Just wondering who here downloads music legally (IE, pays for it) and where they get it from?

I haven't in the past, mainly because I never found a service I liked the look of. Generally speaking, most download services are expensive and use low quality DRMed tracks, which is terrible, especially when the CDs are cheaper. iTunes is a particulary bad case, IMO, especially as they use AAC, which only iPods can use.

I recently found out Play.com (probably my favourite e-tailer anyway) do downloads aswell, and do them "properly". They are DRM-free MP3s (the best kind) and high quality (the FAQ says either 192 or 320kbps, but all the ones I've seen have been 320kbps [EDIT: found a couple at 256]). Price is decent, too, at 65p-70p per track. Though the album prices are still a bit steep.

May start using the Play service to get tracks I want/fill in gaps in my collection.

Anyone know any better services?

ive always used itunes tbh and there are flaws but its easier and even though you probably wont ever get caught for downloading illegally (i dont condone this!) then i still have the frame of mind i do it legally!

Heh, TBH, I can't find a flaw with the Play service, it has most my problems with music downloads solved, except the slightly high cost relative to CDs (but for individual tracks it's good). I will definitely use it if I want single tracks/half albums.

For reference my problems with music downloads are DRM (major issue), proprietry track format (major issue - I can't play AAC files on my MP3), low quality (moderate issue - I like 192k+, and I can hear the difference) and cost (small issue, the single tracks are good, albums are get the CD kinda thing).

Infact, I think I'm going to try and persuade people to use the Play service. SUPPORT DRM-FREE MUSIC! (and other stuff)

Just found out Amazon also have an MP3 store. Like Play they are completely DRM free and high quality (all 256kbps). Their prices have more variation, and seem overall slightly cheaper. Albums seem to be considerabley cheaper, enough to entail a "good price" rating from me

Just bought a couple of albums of Amazon. Downloaded a couple of albums for £8 total. 200+MB in around 8minutes, which is 4Mbps, around what my connection is capable of. Will listen to now, but should be good quality.

Good show, Amazon!

EDIT: Can confirm the quality is pretty damn good.

i used to download from itunes the fact they can only be played on ipods is no problem to me cus i have one xD but ive stopped that now instead im expanding my CD collection came to uni with 4 going back home with 26 i only used to download cus i liked it it was simple and easy now im getting kinda worried that im going to lose all the CDs ive bought cus atm i havent backed them up. need to do that soon LOL

Heh, that is a good point. I think it would be good if they allowed redownloading. Ah well, it's not a problem for me, I put all my music on my MP3 player, anyway, and generally speaking I will give it to atleast one other person.

Amazon have an offer on this Christmas. buy anything from their MP3 store and enter the code "FREEMP3S" (no quotes) to get £3 off. Doesn't look like there's a minimum spend, so you can get an album free!

(You can only do this on the 25th or 26th!)

Can we do it more than once on one account do you think?

Probably, but I cba.

Sweet! I just randomly downloaded Sam Sparro's album for free. Thanks for letting us know of this Skillers!

Thanks for the tip.

Oh and my answer to the question is no

My dad uses something called legalsounds or something...it's american so you get slower download but it's about 30-70 cents a track.

the lime wire you pay for that's what i use

The lime wire you pay for? Huh?

lime wire pro or something of that name, faster dl and no adverts etc. (for a price)

Hmm, I think that's still illegal. It's a filesharing client, not a music download service.

its says its 100% legal

it's illegal. it uses pier to pier networking.

Hmm, that would seem odd as it is just another version of BitTorrent, AFAIK.

well i could be wrong lol. i honestly dont think it's legal still, however.

well il have to uninstall it then

well, im not exactly sure it is illegal. but just because it says it is, it doesn't neccesarilly mean it is legal. hmm, will have to check up on it sometime.

i dont use it much anyway dont have time for music except when im sleeping

Fastest P2P downloads on the planet

^ thats what it says on the limewire webbie.

EDIT:

Fastest P2P downloads on the planet
No spyware, adware, or bundled software
Built-in media player
Downloads from multiple hosts
International versions
Windows, Mac and Linux compatible

looks illegal to me ^^