A question for music fans

[Elvyn]

Hi all,

We're self-releasing our third record in the spring, right at the death-knell of the CD.


Our question is this; Would you rather purchase (at a show or online) a bands record on CD for between $10-$15, or an LP with digital download for $25 or so?

We're contemplating this as an option, but the outlay is a lot more and we're worried about fans balking at the price or just not having a turntable.

Thanks for your input!

Elvyn

 

[gixxerrock]

I still buy CDs, $10-15 is around what I think is reasonable.

 

[ScottR]

If you're going to go Digital, sell your record on those little Thumbdrives

 

[GregoryL]

I still think most of the people who will buy music at a show are most comfortable with a CD.

Vinyl is great and it's possible your audience is more vinyl-inclined, but I think most audiences won't have too many people who play vinyl regularly.

 

[speakerjones]

I would probably buy it on vinyl, but for more like $20, and I'm the minority. I'm thinking you're better off with CD.

 

[teleharmonium]

$25 for an LP ? Huh ? Unless it's analog mastered at Abbey Road and pressed on heavy virgin vinyl in England or Japan, a new LP shouldn't cost more than $12. There's thousands of new LPs I can choose from at that price or less, from bands I've heard of, why should I pay more for an unknown act with what are in all likelihood, lesser sonics and from a digital master ?

A friends band just put out a new LP with digi download coupon, in a one color sleeve, they're selling them for $11. The previous one actually included a CD in the sleeve with the LP and a fancy cover and was $14. If you can actually pull in $25 apiece, good for you, but I wouldn't count on that happening.

 

[Matt_C]

CD and I think teleharmonium's advice is spot on.

 

[Derwood]

I still like CD's

 

[Elvyn]

$25 for an LP ? Huh ? Unless it's analog mastered at Abbey Road and pressed on heavy virgin vinyl in England or Japan, a new LP shouldn't cost more than $12. There's thousands of new LPs I can choose from at that price or less, from bands I've heard of, why should I pay more for an unknown act with what are in all likelihood, lesser sonics and from a digital master ?

A friends band just put out a new LP with digi download coupon, in a one color sleeve, they're selling them for $11. The previous one actually included a CD in the sleeve with the LP and a fancy cover and was $14. If you can actually pull in $25 apiece, good for you, but I wouldn't count on that happening.

Wow. Well we haven't mastered it yet, so we can master it for vinyl if need be, but where did your friends band get them pressed, and what kind of numbers did they order?

The issue for us is our sound is really suited to vinyl. We're not a garage band. However, self releasing is a bitch with the overheads for CD's or vinyl.

One thing that we think is pretty cool is a little card you buy that has a download code for your album on it. Cheap and small to move, but it's not a record or CD (no cover art/other info).

If you have access to any of the info about the place that did your mate's stuff, let us know!

Thanks all!

 

[Elvyn]

Maybe the thing to do is release on CD, then in 6 months release a 7" and see how it does...

 

[Matt_C]

I think that's a much better idea.

 

[LowWatt]

I put this post in the other thread :

I almost only buy vinyl now. And downloadable content with the vinyl definitely makes me more inclined to buy the album at the show.

To me, buying a CD is unsatisfying and useless. I don't play CDs and I don't know many people who do anymore. It's either on my computer, my iPod or my record player.

I even know people with no turntable who prefer buying the vinyl if they get the digital download. To them, it's a nice piece of art along with the music and its a good way to support the band.

Having said that, I think you still need to have a CD option. The one thing about vinyl at shows is that its awkward to hold onto until the end of the night.

 

[Celticdave]

The issue for us is our sound is really suited to vinyl. We're not a garage band. However, self releasing is a bitch with the overheads for CD's or vinyl.

I'm a bit confused about this statement, especially today. You can get CDs pressed, with artwork, etc for less than a $1 ea. if you get 800-1000 of them. If you don't think you can sell that many, you might not be ready to release an album.

If you can swing those costs initially and focus your profits back into the band, that can give you more capitol for deeper promotions.

Think about it, let's say you pay $1 per CD and sale 500 of them at $10 (realistically, people don't buy local CDs for $15 when they can get their favorite Majors for around $10), that's $5k right there. I did 1k CDs for around $800 with a cool lightweight sleeve. If you put in $800 and can make $10k, those sound like good numbers to me.

In regards to an actual record, unless you're a spinner (DJ), I'd assume that the majority of your audience won't buy them simply bc they don't have anything to play them on! Also, if you're going to use it as a promotional tool (and hopefully you will), I don't know of any promotors or managers that drive around with a record player in their car. MANY of those guys want a standard CD that they can pop in while driving.

There are some great books out there about these very subjects. One I HIGHLY suggest to people is...

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Need-Rec...r_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263908632&sr=1-11

 

[mbargav]

I vote for vinyl + digital download, especially if you put together nice artwork/goodies for the record sleeve. Sort of depends on your audience though; do you play for the sort of crowds where the majority are likely to buy vinyl? Vinyl is cool, but CDs seem infinitely more practical.

 

[panoramic]

$25 for an lp are you crazy? I would not buy that lp and save my money for more pedals.

 

[AJ Love]

$5 CD's sell like hotcakes at shows. $10 CD's there is a hesitation in the buyers mind they have to think as to just how much they like the band or not

 

[teleharmonium]

Wow. Well we haven't mastered it yet, so we can master it for vinyl if need be, but where did your friends band get them pressed, and what kind of numbers did they order?

It was pressed at United in Nashville, who also provided the download via their website and stick the coupons with unique download codes into the sleeves. I'm not necessarily recommending them, there are others that do the same thing and you should do your homework to find out about quality and price. I don't know how many they had made but I would guess 500 or so.

 

[YoungAmerican]

Make a $5 high-quality download available, and sell the LP for $15 and include free download code for the album.

 

[art_z]

Why not do the LP and put in a CD-R in with it. CD-R cost is virtually nil, so it can be an added bonus.

 

[cram]

cd I guess, but I'd be happy with music anyway I can get it so it's not a strong preference.