CDs versus Streams: Which is better?

Congratulations, we’ve done it. We made it to another year. Hopefully 2022 was a good year for you, and 2023 will be even better.
Over the holidays, Disc Makers CEO Tony van Veen was doing some deep thinking about the most important tools for independent musicians. Specifically, he was trying to figure out which of the two major music formats - streaming or CDs - is better and more important for today’s independent artist. Clearly, every artist needs to be available for streaming. But what about physical?
So Tony decided to create a little competition he's calling “CDs vs. Streams: Who Wins?” to see which format serves today’s artist best.
To have the competition be as fair as possible, he created eight categories important to artists and fans:
-Audience reach
-Promotion
-Sound quality
-Portability
-Fan engagement
-Music discovery
-Brand building
-Monetization
In this week's Indie Music Minute, Tony addresses each category and declares a winner for each, and then he concludes by tallying up the categories for an overall winner. This video is a bit longer than most of our videos - about 10 minutes - but you’ll want to watch it till the end, not just for the announcement of the winner, but also because it’s helpful to know which format is best for each of these important uses. We hope you find it helpful!
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[@depositiveone2677]

As an artist I support physical CDs over streams. A fan cannot hold a stream like a physical CD. The audio quality is better, additionally, the graphics are much better. As an artist I like to connect with my fans, and streams just don't cut it. Streams only pay pennies vs CDs that sell for dollars. While it may be true that today's computers and cars don't have CD players, the format is far from being extinct and it's not going anywhere. I still market my music on CDs and I am proud to be a Disc Makers client for so many years Long Live the CD 💿.

[@crawdad_smoker001]

As a Music Fan, I want to have a physical object rather than a stream. Because I want to support my favorite band. I know all they get from streaming is pennies on the dollar. I'd rather have the CD, or Ideally.... I'd much rather have Vinyl. As an artist. I make Music for me and for people who like the same stuff I like.

[@nicktan4530]

But not everybody has the money to buy CD

[@varungk3388]

Ya buy that PLASTIC

[@crawdad_smoker001]

@@nicktan4530 I understand that. But streaming pays pennies on the dollar, when it pays at all. If you want to support and encourage the Artists you like, especially the ones who play your City....buy their stuff. When you can. That's all I'm saying.

[@crawdad_smoker001]

@@varungk3388 Yeah. When I got the money. What's wrong with that?

[@varungk3388]

@@crawdad_smoker001 Yeah so you do it just because you can?

[@jonathanyeong324]

For me, I only buy the CDs of the artists and albums which I really love. I only stream when I want to discover if its worth buying the CD😂 I do feel CD is superior to the digital streaming services since it does sound and feel like its proper source

[@Tech-geeky]

CD's are uncompressed ... so there is the winner.... Huge size .WAV files would be the equivalent.. However, the while sound quality issue is only bought up due to streaming.. We never had that problem before because there was few streaming services in the early 90's Its "become" an issue. was never one before. But its an excuse, because in order to appreciate the quality, the end user need good equipment/headphones to listen on.. Its like buying 4K movie... While you can downscale 4K to 1080p content to view on a 1080p TV (and it may look great),its never gonna be as good as a true 4k on a 4k TV. ie.. just like with streaming, conversion gets in the way.. In this case though, people don't seem to mind, as long as the music is there,. There are negatives but no one cars.. The percentage that do are small.

[@richiewitkowski7142]

The fan engagement and promotions: Iron Maiden fan here, My friend got 72 Seasons from Metallica the other day on CD and I was like I have a CD player in my car (and a crazy aftermarket audio setup) so lets just pop it in. The sound quality I ehard from a CD was ridiculously good. I even Have many Iron Maiden CDs just to hold on but never listen to and when I popped them in my car to listen to rather than using Apple Music/Spotify it was soooo much better in sound quality and I feel like I have been missing out So one of my Iron Maiden CDs I put on my PC to rip WAV files and I was actually greeted by something mysterious. They have an entire "DVD like menu" when you load it onto a PC. You can go through album artwork, music videos, band information etc., and I was just ADDICTED. They even have a section called "Eddie Artwork" and you are not allowed to access it unless you guess a song that is on the album (you have listened to the album right? If not no access then!). That itself is hilarious and funny and really gets you to listen to the whole album. If you by all the 1998 remasters on CD the plastic cases will show an entire picture of Eddie on the bezels and looks amazing. I know many bands do similar stuff but with all that in mind, what does streaming a song do compared to everything I just discussed with a CD? And I just learned all this a few days ago from exploring. I am officially a CD collector now!

