CDs and Cassette Tapes

As the century progressed, the manner in which music was available to purchase changed. From 1980 cassettes, and from 1982 compact discs (CDs) began to phase out the commonplace vinyl record. Cassettes and CDs were a much more transportable form of listening to music. The development of the tape player (the Walkman) and the CD player made it feasible not only to listen to music at home or in a cafe, but also with the use of headphones whilst on the move: a businessman or businesswoman could listen to music whilst on the move walking or catching the train to work; a student could now listen to music while at college. The CD was also designed to outlive the lifespan of vinyl because it was read by a laser consequently its quality couldn’t be worn down over time by a needle unlike a vinyl record. It was also meant to be more difficult to destroy. Cassette players and later CD players also became common in vehicles. The MiniDisc came into being in 1992 to take the place of the cassette but met with only limited success. By the mid 1980s, music had therefore become significantly more accessible to the majority. Record or music shops were still a mainstay of the high street. Both established chain stores and independent shops flourished in the same city or town centre.

The Music Download

The 21st century has bought about another way of listening to music. Digital or music downloads permit the user to listen to music through devices including MP3 players and Ipods without having to purchase a physical single or album. Instead a file of music is downloaded to a computer thus making it possible to gain access to music without having possess its physical format. This in itself did initially bring about significant problems, and to a certain extent still does, through illegal downloads (downloading files without paying for them). Portable equipment such as the Ipod are now smaller as a result of this media. With downloads being incorporated into the official UK Singles Chart since April 2005, and since April 2006 with downloads able to count towards the chart a week prior to the physical release, they were officially acknowledged as a chartable format therefore nullifying the need for the stand alone download chart.

The Impact of Downloads on Record Shops   

With the success of downloads regrettably music shops have suffered. Though downloads aren’t solely to blame for the closure of both independent record shops and recognised high street chain stores (other factors include the economic climate and increased rentals), they are a significant factor. In today’s society convenience is key. With people having longer working hours they generally have less time to visit high street shops; many prefer the convenience of Internet shopping. This isn’t just applicable to downloads. Record shops have suffered significantly as a result of this trend. Gone are the days when there would be a choice of chain and independent music stores on nearly every high street. HMV is now the only major music chain that still has a presence on the high street. Only 300 independent music shops remain in the UK. How much longer will they survive?

Written by Amy who works in marketing for the successful e-retailer Venus Sales Ltd, operating websites such as Temptations Direct and Sinful Sensations who stock marital aids including dildos and rabbit sex toys.

No matter if you are an avid CD collector who appreciates getting the best music as soon as it is available or you are someone who is just starting a CD collection, some of the very best choices in CDs are to be found when buying CDs online. The websites that offer CDs, as well as other entertainment formats such as DVDs and video games are competitive and want your business. By going online you could easily find what you have been looking for and with many online retailers having a vast selection as well as being able to save yourself the trouble of travelling from store to store to find one particular new or classic CD.

Buying goods over the internet has become almost second nature now with many people quick to check prices online before they even step out of their house to go shopping. CDs were one of the first products that people looked to buy online, mainly as many companies have been able to lower their costs by operating online, which have also been a strong factor in shoppers choosing to purchase music over the internet too, the discounted prices!

Holidays, birthdays, special occasions or no occasion at all are times when you may want to buy CDs online. CDs make perfect gifts and great additions to an existing collection or a collection just getting started. When you want to get great CD deals and have choices from chart topping songs by your favourite artists, buying CDs online makes great sense. Forget running all around town and give the Internet a chance to become your number one choice for buying CDs – you’ll be glad that you did.

The latest dance music and rock music can all be found at online shops, a lot of the time with free delivery and many CDs you won’t find on the high street.

But the excitement from 9/9/9 doesn’t just come from the fact that the albums are being remastered for the first time since their original release on CD, it also comes from the mono box set that is being released on that day. This will actually be the first time ever that the mono mixes of some of these amazing Beatles albums will be available on compact disc.

So why should we care about such an outdated way of listening to music here in the 21st century? Mono was being phased out in the 1960s, why should we listen to mono mixes today? Sure a lot of people think that stereo is all you need because it’s the standard these days, but for those curious about the original intention of The Beatles and their production team the mono mixes are of great interest.

The mono versions are what The Beatles (along with their production team) were primarily focused on. The Beatles stereo mixes were done with little input from the band while they were very involved with the mono mixes which were worked on until they were just right. And because of this effort put into the mono mixes, many feel that the original mono mix of Sgt. Pepper is the “real” version of the album.

But there’s even more Beatles stuff for fans to get excited about coming out on 9/9/9, for gamers there’s the Beatles Rock Band game which looks awesome from the previews of it I’ve seen. You can play through The Beatles whole career from their beginnings in Liverpool through their final album, Abbey Road. Even the Rock Band instruments look like the original Beatles gear (the best example is McCartney’s bass!) And now for the first time with the Beatles Rock Band game, you can sing harmonies.