More DRM-Free Music and iTunes Beatles Update

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/25/more-drm-free-music-and-itunes-beatles-update/)

Several readers have noticed that music from different studios have started appearing in iTunes with a DRM free option. This would seem to confirm rumors that Apple is in late stage negotiations with studios about launching more DRM free music.

Forum user Doodledoo has been following (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=604103) it closely and found evidence of tracks from both Warner and Sony studios participating in iTunes Plus. Apple originally launched their DRM-Free iTunes Plus format with the support of only EMI but recent rumors (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/19/apple-negotiating-more-drm-free-music-for-iphones/) have suggested Apple is working on winning over the other three majors studios (Warner, Sony, Universal).

Finally, the long rumored Beatles launch on iTunes may be a bit further off (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2008/nov/25/thebeatles-apple) (if anyone still cares). Paul McCartney recently said that iTunes negotiations had stalled:"The last word I got back was it's stalled at the whole moment, the whole process… I really hope it will happen because I think it should."The Beatles/Apple Corps. and Apple have had a long running feud over the usage of the name "Apple". This disagreement was finally settled in 2007 (http://www.macrumors.com/2007/02/05/apple-inc-and-apple-corps-form-new-trademark-agreement/) in which Apple, Inc. now owns all the trademarks related to "Apple".

Article Link: More DRM-Free Music and iTunes Beatles Update (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/25/more-drm-free-music-and-itunes-beatles-update/)

[Nick.]

Good! I hope more DRM-free music is to come in the near-future.

[ross.32]

None of my tracks are available to upgrade yet :(

I hope the labels allow every song to be bought with iTunes Plus!

[hirshnoc]

LOL....nice one Arn.

[Sky Blue]

On a slightly related note, what ever happened to that CD remastering of The Beatles back catalogue?

[dhunwick]

With all due resect F the Beatles.

[EDdoc]

What? as a Boomer with disposable income I care.

[DaveTheGrey]

Just release these Beatles albums for god's sake. Everybody has got them on cd. This rumor just won't die...
die rumor die!!!
(and no, "die" is not german)

[ross.32]

Hm...the iTunes plus songs seemed to have all been removed?

[PlaceofDis]

i hope more and more labels jump onto the DRM free iTunes Plus. i won't even mind the upgrade fee for my previous purchased tracks. quite a few indie labels have gone DRM free too which is nice, hope it works out.

[zombitronic]

LOL....nice one Arn.

You beat me to the (if anyone still cares) post. I was more put off by the comment, though, especially after reading all the Beatles hate posts lately. You can all go suck emo pop. Helter Skelter still rocks.

[arn]

You beat me to the (if anyone still cares) post. I was more put off by the comment, though, especially after reading all the Beatles hate posts lately. You can all go suck emo pop. Helter Skelter still rocks.

It was more a comment about the seemingly endless "beatles on itunes" stories than being particularly anti-beatles .

arn

[schneb]

Buy used CDs on Amazon, burn via iTunes. Problem solved for a year now for me. And it was cheaper as well.

[Slevin]

Hm...the iTunes plus songs seemed to have all been removed?

Yup I can't update Hinder said I could be then it said I couldn't... man...

[InkMaster]

I'm just curious how much they will sell given that any and all Beatles fans already either just got the CDs and ripped them or downloaded the MP3s from elsewhere. I highly doubt that theres anyone has been sitting there for 6 years saying "I can't wait to buy the Beatles albums, and I won't get them anywhere else other then iTunes".

I mean I can understand how some people buy the same track 10x over to "support the artist" or whatever, but lets be honest here, all thats left of the "group" these days is a single rich greedy bastard, nothing more.

[Daphtdazz]

..."Sir" Paul McCartney to you ;)

We Brits must hold on to our status symbols, you know...

