Links - digital music downloads
Most poeple have now heard of Apple's iTunes Store (which used to be called the iTunes Music Store) as a source of digital music downloads. Some people may even be aware of a small number of other sources of digital music downloads (for example Napster, Real Networks, or MSN Music). What many people aren't aware of is just how many different sources of digital music downloads there actually are.
Many musicians now have their own websites and these often include samples of their music and in many cases entire tracks which can be either listened to online or downloaded free of charge.
In addition a number of independent record labels (for example Burning Shed , Throp Records and Loca Records ) also have their own digital music download stores, or offer downloads somewhere within their websites.
On the whole, the links listed below are for websites which each offer relatively large numbers of digital music and/or audio downloads to choose from. All of the links should also offer downloads or online listening to users in the UK.
I have tried to include as accurate an outline of the file formats and any DRM measures which tend to be used for the audio on each of the websites listed, but would advise anyone planning on making purchases from any sites to check this for themselves before spending any money.
- 3MusicStore The 3MusicStore is only available to users of Hutchinson 3GŐs Three mobile phone network. DRM protected WMA file format encoded tracks are purchased by using mobile phone calling credit and can be downloaded to both the mobile phone and to a computer.
- 7 Digital 7 Digital offers digital music downloads and audio book downloads in MP3, WMA and AAC file formats from a wide variety of independent record labels.
- AllOfMP3.com PLEASE NOTE: the legality of purchasing digital music files from AllOfMP3 and claims by AllOfMP3 that they are operating legally remain in question. I have included the site on this list to ensure the list is as complete as possible, but have disabled the link to avoid the possibility of falling foul of legal technicalities.
- alltunes.com PLEASE NOTE:alltunes.com is part of the same Russian company responsible for AllOfMP3 and shares the same claims that their service is legal under Russian law. The legality of people outside Russia purchasing digital music files from mp3sparks.com is still in question however. I have included the site to ensure the list is as complete as possible, but have disabled the link to avoid the possibility of falling foul of legal technicalities.
- Amie Street Amie Street offers DRM free digital downloads from most musical genres. Prices for the downloads are based on the popularity of the music track so the first people to download it get it for free and the price increases slowly the more it is downloaded.
- ARTISTdirect The ARTISTdirect website is more like an online music magazine than a digital music store, but has features which allow selected tracks to be downloaded or listened to via streaming.
- Audible.co.uk Audible.co.uk is the UK site for AudibleŐs selection of audiobooks and spoken word content. Downloaded files are encoded in AudibleŐs (DRM protected) proprietary .aa file format and can either be obtained as part of a subscription or purchased individually.
- AudibleFaith.com AudibleFaith.com is a USA based website specialising in Christian, praise and worship music. ItŐs online store offers a combination of mail order CDs and digital music downloads in MP3 file format.
- AudioBooksForFree.com AudioBooksForFree offers a selection of audiobooks in MP3 file format. The lower sound quality (but smaller file size) versions are free, but if you want better sound qulaity versions then a fee is charged for the download.
- Audio Lunchbox Audio Lunchbox is based in the USA and offers a wide selection of tracks and albums from independent record labels in MP3 file format without DRM protection. Downloads can either be purchased individually or via a prepaid subscription at a cheaper rate.
- Beatport Beatport is geared towards dance music and offers digital music downloads in MP3, MP4 and WAV file formats from a selection of labels and artists in itŐs online store.
- Big Noise Music Big Noise is provided by Oxfam who use profits from the site and it's sales to pay for projects around the world. Downloads are in DRM protected WMA file format. The site can only be accessed from a computer running Windows and using Internet Explorer.
- Bleep Bleep offers digital music downloads in MP3 and several other file formats (all without DRM) from a wide variety of independent record labels from itŐs online store.
- Calabash Music Calabash Music offers a large selection of world music in MP3 format without any DRM restrictions and promotes it's support of artists through 'fairtrade music' sales.
- ccMixter CCmixter hosts a selection of digital music tracks, remixes and music loops all of which are covered by Creative Commons licences. Most of the material is in MP3, WMV, or Ogg file formats and is free to download (with remixes, mash-ups and sampling of content from the site positively encouraged).
