More evidence that LPS are still alive

In the future, bands will only release online, by download. The Eagles release of their latest exclusively through Wal-Mart shows that only the bands in control of their own releases will decide how to do it. The internet is cheaper for the record companies, they make more profit. I downloaded a sampler from HDTracks. The quality is excellent. They will soon have 96KHz/24 bit downloads, DRM free. If you want a hard copy, burn a disc. In my view of the future, you can buy the LP for quality and/or buy the download for your computer based system. The production, packaging and distribution of CDs in "jewel" cases will be obsolete, due to cost.

06-17-08: Tgrisham
In the future, bands will only release online, by download. ... I downloaded a sampler from HDTracks. The quality is excellent. They will soon have 96KHz/24 bit downloads, DRM free. If you want a hard copy, burn a disc.

If they start getting the writers and graphics artists involved, they could offer a pdf of cover art and liner notes and recapture something we've lost from the LP days.

That arrangement would be the best of both. I like the sound of 24/96 or 24/88.4 as MLP on my humble Oppo DV-980H. I can't abide 16/44.1, but 24-bit dynamic resolution and 88K or 96K sampling I can live with.

Besides near infinite resolution of LPs, their other big advantage was the visual experience. CDs shrunk that to illegible miniaturization, and downloads eliminated it. If you added in quality commentary and graphics to accompany hi-rez downloads, you could approximate the album experience with the download advantages of portability and robustness.

Chadnliz, here's why: you can hear our band and do a download at myspace.com.thunderboltpagoda (the cuts are from a live show), but if we make a CD, somewhere someone will copy it and post it online. CD sales will then be weak. This is what is happening with the major record labels.

Although by no means impossible, it is a lot harder to 'rip' an LP. This reduces IP theft. In addition, the LP sounds better, plus the kids think they are cool. One of the most popular bands in the Twin Cities did an LP with no CD release, and from what I have heard are already sold out on the first press. So **someone** is hearing their stuff...

A lot of new releases have either a download certificate an/or a CD included with the vinyl purchase. So far, LP is the best way to prevent illegal copies and at the same time give the best quality to the listener- win/win.

I understand that plus I wish your band well but IF someone is going to rip it anyway (which they will) then why not sell to everyone possible, your idea is only going to keep honest people honest......like a cheap lock.

Johnnyb53-I am new to HDTracks, but they include the liner notes and cover art as pdf files. Not the same as LP cover art. I remember fondly Yes, Pink Floyd, rolling Stones, etc, where cover art was one of the reasons for buying the album! A recent interview I heard with Herb Alpert with the cover of the girl in whipped cream and he said a lot of people never listened to the album before they bought it! Nothing will replace LPs in the near future. CDs are just not the answer. That said, Redbook done well is still great music, ti's just not quite analog.