[schooby41]

A clarification to the original article would be that the current hold-ups/delays in getting the Beatles into iTunes seems to have nothing to do with Apple(Computers)/iTunes, but is a hold up between Apple(Studios)/Beatles and EMI. See the Reuters article for details: http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSTRE4AO3JU20081125

[MrCrowbar]

Buy used CDs on Amazon, burn via iTunes. Problem solved for a year now for me. And it was cheaper as well.

Agreed. The labels hate you for doing that tought, doesn't generate any income for them. That's the cool thing about digital media, the quality stays the same, even if you buy second hand.

[zombitronic]

It was more a comment about the seemingly endless "beatles on itunes" stories than being particularly anti-beatles .

arn

Fair enough. I apologize. Not so much this particular thread, but some of our members and so-called music lovers need to be schooled. Respect your roots. A lot of good came from music of the past. If anything, I'd like to see the Beatles on iTunes just to introduce a new generation to where some of their favorite sounds came from.

[twoodcc]

this is good. i hope to see more DRM-free music and the beatles on itunes

[zombitronic]

Buy used CDs on Amazon, burn via iTunes. Problem solved for a year now for me. And it was cheaper as well.

Better yet, take your MacBook to your local library.

[Stella]

The Beatles is a display of real music and real talent, unlike a lot of modern 'music'.

Looking very much forward to having Beatles on online music stores, so the sooner this happens, the better.

[dernhelm]

If I didn't already own all the Beatles music I care to listen to.

The war is now EMI vs. Apple Corps, not anyone vs. Apple.

Both EMI and Apple Corps could collapse tomorrow and I wouldn't care at all.

[tk421]

For those that think they're irrelevant, I didn't "discover" the Beatles until I was 20. I'm 26 now, so it wasn't that long ago.

And I have friends who are younger than me that love the Beatles.

[Tymmz]

Am I blind, probably, but where has the iTunes Plus store gone? Can't find it on the UK store.

Can someone please guide me to the Plus store, I would like to check for updates.

Sorry!

More DRM free music is always better.

When will the movie industry realise, that it is more convenient for some people to have a movie-file and not a boxed DVD.

[nemaslov]

I'm just curious how much they will sell given that any and all Beatles fans already either just got the CDs and ripped them or downloaded the MP3s from elsewhere. I highly doubt that theres anyone has been sitting there for 6 years saying "I can't wait to buy the Beatles albums, and I won't get them anywhere else other then iTunes".

I mean I can understand how some people buy the same track 10x over to "support the artist" or whatever, but lets be honest here, all thats left of the "group" these days is a single rich greedy bastard, nothing more.

You could say this about any artists music on iTunes. Fans for some reason rebuy on line. I'm amazed what still sells on iTunes Pink Floyd? Everyone already had Dark Side of the Moon but it was a hit online again. Im just waiting for the remastered Beatles CDs. MOJO Magazine had a very recent article about them and the writer was invited to listen to portions of the remastered While Album (4o years old today) and ws blown away. The remastered CDs will be amazing with probably both Stereo and Mono original mixes. Screw the downloads.

[AlwaysHopeful]

Ah but you do care guys!

And if you are still in denial, go to HMV and buy "Revolver". Give it a good listen to, then try telling me it's not made your top 10 albums of all time!

[ntrigue]

We're just trying to listen to a bit of history on our iPods. Greedy pigs.

[Sky Blue]

Am I blind, probably, but where has the iTunes Plus store gone? Can't find it on the UK store.

Can someone please guide me to the Plus store, I would like to check for updates.

Sorry!

More DRM free music is always better.

When will the movie industry realise, that it is more convenient for some people to have a movie-file and not a boxed DVD.

it's no the right on the main iTunes page

[Kelmon]

Yup, you've got to figure that something is coming when the iTunes Plus link disappears. I had a look in my account to see if the upgrade option had moved there but no dice. So, I think we just wait and see what happens...

[houttbe]

It used to be but it's gone now!

it's no the right on the main iTunes page

[Tymmz]

it's no the right on the main iTunes page

145844

Sorry, where? It was a long day.

