| There are a great many online services that offer online music. Some services charge per digital music download, whereas other websites require a monthly fee for a limitless number of music downloads. It has been reported that CD sales are declining (19% in the last few years), and digital music download sales are rapidly escalating. Experts say, revenues from digital music sales practically tripled last year, with iTunes by Apple accounting for more than 85 percent of single track downloads. Yet, this does not mean that Apple is the sole source of online music downloads. Nowadays, lawful music download services account for approximately 6% of record studios' revenues, which is a boost compared to the situation observed two years ago.
Music download sites come in two kinds: 'rent' and 'buy' sites. 'Rent' services are music sites involving a monthly fee paid to gain access to all the music in the databank. 'Buy' services are a pay-per-download service, such as iTunes, where a track can be burned onto a CD provided it is paid for. The CD can then be ripped to the computer. Some online music services offer to pay a monthly fee for limitless listening rights, but also charge to purchase a soundtrack.
Some digital music download sites are as cheap as 9 cents per average soundtrack. Also, these websites have tracks that can be downloaded in any format and quality. Sometimes music download sites are so cheap and user-friendly that a number of Internet users choose to download music from these sites instead of ripping CD collections onto the pc.
For any user downloading music onto an iPod or iTunes, it is probably the best solution. For any music not being downloaded onto an iPod, any other music source will suit. When seeking the optimal quality music downloads, one should seek music download services offering the largest choice of music that is regularly updated, and superb quality downloads. Commonly, the price is directly dependent upon quality. Therefore, a question arises: Is it worth spending a few extra cents? The answer is positive. |
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