THE INDUSTRY IS CHANGING: Digital & Hard Copies

Gemini · Mar 29, 2011

First & foremost this thread was inspired by what was said in another thread. Instead of hijacking the tread & taking it in a new direction, I decided to start this new one.

PIIMPENT said:

That's the route to take as an independent label. Cut all unnecessary cost is key. That's what I'm doing with my label as well. I also have cut cost on the limited hard copies (if any are pressed.)

I run with a 4 panel insert and a slim case on any new release from 2Face Entertainment. Tray card & any extra printing is more unnecessary cost in my opinion. Granted, some of you may say / think that's not believing in ones product, but that's where I (myself) differ. I don't believe in putting all my eggs in one basket.

The independent rap game has focused too much on tight covers and first impressions rather than delivering good music.

Your thoughts?

Slapmaster Promo · Mar 29, 2011

I say get preorders to see if and how many cds you need to print up for a project. As long as there are collectors out there cds will be printed.

Tony · Mar 29, 2011

So how am I supposed to get the album if hard copies aren't going to be pressed?

I'm ignorant when it comes to the digital music world..... do I just pay via credit card and then download the album to my computer?

Slapmaster Promo · Mar 29, 2011

Tony said:

So how am I supposed to get the album if hard copies aren't going to be pressed?

I'm ignorant when it comes to the digital music world..... do I just pay via credit card and then download the album to my computer?

yes

Tony · Mar 29, 2011

Thanks...

Gemini · Mar 29, 2011

Tony said:

You've been on here as long as I have and your still haven't figured it out? :hurt:

LOL! j/k

Seriously though, that why Cd's are not completely obsolete when it comes to new releases. Read it again, we're all (so far) saying there will be a limited amount of Cd's pressed for people such as yourself.

Truth of the matter is, not as many people are buying hard copies anymore. The majority are internet downloads (iTunes etc.)

PLAYA RAE · Mar 29, 2011

Short Run is ALIVE & WELL. Anyone looking to cut costs by not doing ANY hard copies at all and pushing ONLY digital is cutting themselves off from a part of the business where people still want the artwork and physical disc.

No disagreement here when it's said that the game is changing to digital. We've seen it shift for Monstaville, but when we hit the road...out the trunk we go like always. You have to continue to press cd's even if it's shortrun. Alot of people still hate buying with CC's and also getting "okay" quality mp3's from Download Stores.

Keeping a box of at least 100 to 200 cds on deck is always a smart move. IMO

Bart fka KhameNei · Mar 29, 2011

I go with Rae on this one, as I belong to the ones who will buy one of these 200 stacked haha.
Gemini, you know my opinion on this one - to me an album is not an album if I can't hold it in my hands. But since a lot of people think the other way round, the industry will meet their needs.
And I do regret that Tay didn't decide to press at least a couple of copies. I swear to God I won't buy that cd in digitals - one client less.

Gemini · Mar 29, 2011

I agree, that's what I meant by a limited amount of hard copies (100 - 200)

Back to what I've said before & what Slapmaster said in this thread, pre orders...

How does everyone feel about an album with a 4 panel insert in a slim case?

PLAYA RAE · Mar 29, 2011

I think the slim case is "ok" at best. People equate the slimcase to a mixtape however and not as an album. It's just smarter to go full jewel case for the actual album and slim case for a mixtape/single etc. Even at that I would opt for the Clear Vinyl sleeves with the 2 panel insert cause it just pops more.

SMOKIELOCS · Mar 29, 2011

I SEE WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING.I STILL NEED TO PRESS AT LEAST 1000 HARD COPYS OF EVERY NEW RELEASE. ILL EVENTUALY GET EM ALL OFF.YOU SEE I STILL HIT THE ROAD AND GRIND LIKE A MUTHERFUCKER.SO I GET EM OFF.ALTHOUGH I DO SEE THAT ITS GETTING HARDER 2 SLANG MUSIC AND STORE'S ESP MOM N POPS ARE DYING OFF.AS SOON AS SALES START SLOWING UP, IM GUNNA HAVE TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES.ALTHOUGH EVILSIDE HAS BEEN GETTING MONEY THREW DIGITALS FROM THE GET GO....

