CNET launches free music downloads

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The new owner of MP3.com has launched a separate site offering songs uploaded by independent and unsigned artists

Online-technology company CNET Networks has launched a free digital music service, allowing users to search and download what it says are thousands of songs contributed by independent and unsigned artists.

The service, based on CNET's Download.com Web site (http://music.download.com), has been collecting music for the past few weeks, encouraging musicians to register on the site and upload their songs.

The music download service will be separate from the MP3.com Web site, which CNET has said it will relaunch soon as a music-information site.

The former MP3.com, which CNET acquired late last year, offered similar functions to those in the new music download platform. Many artists and fans of the site complained when CNET closed it down, fearing that hundreds of thousands of songs would be lost permanently.

News source: ZDNet News

pulled, rude comments, shit story. Not worth the hassle.

(4 replies) #1 BTallack on 26 Apr 2004 - 19:50

It's about time...

#1.1 gawdflesh on 26 Apr 2004 - 19:56

At first, when I saw the title of this article, I thought "Jesus christ, another one??"...but then I read the article, and this is a really good idea. This is a great way for struggling artists to get their music out there without having to rely on filling the pockets of radio stations and Mtv.

#1.2 Ryan92 on 26 Apr 2004 - 20:12

I also have to say this is a good idea as I just tried it out. The quality of the music is MP3 192Kbps

and the artists songs on there are also pretty good, though they should improve the site naviagation. *Have a Recommended, Top Songs, Most Downloaded, etc*

Last edited by 31100 on 26 Apr 2004 - 20:25

#1.3 lodgepole on 26 Apr 2004 - 20:59

I've used MP3 since late 2000 and have come across numerous quality bands, and after listening to their music for a few months decided to purchase the artists' CD's. I would hate to see a lot of the functionality that was in the MP3 site disappear, esp the "similar artists" feature. Have always been a big fan of MP3 and their business model that allowed artists to eliminate the dreaded middle-man

#1.4 Jugalator on 27 Apr 2004 - 07:34

QUOTE (#1.1)

but then I read the article, and this is a really good idea. This is a great way for struggling artists to get their music out there without having to rely on filling the pockets of radio stations and Mtv.

Yes, however it's hardly a *new* idea. There are lots of sites like this one already.

Just wanted to point that out, since it sounded from this like it was unique.

#2 rogerroger on 26 Apr 2004 - 20:46

So who wants to hear my version of "Baby got back!"
LOL.

#3 Mav Phoenix on 26 Apr 2004 - 20:46

QUOTE

free digital music service

That's the key. Hopefully the bands are good.

(5 replies) #4 allfive6 on 26 Apr 2004 - 21:06

I live in Canada all music downloading is free and legal here

But this is nice too

#4.1 Kevine on 27 Apr 2004 - 01:08

Stop saying that, its not fair!

#4.2 ZTrang on 27 Apr 2004 - 01:33

Actually, in the long run, it may be more than fair. I wonder how much longer the music industry will last in Canada with illegal music sharing running rampant with no government checks? Five years from now, there may be very little music available in Canada. That, Kevine, will be your vindiction.

#4.3 theMaxx on 27 Apr 2004 - 02:11

Music in Canada is about the same as the US one... maybe without the Country and Christian Rock, which I'm greatfull for

About the Canadian artist that get nationwide recognition, they most of the time get popular in the US as well.

#4.4 Jugalator on 27 Apr 2004 - 07:41

QUOTE (#4.2)

Are you saying music sharing is not running rampant in the US right now?
At least RIAA themselves tries to tell me otherwise...

Also, not a thing has happened to music availability neither in Canada nor where I live (where it's also still legal to download copyrighted music), even if it has happened since Napster got common around 6 years ago. I seriously doubt we'll have less music in another 6 years.

#4.5 DJ Specs on 28 Apr 2004 - 04:17

Dont worry, our Candian Government regulates Canadian Artists on Radio & TV. On radio, it has to 40% Canadian music or your broadcast licence is toast.

#5 Gr_Terror on 26 Apr 2004 - 21:29

speeds are good too! im getting a steady 35k/s [my providers max is 40!]

(2 replies) #6 Kracal on 26 Apr 2004 - 21:42

Found some sweet Trance mixes already

#6.1 Trade Wind on 27 Apr 2004 - 00:20

Which artists? Hook us up with some linkage.

#6.2 Jugalator on 27 Apr 2004 - 08:05

I like Digital Explosion among others

http://music.download.com/digitalexplosion/3600-8245_32-100080143.html?tag=list

At least the first listed (Hardcore Symphony)... They're missing a lot from mp3.com

(2 replies) #7 ZTrang on 27 Apr 2004 - 00:25

This seems to be the first "proper" implementation of the ideal Napster was originally striving for: a place for unlicensed artists to give their music publicity. Of course the system was abused almost immediately by those wishing to get something for nothing, but as this is run and monitored by a company, it might actually work properly. This service just takes one more argument away from the Kazaa folks who claim that Kazaa allows musicians to "get their music out there," since this service now does it as well and does not provide a medium for illegal transactions.

#7.1 nuka_t on 27 Apr 2004 - 00:45

hmm, this could spell the end to p2p as they would have no way of saying "its the only way for struggling artists to spread their blablabla."

#7.2 Jugalator on 27 Apr 2004 - 07:44

Well, even if it sounds silly, P2P *is* used for more stuff than sharing illegal software. Last time I used it for such things was probably just a day ago or so. It's just a technology, not something illegal. Large game companies are already starting to use P2P technologies too. Blizzard Entertainment are nowadays spreading files on BitTorrent.

Also, they're really stupid if they make P2P applications illegal just because there's *another* way to do it on. Like making E-mail illegal since you can upload your messages to an FTP server or message someone with an instant messenger.

Finally...

This seems to be the first "proper" implementation of the ideal Napster was originally striving for

Again, no.

I've lost the 4 sites I had bookmarked, but there are much more out there, organized, tidy, and free. These weren't small sites either. However, Google just seem to turn up bogus sites fooling Google when searching for them.

#8 aaron901 on 27 Apr 2004 - 01:29

wow this is really awesome! the quality of the music is great, the download speed is decent..

check out Loquat, i reckon they're pretty good.

#9 Galley on 27 Apr 2004 - 05:23

BTW, Amazon has offered a service like this for years.

Astryd Lypp on Amazon.com

(I guess I had better upload the Astryd Lypp MP3s to CNet soon.)

(1 reply) #10 altermind on 27 Apr 2004 - 07:07

5 bucks this will get slapped down

#10.1 aaron901 on 27 Apr 2004 - 07:22

100 bucks say it won't.

#11 Tokar on 27 Apr 2004 - 07:57

Make a P2P program exclusively for this, and its gold.

#12 martinsc on 27 Apr 2004 - 15:08

i just downloaded a few rap/hip-hop songs, and they are prety nice..

#13 Jugalator on 27 Apr 2004 - 18:10

Here are some alternative sites like this one:

- http://www.garageband.com/
- http://www.soundclick.com/
- http://www.mp3jackpot.com/jackpotArchive.php
- http://www.mp34u.com/archive.php?view=genre (these two latest sites seem to be related in some way

)

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