If you must have digital files there are plenty of ways to get them from a streaming service. But buying digital files of music is imo where the line should be drawn.
I will even buy or rent new film releases from a main platform if I missed it at the cinema, etc.
But owning music is a very personal thing. I have CDs going back to the first days of the format, many of which are very sentimental. Being able to stream them is like magic to me. But there is no reason I can think of to pay for a digital file of them or any music that can be found on CD or streamed.
Each to their own, of course. I just find the concept of digital file purchase for music utterly abhorrent. Once it became apparent that the music industry was going to do this, I vowed never to do it and I think it was a good decision.
The streaming services are a convenience that we have to decide on the value to us as users, despite their many obvious faults. But paying to own a, usually compressed, audio file? I can’t agree that’s good for consumers.
I don’t want to take care of physical media due to my disorganization, I also listen to music a lot outside so I have to own the digital version too. Music released on CD is become more rare anyway. I also like the flexibility of digital music locally I can back it up in multiple places, I can remove bad songs easily and i can bring my music everywhere instead of bringing a collection of cd’s and can risk of forgetting them . I’m also not an audiophile I can’t even hear the difference between 128 kbps and 320 kbps MP3’s, I value artistic quality and not audio quality.
You can 100% continue to purchase content and add to your library. Just because the apps have split (as they already have on Apple’s own platforms), does not mean you can not download purchased content or continue to purchase new content for download.
Buy music from the iTunes Store
If you don’t subscribe to Apple Music and you want to add your favorite songs or albums, you can buy and download music from the iTunes Store. And if you previously purchased items from the iTunes Store, you can download them to your authorized computers and devices (up to 10 total).
I also listen to music a lot outside so I have to own the digital version too.
Why, are you not able to stream it?
CD is become more rare anyway.
I’m not sure that’s true. Are there numbers you can point to to back that up?
flexibility of digital music locally
I can make Spotify store locally. It’s really weird how fast that is come to think of it. Very useful for patchy data. Easy to skip tracks you don’t want as well.
bring my music everywhere
I use Spotify but I think ITunes does similar. I feel strongly about Apple products though so I’ve no experience.
I’m also not an audiophile
Although this has no impact on streaming or use of temporary downloads, or any relevance to your need for purchasing audio files, I am what many would refer to as an audiophile.
I have worked as an audio engineer in music recording and post production, I own professional audio reproduction equipment and I make my own music as a hobby.
Even so, being able to throw on a favourite album, old or new, while driving or at the beach or a friend’s house, is to me akin to magic.
You know you can still buy CDs?
If you must have digital files there are plenty of ways to get them from a streaming service. But buying digital files of music is imo where the line should be drawn.
I will even buy or rent new film releases from a main platform if I missed it at the cinema, etc.
But owning music is a very personal thing. I have CDs going back to the first days of the format, many of which are very sentimental. Being able to stream them is like magic to me. But there is no reason I can think of to pay for a digital file of them or any music that can be found on CD or streamed.
Each to their own, of course. I just find the concept of digital file purchase for music utterly abhorrent. Once it became apparent that the music industry was going to do this, I vowed never to do it and I think it was a good decision.
The streaming services are a convenience that we have to decide on the value to us as users, despite their many obvious faults. But paying to own a, usually compressed, audio file? I can’t agree that’s good for consumers.
I don’t want to take care of physical media due to my disorganization, I also listen to music a lot outside so I have to own the digital version too. Music released on CD is become more rare anyway. I also like the flexibility of digital music locally I can back it up in multiple places, I can remove bad songs easily and i can bring my music everywhere instead of bringing a collection of cd’s and can risk of forgetting them . I’m also not an audiophile I can’t even hear the difference between 128 kbps and 320 kbps MP3’s, I value artistic quality and not audio quality.
You can 100% continue to purchase content and add to your library. Just because the apps have split (as they already have on Apple’s own platforms), does not mean you can not download purchased content or continue to purchase new content for download.
https://support.apple.com/guide/music-windows/build-your-music-library-mus0f01bdce4/1.4/windows/10
Why, are you not able to stream it?
I’m not sure that’s true. Are there numbers you can point to to back that up?
I can make Spotify store locally. It’s really weird how fast that is come to think of it. Very useful for patchy data. Easy to skip tracks you don’t want as well.
I use Spotify but I think ITunes does similar. I feel strongly about Apple products though so I’ve no experience.
Although this has no impact on streaming or use of temporary downloads, or any relevance to your need for purchasing audio files, I am what many would refer to as an audiophile.
I have worked as an audio engineer in music recording and post production, I own professional audio reproduction equipment and I make my own music as a hobby.
Even so, being able to throw on a favourite album, old or new, while driving or at the beach or a friend’s house, is to me akin to magic.