SMOKIELOCS · Mar 29, 2011

AND I KNOW 1000 CD'S IS NOT ALOT BUT I STILL MAKE 7-8 THOUSAND OFF EVERY 1K PRESSED SO FOR ME ITS STILL A COOL HUSTLE....

SickOne · Mar 30, 2011

I believe more people that actually pay for music prefer to buy a physical copy. If u pay close attention to the charts, albums that aren't exclusively digital sell more. I prefer a physical copy, & only buy digital if I have no other option, & then I only buy from iTunes cause it's so easy, can download straight to my phone. Don't know shit about illegal file sharing or downloading from any other site, damn near computer illiterate.some fans like myself will buy a bootleg on eBay or off the street if no legit hard copy or no digital from site they like.

radiostationrep · Mar 30, 2011

It is changing, but laziness will not get the cake, keeping it moving will. Digital is one avenue of many. Press a proffesional looking product. I mean all bullshit aside, if pressing 1,000 copies is breaking your bank, why waste your time?

Nuttkase · Mar 30, 2011

With smart phones, mp3 players, tablet computers, etc becoming more the way to go and can store literally thousands of songs of course cds sales are going to drop off. What I find interesting in that in the past few years even though cd sales have steadily declined the sales of vinyl records have gone up each year for around the past five years and continues to do more so each year. While it is still a small percentage of overall record sales it made me wonder if collectors are going back to vinyl for their collections and downloading the actual albums either legit through iTunes, etc or for free through other sources for the devices I mentioned in my first sentence. Also most vinyl records come with a free download card for more or less any format you want and in high quality for digital downloads too.

I know all of that is a little off subject but as a collector who has come to buying maybe 20-30 cds a year for awhile now which is down from literally 100s before is anyone else doing this? I've collected vinyl records for about 8 years and still buy them a lot and plan on holding onto them. Plus the artwork looks great on vinyl and some of the actual vinyl is really dope too. With my cds minus classics, rare ones, limited ones I plan on selling most in the next few months. I figure I'll go from around 2000+ cds to probably 300 or so.

BIGCHILL · Mar 30, 2011

like a few said,keep a few 100 hard copies on you.you dont want people to buy your album and you tell them "go buy it online".you want to say "hold up a sec" reach in the ride and pull out a fresh copy of your new album and its a plus if you sign it for them.

G RAIDER · Mar 30, 2011

ive bought 3 digital cd's... 1 of those was digital only. the other two i wanted as soon as possible, one of witch i went and still bought a physical copy (pretty much bought twice) and the third i am gonna go buy once the store receives it.

aside from that, im not gonna pay for a computer file. one that i can easily get. i want something in my hand in return for my money. either way the cd will be downloaded even if i have a hard copy.

LethaFace · Mar 31, 2011

Yesterday on some rap board I saw a post or a topic where a guy asked for producers credits, cause he bought the album from iTunes and he didn't know who did the beat! Damn, I can't believe myself spending money on music and not even receiving a proper information about the cd.
That's why I'm with all the people who're supporting real, physical copies of the albums.

recklessofgilaz · Mar 31, 2011

I dont know about ya'll but as a music consumer I hate having to download a lot of times. personally I get more satisfaction from buying hard copies of albums rather than downloading off itunes or for free. I know a lot of people who dont want to buy hard copies are making the game change but its so much better to just buy a hard copy cause its your art. Its not just music oh this song slaps, this songs aight, this songs wack or whatever. If you have a concept to a song, a real message or a story to tell then you can feel it more when you buy the hard copy. you ook at the artwork and if people actually took the time and money to make worth while graphics so the viewer to see, then they feel good about buying your product and appriciate your music more and will be on the look out to buy the next cd. of coarse this is my opinion but thats the way I am. I buy cds dont download unless its nessasary and only from itunes or cd baby cause I still want to support my artist that I like so they can continue to make more music that I enjoy listening too. I think this video explains it much better than me:

Darkshowdown · Mar 31, 2011

theres no guideline honestly. everybody should just do whatever works best for them. if u popular and got a fan base then pressing dont make a difference u can still sell digital. but if u tryna ge your name out then u gotta press and do everything possible. if u ask me though i believe digital is the best route bc fans can listen to the whole album before purchase. also most digitak stores still press up actual cds too as well as mp3 digital albums

THE INDUSTRY IS CHANGING: Digital & Hard Copies

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