Date:         Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:39:16 -0600
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         Bob Olhsson <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Some potential bad news ...
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-----Original Message-----
From Don Cox: 

Obviously if you want to build up a big list, there is some investment,
but a specialist label can be useful to collectors with a list of a
dozen titles..."

Absolutely!

The issue has always been the cost per transaction and replication is a
trivial part of that expense. CDs don't cost $15 because the major labels
are hopeless idiots.  Retail demands a product that people will purchase at
that price point per cubic foot of display per month. This is why 78s,
singles, mono and then stereo LPs actually went away. Music now appears to
be being replaced by videos for the same reason. The record labels and
consumers have both had remarkably little to do with formats and pricing.

This is also why streaming entire catalogs on demand has a huge advantage.
It's why microsoft, Apple and Yahoo are screaming for compulsory licensing
because without it, they'll be cut out of profiting from being in the middle
of every transaction between artists, record labels and listeners. It's also
why both the DiMA and the RIAA are trying to minimize songwriters' royalties
and songwriters and music publishers are fighting back by suing the DiMA.


Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com    http://womb.mixerman.net