeing the retail outlet, a true social meeting place go away with the death of the cd is very, very sad.

By Gary on Nov 8, 2011

I better get copying!
I like CDs I must say.

By Peter Nixon on Nov 8, 2011

I sure hope this doesn’t come to pass, as many people still don’t have computers, iPods, mp3 players, etc; and what about being able to borrow cds from libraries?

By Ken Weber on Nov 8, 2011

I wanted la-la to stay in business.

By jeff mendenhall on Nov 9, 2011

This is nothing new. How do you think I play my 8-Track tapes?

By Ron on Nov 10, 2011

Who could possibly trust this industry? You know, the same one that opposed the cassette recorder. And why would anyone want something tangible when you can have an electronic file that could “disappear”?

By John Velner on Nov 10, 2011

Of COURSE they will abandon CDs… No plants to press discs or inventory to keep or ship; being able to charge the public almost as much as they do for a “physical item” as they can for the digital equivalent…

Once the wolves decided how to split up the pie among themselves & squeeze everyone else out this was going to happen ASAP. So now CDs will go the way of vinyl before it; as a niche collector item

By Jeff B on Nov 10, 2011

As a reviewer for several music magaziens and website I have become used to this from of distrubition for several years now. In itself I don´t have any problemns with this; it is fast and cheap and easy. There is however one drawback: the cd-booklet which is often missing or very difficult to print out. I see a tendency that I only get the download and then have to go to the website of the artist (or worse, the record company) to try to get some relevant information. Please, please, please, do not abandon the cd booklets! I have no problems if they are downloads too but keep making them with info and song texts.

By Andre on Nov 11, 2011

This makes me sad. Althought the music sounds just as good in whatever format, a physical copy allows for such things as cover art and (especially) liner notes that add immeasurably to the experiance of owning an album. Maybe I’m just showing my age, but having a physical copy also reinforces the idea that I own a copy of this work; the same holds true for books.

By MrBill on Nov 12, 2011

Sorry, I do not want to see CD’s go away. Although it certainly isn’t a 12″ LP, I enjoy the CD format. It is somewhat portable and when part of a collection of music, it - hopefully - reflects the order that the artist wants the songs to be heard in

By D.G. on Nov 12, 2011

The resurgence of vinyl has been fun (if expensive), doing A-B comparisons of new artists’ l.p.s and CDs, replacing some beat-up, played out copies of classic albums from my collection, and giving them as gifts (I’ve probably bought a dozen copies of Abbey Road the past five years).
But with the raw material getting scarce and pricey, sadly, vinyl’s return is going to be short-lived. How long do you think people will pay ever-rising prices for vinyl once petroleum goes, and stays over $100/barrel?
I’ll certainly miss l.p.s and 45s; I did last time, too. Until they find a viable alternative to PVC, though, they’ll be gone again, soon.
CDs also take a lot of raw material, and there are reasonable environmental reasons not to buy them. But I’m old fashioned and like having a physical copy of my music. I buy downloads, but also buy tons of CDRs and burn those downloads to them. The MP3 player is handy in the car, but won’t play as loud as the CD player when it’s top-down weather.
And as much as I love my MP3 player, I will never get used to the compressed, limited fidelity sound. I grew up with high-end stereo and digital downloads will never sound as good.
I see vinyl and, ultimately, the CD becoming what reel-to-reel has become, cripplingly expensive and of very limited availability, and probably sooner than later. What a shame.

By wylie prybar on Nov 12, 2011

I taught high school for many years and watched as a couple generations of young people migrated from vinyl/tape to cd to mp3s. I watched as those same generations went from truly loving music, truly seeing it as a cultural force and the very soundtrack to the movies that were their lives to something that was too often little more than background noise at a party or something to fill the space between your ears while you watched a TV screen as you worked out on a treadmill. Too bad really…but in the end this situation is ultimately at least in part the fault of the very people who complain about it, isn’t it?

By Jim Shelley on Nov 13, 2011

I’m fine with CD’s. Apart from regular CD’s, audiophile Super Audio CD’s were (and still are in the rare titles available) an excellent option to get really amazing sound. It’s sad CD’s are dying. By the way, do you think you can comb yourself with the help of an mp3?

By Lobo on Nov 13, 2011

I’m pretty sure CDs won’t go for good. You will still be able to purchase cheap compilations in electronics stores or super markets. No one will be tempted to purchase digital music in a store, but a nicely packaged CD or Box Set will always do the trick.
Also, Record labels will bundle their latest CDs with DVDs, concert tickets, making ofs or other merchandise for the hardcore fan.

I can’t deny, though, that I haven’t seen Music cassettes or MC player anywhere in recent years.

By Thomas on Nov 15, 2011

I would still prefer that they offer both choices for us, some of us unfortunately live in places (like Macau) were you still can’t have music downloads via Itunes. Furthermore, like someone mentioned, the cd always offers something additional rather than a songs only and as far as i know sometimes the quality of some digital only releases leaves things to be desired. Offering both choices would be better… and offer some jobs too

By Sam on Nov 15, 2011

I like music, so as long as musicians keep making music I will be happy. That said, I find that a feel a stronger connection with a band when I buy physical product and the sound quality is better than an MP3. Frankly, when it comes to the major labels, there’s not a whole lot I want to buy in any format, except for catalog stuff. Along with indie labels, I suspect the grand reissue producers like Numero Group, Light In The Attic, Hip-O, etc. will continue to produce well-packaged physical product. A final thought: whither recorded opera? It’s pretty tough to download 3 or 4 hours of Wagner with no libretto, synopses, etc., to orient you to what’s going on. I’d like to hear that the classical labels are going to address this with better digital booklets, etc.

