Re: [microsound] OT - the great depression of CDRs

[chthonic <chthonic@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>> I think we can now see that CDRs are as good as CDs.
>
>I think it would be more appropriate to frame that as
>a question. 

i agree that there has not been some kind of final answer to this 
debate.  certainly not if framed in terms that broad.  there are too 
many conditions that need to be satisfied for that to be close to 
being true.


>> great depression that we are worried about. CDRs put
>> some kind of power into the hands of the artists and
>> small labels who cannot get CDs made. 
>
>Is more power the answer?

and again "cannot" is really relative.  anyone can work harder and 
save money to put out a regular CD instead of a CDR.  it can be 
done relatively cheaply.  in some cases, the price difference 
between making a few hundred CDRs and 500-1000 CDs is very 
small.  although if the debate is between CDs and non-physical 
digital distribution, then the cost differences are greater.


>> There are lots of labels and artists
>> selling CDRs with very nice and interesting
>> packaging that gives a lot of new depth to the
>*snip*
>> good music, but you also get a real piece of art
>> along with the deal. 
>
>I think this is assuming that the music is not enough
>in itself? or that it needs extra-carricular frills? 
>That is of course an exagerration to make a point, but
>its one I have seriously been pondering recently. If
>the concern really is music, then what would the
>packaging matter? As a pure reponse to 'oh isn't that
>gREAT!" - yeah, I get that too when I see nice
>packaging, but it has nothing to do with the music.

that depends on the intent and aesthetic of the artist and the label.  
on an artist level, i am into CDs (or even CDRs i suppose) with a 
custom-made package.  there may even be a reason for it that 
goes along with the work.  it helps present a total work of art, or in 
another sense something extra beyond the music.  it's nice to have 
that option.  but it is an option.  as i said before, maybe extremely 
minimal packaging is the design (such as a single, well-designed 
sticker on a clear jewel case - as with some raster-noton or 
related releases) and helps get across a feeling (minimalist, 
clean-sounding music perhaps) that enhances the music just as 
much as an elaborate limited-edition package that houses a CD in 
pieces of an original painting by the artist (nurse with 
wound/aranos'  "santoor lena bicycle").


>I love digipack too, but I won't use them for my own
>label. I find the pure practicality of the jewel case
>to be phenomenal! If it breaks ANYONE can replace it.
>I love that idea. The idea that ANYONE might have it,
>anyone (almost) anywhere and they can care for it now
>themselves.

second that motion!


>Again, this isn't to say that visual and musical are
>to be quartered off into their own areas, I love the
>intermingling, but i don't think this really helps or
>hinders the direction of distribution. I've seen some
>damn fine mass manufactured discs, and i could really
>give a sh*te if the musician actually TOUCHED my copy.
>I gave up that sort of rock-star B.S. long ago.

i don't know if the cult of personality enters into that for others, but it 
doesn't for me.  i like the idea of certain limited-edition items 
because they seem more special.  and i don't just mean 
mass-produced but in a small quantity, i mean customized, 
pain-in-the-ass to make, hand-stamped/drawn/carved type things.  
they just appeal to me as art objects.  even better, they have good 
music on them!  if not, they're coasters.


d.

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