- Chemical Records A selection of dance music tracks from the Chemical Records catalogue are available from their dedicated digital music store in Real Audio and/or MP3 file format.
- Chortle: Comedy MP3 Download Store The main chortle website is dedicated to the UK stand up comedy scene, but also includes a section containing a selection of comedianŐs sets for purchase and download in MP3 file format.
- Connect Europe Connect is the digital download store from Sony which offers music as well as software and games. The store can only be accessed through Internet Explorer on a computer running Windows and music downloads are DRM protected.
- Coolroom Coolroom offers a digital music, movies and media service via download and streaming. Music which is purchased fro download is DRM protected and encoded in WMA file format.
- CrimsonBay CrimsonBay is an American download store focused on music from the Indian sub-continent. It offers DRM protected WMA file format music downloads.
- Dancetracks Digital USA based Dancetracks Digital specialises in dance music and has a selection of tracks available for download in DRM-free MP3 format.
- DownloadPunk DownloadPunk is a digital music download store based in the USA and specialising in punk alternative and metal from a selection of record labels. Music is available in WMA and MP3 file formats.
- djdownload djdownload is based in the UK and specialises in digital downloads of dance music from a range of record labels. The website allows many tracks to be previewed online before purchasing the tracks in MP3 file format.
- djmr djmr is based in Canada and specialises in dance music operating a vinyl record mail order store and this digital music store which offers MP3 file format downloads from a variety of record labels.
- Easy-Listen.com Easy-Listen.com are based in Spain and provide an online music store sellings CDs and unrestricted MP3 digital downloads of easy listening music in it's many different guises.
- easyMusic.com easyMusic.com is yet another venture from Stelios (of Easy Jet fame). The tracks are available in MP3 &/or (DRM protected) WMA file formats and prices vary from artist to artist (generally more popular tracks are more expensive), but payment can be made by text message in addition to more traditional methods.
- eClassical The eClassical Classical Download Shop is based in Sweden and offers a wide range of classic music tracks in MP3 file format.
- eMusic eMusic is an established subscription based digital music download service from the USA specialising in material from independent record labels. All downloads are in MP3 file format without DRM protection.
- Epitonic.com Epitonic.com offers access to information about a wide variety of artists and their music from independent record labels. The site also includes several ways of listening to music including by download, streaming and via internet radio.
- etree.org etree.org was created in 1998 and describes itself as a music community which allows it's members to trade music electronically. The music available through etree.org consists of lossless encoded recordings of live concerts all of which are legal. These recordings are legal because the bands who have been recorded give permission to record and distribute their live concerts. Download of the music is either from an ftp server, or via P2P torrent files.
- Flashkit Loops The Flashkit website includes a large collection of royalty-free sound loops for download which are either available as freeware, shareware, or linkware.
- Fonogenic Fotogenic describes itself as an MP3 boutique (as opposed to an MP3 store). There are a limited number of MP3 tracks available (all DRM-free), but each one has been handpicked.
- Freesound The Freesound website hosts a wide selection of sound effects all of which are made available for download and use under Creative Commons licences. The different sound effects are encoded in a variety of different file formats.
- GarageBand.com GarageBand.com has a long history of offering free legitimate digital music downloads and also the ability to listen online. Most musical genres are catered for and downloads are in the MP3 file format.
- gBox gBox is based in the USA and offers digital music downloads in DRM-free MP3 or DRM protected WMA file formats. The website can only be accessed from computers running Windows using Internet Explorer, or Firefox 2.
- Go Music Store Go Music Store specialised in music from Scottish artists in a variety of genres, but ceased trading at the end of October 2006. It still contains links to the websites for many of the bands whose music it used to sell.
- Hear It Buy It Burn It Hear It Buy It Burn It is a digital music download store which is linked to a network of local radio stations in the UK. As songs are played on the radio stations, details of the current song and upto 9 previous songs are simultatiously displayed on the Hear It Buy It Burn It website. The digital music downloads which can be purchased from Hear It Buy It Burn It are in a DRM protected WMA file format.
- HMV.co.uk HMV.co.uk is the UK based website for the HMV high street music retailer chain and also includes a dedicated music download store (HMV Digital). Tracks are available in DRM protected WMA file format.