[/dev/toaster]

With all due resect F the Beatles.

Agreed, nothing disgusts me more then someone who feels they are so far above everyone else that people should kiss the ground they walk on.

Same thing with Kiss, I never had a problem with them until I watched that reality show. Now, I have absolutely no respect for Gene Simmons. I think hes one of the biggest pieces of .... .

[Sky Blue]

It used to be but it's gone now!

You're right! It's gone from the UK and US Stores! It was there this morning.

[iPastor]

The Beatles? Why would we want bugs on iTunes? I already got them in Vista:D

[ImageWrangler]

Ah but you do care guys!

And if you are still in denial, go to HMV and buy "Revolver". Give it a good listen to, then try telling me it's not made your top 10 albums of all time!

Own it. Own the entire Beatles catalogue, I would even put Revolver in their top 10 albums, let alone my entire collection of over 1,500 CDs. I'd put it only ahead of Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour at 11. Revolver is grossly overrated IMHO.

[handle manifest]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/25/more-drm-free-music-and-itunes-beatles-update/)

Several readers have noticed that music from different studios...

When did record labels become studios? :confused:

...but lets be honest here, all thats left of the "group" these days is a single rich greedy bastard, nothing more.

Ringo's still alive. :rolleyes:

[chrisgeleven]

You're right! It's gone from the UK and US Stores! It was there this morning.

Makes me wonder if they are making everything iTunes Plus and then getting rid of the "Plus" part of the name. Meaning, everything becomes 256kbps DRM-free AAC.

Why else remove that link?

[Tymmz]

It used to be but it's gone now!

Cheers. I thought something was wrong with me.

[joelovesapple]

Makes me wonder if they are making everything iTunes Plus and then getting rid of the "Plus" part of the name. Meaning, everything becomes 256kbps DRM-free AAC.

Why else remove that link?

Because I seem to recall that the very same thing happened in 2007 when iTunes Plus was first launched. :) Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Sky Blue]

Makes me wonder if they are making everything iTunes Plus and then getting rid of the "Plus" part of the name. Meaning, everything becomes 256kbps DRM-free AAC.

Why else remove that link?

Yeah, maybe they were getting a lot of complaints about people not being able to purchase the new Plus stuff.

[AlwaysHopeful]

Own it. Own the entire Beatles catalogue, I would even put Revolver in their top 10 albums, let alone my entire collection of over 1,500 CDs. I'd put it only ahead of Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour at 11. Revolver is grossly overrated IMHO.

Not sure why 1,500 CDs is worth mentioning. To have a top 10 you only need 10!

11 or more would be better tho, to have at least one not make it!

:)

[morespce54]

Now, why would the whole process be stalled? :(

[Sijmen]

iTunes Plus link gone from Dutch iTunes Store as well. It'll all work out, doesn't matter much to me – but how do I upgrade my songs now?

[Manic Mouse]

Makes me wonder if they are making everything iTunes Plus and then getting rid of the "Plus" part of the name. Meaning, everything becomes 256kbps DRM-free AAC.

Why else remove that link?

If they did I would buy all my music on iTunes, end of.

[joelovesapple]

Go and search for a usual iTunes Plus artist (eg Roxy Music or Coldplay) and click on the Plus sign next to the song in the list, then it will take you to the FAQ.

After that, look on the left, click where it says iTunes Plus and you will be directed to the Plus Page. At the moment it switches from saying 'you are up to date, nothing to upgrade', to 'there are X amount of albums and X songs for you to upgrade'.

It's very iffy at the moment so I suggest you wait. That tip is for the curious though. :)

[joelovesapple]

If they did I would buy all my music on iTunes, end of.

Even if it is cheaper elsewhere?

[scott523]

I thought I was hallucinating too when I found no iTunes Plus link in sight.

[fikonhjul]

I thought I was hallucinating too when I found no iTunes Plus link in sight.

Well the iTunes Plus link has vanished from the front page while they "do stuff" with the content.

