The vast majority of music consumption that takes place today comes from the execution of applications corresponding to streaming platforms where the user can choose the music that plays from a vast catalog of records, songs, artists…
Music file sales platforms allow you to always have records and songs without paying monthly fees
Streaming platforms have made it possible for a huge catalog to be available in exchange for a monthly amount… as long as there is an Internet connection and the subscription price has been paid. But this convenient system also has some drawbacks, essentially that the user does not own the music but simply enjoy the access service to it.
This means that there are still those who positively value an alternative that was a true revolution when it was born, but that has been cornered by Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other similar services.
These are the platforms that, instead of offering a wide catalog accessible at any time in exchange for a fixed monthly subscription, allow the purchase music files in formats, either compressed (such as MP3) or without compression loss (such as FLAC or ALAC). Files that become the property of the user, who does not need to continue paying every month to have them available.
The most important and recommended ones are listed below:
-Apple iTunes: It all started here when Steve Jobs was able to convince the record companies that instead of selling their products on physical support it would be a great business to sell the songs individually for $0.99 per unit.
It continues to be the reference platform in terms of sales, both of songs and records, which it does by offering them in its own AAC format. Apple Music subscribers can also purchase the songs in lossless format.
-Amazon Music: It is part of the Prime Music subscription, the paid membership of multiple Amazon services that include free shipping on purchases, streaming movies and series, storage space in the Cloud… and this music platform that extends the limits of the platform streaming included in the service. As a distinctive note, in addition to the purchase itself that allows the download of the music file, it also allows the online storage of the music purchased as well as other MP3s that the user already had.
-Bandcamp: Platform that is part of Epic Games specialized in indie music, allows downloading songs in different formats at no additional cost (MP3, FLAC, Apple Lossless…). On Fridays it organizes special events that allocate 100% of the proceeds to the musicians.
-Bleep: Specializing in dance and indie music, it has a wide selection of music content in high audio quality (16 bit and 24 bit FLAC files, lossless) at very competitive prices with other services that also opt for the highest audio quality, although at higher prices.
