I've seen quite a few threads about the ins and outs of illegal downloading and file sharing and what have you. But I'm not sure if I've seen much discussion about doing it legally and the best way to go about it? Where would I get the best value for money? Is flat-rate the way to go, or does 'per track' work best? Which is the most reliable, user-friendly etc? Am I a sucker even for considering to do this legally?
― Daniel Giraffe (Daniel Giraffe), Monday, 30 January 2006 11:12 (twenty years ago)
I can't help you sorry but I've got a couple of questions to add. What are the rules about playing mp3s you've paid for in a DJ set? Is it simply a case of getting that £200 licence and that's all it is, or are there more hoops to leap through? Remixes too, if you pay for an mp3 and make your own remix out of it is that safe and fine and legal?
― Affectian (Affectian), Monday, 30 January 2006 11:22 (twenty years ago)
Sorry, I can't help you, either. And I've got another couple of questions, too! Is it true that even if you pay your subs to napster, i-tunes or whoever, there's a limit to the number of copies you can make?
― Daniel Giraffe (Daniel Giraffe), Monday, 30 January 2006 11:25 (twenty years ago)
Where would I get the best value for money?allofmp3.com maybe. but the legality remains a hot potato.
Is flat-rate the way to go, or does 'per track' work best?
Most charge per track which I dislike but at least it's (presumably) a good, clear way of indicating the popularity of specific tracks/artists. it depends on your own perception of value/material as commodity whether you prefer to pay one way or the other.
Which is the most reliable, user-friendly etc?
iTunes makes it scarily easy, Bleep's design is superb, eMusic are good (though I've had trouble with their custom Download Manager thing so ditched that). Allofmp3 could be better for this. Not tried Napster.
Am I a sucker even for considering to do this legally?
No more a sucker than if you bought the CDs, if you're just planning to listen to tracks via portable device or on computer with standard sound set-up.
What are the rules about playing mp3s you've paid for in a DJ set?
As far as I can tell, even if you've paid for the files, you have to buy the additional DRM license, which is obv. bullshit.
Remixes too, if you pay for an mp3 and make your own remix out of it is that safe and fine and legal?
Probably treated as the same level of copyright infringement as if you'd done nothing to it. But perhaps too niche for them to really consider/bother with as much.
― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Monday, 30 January 2006 11:34 (twenty years ago)
Thanks Steve. This thread was actually prompted by a special offer in the Independent on Saturday to get free access to napster for a month. I shall definitely check out the ones you've mentioned, though. ta.
― Daniel Giraffe (Daniel Giraffe), Monday, 30 January 2006 11:46 (twenty years ago)
a lot of people here are taking advantage of the napster for a month deal but it fails the Melt Banana test so... i can't get excited about any of these subscription services - in my day we listened to the radio and it was free. (this was back when radio was worth listening to). but being able to pay 79p for, say, the one track off that pixies at the beeb cd that i didn't already have, was handy.
as for buying mp3s i've used tunetribe and chemical records, both of which were fine. tunetribe will charge you 70p if your order is below £3 (which it will be if you only want one single). the one chemical records order for 2 12" singles would've been nearly £13 quid for the actual vinyl (with vat, postage etc) but same four tracks as mp3s were £3. setting up accounts at all these places, because no single place has everything i want, is annoying though. i also still prefer buying cds to mp3s.
― koogs (koogs), Monday, 30 January 2006 12:22 (twenty years ago)
that emusic thing looks ok (you have to hunt around for a link that doesn't take you to free trial registration immediately. it then lets you browse and sample. and they pass the melt banana test) $20 for 90 tracks a month with the top subscription. pity i don't have a credit card.
― koogs (koogs), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 18:30 (twenty years ago)
Just get sattelite radio - I got sirius and its got such a good selection I almost dont even listed to my cds anymore!
You can listen to sirius online free for a month aI think as a trial
― Mr. Latham Green (hanle y 3000), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 19:20 (twenty years ago)