Warp Records just opened up http://www.warprecords.com/bleep/, their MP3 download service for artists such as Aphex Twin, Prefuse73 and Squarepusher.
The best part is, all of the MP3's are encoded with LAME 3.90.3 --alt-preset standard!
Payment can be done via Credit Card or PayPal, and the system is smart enough to even let you remotely zip up all the MP3's in your order to just download one zip file, instead of each MP3 individually!
Full Version: Bleep.com - Warp Records MP3 site is up!
OH GOD YEAH .. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I AM HAPPY.
I AM HAPPY.
Wow, this is a very good start.
I dunno if common music listeners would bother with the fact that mp3s are in -aps though.
From their FAQ:
I hope their artists browse on HA then. At least read the FAQ.
I dunno if common music listeners would bother with the fact that mp3s are in -aps though.
From their FAQ:
QUOTE
Finally, buying music through Bleep means that you are supporting the artists work, and in some cases you are getting mp3’s encoded by the artists themselves.
I hope their artists browse on HA then. At least read the FAQ.
Kudos to them for this approach...but 1.35E for every song is too damn much. They should realize that they still sell MP3s (even if those are of good quality).
QUOTE(sld @ Jan 14 2004, 08:34 PM)
Wow, this is a very good start.
I dunno if common music listeners would bother with the fact that mp3s are in -aps though.
I dunno if common music listeners would bother with the fact that mp3s are in -aps though.
I'm not contradicting that statement, but I wonder how many 'common music listeners' are going to be listening to Warp artists...
I think it was almost neccesity that they used aps!! When encoding some Warp stuff ages ago with mpc, it scaled up to 700kbps!!!! Some of the electonic stuff can be real demanding!! Imagine if they tried it with 128kbps, they could probably release a new version thanks to the artifacting LOL 
Out of curiosity, can one of you tell me what format they use for thier streams of the pre release stuff?? Mozilla/Konquerer on Linux here doesn't seem to do Anything!
Cheers,
Kristian
Out of curiosity, can one of you tell me what format they use for thier streams of the pre release stuff?? Mozilla/Konquerer on Linux here doesn't seem to do Anything!
Cheers,
Kristian
You monkeys. (Um...). You Spoons. (Errr...)
Paying for music?
How about
Loca Records
Language Lab
More blips than you can shake a Dibrom at. And freeeeeeeee!
My recommendations... the latest releases from Language Lab, and "E" by MeMe is a great intro to Loca.
Ave it!!!!!!!!!!
Ruairi
Paying for music?
How about
Loca Records
Language Lab
More blips than you can shake a Dibrom at. And freeeeeeeee!
My recommendations... the latest releases from Language Lab, and "E" by MeMe is a great intro to Loca.
Ave it!!!!!!!!!!
Ruairi
Wow. This is really cool. 
Doubly so not only because Warp is one of my favorite labels, but also because they are using --alt-preset standard. Who'd have guessed?
Doubly so not only because Warp is one of my favorite labels, but also because they are using --alt-preset standard. Who'd have guessed?
QUOTE(Rukes @ Jan 14 2004, 07:50 PM)
The best part is, all of the MP3's are encoded with LAME 3.90.3 --alt-preset standard!
uhm... am I blind, or where do they claim 3.90.3?!
Have you seen this site? http://www.allofmp3.com/index2.shtml
Encode the music realtime with your chosen settings into many formats like mp3, ogg, WMA, AAC.
Very cheap with a big selection
Encode the music realtime with your chosen settings into many formats like mp3, ogg, WMA, AAC.
Very cheap with a big selection
Digga: Click "FAQ" and then scroll down in the column on the left.
On a side note, Prefuse 73 is awesome.
On a side note, Prefuse 73 is awesome.
QUOTE(RaWShadow @ Jan 14 2004, 08:00 PM)
Have you seen this site? http://www.allofmp3.com/index2.shtml
Encode the music realtime with your chosen settings into many formats like mp3, ogg, WMA, AAC.
Very cheap with a big selection
Encode the music realtime with your chosen settings into many formats like mp3, ogg, WMA, AAC.
Very cheap with a big selection
Did you notice that it's transcoded your chosen format from freeformat mp3 384kbps?
offtopic/ Ruairi,
Can I have some of what you're smoking?
Boy do I feel stupid, i didnt see the "buy release" link until just now.
QUOTE(quackquack @ Jan 15 2004, 02:36 AM)
Digga: Click "FAQ" and then scroll down in the column on the left.
yeah, I did that from the beginning. I could find the parts where they mention lame beeing the encoder, withe setting aps, but I realy coudn't find the part where the verion is stated. I must be blind then.
I don't want to bitch around, but the statement in the startingpost seems to be wrong.
again, no offence meant, just want to make that clear.
QUOTE(Digga @ Jan 15 2004, 12:34 AM)
QUOTE(quackquack @ Jan 15 2004, 02:36 AM)
Digga: Click "FAQ" and then scroll down in the column on the left.
yeah, I did that from the beginning. I could find the parts where they mention lame beeing the encoder, withe setting aps, but I realy coudn't find the part where the verion is stated. I must be blind then.
