no, but soulseek is still alive
this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2025
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Bandcamp and Qobuz both offer non DRM music purchases for download, I buy FLAC files from both.
There are probably a few others though my preference is lossless FLAC so that's what I've settled on for the moment.
Bandcamp sells music DRM-free.
There is one artist on Bandcamp whose work I want to get but I understand Bandcamp is more geared towards indie musicians.
Is this true?
Geared toward yes, but there are many mainstream artists on there.
There's a lot of indie stuff on there, yeah. We've got a (slow) community over at !bandcamp@piefed.social if you want to see some of the things people on the Fediverse recommend from Bandcamp or share your own finds.
If you’re looking for more mainstream I believe 7digital is also DRM free and available in a number of countries.
Yes, this is true.
Doesn't iTunes let you pay like $0.30 more for the non-drmed file for most music still, or did they kill that in the last decade?
To be honest, I buy CDs where possible, Bandcamp where I can, and shamelessly pirate the rest.
Yes you can still buy the music and just save it on your device for later
I just discovered Qobuz, its a French music streaming app that feels more like a record store than a streaming platform. You can also buy tracks, many of them in audiophile quality. Their pro plan includes a discount on lots of tracks.
What you dont get is anything algorithmic or AI at all. New music discovery is fully back on your hands but you'll have to decide for yourself if the editorial content is enough to offset that
I am splitting my purchases between subvert.fm (over bandcamp these days, look into it and make your own call) and qobuz is the only music streamer I'll use, they are at the top end of artist compensation per stream.
Discovery is a more interactive process for me now, but, i personally find it more rewarding. YMMV.
Even if you decide this isn't for you, please use subvert or bandcamp or direct purchase in those rare cases that they offer it.
Stay away from the big names in this space, go to live shows, buy direct merch, we need to do anything we can to remove every intermediary between us and the artists we love and that provide the soundtracks to our lives.
I realize that I'm saying this all from a place of privilege. To those who can't afford these things, i have been in that position. Do what you have to do, support artists as best you can, but only if you reasonably can. Look out for yourselves first.
Magnatune still exists but they want you to buy a one time all you can eat membership.
Magnatune is no longer a business. They stopped offering new memberships.
I haven't purchased anything for a while, but I think Amazon still lets you download your digital album purchases as individual mp3 tracks.
For reasons unknown, I've had 3 separate accounts on that site shut down. I'm done with them.
Holy crap, I don't blame you.
Beatport.
Do any artists make substantive revenue from physical media? I am under the impression that the only meaningful revenue available to artists is from live performances. I get the impression that physical media is either someone else buying publishing rights from the artist, or basically someone selling the illusion of support. I could be wrong, but I see the whole thing as audio art ads for exposure/influence, that drives the live performance revenue source.
Physical media distributed through a major label deal hasn't been a money maker for decades.
physical media only paid the bills for a handfull at the peak. The biggest names sold enough to make money - sometimes they even lost money touring. Everyone else made money from touring (much smaller shows - few special effects, nothing expensive). The media was a bonus to fans and a way to get word to the next place that might book you when you are in town.
im not sure why you say streaming is out due to bad coverage areas? on spotify throw your music into a playlist then select download and then even if you’re offline it still plays
Personal preference.
I like to buy and keep something. So beside the network coverage issues I face, I prefer to buy and keep my copies in my home, to listen wherever and whenever I want, without the need for an app or something alike to make sure the music I paid for actually plays.
Call me old fashioned.
Tidal allows you to download music and play offline. It even has a "only play downloaded music" option as to not use mobile data should you be on a metered plan.