Readers Respond: Are CDs Really Dead?

The music public is dividing into camps - those who buy CDs and those who don't. Where do you fit in? Are CDs the only way to go for you, or are you all MP3s all the time? Where does vinyl fit into the picture? And why do you buy music in the format that you do? Share your music buying habits and get a glimpse of what your fellow music fans are doing. Share Your Thoughts

The CD isn't dead

I still actively use and buy cds for music and data. I prefer cds over mp3, mainly because of the universal aspect of a cd. If something has a cd drive/slot your music will play. Probably has to do with the fact that I grew up using a portable cd player....

—Guest Jameson

Physical CD's

Not only do I have the comfort of having a hard copy backup, but I believe it also supports the artist/band more than streaming the music on iTunes. I also love having the actual physical copy because then you see the artwork, lyrics, credits, etc. It's the only collection I have.

—Guest AF

Depends how much i like the cd

If i like more then half of the songs on a CD i'll buy the CD since it's cost effective. There is times when a CD only has 1 or 2 songs i like then i'll buy the MP3. I'll be the first to say i want a good deal on my music while staying out of legal trouble so i always buy my CD used.

—Guest SAParker

Cd's all the way.

I am 19 years of age and have always bought cd's from the age of 12. I prefer them for the fact that it shows my musical journey through life and how my taste has developed. I love to read the lyrics of songs and look at the artwork. If you pay for a product you want something to hold. But each to their own i guess :) x

—Guest Marky Boy

cds are better simple

The mind boggles why do people buy .mp3 a substandard and inferior sound quality absence of artwork and information or message or image or concept .to me it seems insane and shame on mankind the Hartford of an album will be forgotten forever because mankind is lazy and stupid

—Guest the master

Physical is just... Better!

Of course, vinyl is #1 when it comes down to sound. No doubt. However, CDs are easily portable, easy to rip from, and easy to skip and choose tracks on. MP3s... Don't go there. Even though I'm 15 and supposed all "Technology Gung-ho," iTunes is a hassle, files are stuck in a single format, lower quality/compressed sound, harder to play in the car or on stereos. Just not good. Also: artists get a greater profit from physical formats, and the consumer gets lyrics, pictures, dedications, technical credits (yes, I actually read those), etc... Not just a rinky-dink 500x500 cover and some obscure artist info. Pirating music is wrong and illegal. You're stealing someone's masterpeice that (some of them) poured their heart, soul, and tears into! Be a decent person and buy the album!

—Guest Collector Man

Buy while you can

I hope cd's don't die because i just bought a new cd player. They do sound way better but good albums still cost heaps however I think I am going to buy my favourite all time albums soon just in case.

—Guest Vic

Where will the industry go next?

Major stores are losing too much due to downloading, legal or otherwise-which gives a huge hint that the public want their music now and fast,so digital is the most likely next format for all but the biggest of music fans, BUT.. the physical format will always be around-you can still buy collectors edition vinyl of classic records in 2012 if you look around any reasonably sized town. As for digital tech and longevity-you should ALWAYS have a 2nd or 3rd harddrive backup! If you dont and your hd breaks (they all wear out eventually),you've lost the lot. Common sense. A secondary back up is hard to do with physical media-blanks are very slow to backup(compare copying 20 cds on a hd+copying 20 cds onto disc!),and thought as not being able to last as long as pressed(bought)cds either.Also note blank cds use dye,and are not the same as pressed cds you buy in a store. Even the tv and internet are merging in todays world,so the future is digital,but they all have their own downside in reality

—Guest simon cowells pet hampster george

CDs are wassup

As an aspiring producer i really hope cds keep selling. It takes hard work for the artists, producers, and engineers to make a masterpiece called an album, so next time u buy a cd really enjoy it

—Guest Marcus

why i still love cd's

I started collecting CDs when I was 13. In my loft sits a storage shelf that holds 1000 CDs, currently about 3/4ths full, all in alphabetical order by artist and chronological order by the album's release date. I have mulled the possibility of giving up on CDs in favor of an all non-physical digital collection, but it will never happen. Here are three reasons: 1. It looks great. I love having a physical representation of my life's musical journey. It is a collection that began mainly as metal and heavy alternative and then evolved to include punk, hip-hop, electronic, alt-country, etc. In my eyes, my CD collection is, in itself, an ever expanding work of art. 2. Sound quality. Enough said. 3. I would hate to see the album as a medium for music die. Imagine if, instead of buying Nirvana's Nevermind, you had just purchased "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and and handful of other singles from i-Tunes. Great deep-cuts are what separates great artists from mediocre ones.

—Guest cobh yellowknife

cds r not dead

i luv my 120 gig ipod but i also grew up in the 90's so i still buy cd's, not every cd but ill pay for the cds of bands that deserve it (tool,Lowkey,bush)if ur an audiophile like me just rip the cd in alac

—Guest bilderbergs

CDs and Vinyl over MP3's any day

I love having my music as a physical copy especially if I really like the artist. I want the whole experience of liner notes, Photos, and artwork that is tangible, Plus the music quality Is the BEST on vinyl Good on CD and just okay on MP3.

—Guest ML

cds

i use to download mp3s. now i buy cds. it always nice to have a physical copy. having a mp3s doesn't feel like i own anything

—Guest poop

CDs...

Cds, although first released in 1982, I think have a better lifespan than mp3s or wmas. Files are prone to damage and errors; not to mention dataloss. Some who advocate for using 'the cloud' may forget that the cloud is a server, and like most, it has the potential to crash! CDs on the other hand, are an effective backup method, and possibly have a longer lifespan; somewhere in the vicinity of 99 years. Plus, there are cleaning kits, and so fourth. I've used cds since 1991, and I'm not about to stop...

—Guest annonymous

Yaarrrrr

Pirate it all the way. CDs and Records are a waste of materials, the music industry is everything that's wrong with music, don't pay those bastards a cent.

—Guest Rob