I don't want to bitch around, but the statement in the startingpost seems to be wrong.
again, no offence meant, just want to make that clear.
I doubt the information is wrong, though they may not actually say that they use 3.90.3. I've seen people report that this is the version returned when checking the INFO tag of the downloaded files.
QUOTE(Dibrom @ Jan 15 2004, 09:44 AM)
I doubt the information is wrong, though they may not actually say that they use 3.90.3. I've seen people report that this is the version returned when checking the INFO tag of the downloaded files.
all right, thx for the info.
If you download a MP3, the ID3v2 under "Encoded By" says "LAME 3.90.3 --alt-preset standard"
Also, while I agree the songs are expensive, and I would rather buy the CD, there are still lots of vinyl-only or very rare releases that you just gotta get on MP3 anyway That's my plan.
Also, while I agree the songs are expensive, and I would rather buy the CD, there are still lots of vinyl-only or very rare releases that you just gotta get on MP3 anyway
That's my plan.
The attitude of the FAQ is exactly the attitude I like.
Warp Records is > 50% responsible for the person I am today
@ Ruairi : Some of the stuff on those sites is very good - thanks! Although its not really in the same league.
Warp Records is > 50% responsible for the person I am today
@ Ruairi : Some of the stuff on those sites is very good - thanks! Although its not really in the same league.
While we're recommending music services, why not give Magnatune a go? No major artists, which isn't such a bad thing -- the Warp listeners among you should like Williamson.
The main reasons I mention Magnatune are: the price for an album is low ($8 recommended, $5 minimum); they offer free 128kbit MP3 previews; you can download the albums you buy in .flac format. This last one is the real difference between this and similar other services -- I don't have to throw the music away once I get sensitived to the artifacts in the particular encoder they use, because there is no encoder.
The main reasons I mention Magnatune are: the price for an album is low ($8 recommended, $5 minimum); they offer free 128kbit MP3 previews; you can download the albums you buy in .flac format. This last one is the real difference between this and similar other services -- I don't have to throw the music away once I get sensitived to the artifacts in the particular encoder they use, because there is no encoder.
QUOTE(penvzila @ Jan 15 2004, 03:57 AM)
I understand that they are probably losing money even at 1.35 per track, but maybe that means paid online distribution isnt such a great idea to begin with.
I had a brief look at how affordable this business model was, and being as Warp are selling their own material (the huge cut for the record company is .. theirs) anything above 20p / $0.35E would be profit for lossy...
I'm surprised no-ones's mentioned this yet:
So there you go, 24-bit lossless. All you have to do is put your money where your mouth is and prove there's a market for this level of quality.
QUOTE
Q: WHY MP3 ?
A: MP3 is the most popular and universal format for digital music. It is the format that people most want, that is the easiest to play freely without any restrictions. We are also considering selling other files formats such as the second generation of lossy formats such as AAC or ogg or even lossless compressed formats such as FLAC or Monkeysaudio. If people are willing to pay a premium for the bandwidth cost they incur, then even 24bit versions of files could be sold.
A: MP3 is the most popular and universal format for digital music. It is the format that people most want, that is the easiest to play freely without any restrictions. We are also considering selling other files formats such as the second generation of lossy formats such as AAC or ogg or even lossless compressed formats such as FLAC or Monkeysaudio. If people are willing to pay a premium for the bandwidth cost they incur, then even 24bit versions of files could be sold.
So there you go, 24-bit lossless. All you have to do is put your money where your mouth is and prove there's a market for this level of quality.
QUOTE(dreamliner77 @ Jan 15 2004, 03:36 AM)
QUOTE(RaWShadow @ Jan 14 2004, 08:00 PM)
http://www.allofmp3.com/index2.shtml
Encode the music realtime with your chosen settings into many formats ...
Encode the music realtime with your chosen settings into many formats ...
Did you notice that it's transcoded your chosen format from freeformat mp3 384kbps?
I couldn't find that fact (The Russian English is not always that clear
) but you can have encoded to Musepack, which I think is remarkable.
QUOTE(penvzila @ Jan 14 2004, 07:57 PM)
1.35 per track is too expensive.
say an album has ten songs, they expect me to pay 13.50 for mp3s? No fucking way!
say an album has ten songs, they expect me to pay 13.50 for mp3s? No fucking way!
Although individual tracks are $1.35, full albums are $9.99
Aphex Twin "Drukqs" (double album) is $11.99
The Hangable Auto Bulb EP you mentioned (6 tracks) is only $4.29
I think the prices are reasonable, especially for the albums that are out of print or not available on CD. For example, after Dibrom mentioned Sabres of Paradise/Two Lone Swordsmen, I bought a TLS EP, which I liked, only to find that most of their catalog is only available thorugh import/eBay at ridiculous prices. Ditto for Boards of Canada EPs, etc.
Since all my music listening is via alt-preset standard mp3s, I find this chance to cut out the CD part of the process fantastic!
