Bren F
A number of tracks I've bought online from various download services have been faulty. Having very noticeable clips/pops in certain locations of the track, and in one case a loud pop at the end which would spoil any transition.
I contacted one online store regarding this issue, reporting of a track I'd bought from them recently which had two significant flaws. Their initial response was "try downloading it again", so I did and I got the same file = same corruptions.
So I wrote back:
"Hello There,
Thanks for re-opening the download.
I must say though, the imperfections I described to you before are still present at the same points, have a listen (they are obvious).
It seems strange to think that these files come from record labels, that you'd imagine have the money and facilities to engineer high quality audio files without any technical flaws. As someone who buys quite a lot of material online (from various stores/sites) I've experienced this a disappointing number of times (despite many of the files coming from labels that are considered good).
Perhaps you could shed some light on this for me? and I hope acquire a more viable download."
The response I received:
"Hi Brendan,
Thanks for taking the time to give us a heads up on potential issues with music on our site. I am sorry to hear you are dissatisfied with the sonic quality of the music you purchased. Unfortunately there is little to nothing we are able to do about this. Here's our situation: Labels give us music to sell. We sell exactly what the labels give us. The labels or artists that submit music don't want us to sonically alter their music and legally we can not and have no desire to do this. With this said, there have been cases where files are corrupt and we are always interested in maintaining a high standard of quality control. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have such issues. I hope you understand and appreciate our situation.
regards"
I'm still looking for the incentive to return to using this service? lol, basically he's saying "You get what we are given" and that's a shame. If you bought a CD in a shop and was dissatisfied and could point out problems in the recording, what would they do? offer a replacement, yes, same problem? = refund or take an alternative product. And you'd walk out the shop thinking that Kylie Minogues record label would be getting an angry call from virgin megastores (but of course you'd probably be wrong).
I contacted one online store regarding this issue, reporting of a track I'd bought from them recently which had two significant flaws. Their initial response was "try downloading it again", so I did and I got the same file = same corruptions.
So I wrote back:
"Hello There,
Thanks for re-opening the download.
I must say though, the imperfections I described to you before are still present at the same points, have a listen (they are obvious).
It seems strange to think that these files come from record labels, that you'd imagine have the money and facilities to engineer high quality audio files without any technical flaws. As someone who buys quite a lot of material online (from various stores/sites) I've experienced this a disappointing number of times (despite many of the files coming from labels that are considered good).
Perhaps you could shed some light on this for me? and I hope acquire a more viable download."
The response I received:
"Hi Brendan,
Thanks for taking the time to give us a heads up on potential issues with music on our site. I am sorry to hear you are dissatisfied with the sonic quality of the music you purchased. Unfortunately there is little to nothing we are able to do about this. Here's our situation: Labels give us music to sell. We sell exactly what the labels give us. The labels or artists that submit music don't want us to sonically alter their music and legally we can not and have no desire to do this. With this said, there have been cases where files are corrupt and we are always interested in maintaining a high standard of quality control. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have such issues. I hope you understand and appreciate our situation.
regards"
I'm still looking for the incentive to return to using this service? lol, basically he's saying "You get what we are given" and that's a shame. If you bought a CD in a shop and was dissatisfied and could point out problems in the recording, what would they do? offer a replacement, yes, same problem? = refund or take an alternative product. And you'd walk out the shop thinking that Kylie Minogues record label would be getting an angry call from virgin megastores (but of course you'd probably be wrong).
Posted Mon 07 Jan 08 @ 4:25 pm
funkturnal
its the world of the download industry..can't compare to a retail cd. but the content that they get from the labels will not have that pop in it. Either it happened when they ripped it or uploaded it. It on them period. The labels give them the content....but its not like the label saids heres the site....now u run it. Its on them. In fact i bet if the label knew that the content was ditributed this way I bet they would hear from someone on top of the food chain.
Posted Mon 07 Jan 08 @ 4:41 pm
Dj Xeo
fancy enlightening us to who they are?
for electronic music i have never been anything but satisfied by track it down ( www.trackitdown.net )
perfect sound files, fast d/l servers, fast site, and some of the directions / ideas the music has taken me in have been brilliant
i think the natural audience there is the primary driver behind the quality of service because DJs will not tolerate bad files and even small pops, and the labels providing the music have comitted whole heartedly to providing music digitaly. Joe and Jade dont give a monkies if their latest cascada wank has a few small pops in it. because to start with they probably wont notice it on their distorting crappy 9.99 boom box.
not to say that all consumer services are crap (just that there isnt that same level of motivation) the quality of itunes songs have been quite good for me so far so i have to question the source and methods of this service you mention
for electronic music i have never been anything but satisfied by track it down ( www.trackitdown.net )
perfect sound files, fast d/l servers, fast site, and some of the directions / ideas the music has taken me in have been brilliant
i think the natural audience there is the primary driver behind the quality of service because DJs will not tolerate bad files and even small pops, and the labels providing the music have comitted whole heartedly to providing music digitaly. Joe and Jade dont give a monkies if their latest cascada wank has a few small pops in it. because to start with they probably wont notice it on their distorting crappy 9.99 boom box.
not to say that all consumer services are crap (just that there isnt that same level of motivation) the quality of itunes songs have been quite good for me so far so i have to question the source and methods of this service you mention
Posted Mon 07 Jan 08 @ 5:25 pm
A Man and His Music
Two things, download from another site, and see if you hear the same thing at the same spot. If you do you know it's from the source. If not you know it's from the site. You can then point this out to them. If you don't want to do that, ask if you can exchange that track, as you are unable to play that one. This shows them you are not some idiot, but just want your monies worth.
Posted Mon 07 Jan 08 @ 5:29 pm