But using a "secret" link, I just visited the page you usually got to and headed on to Upgrade My Library. And yes, there were a few albums available for upgrade that weren't there yesterday. Not many (compared to how many DRM tracks I've bought), but a handful, from various labels (including Universal, Motown and Geffen).

Naturally, I clicked "Buy", but got a message saying something to the effect that the availability of the items has changed and they could no longer be bought.

So, be confident Apple are pushing things around behind the scene. As to when it all goes live again, who knows?

Oh, the "secret" link? Try the iTunes Plus ad on this page (http://miv.se/x.html?meny_samarbeten/main_spon.html) - but I bet it's only a matter of time until they redirect that away from where it usually takes you.

[Bern]

Same here, no iTunes Plus link in Australia.

For the past 4 days there have been 3 albums available on my iTunes Plus upgrade account, but I haven't been able to buy them because of the "unavailable..." message I been getting from Apple. Now iTunes Plus is gone completely :eek: I hope this means great things to come.

[fikonhjul]

But using a "secret" link, I just visited the page you usually got to and headed on to Upgrade My Library. And yes, there were a few albums available for upgrade that weren't there yesterday. Not many (compared to how many DRM tracks I've bought), but a handful, from various labels (including Universal, Motown and Geffen).

And from the time I wrote that to now (15 minutes?), Upgrade My Library has been emptied. Nothing there. Zero.

Anyone else seing something?

[Evangelion]

Ah but you do care guys!

And if you are still in denial, go to HMV and buy "Revolver". Give it a good listen to, then try telling me it's not made your top 10 albums of all time!

This may come as a shock, but.... Not everyone cares that much about Beatles. Yes, they are very important and influental band, but not everyone has to consider them their personal favourite.

[kalafalas]

If they did I would buy all my music on iTunes, end of.

ditto, that would save my life, no more waiting for cd's in the mail! :D

[Doodledoo]

Hey everybody, I'm the guy who started the thread keeping track of everything, and if you want to post your latest info that'd be awesome. Link: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=604103

Also, for anybody looking for the iTunes Plus page (the upgrade page is within the page itself), a direct link is http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/iTunesPlusPage which still works. It has been removed from every iTunes Store, though a link to the classical section remains under its genre. The introduction of iTunes Plus was May 30, 2007, a Wednesday, and it is plausible that Apple has removed the link to prevent leaks of upgrades such as the ones that we've documented at the main thread and because they will announce everything tomorrow - another Wednesday. This is very exciting!

[ronwasserman]

Who cares about this band any more. You can already get their stuff everywhere. I really hope Apple doesn't blow too much cash on these senior citizens.

[cliffjumper68]

Right now you can buy the entire Beatles Catalog on CD and rip it into itunes. That is how the whole MP3 thing started before the itunes store opened. I think it is but a minor inconvenience, but certainly no hurdle to listen to this great band on your ipod. My favorite is "Hey Jude", it just has a great rhythm and authenticity to it. If I really want to enjoy the Beatles I always use my vinyl anyways since it has more warmth than digital recordings. That is my 2 cents! :)

[theBB]

If you enjoy Beatles in a casual way, they have enough hits on their "1" album. They are not a one or two hit wonder, so you would not be paying $10 or $15 just for a song or two. Thus, there is not much of a point to wait for its iTunes release. I don't know what makes Beatles right holders to think they are going to be such a groundbreaking addition to the store to make them worth some exceptionally special deal.

Most of the new customers will be those who are only interested in just one or two songs of them. It is hard to say these two songs of theirs are quite good, but others are not worth buying, so I cannot imagine that many people of that type. Besides, iTunes is well-known already, so it does not need any publicity that may come with a Beatles release.

[peeeter]

It seems something is going on. I have account in Polish iTunes store that provides only iPhone Apps so far. Genius function used to disabled for us, but it has been enabled now.