By Jeremy Shatan on Nov 16, 2011

I miss physical products - fav was PJam’s bootleg records - downloading the MP3’s has never felt the same…

By Alby JNR on Nov 17, 2011

It seems like the end of an era.
I would really miss the physical side of the thing. Going to a cd-store (previously called a record store, remeber the times..?) to browse the collection.
I’m a genuine collector. There’s not much fun in collecting downloads.
I expect that certain cd’s (be it limited editions)will stay available through internet-stores.
It’s a shame, but hey, what can we do about it.
Let’s adapt!

By Leon Geelen on Nov 17, 2011

This means the CD companies completely throw in the towel and capitulate to delivery via the web. I’ll believe it when I see it.

By Randy on Nov 18, 2011

In some ways, Rhapsody, Pandora and XM Radio have supplanted the need for having my own music collection. My new car stereo doesn’t even have a CD player, but I can either use my ipod, a flash drive loaded with music or use a Bluetooth to stream from Rhapsody, Pandora and XM. What I may be losing in terms of sound quality, I am gaining space, flexibility and the ability to have instant access to 100,000s of songs anywhere I go.

By Chainsaw on Nov 20, 2011

This would be very painful for me. As much as I enjoy a download for odds and ends to this day I purchase at least two cds/lps per week. Although I purchase most of my CDs online I try to visit my local shops (survivors) at least a few times a month.
As a former record store owner I really understand people’s need to “browse”. It is as much a social process as it is a purchasing process.

By RondelRio on Nov 21, 2011

How does one get an MP3 signed by a band? That is just one reason I will continue to buy albums via cd or vinyl.

By dirthvader on Nov 23, 2011

If this is true, then I will enjoy what I have… and sites like this. They will never get my money for downloads.

By Eric on Nov 23, 2011

Call me old-fashioned, or maybe out of touch with the cyber-century, but I want to pick up whatever physical medium my music is on (CD, cassette, vinyl, 8-track, whatever) and decide what I want to do - buy it, glom the notes for trivia info, whatever.

Changing over to the mp3 format forces the buyer to take it on trust that the product is good, is what he wants, and can be retained and used. And this is obviously the winner in the race with print media to see which one will complete the total dependence on cyberspace to communicate while making a huge profit on an intangible product.

The upside is, of course, eliminating the need for storage on the consumer/user end. For some people, those who have treated their audio, video, and print media as disposable, this is irrelevant; but for someone like myself who has only recently eliminated vinyl but still has a few hundred as-yet unheard cassettes (buyouts), that could be a seller - but not yet.

By O.B. Dan on Nov 24, 2011

planned obselesence? yes.
cd’s going the way of print media and mainstream LPs? yes
but, but, but(not to sound like a motor boat, but), when the dust settles if we’ve stayed on focus we could end up with less drm and more music. That’d be alright.

By 01 on Nov 29, 2011

I just read “Perfecting Sound Forever” by Greg Milner. The music business has always profited by selling the same product using a new format. The CD was crap (the &^%$# jewel box, small cover, poorly mastered in the early days) but I loved them in 1986. They had a good run. So did 33 1/3 RPM LPs (they’re still selling!) and so did cassettes, 78s, and wax cylinders.

By Eric on Nov 30, 2011

This is a big step toward indentured servitude. The labels will soon own you. You will no longer own the music. You will pay rent to hear each song. Each additional time you want to hear it you’ll pay an additional fee. This is what they want. This is what you get. Suck up to it, sheep. Welcome to the Cloud. The first ones are free …

By stupiddle on Dec 2, 2011

I’ve sold off most of my thousands of CD’s since I wasn’t listening to them much anymore. Only keeping a few hundred of the ones I couldn’t part with. Strange that vinyl is making a comeback when CD’s are on the way out.

By Scott on Dec 3, 2011

well now i still miss big old album art, but not the snap crackle pop. If there is lossless digital recoding then i guess we’ll just have to copy the file to cd format for our old style very expensive stereo systems, or get the latest solid state digital recorder and learn to run it through the stereo–but hey how will it be in two different rooms, and what will you do if the little micro memory get lost with all its files?

By Brian Weir on Dec 5, 2011

This is very sad. Not only will we not have anything physical to hold and peruse through while the CD plays, but thousands of people are going to be out of a job. The only time I ever listen to CD’s is in my car, when I’ve burned some live music to it.

By Gordon on Dec 8, 2011

I’ll always prefer physical formats. I’ll keep burning my mp3s onto CD - I’d rather see the music on the shelf as well as listen to it.

By Mike Hansen on Jan 7, 2012

I will gladly make my own CDs.
Hope I can find nice coverart to go with the music!

By Rijn B on Jan 11, 2012