visine

here you go:

Just got the record Great communication. ....highly recommended!! Thanx a lot!

Here is another thing. Some small labels released CDs exclusivelly from their website...but they charge full prices even though there is no ditribution/middleman Why not pass on some of those savings onto the customer? Maybe they are afraid their product will be deemed less valuable if it costs less then what other people sell it for at places like psyshop or saikosounds.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Offer you CD directly online from your site and bypass the distributor, save money and offer CD's for less money.

Yeah, good point. Traditional distributors have been the main channels for the labels making the labels very dependant of the distributor. Wasn't it Flying distribution bankrupcy that was one of the main reasons so many labels folded like Matsuri, Flying Rhino etc.? One obvious channel would be to offer the CD's on the label's site. Any other ideas?

So how do you think would that lead to more interest in buying?

Interesting...but how would you implement this contry-by-country license? Do you think the industry is ready for this? Sure everyone will think "hell yeah I want the music for free"..but look how many people have free music on their web site as opposed to those that released on so and so label..Do you think that those that offer their music for free will look more "proffesional" in the eyes of the public or the ones that get released on the label? Are those who offer it for free considered amateur/demo scene or the pros? Does public perceive antiscarp to be of comparable qualty and popularity as Twisted records and will antiscarp be a better promotion than being released on Twisted?

Again..very valid insight...you may very well be right...now what do you think the solution is? What kind of reform is needed?

Exactly my thoughts! Added value is probably the key.....the product itself needs to differentiate from free mp3 as much as possible. Adding a free entry to a party would be freakin' awsome...or maybe some kind of coupon that'd say 50% off of the door price for the band's live performance...Excellent idea!!!!

Any ideas what that "tag" or unique thing should be? What would be a cool thing that would make it more individual?

I think that would work as a supplement channel for sales. I'd say this has been done here and there.

I don't think banning anything would help. Piracy is here to stay....but can an artist or a label be more clever and deliver products that people will want to buy more instead of dowloading for free?

Cool...tell us what is it that you like? What makes you say "yes, this release will stay in my collection, I'm not getting rid of it"?

Good idea...but what about the people who don't live close to where particular artists perform? Yeah, I understand and don't dispute that..we are trying to generate ideas on how can we help artists generate revenue for their hard work under assumption that free downloading is here to stay. Can we make that work somehow? yes, I agree. I have no idea about the production costs, but I heard that a lot of money goes to distributors and stores since they mark it up quite a bit.

OK so the price may be an issue for some people. How do you think the artists or labels can save money while putting together their releases and pass on the savings to you?

Good point. Let's hear it then..How can we help the artists? What sort of a business model do you think we need? What will work in your opinion?

Interesting ideas....Would making the CD's more personable help? Something like giving people an option to have them autographed if they want to...or 1 out of 20 CD's sold come with an autograph or something else... any other way to make them more personal?

Re-printing costs may be to much for a small label but your idea still makes sense. How about labels making those rare and hard to find out of print albums available for download in .wav or some other full quality format? Would you buy them that way?

I'll give you $5 to watch you smash it with a sledge hammer

Damn good idea Traveller! Kinda like a subscription service to your favorite label's releases....you commit to buy 10 CD's and they give you a better deal so you save some money per CD...like a volume discount..that'd be cool.

Oh common you're collector ...you buy so much... What makes you buy so much?

You are funny Anyways...as I stated previously the goal is not necesarrily to stop people from downloading but encourage more buying.

I don't think downloading is necasarily always bad, sometimes it is good for a label/artist. What I'm trying to find out is ideas how to make people buy more, not necesarilly stop downloading. Many labels frequent these forums. Maybe we can supply some useful ideas for them and then in return get what we want so everyone benefits.

I know exactly how you feel I order something and than I need to wait like 1-2 weeks in order for them to receive the payment an have it delivered here. Now would you rather pay a few bucks more to have CD's available at your local store or you would prefer online ordering for a bit of less money?

Yes, this is another mp3 debate....but a nice one.. There have been many of fights already... One argument is mp3 are bad because free sharing will not allow labels to survive since they lose money. Secondly, mp3's are good because they serve as a great promotional tools. Now, I have never seen a good solution that will work for everyone. Put yourself in the label's shoes..what would you do in order to survive and give your music exposure it deserves at the same time? Let's hear those ideas..You are the consumer let your voice be heard. What would make you buy instead of download for free?