Selling Your Music Online - Part II - Downloadable Music - November 1999
By Jim Norris

You have your CD in stores coast to coast and available at online merchants (see last issue) - now it's time to make your songs available for download on the Internet. This makes your music available to a world-wide audience on demand with no shipping required.

   The first decision is what format to upload your tracks. It seems there are new ones all the time but the most popular are MP3, Liquid Audio, RealAudio G2, Quick Time 4, Microsoft Media 4.0 . The main considerations are popularity (the number of players in the market), sound quality, encoding, ease of hosting and copyright protection. Install the players yourself and download some files to evaluate the quality and visit their sites to check out encoding and hosting options.

   Your tracks will have to encoded in your chosen format. There are several choices for each format - some free and most others can be purchased for under $60.00. If you can't be bothered with this step, many of the host sites will provide this service. The quality and time saved may be worth the cost.

   After your songs are encoded, you can make them available on your own web site. Some formats can be uploaded directly to your site and others require server software. A better choice may be to use a host site that will encode the files, operate the server software necessary and store the files on their server. Many of these services also provide promotional benefits by offering an established traffic base to their site. They also offer online payment options that you may not have access to.

   In any case, make sure your music is marketable and of the best audio quality possible and that that the location of your tracks is marketed aggressively to your chosen audience.

   Look for an extensive feature in a future issue of CM on this subject.
If you have any questions, send me e-mail at

For More Information:

www.mp3.com
www.liquid.com
www.real.com
www.quicktime.com
www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.asp
www.realjukebox.com
www.musicandaudio.com
www.indiecanada.com
www.amp3.com
www.iuma.com
www.mp3vault.com
www.audiohighways.com
www.goodnoise.com
www.ubl.com

Resources

• Cognicity Inc. has announced the availability of AudioKey Desktop Version 1.0. AudioKey embeds watermarks and content controls into digital music including MP3, RealAudio and other popular audio formats. It is currently available for Windows with a Mac version to follow. For further information, visit www.cognicity.com.
• If you are looking to sell used or excess music, audio or lighting gear or buy some products at reduced prices, visit Digibid.com at www.digibid.com. Digibid is an online action site for musical instruments, audio equipment, DJ gear, video equipment and lighting products. Once you have registered, you can list your products for sale or bid on listed products.
• For an extensive listing of audio terms, see The Rane Professional Audio Reference at www.rane.com/digi-dic.htm.
• Take a peek at Bryston's web site at www.bryston.ca. Featured on their site are product information, installations, information on promotional products, reviews, accessories, a list of distributors and their current newsletter.
• The Stage Lighting Tech Pages are located at www.techpages.net. Here you will find information on manufacturers, hire companies, organizations, technical data, useful links and a glossary of lighting terms. You can even submit new glossary items or request that items be added.
• Internet Marketing Centerat www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/6171.
• Music Books Plus has greatly expanded their catalogue and now features online over 3,000 books, videos and CD-ROMs on music, recording, audio, songwriting, MIDI, multimedia and the Internet. You can join the electronic newsletter or request a printed catalogue online at www.musicboooksplus.com.
• Norris-Whitney Communications operates The Music & Audio Connection, the international on-line resource for music enthusiasts, musicians, music and audio professionals. Included are classified ads, products for sale, company showcases, discussion forums, associations, music education, music & audio resources, career information and file libraries. Updates to the site are available by e-mail or on The Pointcast Network Visit at musicandaudio.com . For more information, e-mail to , Fax (905) 641-1648 or call (905) 641-3471.