[schneb]

I'd like to see the Beatles on iTunes just to introduce a new generation to where some of their favorite sounds came from.
My 8 year-old daughter loves The Beatles, The Who, and Led Zeppelin. She would sometimes put it on when we are not looking.

And you are right about "roots". Where would the Beatles be without influences such as Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly?

[JQW]

I've been seeing a few albums listed as upgradable under iTunes Plus for several days now. All were on Universal labels. I've also purchased titles on Sony/BMG and Warners imprints, and they weren't offered.

As for The Beatles catalogue, the main issue is that the CDs were released over 20 years ago, and with several major problems, usually regarding mixes. The first four albums were only issued in mono, despite the fact that all were issued as mono and stereo initially in the UK. The next two used new stereo mixes prepared especially for the CD issues, and not either the original UK mono or stereo mixes. Likewise later albums featured the UK stereo mixes only, and neglected the stereo ones.

Other tracks on the Past Masters and Magical Mystery Tour compilations also featured odd mixes initially prepared for compilation albums. Some original mono singles mixes did appeared on individual CD singles at a later date.

The reason why this is a concern is that a good number of tracks had remarkably different versions between stereo and mono mixes, either accidentally or deliberately. There were also a few differences between the versions of some tracks issued in different countries, even if you ignore the tricks that Capitol used when they issued the catalogue in the UK. Then there's the unique versions that escaped on some promotional copies.

There's also some other problems with the actual mastering - the sound on some albums just isn't that distinct - notably A Hard Day's Night.

[Lycanthrope]

Yawn, yawn, who cares about The Beatles on iTunes? There are plenty of ways to get their music if you so choose, CD's perhaps?

What's the big deal, they harp on about it like it's going to revolutionize the music industry as we know it.

I'm not dissing The Beatle's music, it was highly innovative and influential and is loved by many millions, if not billions, of people world-wide. Just quit reporting it in regards to iTunes please...

[inkswamp]

If they did I would buy all my music on iTunes, end of.

Same here. The only music I've bought off iTunes are the freebies and a couple albums for my daughter. I'd love to buy my music from iTunes, but I won't tolerate DRM (and I don't particularly like Amazon's store interface so I don't bother with that. If I wanted that level of frustration searching through music, I'd go to a local CD store.) If Apple's gearing up to switch over to all DRM-free offerings a la Amazon, they will have gained me as a customer.

[chrisgeleven]

Wow, every album I ever purchased a song or two from all the sudden appeared on my "Complete This Album" list.

My list was practically empty a few days ago.

Same thing happened a day before iTunes Plus launched last year...in that case, it was every EMI album I had purchased a song from showed up on the Complete This Album list.

[Bern]

And from the time I wrote that to now (15 minutes?), Upgrade My Library has been emptied. Nothing there. Zero.

Anyone else seing something?

Yep same thing for me. But what really ticks me off is that I never had the chance to purchase the three albums that were there yesterday because Apple kept giving me that error message. :mad:

[Michael CM1]

I am yet another person who could care less about The Beatles being on iTunes. Most of the group's fans have CDs of the albums and probably a few specials like the album with all the No. 1 hits. Most of these people probably also own the LPs. I complain about AC/DC not being on there as well, yet I could do the same thing. Still, I'm not buying any AC/DC music until they pull their snooty heads out of their butts and put their stuff online. Votin' with the wallet.

As far as DRM-free music, earlier today I didn't even see the iTunes Plus section. I don't know what the deal with this whole thing is. It sure would be nice if they had a decent price to upgrade songs (not 30 cents/track!!!!!), but it's not a huge deal to me. Burn songs to a CD, rip CD to computer. Voila, DRM-free music.

[rockosmodurnlif]

I never understood this mad desire for the Beatles on iTunes. If you are a Beatles fan don't you already have most if not all of the Beatles tracks you desire? Why wait for these tracks to become available on iTunes which you have been doing for 5 years now?

Is is just the Beatles back catalog or is there going to be a new release? (Like how Zeppelin launched with a new greatest hits record.)

