Which music format do you prefer?

[AB Asks]

Warner music has joined forces with a website to make its catalogue of music available to the public without copy protection. The move could represent another step forward in the increasing dominance of downloading songs rather than buying from shops. Now that the digital revolution is in full swing how do you feel about downloading? Do you prefer getting an MP3 album to buying the CD?

[andy-hughes]

It's still CD's for me.

It's an age thing - when I was in my teens, buying an album was important. You went to the shop, found it, bought it, took it home, listened to it, enjoyed it, got to know it, added it to your treasured collection.

the advent of downloading coincides with the cutural shift whereby music is absolutely everywhere - in shops, ads., phones, background.

As such, for an 'oldie' like me, it feels as though people regard music as something to fill the silence, rather than my view, which is it is an art form to be enjoyed properly, with time set aside for it.

I'm not saying listening has to be akin to a religiosu experience, but it has swung so far the other way that music is increasingly disposable and lightweight, and that's a shame.

I will always want a 'physical' manifestation of music I have chosen and paid for - but i accept that the world is changing, and eventually, CD's will be as noveel as shellac 78's.

That's evolution, and I fully accept it, but during my time passing through the wonder of music, I want to see, touch, and enjoy my music as always have.

[Munkeeluvva]

Sadly, since vinyl is no longer forcibly marketed, I'd say MP3 is my format of choice.

[Eastender]

I have to agree with andy-hughes on this one. Perhaps its a age thing, nothing like like buying a CD, getting it and playing it on the Old CD Player. Having the case and the inlay with the info of who wrote the song and who plays what on each track etc. It is like when you bought Vinyl but without that special plastic smell.

[Hellyon]

I agree with Andy regarding any artist or albums I want to listen too, but I do quite like downloading 'pop' songs that takes my fancy as I wouldn't necessarily want an album by the artist.
(However I think the saddest thing about the demise of the vinyl album is the demise of all the wonderful album cover art. Most CD's today have photo's or very simple design to suit the smaller format.)

Being married to a musician who makes his living from album sales my main concern about unprotected copyright is that the artist and writers do not get their royalties. Everyone knows about the meagstarts who earn millions but their are lots of less well known professional musicians who rely on royalties to pay the mortgage and feed their children!!