eMusic Plans To Relaunch Subscription Service

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/eMusic+to+relaunch+MP3+subscription+service/2100-1025_3-5372121.html?tag=nefd.top' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/eMusic+to+relaunch+MP3+subscription+service/2100-1025_3-5372121.html?tag=nefd.top</a><br /><br /></div><i>"eMusic, one of the oldest names in digital music, will relaunch its music subscription service on Wednesday with an independent appeal dramatically different than its bigger rivals'. As in its previous incarnation, the service will offer unprotected MP3 files from independent labels, a sharp contrast from services such as Apple Computer's iTunes or Microsoft's new MSN Music store, all of which wrap their songs in copy protection."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/em_logo.gif" /><br /><br />This is certainly a different spin on music downloads. But eMusic's new model isn't quite what it seems. The unprotected songs will only apply to independent artists, not commercial artists like Eminem or Britney Spears (do I really have to refer to her as an "artist"? ). That means music content will be from starving artists you've probably never heard of before, which has its good and bad points. <br /><br />Still, it will be interesting to see how this new model impacts eMusic's revenues. I'm hoping more online music download services become successful, if for no other reason to than to challenge iTunes. That said, I view eMusic as a relic from the Dot com era....a company that does little more than incinerate venture capital.

[Neil Enns]

do I really have to refer to her as an "artist"?

Hey now! Watch it buddy! That's an Outrageous statement, and it's comments like those that create a Toxic environment here. I'm tired of all the Britney bashing around, and saying "Oops, I did it again" this time won't make it all better! EVERYTIME this comes up it makes me soooo cranky!

*sigh*. Oh well, I guess all this Britney bashing will just make my love for her Stronger.

Neil

[Kent Pribbernow]

*sigh*. Oh well, I guess all this Britney bashing will just make my love for her Stronger.


Won't do you any good. She got married....again. Oops! I guess she did it again! Bwahahaha!!!!! :twisted:

[Schade]

This is certainly a different spin on music downloads. But eMusic's new model isn't quite what it seems.

Excuse me? eMusic's been around for years and they're keeping the same model they currently have. The article even has the disclaimer "As in it's previous incarnation...". They used to offer unlimited downloads, but about a year ago they moved to a subscription based service. It's currently $10 for 40 songs/month, $15 for 65, or $20 for 90.

But, your point is well taken. IF you typical buy music from the major labels, eMusic's NOT for you. But, if you typically buy from independents, please check eMusic out. Also, it's not my forte, but from what I hear they are really strong in the classical and jazz departments for obscure, out-of-print stuff.

All they're trying to do with this announcement is drum up press for the relaunch. They had been using Agent Arts as a tech provider and they're simply switching to someone else. They're apparently also upgrading the search functionality and providing many more community benefits. And I can't stress enough the quality of the rips they provide. NO DRM. High-bit VBR MP3. Mine rarely average below 200kbps.

If anyone here thinks they might be interested, please check out the very active community on the message boards (http://msg.emusic.com). There are plenty of people willing to give suggestions about music you'd like. But once again, you will not (and have not ever in the past) be able to find anything on a major label. Instead, you'll find a lot of your favorite labels at .22-.25 per song. (As an indication of their activity, after recently losing Epitaph they went back and got Fat Possum on their own. RL Burside, Black Keys anyone? And in the last few weeks they've gotten another indie rock favorite, Yep Roc. Artemis is there. The list goes on and on.)

[The Yaz]

I actually tried their service from an ad flyer that was in my mp3 player box. If you sign up for their service they give you a 30 day grace period/100 song download limit to try them out.

I'm not into inde music, but was able to find record lable razor & tie who produce a lot of kid related music (ie Kids Bop). I ended up with 6 album's of music and cancelled the service.

In the cancel survey, I noted that the quality of the recordings were good, but the selection is not what I'm interested in. If there was some way these sites could partner selections, I think interest for all of these sites would be better.

What I'm talking about is Columbia House, when they would have a short-time deal to offer Sony label in their catalogs. It gave you a chance to expand your collection and get credit on your account at the same time. I think this could work for the music sites as well.

Of course, the shared collections would have to be in mp3, because we can't agree on a common codecs now, can we...

Steve 8)

[dean_shan]

I used to be an eMusic subscriber. I downloaded all I wanted then quit. Not the largest selection out there but good none-the-less.