[Chundles]

Burn songs to a CD, rip CD to computer. Voila, DRM-free music.

At a great loss to quality. No thanks.

[rhett7660]

Careless about the Beatles. I have their albums. Bring on more and more of the DRM free music though and at highter bit rates. Please..........

[Honest Truth]

It seems that the itunes plus link has been added back again?

[Chundles]

It seems that the itunes plus link has been added back again?

Yep but there's nothing in my list to upgrade. There was yesterday but I was getting the "Status has changed and the item is now unavailable for purchase" error. Now those items are gone as well.

Curiouser and curiouser.

[goldenpurple05]

My list to upgrade just came back, but only one album there instead of the six I had the option to upgrade earlier when it wasn't working....weird...

[ptsube]

Apple is losing it. I have gone over to Amazon MP3's. This upgrade crap is ridiculous.

I already paid a dollar per track. Why do I have to pay 30 cents more to make them DRM free? If I just waited to buy them until now, I could have had DRM free tracks for a buck instead of $1.30? If I upgraded my entire library, It would be $300-400.

Because I supported iTunes from the beginning, I get to fork over more money? F'n ridiculous. But I guess that's how Apple treats it's customers.

[thomahawk]

i enjoy the beatles music, and i hope i'll be able to finally download them onto my ipod, cuz all i got is records...

[Galley]

Prediction #1: All current 99 cent tracks will be available in DRM-free 256Kbps AAC. :)
Prediction #2: iTunes Plus tracks will be available in DRM-free Apple Lossless for $1.29. :eek:

They can sell a 2GB video file for $1.99, so surely then call sell 25MB audio files for $1.29. :confused:

[Evangelion]

At a great loss to quality. No thanks.

Would the quality be better if you bought it from the iTunes store? And did you know that you can maintain 100% of the original sound-quality when you rip the music froim the CD?

[Evangelion]

Apple is losing it. I have gone over to Amazon MP3's. This upgrade crap is ridiculous.

I bet that it's the labels who insist on it. And by using Amazon, yu are helping the labels. They saw that iTunes was becoming "too popular" for their liking, so they decided to cripple it, by giving other stores better deals than they gave to iTunes (for example, no DRM).

Because I supported iTunes from the beginning, I get to fork over more money? F'n ridiculous. But I guess that's how Apple treats it's customers.

Go whine to the labels, not Apple. And there IS extra cost involved for Apple as well. I mean, you are re-downloading all those tacks, and that means bandwidth being used.

[reevans]

I like the Beatles music and bought the tracks when I was a teen (30 years ago). When I consider the right to make my own tapes from music I bought and extend that to the right to make digital copies of music I paid for, I have no wish to pay again.

If I want to listen to a track that I paid for in the past, I will not pay again but will download it for free off someone else. Screw the greedy money grubbing Beatles.

[robbyx]

The Beatles are a bunch of nasty greedy pricks. Can we please stop wasting bandwidth on them???

[robbyx]

Ok, so this is a tangent, but it might be of interest to some. At any rate, it's pretty cool! I'm a big fan of G-Stone Records, the Austrian label run by Richard Dorfmeister (of Tosca fame). I recently checked out their site and it led me to the Austrian shop/distributor Soul Seduction. I've ordered CDs from them before, but it's been about two years or so.

At any rate, imagine my surprise to discover that much of the music on their site is now available in DRM-Free WAVE format for download. Low and High quality MP3 files are also available. Since a lot of the G-Stone releases are only available on CD as imports (in the US), this is an even better option. Sweet!

If you're interested, check out www.soulseduction.com.

[Evangelion]

At any rate, imagine my surprise to discover that much of the music on their site is now available in DRM-Free WAVE format for download.

That's just stupid. They could offer them in lossless encodes (like FLAC). The sound-quality would be identical, but the size of the files would be a lot smaller.

