Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Where do you buy music?

83 replies

Beancounter1 · 03/01/2023 22:13

My New Year's resolution is to bring more music into my life.
I've just ripped my entire CD collection onto my laptop, and transferred to MP3 player. I never played the CDs, but now I can play random tracks on shuffle, and delete album tracks I don't like - so much more fun.

Where is the best place to buy songs or albums online, preferably wma format?
I am not interested in streaming, as I want to own the tracks and play them offline.

OP posts:
CockSpadget · 03/01/2023 22:14

With Spotify premium, you download them and then you can play them offline.

MassiveSalad22 · 03/01/2023 22:16

Hmm yeah just Spotify for us too!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 03/01/2023 22:17

Spotify. Have not put cds on iTunes or whatever for years. We do still have them in boxes though as DH doesn't want to get rid of them

Original poster
Beancounter1 · 03/01/2023 22:17

Does Spotify have to mean a monthly membership fee? I was hoping to just pay for the tracks I want.

OP posts:
CockSpadget · 03/01/2023 22:19

It is a monthly fee, but it’s literally the price of a chart CD. The cost of one CD but access to millions of tracks

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 03/01/2023 22:20

Just Spotify premium here too.

How much would you expect to pay for 1 track? Would a Spotify subscription work out cheaper in the long run?

CockSpadget · 03/01/2023 22:20

There’s a reason new month free offer, give it a try!

CockSpadget · 03/01/2023 22:20

One month free. Fat fingers strike again

Original poster
Beancounter1 · 03/01/2023 22:22

I haven't looked into how much things cost or what I might want to spend - I'm new to all of this. I guess the way to go is get a subscription, download everything I could possibly want, then cancel.
I don't need modern tracks - just all the best of the best from the last 70 years!

OP posts:
CockSpadget · 03/01/2023 22:25

If you cancel the subscription l, and revert to free Spotify, you will no longer be able to listen offline. Everything you’ve downloaded will still be in your playlists, but online only.

Original poster
Beancounter1 · 03/01/2023 22:26

CockSpadget · 03/01/2023 22:25

If you cancel the subscription l, and revert to free Spotify, you will no longer be able to listen offline. Everything you’ve downloaded will still be in your playlists, but online only.

Okay this is exactly what I DONT want. I want to buy tracks outright and own them for playing offline forever. Isn't there any site that does this?

OP posts:
BorisJohnsonsHair · 03/01/2023 22:29

Not sure if you can still do this, but Amazon used to give you a free download if you bought the physical CD. I liked that because you get to own it as well as download it.

Original poster
Beancounter1 · 03/01/2023 22:30

Got to go now but I will check back here tomorrow.

OP posts:
Topbird29 · 03/01/2023 22:30

You used to be able to buy a cd to download off amazon- normal amazon, not amazon music. Sometimes just a track. Not sure if still an option.
We also have CDs and don't rely on streaming

Bigdamnheroes · 03/01/2023 22:32

I haven't since I was about 12. I download everything from YouTube.

notacooldad · 03/01/2023 22:32

Bandcamp and Soundcloud.

Knobknob · 03/01/2023 22:36

You don't actually OWN downloaded digital tracks ever even if you pay for them - it's kind of a forever rental/license thing.

So what you want doesn't exist.

The only way to do it is to buy the CD and rip it - and why bother?

So I say get over it and vote Spotify too

Northernsouloldies · 03/01/2023 22:42

You tube playlist on my phone, Northern soul records that would cost thousands to buy.

NannyR · 03/01/2023 22:47

Spotify works great for me, as the PP said, it's about the cost of one CD album a month and you have access to millions of tracks.
My dad buys a lot of cds from charity shops, very cheaply and rips them onto his laptop to make compilations to play in the car - this might be an option? You could donate them back once you've copied them. I used to do this with library cds years ago.

maximist · 03/01/2023 22:48

Yet another vote for Spotify - all the music you could ever want for the price of a cd per month. I love their suggested personalised playlists, I've found some great music through them.

ginislife · 03/01/2023 22:55

@Northernsouloldies I'm with you. KTF

Northernsouloldies · 03/01/2023 22:59

Look up bricomalingo. Chnl on u tube. The collection they have is outstanding. I'm sure u will find stuff on there u ain't heard in years. Ktf 😎

Buzzinwithbez · 04/01/2023 20:13

You can get free Spotify but you can't download and there are adverts.
Or paid for Spotify.
You may find you enjoy free Spotify.
There's a site called bandcamp where artists can upload their stuff for download.

If you want older stuff then charity shops usually have loads and you can still buy physical CDs or vinyl from music shops of course.

Original poster
Beancounter1 · 04/01/2023 20:16

I will look at Amazon. We already have prime, so I will see what they offer.
I will also do the rounds of charity shops for further CD's to rip.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beancounter1 · 04/01/2023 20:21

Knobknob · 03/01/2023 22:36

You don't actually OWN downloaded digital tracks ever even if you pay for them - it's kind of a forever rental/license thing.

So what you want doesn't exist.

The only way to do it is to buy the CD and rip it - and why bother?

So I say get over it and vote Spotify too

This I don't understand. If you have downloaded an actual file to your computer or device, how can the vendor then delete it?
Or is it not actually downloaded? Or is there some kind of 'kill switch' in it that will prevent copying and will self destruct if the subscription ceases?

I found about 5 CD's in my collection would not rip - they looked totally undamaged, so I think they may have some kind of built-in protection against copying.

As for why I want to own and not rent forever, well it is a bit like owning a house or car instead of renting forever. I like outright ownership of my stuff, especially in an uncertain world. Why would I want to pay Spotify every month for decades into the future?

OP posts: