This article is an overall view of an argument with a friend who likes music, or any form of media bought and owned rather than streamed and paid for. Then I realized he has some valid facts. You will get to know the difference in why one weighs more than the other in terms of access, variety, ownership, rights and audio quality.
The way people consume music has undergone a drastic change in recent years with technological advancements of course. Gone are the days of purchasing physical copies of albums or songs, as streaming services have now become the preferred method of accessing music. With the rise of streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, Mdundo and Tidal, many people have turned away from buying music and towards streaming it instead.
However, there are still some who prefer to buy their music instead of streaming it, with valid reasons for their own preference. In this article, we will explore the differences between streaming music and buying music, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Streaming Music
If there is one thing that has shaped the way we consume music more than anything else in the 21st century, it is the internet. The media has transformed in ways people can access it on demand and anywhere, hence the need to stream.
Streaming music refers to the process of listening to music via an internet connection without downloading the tracks. In other words, streaming allows you to listen to music instantly without owning a copy of it. Streaming services offer access to millions of songs from a wide range of artists, and users can create their own playlists and listen to music on demand.
Advantages of streaming music:
Cost-effective: Streaming services offer a subscription-based model where users pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to music. This is much more cost-effective than buying individual albums or songs, especially if you listen to a lot of music.
Variety: With streaming, you have access to a wide variety of music from all genres, including new releases and lesser-known tracks. You can explore new music without having to commit to buying an entire album.
Convenience: Streaming services allow you to listen to music on multiple devices and from anywhere with an internet connection. You can also create playlists and share them with friends.
Disadvantages of streaming music:
Quality: Although streaming services offer high-quality music, it is often compressed and can lack the depth and warmth of a physical copy. Let Lossless sounds + Dolby Atmos fool you, but it will never replace the actual original audio quality.
Ownership: With streaming, you do not own the music you listen to, and it can be taken away at any time if a licensing agreement between the streaming service and the record label expires. Even an artist can decide to pull out from the streaming platforms and go with the entire music collection he or she owns.
Internet connection: Streaming music requires a stable internet connection, and it can be frustrating if your connection drops or is slow. The other option would be to download offline music depending on your subscription.
Ads: This one definitely annoys lots of subscribers on any platform. While Apple Music has no ad-tier subscription, Spotify for free does and it interrupts the seamless streaming experience.
Buying Music
Buying music involves purchasing a physical copy of an album or a digital copy of a song. This can be done through online stores such as iTunes, Amazon, or Bandcamp, or at physical music stores.
While buying physical CDs and vinyl is a norm, iTunes is the platform that started “The Music Revolution”. Announced in 2001 by Steve Jobs, iTunes was the Apple product that changed the previous state of digital music: explaining how music player apps were “too complex and really difficult to learn and use.” Years later, Amazon and Bandcamp followed the same.
Advantages of buying music:
Ownership: When you buy music, you own a physical or digital copy of the music, and you can access it anytime without relying on an internet connection.
Quality: Physical copies of music often have higher sound quality than streaming services, and digital copies are usually available in lossless formats.
Support for artists: Buying music supports the artists and record labels directly and can help them continue to make more music.
No Ads: Self-explanatory. You cannot get ads from companies in a full-length album bought from a music store.
Disadvantages of buying music:
Cost: Buying music can be expensive, especially if you are purchasing entire albums or limited-edition physical copies.
Limited selection: Buying music can be limiting in terms of the selection available, especially if you are looking for niche or lesser-known artists.
Storage: Physical copies of music take up physical space and can be bulky and difficult to store.
Conclusion
The decision to stream or buy music ultimately comes down to personal preference. While streaming music is more cost-effective and convenient, buying music offers higher quality and ownership. It’s important to consider your listening habits and budget when deciding which method is best for you. Whether you choose to stream or buy, there has never been a better time to enjoy music than right now.
Come to think of it, soon there will be a Spotify Stream On event on 8th March 2023. Could the long-anticipated Spotify HiFi be launched that day? Only time will tell…
Credits to Allan Otieno for inspiring me to write this article and contributing the facts.