[MacGit]

Oh why are the Yanks (Macrumors - yet another spelling mistake) so bitter and twisted jealous of Brit music, Brit anything?

[Evangelion]

Oh why are the Yanks (Macrumors - yet another spelling mistake) so bitter and twisted jealous of Brit music, Brit anything?

This isn't about "being jealous" about Beatles. It's about the fact that the rumour of Beatles in iTunes has been around for so long that most people simply don't care anymore.

[SomeTechGuy]

iTunes Plus is back. No new music available for me.

[bobr1952]

I'm a boomer and I certainly love the Beatles--always have and always will. But this really is silly--and I tend to agree with those who are to the point of saying "who cares" With each new rumor, my respect for Paul sinks a little bit lower as I just don't feel he has much interest in supporting Beatles fans--nor his other three band members and their families.

[Toadkillerdog]

I'm a boomer and I certainly love the Beatles--always have and always will. But this really is silly--and I tend to agree with those who are to the point of saying "who cares" With each new rumor, my respect for Paul sinks a little bit lower as I just don't feel he has much interest in supporting Beatles fans--nor his other three band members and their families.


I believe that control of the Beatles music is NOT in Paul's hands. I think the last person to control that library was Michael Jackson and who bought him out for rights I don't know and am too lazy to find out. I am fairly sure that the "Beatles" do not own the rights to their own music anymore.

[rockosmodurnlif]

I bet that it's the labels who insist on it. And by using Amazon, yu are helping the labels. They saw that iTunes was becoming "too popular" for their liking, so they decided to cripple it, by giving other stores better deals than they gave to iTunes (for example, no DRM).

...

Go whine to the labels, not Apple. And there IS extra cost involved for Apple as well. I mean, you are re-downloading all those tacks, and that means bandwidth being used.
Put down the glass and step away from the :apple:-Aid. Yours is incredibly strong.

Buying music cheaper at Amazon is helping me save money.

[Evangelion]

Put down the glass and step away from the :apple:-Aid. Yours is incredibly strong.

If you knew me or have read my posts, you would know that I'm anything but an Apple-fanboy. I use their products because I like them, but I'm not fanatic about it.

Buying music cheaper at Amazon is helping me save money.

In the short-run, perhaps. But that does not change the fact that you are witnessing strong-arm tactics from the labels, and you are supporting that behavior. The reason why Amazon is cheaper and DRM-free, is because labels jointly decided to cripple iTunes Store. They can't afford to boycott ITMS, but the can favour it's competitors.

Divide and conquer.

[Quillz]

Are to any plans to actually make iTunes Plus songs have actual CD-quality, of 320 kbps? I recently rebuilt many of my playlists with much higher quality cuts of the same songs, and, with a good pair of headphones, the improved quality is amazing. It's amazing all the things that you miss when stuck with crappy 128/256 kbps.

[Evangelion]

Are to any plans to actually make iTunes Plus songs have actual CD-quality, of 320 kbps? I recently rebuilt many of my playlists with much higher quality cuts of the same songs, and, with a good pair of headphones, the improved quality is amazing. It's amazing all the things that you miss when stuck with crappy 128/256 kbps.

If you want CD-quality, you need lossless encoding. 320kbps is not it.

[SactoGuy18]

If you want CD-quality, you need lossless encoding. 320kbps is not it.

I'm hoping that within the next few years Apple will see it fit to offer music in Apple Lossless format at iTMS, especially now that broadband speeds are increasing and hard disk storage is so dirt cheap. :)

[joelovesapple]

I'm hoping that within the next few years Apple will see it fit to offer music in Apple Lossless format at iTMS, especially now that broadband speeds are increasing and hard disk storage is so dirt cheap. :)

That will only happen when

- More of America has broadband than it does now - there seem to still be a lot of people struggling on dial-up,

- When ISP's stop throttling usage.

But yes, eventually I don't see why not.:)

[rockosmodurnlif]

If you knew me or have read my posts, you would know that I'm anything but an Apple-fanboy. I use their products because I like them, but I'm not fanatic about it.