- Insound Insound is a USA based mail order music store specialising in independent record labels. The site includes a wide selection of DRM-free sample tracks in MP3 format for download.
- Into Music Into Music is a UK based digital music store offering MP3 tracks without DRM restriction from a variety of established and upcoming artists. A monthly subscription service is available in addition to individual purchases.
- iTunes Store (UK) The iTunes Store (UK) is the British site for Apple's music, audio book, spoken word and movie digital download store. Some tracks purchased from the iTunes Store are in the DRM protected AAC file format, but many are also available DRM free.
- Jamendo Jamendo is a source of legitimate free digital music which is covered by Creative Commons licences and utilises P2P software for the downloading. Music is encoded in either MP3 or Ogg file formats.
- Juno Downbload Juno Download is the digital music download store for Juno Records which is based in London and specialises in dance music. Most of the music tracks are available in several different formats, but these are nearly all versions of MP3 and WAV.
- Kahvi Collective The Kahvi Collective describes itŐs mission as being ŇÉto gather and provide free electronic groovesÓ over the internet. Most of the digital music tracks are available in MP3 or Ogg file formats under the terms of Creative Commons licences.
- Klicktrack The Klicktrack Music Store is based in Sweeden and offers DRM free MP3 digital music downloads from independent record labels which cover all musical generes.
- Kompakt Kompakt is based in Germany and itŐs MP3 download store website includes digital music tracks from a selection of artists signed to the various labels which Kompabt has distribution arrangements with.
- Krayola Records Krayola Records has a very small selection of digital music tracks available for download in MP3 file format. All the music tracks are released under the terms of Creative Commons licenses.
- LegalTorrents LegalTorrents maintains a collection of torrent files for download through the use of BitTorrent P2P software. The content of these torrent files include audiobooks, and music (which is in a variety of file formats, but mainly MP3). Everything which can be downloaded via LegalTorrents is covered by Creative Commons licences and has full permission from the rights holder.
- LibriVox Volunteers of the LibriVox project read chapters of books which are available in the public domain and these are then compiled into audiobooks which can be downloaded free of charge.
- Magnatune Magnatune (whose motto is Ňwe are not evilÓ) was one of the original digital music download stores and still going strong. Available music covers most genres and each track is typically offered in a variety of file formats without DRM protection.
- Mindawn Like many other digital music download stores, tracks from Mindawn are DRM-free. Unlike the majority of other stores, Mindawn's music is encoded in Ogg Vorbis and FLAC file formats.
- MP3.com The MP3.com website is part of the USA based media company CNET Networks. It offers a combination of music news and gossip, in addition to digital music for free viewing online and a selection of tracks in the MP3 file format for free download.
- mp3sparks.com PLEASE NOTE:mp3sparks.com is part of the same Russian company responsible for AllOfMP3 and shares the same claims that their service is legal under Russian law. The legality of people outside Russia purchasing digital music files from mp3sparks.com is still in question however. I have included the site on this list to ensure the list is as complete as possible, but have disabled the link to avoid the possibility of falling foul of legal technicalities.
- MSN Music MicrosoftŐs MSN Music combines music news and reviews with free content that can be listened to online or downloaded. In addition a selection of digital music tracks are available in DRM protected WMV file format for purchase and download.
- Music Forte The Music Forte website offers an online community for musisians and music lovers. Part of this website is the ability for musisians to make their music available for digital download (either free or for a price) in MP3 format.
- My Space My Space is one of the best known social networking sites and includes a wide range of musicianŐs personal pages within the music section. Typically these musicianŐs pages will include a profile and music which can be listened to online and/or downloaded.
- Napster.co.uk In a previous life, Napster was (in)famous for allowing P2P file sharing without copyright permission. Now it offers a combination of subscription and purchase based options to allow customers to legally listen to and/or download music in DRM protected WMA file format.
- Nu Urban Music Nu Urban Music specialises in drum and base music and offers a variety of digital music tracks (mainly in MP3, but also some other file formats) for download from the MP3 section of itŐs online store.
- OnClassical OnClassical offers high quality DRM-free WAV formatted classical music for purchase (which you set the price of).
- Opera Italiana Opera Italiana operates on a subscription basis and offers access to a vast number of recordings of operas and chamber music by Italian composers encoded in the MP3 file format to download or listen to online. The website also contains a selection of biographies and notes which may be of interest to opera lovers.
