HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

https://musictech.com/features/intervie ... platforms/

This is a good informative read.

An uncomfortable situation for new artists trying to become visible. One solution is that which 'The Last Dinner Party' used - they gigged solidly for 2 years to create a mystique and finally started releasing recordings when a wave of interest had built up.

Slow Readers Club did something similar.

But it needs commitment and patience to take that route where the talent you have can be appreciated by the audience.

I'm glad that I don't belong to the new generation of music fans whose tastes are determined by playlists and AI. I do have Tidal and occasionally check out new albums on it, but mostly just play old favourites from the 70's when I use it. SQ is inferior to my own ripped CD's anyway.

I find that all things being equal CDs ripped to WAV sound better than the Qobuz stream, but the main factor is the standard of mastering. Qobuz streams of Steve Wilson remasters sound better than my ripped CDs. I do not buy or download new releases I like because of the levels of compression. A DR of 7 which is poor seems quite welcome these days because so many are worse. Purchases comprise second hand CDs and Qobuz downlowds with dececent DR in essence blast from the past, before 1986 which is the year I stopped buying vinyl. Listing on the main system is mainly confined to these purchases and Qobuz streams from good masters.

The music industry has been transformed in the past 25 years with hardly anyone buying physical product any more. I think old established artists with large back catalogues are doing well out of streaming. Neil Young has put his catalogue back on Spotify after removing it. It is a completely different matter for aspiring artists who in decades gone by would be promoted by managers and record companies. Music is no longer a sound business adventure, unlike the 70s in the words of Bonn Scot "the guitar man got famous and the business man got rich". It is ironic that bands and artists who were ripped off 40-50 years ago are reaping the benefits now, if still around.

This article from The Guardian last year tells that CD sales are picking up as 'true' music fans are returning to physical media and the digital discs are far more affordable than overpriced vinyl.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... rus-weeknd

Artists receive much more revenue from this than the pittance they get via screaming services. And the listeners who want to support their favourite musicians get something they can hold, look at and cherish.

Win-win all round.

Figures for the second hand markets would be very interesting.