-Steve
QUOTE(Wood @ Jan 15 2004, 07:04 PM)
I think the prices are reasonable, especially for the albums that are out of print or not available on CD.
We shouldn't forget that we still speak about a lossy format...even though --aps is great, it's still non-transparent and that's crucial especially when you consider that Warp music consists mostly of very hard to re-produce through encoding methods tracks. All those blips/crack/pops of their experimental/electronic stuff will give MP3 a hard life for sure...
Yeah...I support their decision, but this doesn't mean that 1.35E for a track is a reasonable price (taking out the rare and very hard to get records). It's too much...and the more we tolerate, the more will keep up with this kind of pricing policy.
QUOTE(Wood @ Jan 15 2004, 08:04 AM)
QUOTE(penvzila @ Jan 14 2004, 07:57 PM)
1.35 per track is too expensive.
say an album has ten songs, they expect me to pay 13.50 for mp3s? No fucking way!
say an album has ten songs, they expect me to pay 13.50 for mp3s? No fucking way!
Although individual tracks are $1.35, full albums are $9.99
Aphex Twin "Drukqs" (double album) is $11.99
The Hangable Auto Bulb EP you mentioned (6 tracks) is only $4.29
I think the prices are reasonable, especially for the albums that are out of print or not available on CD. For example, after Dibrom mentioned Sabres of Paradise/Two Lone Swordsmen, I bought a TLS EP, which I liked, only to find that most of their catalog is only available thorugh import/eBay at ridiculous prices. Ditto for Boards of Canada EPs, etc.
Since all my music listening is via alt-preset standard mp3s, I find this chance to cut out the CD part of the process fantastic!
-Steve
Just saw that... am feeling stupid.,
Glad you are into our bleep site.
Yes the MP3s are all LAME 3.90.3 --alt preset standard, and yes this site was a large part of the research we did before deciding on the codec to use
LAME was already used by a lot of the artists because of it's transparency and the fact that it is open source was very appealling, so it wasn't a hard decision to use it.
Sorry if you find the the tracks expensive. They are as cheap as we can afford to price them and keep the business running. We are not in a position to subsidise bleep with iPod sales! If our bandwidth, hosting costs and transaction costs come down because of the level of demand, then so will our prices.
As for future formats - anything is possible if the demand is there. Certainly a lossless format like FLAC is high on the agenda. Some artist's have expressed interest in making 24bit files available and that may well happen.
The amount of interest (and downloads) in bleep has been overwhelming, once we get a grip on the sort of numbers we are doing consistently we can scale up accordingly...
cheers
bleep.
Yes the MP3s are all LAME 3.90.3 --alt preset standard, and yes this site was a large part of the research we did before deciding on the codec to use
LAME was already used by a lot of the artists because of it's transparency and the fact that it is open source was very appealling, so it wasn't a hard decision to use it.
Sorry if you find the the tracks expensive. They are as cheap as we can afford to price them and keep the business running. We are not in a position to subsidise bleep with iPod sales! If our bandwidth, hosting costs and transaction costs come down because of the level of demand, then so will our prices.
As for future formats - anything is possible if the demand is there. Certainly a lossless format like FLAC is high on the agenda. Some artist's have expressed interest in making 24bit files available and that may well happen.
The amount of interest (and downloads) in bleep has been overwhelming, once we get a grip on the sort of numbers we are doing consistently we can scale up accordingly...
cheers
bleep.
Whoa! How cool.
Thanks for the service, and you're definately among bleep fans here.
Ruairi
Thanks for the service, and you're definately among bleep fans here.
Ruairi
Dear Bleep,
I do hope you have some idea of how chuffed I am with the whole bleep thing, because it sure is hard to put into words.
Big Love,
Lev
I do hope you have some idea of how chuffed I am with the whole bleep thing, because it sure is hard to put into words.
Big Love,
Lev
Hi bleep,
Great work on the service !
I bought "bytes" from Black Dog Produictions and while the sound quality is good I think I can hear some artifacts on some (busy) tracks especially on strings when listening with a high end headphone.
Difficult to say as I don't have the original CD to compare. Like someone said here warp music can give mp3 a hard time
That why I would be really happy to purchase FLAC albums in the future, it's the best solution for optimal quality. I think FLAC will interest a lot of people if it's not priced much higher. Please do it !
Great work on the service !
I bought "bytes" from Black Dog Produictions and while the sound quality is good I think I can hear some artifacts on some (busy) tracks especially on strings when listening with a high end headphone.
Difficult to say as I don't have the original CD to compare. Like someone said here warp music can give mp3 a hard time
That why I would be really happy to purchase FLAC albums in the future, it's the best solution for optimal quality. I think FLAC will interest a lot of people if it's not priced much higher. Please do it !
QUOTE(youpi @ Jan 21 2004, 02:47 PM)
I think FLAC will interest a lot of people if it's not priced much higher.
Me, for one! I won't purchase lossy music but I'd spring for FLAC or any other non-DRM-encumbered lossless format.
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