On 02/08/2009, Tom Fine wrote:
> From today's NY Times:
> http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/01/opinion/01blow.html
>
> This graphic is very interesting:
> http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/08/01/opinion/musicforweb2.gif
> note the source -- the RIAA
>
I would like to see figures from the companies who actually manufacture
Red Book CDs for musicians, orchestras, composers, DJs, etc.
I notice a half-page advert for the new web site of film music composer
Carl Davis. He is selling CDs, DVDs, and downloads. There is news of
events and concerts.
www.carldaviscollection.com
This is the way things are going. There is no need for the traditional
big "music industry" companies, except for preserving the masters of
their back catalogues.
The more productive part of the music industry - the companies that make
keyboards, mixers, software, sound cards, microphones, etc seems to be
quite healthy, judging from the magazines. You know when an industry is
in trouble because the magazines get thinner.
Leaner, more intelligent record companies seem to be doing OK - Naxos
continues to put out its usual couple of dozen new classical CDs every
month, while Sony-BMG are down to two or three issues.
> Basically, CD's were a goldmine like no other and continue to account
> for more than half of the music biz revenue. Downloads are a drop in
> the bucket, no chance they'll replace CD's revenue stream, ever.
>
I think that is true.
> What I found very interesting was, even adjusted for inflation, the
> tim from the mid-90's to the middle of this decade was the phatest
> time ever for the music business and it all went completely bust since
> then, with no hope of recovery.
>
> The other interesting thing is, 10-year cycles of technology-migration
> to boom, and what's happened this time is, technology migration with
> no boom and no hope of a boom. Basically, the LP had a good run up
> through the 70's, and 8-tracks were a surprisingly lucrative addition.
> Then the cassette era came as LPs declined when the Walkman ushered in
> truly portable music listening. Then, to the thrill of ever music
> exec, the CD boom was more than anyone could have hoped for. The
> problem is, bits is bits to a large extent and when you combine an
> ingrained portable-music demand with digital bits, the logical outcome
> is the iPod. Throw in confused and ill-enforced protections against
> piracy and illegal sharing and you inevitable end up where we are,
> with no prospect for a fix that could sustain a music business as
> existed 10 years ago or any time any of the music that most of us
> collect and enjoy was made.
>
> -- Tom Fine
Regards
--
Don Cox
[log in to unmask]
|