In the short-run, perhaps. But that does not change the fact that you are witnessing strong-arm tactics from the labels, and you are supporting that behavior. The reason why Amazon is cheaper and DRM-free, is because labels jointly decided to cripple iTunes Store. They can't afford to boycott ITMS, but the can favour it's competitors.

Divide and conquer.
Divide and conquer who? Cripple iTunes and then what? Certainly you don't mean leverage for higher prices. I don't usually say these things but the era of high profit margins is over for the record industry. If they want a market to milk let them bother the vinyl crowd. The digital audience expects $10 for an album, $1 for a single or they'll just go get it for free.

[benzslrpee]

really...256 is crappy? you one of those people that can hear the difference between a $3k wire and a regular radio shack one? you buy Grados, Denons, Beyers, AT, Denons, or whatever flavor du jour cans? do you use phrases like PRaT, toe-tapping, warmth, soundstage etc... in your daily vocabulary? :D

a 256 rip from a quality recording should sound exemplary, a 192 rip should sound pretty good, a 128-160 rip should sound decent.

here's the catch, we are all assuming these artists are using top notch instruments, badass recording hardware and superb sound engineers. i'm going to assume that the recording industry, like every industry there is, can't use top shelf gear for everyone. just ain't possible.

of course some independant ones have their own gear so i can't attest to the quality coming from them.

so chances are your pet artist probably strolled into a Warner/Sony/Universal studio, strummed an ok guitar, that was connected to a decent amp, which was recorded in an so-so sound room, armed with last years gear and proofed by some dude that produces mediocre work. then somewhere along the analog-to-digital process the music probably lost some of that dynamic warmness that LP lovers moan about.

if a 256 rip from that sounds "horrible" to the golden eared audiogeeks out there, then chances are the lossless rip isn't going to turn your tunes into sunshine and rainbows.

Are to any plans to actually make iTunes Plus songs have actual CD-quality, of 320 kbps? I recently rebuilt many of my playlists with much higher quality cuts of the same songs, and, with a good pair of headphones, the improved quality is amazing. It's amazing all the things that you miss when stuck with crappy 128/256 kbps.

[Evangelion]

Divide and conquer who?

Online-retailers and users.

Cripple iTunes and then what? Certainly you don't mean leverage for higher prices.

Labels were afraid that Apple gets too muc power over them, since ITMS was getting so popular. So they went ahead that started favouring other stores at ITMS expence. End-result is that Amazon and others get cheaper tracks with no DRM, while Apple does not. This has been documented.

I don't usually say these things but the era of high profit margins is over for the record industry. If they want a market to milk let them bother the vinyl crowd. The digital audience expects $10 for an album, $1 for a single or they'll just go get it for free.

The labels are afraid that they hand too much power to Apple. That's why they want to cripple it.

[bobr1952]

I believe that control of the Beatles music is NOT in Paul's hands. I think the last person to control that library was Michael Jackson and who bought him out for rights I don't know and am too lazy to find out. I am fairly sure that the "Beatles" do not own the rights to their own music anymore.

I thought they were back in Paul's hands now since MJ was in need of a little cash a few years ago--but I could be wrong on that.

Still, I guess my somewhat misguided point to my original post was that I just have not been very happy with Paul's treatment of the other 3 Beatles and their families--but that is just a personal opinion on my part.

[hectors92]

I have 96KHz/24Bit FLAC vinyl rips of the Beatles' albums. 128kbps AAC can suck my balls

[SactoGuy18]

That will only happen when....

- When ISP's stop throttling usage.



Yes, that could be a problem because a music CD that stores about 650 MB of data (74 minutes of music) is compressed to about 260 MB in size under Apple Lossless or FLAC formats. Under MP3 or AAC 256 kbps VBR formats, the reduction in size is from 650 MB to around 68-75 MB, which has a lot less issues for ISP's imposing monthly download limits.