[@StaggerHome]

Yes to physical format! Thank you, @DiskMakers, for making possible to all of my releases since 2007. Looking forward to working with you again in 2023.

[@marvinwhittaker]

CDs all the way!! Because you own the music. Streaming isn't permanent.

[@DiscMakers]

💯❗

[@Iamhungryforribeye]

I think one major difference you didn’t mention is the fact that having the physical disc is the only true ownership of that music because streaming has a monthly subscription payment and once you stop paying that you stop having access to the music. And even if you “buy” a song such as on the Apple platform sometimes they will take that music away from you depending on their contracts so there is zero real ownership of music for the listener unless you have the physical media. That is a huge difference that I have realized over the years. Edit: to continue this thought I still have CD’s from the 90s that I can still listen to that I bought for $10 or so back then and have lifelong access to assuming I take care of the disc which isn’t that hard to do. So increased quality and guaranteed access makes CDs superior in my opinion but in all honesty I do also pay for a streaming service due to the access of millions of songs and only buy the media for the artists I know I will listen to long term.

[@BoluKeju]

For me streaming is to check if the album good or not, if good i will buy their cd

[@loiswilcken1758]

The one option not mentioned here is the download. That's been my preference. I've digitized most of my CDs, and when I want an album now, I download it. It's all in my iTunes library, along with covers and any album notes, which I scan. Where the download doesn't come with album notes, I can always find something on Wikipedia or somewhere else. My whole iTunes library is backed up. I love listening this way.

[@luvmyrecords]

I prefer physical media - records, cos, even tapes - because I want to listen to music without having every click of my mouse traced and tracked, and have some bot constantly offering me "suggestions" that have nothing to do with me. Also, once I buy a record (not all records are vinyl!) or cd, it's done. No ads. No monthly fees to avoid ads. No feeding the machine that rips off artists more than the record industry ever did (and that is saying something, because that was an awful scene, too.) Streaming sources offer little-to-no information about the personnel; you don't know who's playing in the background.

[@rosahesendshisangels]

Happy New Year to you and your team, & thanks Tony another great & timely presentation. This has been an area of great concern for me however, while I heavily promote streaming, it same that most of my fans like the idea of holding a physical CD. Nonetheless I discovered that what you have concluded to be true; that both streaming, and CDs are very useful as an independent artist. Thanks again.🥳

[@DV-ml4fm]

I prefer streaming. The only caveats are the monthly payments.

[@user-ux5go7gv6d]

I have thousands of CD's and a few hundred LPs, and I am still buying. I use streaming (Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music) mostly for the convenience factor and to discover/test ne music. The truth is that some of my most cherished CDs are not available on streaming platforms, and that's a game changer for me. Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@alext2933]

CD wins. No contest.

[@TETRARCHJeffUnstableFreak]

I prefer CDs I like to support my favorite bands and musician's and I love the artwork CD quality is just a better sounding quality product for me

[@RadaNealPiano]

Unfortunately most new cars do not have cd players anymore:(

[@chrisdunnettmusic]

Sad but true

[@BAGLIFEMEDIA]

THANK YPU SO MUCH FOR THIS 🙏🙏🙏

[@lionheartroar3104]

CD..you own it and you don't rely on a connection or corporation. If I want to explore I can do it on You Tube.

[@JDCottonMusic]

Great analysis. I’d add that monetization isn’t the most important to all musicians.

[@leeandrewsprime-tm3eg]

Great video. Insightful and helpful. Bravo

[@timallison8560]

anyone with a high school education should know that streaming quality cannot even begin to compete with cd quality.

