Vinyl vs Digital - How to Make Digital Releases Special?

[contakt321]

I know this thread will be sort of be like whacking the hornet's nest, but I think a lot of us might be interested in the discussion.

Vinyl VS. Digital comes up a lot here, in many ways, so let's all establish some "truths" and by that I mean generalizations:

- Vinyl is selling less and less (especially compared to 10 years ago)
- There are some amazing Digital only labels
- There are a billion horrible Digital labels
- A vinyl release has more prestige than a digital one, and is a different buying experience
- It's easier to steal Digital releases than it is physical

My question to everyone who runs a label, releases vinyl or digital, buys vinyl or digital, or aspires to run a label or release their own record is:

How do you make buying a digital release special?

I am a longtime vinyl collector, I rarely buy any lately though, but when I flip through my collection (down to maybe 3,000 or so), I still get excited. I see the cover art and remember the stories about the musician, or the day I bought the record, or the first time I played it out. I laugh at the typos or whatever - it evokes memories, emotions, etc. When I buy digital (which I do generally every week) I don't get that feeling. Even when I play an amazing record a year later I don't think "wow, I remember when I downloaded that 320", etc.

What can we do to make a digital release special, and memorable?

Ideas?

[jolly wailer]

maybe some awesome animation that serves as a music video


or a fun flash game


maybe (can't believe I'm saying this) an app?



getting creative with it really


(not that those ideas are super creative)

[FSTZ]

artwork, professional mastering, videos, remixes, good tunes

we also make T-shirt designs to accompany the releases

also if your label saturates the market with releases every 5 days, you're going to be ignored

marketing is a finesse job... selling without being overbearing and spamming is critical

[setspeed]

we also make T-shirt designs to accompany the releases

been thinking of this lately. How did you work it? How did it play out?

[contakt321]

artwork, professional mastering, remixes, good tunes

Do you think that makes a digital release special (not being jerky, just asking)?

For example - I have bought all of the HyperDub records digitally - they all have good artwork, are pro mastered, some have remixes, and are good tunes, but I bought them because of the label, and these digital files hold no sentiment for me other than liking the songs.

I think those make for a great release, but they don't make it "special"


I wonder, is this the inherent problem of digital releases; without the physical item in your hand or to see "in the wild", do you miss out on creating an "emotional" or sentimental connection to the record?

[serox]

I better not

[contakt321]

I better not

No, you should - you inspired me to start this thread.

[jolly wailer]

maybe put people buying your tunes on a mailing list


so around holiday time they get some freebie exclusive digital files, and maybe some random shit like a label mix, stickers or swag physically sent to them


create a relationship with your clientèle

[paradigm_x]

Was thinking about this recently, as ive just got a digital release out now (see sig ) ; was going to offer something like show proof of purchase and ill send you stems/albino patches etc to have a play with.

Would prob only interest producers tho.

It does come with a freeby 320/WAv tho but not a huge interest I must say

[serox]

I better not

No, you should - you inspired me to start this thread.

Around my way (Croydon) you are not a serious Dubstep producer till you have released some wax. Unless your music is being played out in clubs by the DJs you have a bit more work to do.

This is just an opinion and I am not slagging off anyone who has mp3 releases. Being signed to unknown digital labels who are new to the game or run by people who are new to the game holds no weight at all. I know people who are paying to release their own music on white labels and they are more respected than someone who has sold 50 mp3s on beatport. It all depends on who you talk to tho I guess.

For me I would rather have a B side inside track out over any digital release but I am like a dinosaur, I am oldskool and I want to me able to touch my music and stroke it. Something about the 12" that excites me more than a 5"

I tend to ignore digital stuff because I generally never hear anything I like an what I do hear that I like is out on 12". I also ignore the digital spam stuff that I get emailed/pm'd/text from all directions.

[FSTZ]

we also make T-shirt designs to accompany the releases

been thinking of this lately. How did you work it? How did it play out?

good

our shirts sell well

[wub]

Release on CD?

[FSTZ]

I better not

No, you should - you inspired me to start this thread.

Around my way (Croydon) you are not a serious Dubstep producer till you have released some wax. Unless your music is being played out in clubs by the DJs you have a bit more work to do.

This is just an opinion and I am not slagging off anyone who has mp3 releases. Being signed to unknown digital labels who are new to the game or run by people who are new to the game holds no weight at all. I know people who are paying to release their own music on white labels and they are more respected than someone who has sold 50 mp3s on beatport. It all depends on who you talk to tho I guess.

For me I would rather have a B side inside track out over any digital release but I am like a dinosaur, I am oldskool and I want to me able to touch my music and stroke it. Something about the 12" that excites me more than a 5"

I agree

was a proud day when my vinyl came out

2nd one is due to drop soon as well

sadly enough, I cannot afford to press plates and I have gone the digital route for my own live shows and radio shows

[serox]

I agree

was a proud day when my vinyl came out

2nd one is due to drop soon as well

sadly enough, I cannot afford to press plates and I have gone the digital route for my own live shows and radio shows

I will prob have to go down the digital path too. But my dream is to put out something on wax first!

There is no clear line that separates bedroom producer with music on a CD burnt at home and those who are signed to a label and have there music on a CD. But when you show someone your piece on a piece of wax it has some impact. You dont need to email 100s of people and msg everyone to check out your track. People will want to find it and they will.

[NICORISONE]

What I think would be cool for digital releases is if "stems" where included unlike Vinyl. That way more remixes could be done! (just my thought)

[paradigm_x]

see im not at all bothered, i had a 12" out years ago (dnb) and while it was quite exciting at the time it fades out of general interest just as fast (although someone was trying to flog one of ebay starting at a fiver recently, lol i have 5 at home).

also had 3 cds out which fade just as fast, medium is unimportant. Had more positive comments re the digital stuff, although tbh prob due to more internet access these days.

[paradigm_x]

What I think would be cool for digital releases is if "stems" where included unlike Vinyl. That way more remixes could be done! (just my thought)

heh see my above post

[serox]

What I think would be cool for digital releases is if "stems" where included unlike Vinyl. That way more remixes could be done! (just my thought)

Stems are normally given around by people who know each other. If I saw someone in person who was making music I liked and they showed interest in mine then that would be a good time to talk about passing stems around. I would never give out free loops of anything good unless I know it was going to the right inbox.

[FSTZ]

What I think would be cool for digital releases is if "stems" where included unlike Vinyl. That way more remixes could be done! (just my thought)

heh see my above post

I think that would be cool, even if it's appealing to the "producer" demographic

face it.. everyone's a producer nowadays

[FSTZ]

off topic but...