I was wondering what online mp3 stores you use and why?
I was looking for an online store that is:
Reasonably priced
NO DRM!
Eclectic and wide ranging music styles
Compatible with Mediamonkey (of course!)
Useful/user friendly download manager/interface
I was going to subscribe to Emusic - they give you 20 free downloads and then you go on a monthly payment system to download a limited amount of tracks per month which looks really good.
If anyone uses Emusic, could you tell me what do you think of them and do you think there better stores/deals around?
I've been a subscriber to eMusic for a long time, and it's a good service. The files are delivered in VBR MP3 (no DRM, though I think that there might be some kind of identifier in the file to identify it if it shows up in filesharing) and the various plans make it easy to grab entire albums at a reasonable price. And while you can download individual tracks without their downloader program (eMusic Remote), with the downloader program, you can grab an entire album with one click. There's a section in the eMusic online page that remembers what you've downloaded, and allows you to re-download tracks, as long as they are still available on eMusic.
There is a wide selection available on the service, but you should look at their catalog to see if the artists/labels that you like are represented.
Yes, I have been using emusic and I really like the approach. I also like more alternative stuff so musically emusic caters for my tastes.
I did searches for all types of bands from sort of well known to obscure/independent and it came up with results - I was impressed enough to subscribe to the basic plan and check it out for a little while.
Although I haven't really researched any more online mp3 stores, it seems to be pretty reasonable in rates.. I love the no-DRM policy too.
I just can't go the Itunes route because I object to their DRM policies and "you can do it any way you like as long as its our way" approach. I don't own an ipod so I have little motivation.
I also think that most online mp3 music services overcharge for their product... which is basically a inferior copy of a CD with no artwork, liner notes. I don't like the idea of paying for something that can dissapear in a flash if my drive crashes. At least with a CD you have a hard copy.