[Sherwood]

I obtain plenty of my music by questionable means, but I am realistic about why I do that.

I prefer to keep the money for things I don't want to steal, like headphones and housing. I could buy music AND goods, but then I would have less of both. I decided to bootleg music to have more of everything I wanted at the expense of other people, just like all of you.

Be honest with yourself. Don't blame the economy or your situation for your decisions.

Despite that, though, I usually spend about $100/month on vinyl.

 

[jonathanjong]

I do both, mostly "try then buy." Most of my free music comes from friends, and I have no idea if they bought the CDs or what. I prefer to buy indie music (because most of them aren't filthy rich) and classical (because, I dunno, I guess I believe that they sound better on CD), but I don't really have qualms downloading mainstream music or getting it off my friends.

 

[demoNMaCHiN3]

If I download an album I like it a lot, I go out and buy it. About half my collection I own, the other half I've downloaded.

 

[krmathis]

I usually buy my music on CD's.
But I would prefer to buy and download lossless music online if I had the option.

Free is of course fine as well.

 

[illy2k]

I tend to try to be when I can. But if there is some CD that I can only find online and not in a reasonably priced store I have no problem with my trusty friend bittorrent

 

[xxsphshadowxx]

free music is "free"

 

[Csericks]

I'm glad to see that most of us are willing to pay for the creativity of the artists that we enjoy.

 

[EtherealApril]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Csericks /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm glad to see that most of us are willing to pay for the creativity of the artists that we enjoy.

Agreed. I buy CDs not just because I love the music but because I'm supporting the artist and (hopefully) encouraging them to continue to produce great music.

 

[nvkid909]

i prefer to go to record fairs & shops that have enough of what i like to browse. usually it's the album cover that draws me in. so i'm not just paying for the music. downloads are there but i hope that CD & vinyl production doesn't disappear entirely. half the fun is ripping off the plastic. similar music will have similar style art. inlay credits will point to some of their collaborators.

 

[BadassBob]

Demonoid, What.cd, and the library feed my needs quite well.

 

[BadassBob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EtherealApril /img/forum/go_quote.gif Agreed. I buy CDs not just because I love the music but because I'm supporting the artist and (hopefully) encouraging them to continue to produce great music.

If you want to support the artist, go see them play a live show. If you want to support lobbyist record labels, buy CDs. If its an independent label run by the musician, then do both

.

 

[myinitialsaredac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadassBob /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you want to support the artist, go see them play a live show. If you want to support lobbyist record labels, buy CDs. If its an independent label run by the musician, then do both .

Exactly

Dave

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadassBob /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you want to support the artist, go see them play a live show. If you want to support lobbyist record labels, buy CDs. If its an independent label run by the musician, then do both .

Exactly!
A small share of a CD's selling price end up at the artist itself. Most of it is take by the store, distributor, record company, studio, and more...

 

[Philimon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadassBob /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you want to support the artist, go see them play a live show. If you want to support lobbyist record labels, buy CDs. If its an independent label run by the musician, then do both .

What if I can't go to live shows (or simply do not want to), and what if I purchase only used CDs - then am I still supporting the artists? By supporting the stores that sell their music, am I then indirectly helping support the artist as well? And am I still supporting the lobbyist record labels still even though the CDs are second hand?

 

[DLeeWebb]

I guess if I could get any music that I wanted anytime in the highest quality available and I could do it legally, I would prefer to get it for free. However, the artists that make such a positive contribution to my life should be supported. I end up buying most of my music and that's a lot of music every year...