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I don't want to use Amazon or iTunes. Is there another choice?
Buying? Spotify is where it's at.
Other music streaming services are available.
GooglePlay?
Had plenty from there before moving fully to streaming. Why not the two you listed out of interest?
Spotify family premium for me ..
Keeps myself & my son happy ..for £15.00 pm
Bleep and Boomkat. But they're more electronic/indie oriented
...but I am also a Spotify leech.
Bandcamp here.
Buying? Spotify is where it's at.
Other music streaming services are available.
What part of “Where are people buying their MP3s from? [b](to own, not a subscription)[/b]” is it that you fail to understand, exactly?
Second bandcamp
7digital is not bad.
Bandcamp and Google Play
I get flacs from hdtracks, not sure if they do mp3s.
Suppose buying a cd and ripping is out of the question?
Another Bandcamp user. Also, download codes when I buy vinyl or cassettes and straight from the cds.
As per title: Not a subscription
Sooo, you're just going to skate over all the people who actually read your OP and gave suggestions?
Another vote for Bandcamp: that's usually where I look first, before resorting to Amazon
Buying? Spotify is where it's at.
Other music streaming services are available.
And I’d like to recommend a nice Stilton on a salted cracker.
Piratebay although I think their billing system is snagged, I’ve never had an invoice!
I'd be happy to buy a CD, not really finding it any easier!!
Not buying from Amazon because they're tax dodging employee-abusers, fed up with iTunes because:
1) I'm already down to the last computer I'm allowed to have them on, so I will have to be buying them all again
2) It randomly deletes MP3s from my phone
3) It randomly deletes album covers
4) It randomly deletes the band names/album names/song names
Bandcamp, junodownload, Bleep. The rest direct from the label websites.
Some sort of bay usually and tixati. I also use 'youtube to mp3' sites to rip mixes.
That's where you "Buy your mp3s", yeah jekkyl?
Just because the OP referred to a preference to an obsolete medium doesn't mean those enlightened souls who pointed to a sensible option should be criticised.
It's like somebody asking what 26" straight steerer frame that works with 3x8 and 52mm fork is worth buying. True answer - none. Get with the now, grandad.
Spotify, vinyl, radio 6 and live music for me. And I'm a pensioner.
yeh grandad dez get with the now. 😆 😛
How do you know what I do? I was just answering the op's question you hip young dude.
Just because the OP referred to a preference to an obsolete medium doesn't mean those enlightened souls who pointed to a sensible option should be criticised.It's like somebody asking what 26" straight steerer frame that works with 3x8 and 52mm fork is worth buying. True answer - none. Get with the now, grandad.
Spotify, vinyl, radio 6 and live music for me. And I'm a pensioner.
That has to be the single post with the most bollocks I've ever read on here! (Except the last 3 words) 😆
That's where you "Buy your mp3s", yeah jekkyl?
Just pipe down Dez. Don't you know that using PirateBay and the like are fine to discuss on here.
Fake Oakleys, no. Downloading music for free? Fill your boots.
Now everyone get off my lawn.
It's all about the outcome innit? 😀
Not sure where cheese on crackers comes into it though 😐
As far as I understand it, digital purchases are better for the artist than streaming services, such as Spotify, and therefore it's not so much about "keeping with the times", it's about wanting to ensure good artists continue to make music.
I'd do Spotify, if I were you. In fact, I'm not you and I [i]still [/i] do Spotify. 🙂
Emusic for me - 42p a track , especially good for searching out these albums with only a few (or just one) very long tracks on them.
Good regular discounts on buying credit as well. Maybe that's a sign it's doomed!
eMusic has just kind of relaunched itself hasn't it? I used to have an account until they totally cocked up the website and I lost patience.
I buy CDs cos they're (for some reason??) often cheaper than downloads, rip them and give them away/bin them if no takers.
Which means I can maintain my own digital library the way I want it. Which is based on logic even I struggle to comprehend - but I know where everything is 
I like CD’s, preferably from HMV.
Ripped and saved for playing on Computers or phones but I also like having the CD and quite often play them.
pondo - Member
I'd do Spotify, if I were you. In fact, I'm not you and I still do Spotify.
you have to remember CZ is the exception that proves the rule in music threads 😉 He is the one who must have every track he owns available at 3s notice
But yeah spotify, some online playlists is the real answer, a heap of artists I have not heard of got paid as I let a radio selection play out today.
Just because the OP referred to a preference to [b]an obsolete medium[/b] doesn't mean those enlightened souls who pointed to a sensible option should be criticised.It's like somebody asking what 26" straight steerer frame that works with 3x8 and 52mm fork is worth buying. True answer - none. Get with the now, grandad.
Spotify, [b]vinyl[/b], radio 6 and live music for me. And I'm a pensioner.
Oh, the irony!
Screw Spotify, because it screws artists. One million streams won’t even earn an artist a living wage, but I guess you’re ok with that, right? 🙄
Same with other streaming services, although Apple Music pays a realistic royalty rate.
Some sort of bay usually and tixati. I also use 'youtube to mp3' sites to rip mixes.
Youtubetomp3 has been shut down, because it’s pirating music, same as pirate bay and the like. I guess the whole stealing music, ‘cos, like, musicians are all rich, innit attitude still infects the stupid and ignorant, then.
