Buying MP3s

[Masked Bandit]

Lets start off by saying no iTunes. I want to know where I can buy MP3s that are not DRM protected. I don't like iTunes because I don't want to be stuck buying Apple devices forever. Unless of course there is a way to take iTunes tracks and put them on something else? I've been hearing more & more about illegal downloading (Pirate Bay for example) getting increasingly sketchy and the possible threat of legal action. I don't mind buying music but what are the best places. If it isn't obvious by now, I don't have a lot of experience with this kind of thing.

[eblend]

Don't know how it all works now, but I remember apple ditched DRM long time ago, so I believe any music you buy from them now you can actually use elsewhere, not tied to iTunes, but I might be wrong. Either way, don't give them your money, they have enough of it.


Found this online, not sure how many available in Canada but worth a look (note...article from 2008..)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9992592-1.html

[Masked Bandit]

Originally posted by eblend
Don't know how it all works now, but I remember apple ditched DRM long time ago, so I believe any music you buy from them now you can actually use elsewhere, not tied to iTunes, but I might be wrong. Either way, don't give them your money, they have enough of it.


Found this online, not sure how many available in Canada but worth a look

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9992592-1.html

Aren't songs downloaded from iTunes in some other non-mp3 format that doesn't play on anything other than an apple device?

[Modelexis]

There are programs that will pull a backup copy of all your itunes songs to your hard drive. m4a format.

if your device isn't compatible with m4a im sure you could just convert it to mp3.

m4a plays on my computer no problem.

Depending on your music taste you might find the songs/album in MP3 format on amazon.

[Masked Bandit]

Originally posted by Modelexis
There are programs that will pull a backup copy of all your itunes songs to your hard drive. m4a format.

if your device isn't compatible with m4a im sure you could just convert it to mp3.

m4a plays on my computer no problem.

Depending on your music taste you might find the songs/album in MP3 format on amazon.

From what I can find Amazon.ca / .com won't download MP3s to Canada.

[Modelexis]

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/500x/43179809.jpg

[Masked Bandit]

Originally posted by Modelexis
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/500x/43179809.jpg

Well, of all the people on Beyond to make use of that photo, it has to be you Modelexis...lol!

[HiTempguy1]

People still torrent/p2p music? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

If you need the actual file, go to youtube. There are plenty of firefox add-ons that allow you to download videos as mp3 files, and typically you can find fairly high quality versions. :dunno:

Seriously, every single video with music uploaded on youtube is basically copyright infringement... they aren't going to target you for watching it, no different if you download the file.

[jsn]

I've purchased and downloaded music from itunes and I play it on my android.:dunno:

7digital is another option I use sometimes. You can also purchase and download via an app on android devices.

[nzwasp]

or download freemake and use that with youtube.

[DeeK]

Bandcamp

[blitz]

Originally posted by Masked Bandit


Aren't songs downloaded from iTunes in some other non-mp3 format that doesn't play on anything other than an apple device?

i've transfered music from itunes to my new Windows phone, no problems so far.

[rage2]

iTunes music has been DRM free for years now. They're MPEG 4 AAC audio files which plays on everything made in the last decade. It's a better format in terms of audio quality than mp3. iTunes can convert to mp3 if you really wanted to.

[roopi]

I use mp3caprice.com and it's 0.12 a song. If they don't have what I want I request it and they usually get it for me within a week.

[rage2]

Originally posted by roopi
I use mp3caprice.com and it's 0.12 a song. If they don't have what I want I request it and they usually get it for me within a week.
You might as well pirate if you buy from these Russian mp3 sites haha.

[roopi]

Originally posted by rage2

You might as well pirate if you buy from these Russian mp3 sites haha.

I'm just a guy buying music. :D

[flipstah]

I find that it's now more time-consuming to download and wait than just pay $1 from the Microsoft Store for the song/album that I want.

[msommers]

Hdtracks

Just wish they had more modern stuff on there

[EK69]

Google YouTube to mp3 for a quick fix :thumbsup:

[r3ccOs]

if I buy anything online... it'd better be FLAC 16bit minimum

[MalibuStacy]

It also depends what you are using to play it.

I have a windows 7 laptop, Surface RT, and a Sansa scandisk clipzip MP3 player. And all will play iTunes files.

The windows 7 laptop will run iTunes files but they are not as easy to play on Windows Media player.

My Surface and Scandisk play both iTunes, WMA and MP3 with no issues.

[HHURICANE1]

Lossless AAC files are the only thing a lot of media players have a problem with. It's easy to convert them to mp3 though. iTunes sells regular AAC though so it generally isn't a problem.

[403Gemini]

http://www.cdbaby.com/

[Zorac]

another vote for 7digital, works well for me. only complaint is some of the selections are a lower bit rate than i like. occasionally ill use HDTracks for HD flac downloads, you have to live in the US and they have a very limited selection, but if you pay with paypal and give a US zip code it will work it doesn't know the difference.