- Opsound Opsound describes itself as "É a gift economy in action, an experiment in applying the model of free software to music." ItŐs website contains a selection of digital music tracks from a variety of musicians (mainly in MP3, or Ogg file formats), all of which available to be listened to and/or downloaded under Creative Commons licensing terms.
- Opuzz Opuzz offer (paid for) royalty free sounds, music loops and background sounds. These can be purchased on CD or for digital download.
- Other Music USA based Other Music offer a mail order service in addition to this digital download store, which both of which stock tracks from a wide range of record labels. Digital music downloads are encoded in DRM-free MP3 format.
- peoplesound peoplesound offers a selection of tracks from established and emerging musicians which can be listened to online and/or downloaded for free in MP3 file format.
- Piano Society Piano Society describes itself as a "non-profit classical piano organisation". The website contains a vast number of classical music recordings in a variety of digital music formats, but mainly as unrestricted MP3s which can all be downloaded free of charge.
- Playlouder UK services from Playlouder are still being developed, but should include a being broadband ISP with music download and (legal) sharing features. Digital music tracks which are currently available from Playlouder's equivilent of a store are in MP3 file format.
- Play It Tonight Play It Tonight is based in the USA and specialises in dance music which is generally available in DRM-free MP3 format.
- PodSafe Audio PodSafe Audio allows musicians to upload tracks to the website where they are made available under the terms of Creative Commons licenses. The musicians agree to allow their music to be used in any way and form for webcasting, as long as they receive credit for the original work.
- Podsafe Music Network The Podsafe Music Network is part of the services from PodShow. It provides a way for musicians to retain ownership of their recordings, while also making them freely available for use in podcasts through the application of Creative Commons licences.
- Promonet Promonet is run by the Independent Online Distribution Alliance which features a large number of independent record labels. Promonet provides music which can used by podcasters and others seeking music to include (legally) in their works, while promoting the musicians at the same time.
- Pure Volume Pure Volume provides space for new and up-and-coming musicians to create a space where their music can be played online and/or downloaded free of charge.
- Real Networks Real Networks includes a selection of music and multi-media software products in addition to online listening / viewing and digital download services. Depending upon the service wanted this is either free of charge, paid for via subscription, or purchased on a per download basis. Audio is typically provided in a DRM protected RealAudio file format.
- Reloda Reloda is a UK based website which features reviews and links to a variety of good quality, legal and free (as in doesn't cost anything) music in the form of albums and eps.
- Rough Trade Digital UK based Rough Trade Digital is an online store from the Rough Trade Shops group which stocks a wide range of independent record labels. It sells digital music tracks in DRM-free MP3 format in addition to mail order CDs and LPs.
- SoundClick SoundClick offers musicians an opportunity to sell their music through the music store and customers a wide variety of genres and new artists to choose from. All music on the site is in the MP3 file format.
- SoundSnap SoundSnap describes itself as a free online platform for the exchange of audio samples. It features a large selection of sound effects arranged by categories.
- Tesco Downloads Tesco Downloads offers a selection of primarily mainstream digital music in DRM protected WMA file format from itŐs online store.
- Trackitdown.net Trackitdown.net specialises in digital downloads of dance music MP3 and WAV file formats from a range of established artists and a selection of record labels.
- TuneTribe TuneTribe offers music from a wide sellection of musical genres and includes a section dedicated to unsigned bands. Downloads are available in MP3 &/or (DRM protected) WMA file formats.
- Virgin Digital The Virgin Digital service offers a combination of subscription and purchase options to allow DRM protected WMA file format music tracks to be listened to and/or downloaded.
- Wippit Wippit offers digital music downloads in WMA or MP3 file formats from a variety of musicians covering most genres. Music downloads can be purchased either through subscriptions which offer unlimited downloads of a limited selection of the music individual purchases of the whole selection.
NB the website contains a statement that it's domain registration will expire at the end of 2007.
PLEASE NOTE:- if you have iTunes software installed on your computer this link will probably start iTunes and open the iTunes Store inside it. As this involves another programme being started by clicking on a link within a website link this may trigger security warnings from your web browser.