S’okay if I walk into your homes and help myself to your property, then?
mikey74 - Member
As far as I understand it, digital purchases are better for the artist than streaming services, such as Spotify, and therefore it's not so much about "keeping with the times", it's about wanting to ensure good artists continue to make music.
Sums it up, it’s why I still but CD’s, and go to see live music, often at the same time, and get those CD’s signed, which shows the artists I’m supporting them as much as I can.
Thanks for all the suggestions!! The album I was looking for was only on Google Play and 7digital. Google Play were a bit annoying when I've used them before because they try to hold on to the track and get you to stream it rather than letting you download it, so for what it's worth I'm gonna be using 7digital.
Other great suggestions were Boomcat, Junodownload, Bleep and Bandcamp- thanks for those! I will be definitely checking them out in the future.
Jamie - MemberSooo, you're just going to skate over all the people who actually read your OP and gave suggestions?
No offense intended, I was just too busy at that point to do a longer reply. I am actually very grateful for all the useful posts! 🙂
I'd recommend Quobuz.
Great selection, particularly for more obscure music and usually available in higher quality formats (320kbps min but typically FLAC). Also has a decent streaming service from what I've heard.
Wish I hadn't looked at that Qobuz. Gregory Porter top of their download charts! ARRGH! Listen the the real thing not the average cover versions! It's like Robbie Williams crapping on the big band stuff all over again!
*and breathe*
I'll suggest subscription to be awkward 🙂
14.99 Apple Music family(up to 6 people), stream whatever you want or download to your device.
Simple.
I use payplay
One million streams won’t even earn an artist a living wage, but I guess you’re ok with that, right?
Why should 1 million streams give them a living wage?
the problem with any streaming service is that you need to be somewhere with wifi or a really good data signal with unlimited data limit to get any decent use out of it. Sometimes even with wifi the service can be patchy depending on their servers and your internet provider. You get none of that if you actually have an MP3.
Download the mp3s for offline use on the subs. A 32gb card holds a whack of music at 320kbps
I buy CD's from amazon, you get the mp3 for free and it's usually cheaper then buying mp3 on it's own
That Quobuz is a bit pricey! £13.99 instead of £9.50 for an album. Is the quality crazy good or something?
....or £1.13 at Payplay!!! That is ridiculously cheap..
Bandcamp for me too
£4.99 for most albums on junodownload.
Artists would get nothing from a Ukrainian site like Payplay. You may as well find the album on an illegal free site and save yourself a quid or 2.
Get with the now, grandad.
stood in line waiting to pay for some electronic item and there on the counter was Pink's latest album in vinyl??????
can't wait for reel to reel tape recorders to come back - drag that out on a run
I found this too:
I buy CDs cos they're (for some reason??) often cheaper than downloads
and this:
I buy CD's from amazon, you get the mp3 for free and it's usually cheaper then buying mp3 on it's own
This also makes no sense 😕 but is my experience. The last 5-6 albums I've bought have been on CD and then ripped with iTunes which Google Playmusic automatically transfers onto my phone, where I actually listen to it. I've currently got 6 months free Apple Music with EE (data included) but don't particularly like the interface and can't be arsed setting up my playlists etc. again.
If I want to actually own the music I buy the cd and rip to my Nas for streaming around the house.
For everything else I use Amazon Prime music. Very liberating to be able to just give something a try without committing to buying it. As you can download for offline use seems a no brainer
If I find something I really like I buy the CD.
I would be reluctant to buy an MP3 file - personally don't see the point when you can stream and download anything you want for the price of an album a month.
Bleep is great, nice website design as well.
Often when buying record you get an instant mp3 download
I like supporting bleep as they are the retail offshoot of Warp Records, so the money goes to more great records.
Juno is good, although website is quite clunky.
As an addendum 7digital also comes with a really effective music player, which is something else I've been looking for for a looooong time. Thanks for the suggestion CraigW! 🙂
Never found Google hard to download what you’ve purchased. How long since you last used it?
Tbh I’ve a foot in both camps. Apple Music family plan and still buy the tracks and occasionally albums I like.
Streaming services both Apples and Google’s before I switched allowed me to sample so much more music than I would have come across beforehand and some of that then got my money so I don’t really believe streaming an evil as such. Yes the artists may get less than with a physical purchase but then it’s better than nothing when the likes of piratebay etc were so everyday to many people and not just the tech geeks etc
Google Play is OK if you install the Music Manager software on your PC. That will let you download it all as MP3s.
It also let's you upload your own music (up to 50000 tracks), so you can stream it on your phone for free.
The software is much less annoying and bloated than iTunes anyway.
[i]stood in line waiting to pay for some electronic item and there on the counter was Pink's latest album in vinyl??[/i]
Pink? She still making music??
[i]so you can stream it on your phone for free.[/i]
Free? You sure there isn't a monthly sub you have to pay forever involved there?
Yes, it is free. I have not paid any subscription for Google Play Music. You can upload your own music, then stream that. Plus stream any individual tracks/albums you have bought.
You do need to pay for a subscription if you want the unlimited music, ie to stream any other tracks.