| The Web abounds in services that offer online music. Some websites charge per digital music download, whereas other services require a monthly fee for a limitless number of downloads. It has been estimated that compact disc sales are declining (19% in the last couple of years), and digital music download sales are quickly growing. Revenues from digital music sales are estimated to have virtually tripled last year, with iTunes by Apple accounting for over 85% of single song downloads. However, this does not mean that Apple is the sole source of digital music. These days, lawful music download sites account for approximately 6% of record studios' revenues, which is an increase compared to the situation two years ago.
Music download sites come in two kinds: 'rent' and 'buy' websites. 'Rent' sites are music services based on a monthly fee paid to have access to the whole music catalog. 'Buy' sites are a pay-per-download service - iTunes, for example - where a track can be burned onto a CD once it is paid for. The CD can then be ripped to the computer. Some digital music sites require a monthly fee for unlimited listening rights, but also charge to purchase a track.
Most online music download websites use the Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. ITunes uses the AAC format. It is crucial to differentiate these two, as Apple iPods cannot play WMA files, and non-iPod devices cannot play the iTunes AAC format. Finding a site to download music from can greatly depend on this simple difference.
Some online music download websites charge 9 cents per track. Also, these sites have songs that can be downloaded in any common audio format and quality. Sometimes music download services are so cheap and user-friendly that many Internet users decide to download tracks from these websites instead of ripping CD collections onto the pc.
For any user downloading music onto an iPod or iTunes, it is probably the optimum solution. For any music not being downloaded onto an iPod, any other source of music will work. When looking for the optimum quality music downloads, one should look for music download services with the largest choice of music that is updated on a regular basis, and superb quality downloads. Commonly, the price directly depends upon quality. In this case, a question arises: Is it worth spending a few extra cents? The answer is typically 'Yes'. |
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