[@groofoot]

You got that right Tim

[@HuggyBearHikes]

Streaming at work or in my car. I copy my cds to flac on ssd drive for home stereo. I can find cds at yards sales for $1 and $5 or so at my local record store..

[@terryparham3913]

Tony. Great video. Just went through the process with Distrokid for immediate album release on all available streaming platforms (album is called “Venture” and then and is Club Malbec). We produced/distributed our first CD in 2015 with DiscMakers. Wondering (out loud) the need for CD distribution, and am now convinced that distributing both on streaming platforms and CDs does make sense. Having said that though, you didn’t mention the other societal technology realities at play within the music listening world. For example, I just purchased a new car. It came fully loaded with all apps to upload/download music from all music platforms…and surprisingly, no CD player. The dealership advised that CD players are not viewed within the auto industry as a future profitable or viable method to listen to music in cars in the 21 century going forward. What am I (as an Indie artist) supposed to do with that? I still agree with your take…but it’s increasingly difficult to figure what is best…except to say that “doing all” is best (streaming, CD, and vinyl??). Thanks.

[@tonyvv]

It's true, cars and computers don't come with disc drives. This has been the case for over a decade by now, yet CDs still continue to be viable for artists. Stay tuned for my video next week where I discuss (and debunk) the three biggest reasons artists don't make CDs...

[@jeromelang6413]

Even if streaming companies make available 44.1khz/16-bit flac files to stream, the sound still won't be as good as the original 1st print CD, nor as good as the downloadable wav file. The streaming flac files available from Tidal or Qobuz typically have transfer bit-rate somewhere around 700 - 800 kbps for their supposedly uncompressed 44.1kHz/16-bit lossless streams. CD disc playback and wav file playbacks transfer bit rate are constant at 1411kbps. Streaming still has that threadbare flavour and loses in imaging focus, dynamics and harmonic richess.

[@tasche5806]

The conversion from WAV to FLAC does nothing to audio quality. FLAC is nothing else than an archive file format like ZIP or RAR, only specifically for audio, which means the FLAC file is a compressed WAV file and can be uncompressed to the original source WAV file. Both the original source WAV file that was compressed to FLAC and the WAV file uncompressed from that FLAC file will have the exact same hash value (bad audio conversion software will produce a different hash value tough, but the audio quality will still be unchanged)

[@priceofsilver]

Just quick napkin math, but if you print 300 CDs and sell them all @ $15 - minus costs of production (and depending on other fees like mailing materials, Bandcamp fees, etc.), and depending on the streaming rate (I used $0.0035) you'd need 750,000+ streams to get the same revenue. 750,000 streams is just not viable for most smaller artists, but selling 300 CDs can be.

[@steveide2062]

Good points and comparisons here Tony. However you failed to address the issue of disappearing mechanical means for which to play CDs on. Primary the automobile where 80% of people listen to music. If I had $100 bucks for every time someone said, “I don’t have anyway to play your CD, can stream or download you music”? Also, AD/DA converter’s have greatly improved over the last five years improving the sound quality of streaming. Lastly, downloads. There is money to be made there and you can download booklets to accompany the Albums for enhanced experience/interaction with the artist.

[@tonyvv]

It's true, cars and computers don't come with disc drives. This has been the case for over a decade by now, yet CDs still continue to be viable for artists. Stay tuned for my video next week where I discuss (and debunk) the three biggest reasons artists don't make CDs...

[@chrisdunnettmusic]

@@tonyvv Yeah I hate that my new 2021 car didn't come with a CD player

[@BrianGarside]

Streaming from a local source on a hard drive is just as good as CD assuming the CD was properly copied bit for bit using with something like EAC app. In fact I would say if you can stream your CD FLAC file it would be better than a CD transport. Since you've already removed the jitter from optical reading during playback and buffering issues. The network can handle a CD data stream very easily and have it buffered for smoother playback.

[@user-jj7uy1ns5f]

Crawdad that’s a fair point, I stream and if I love something? Then purchase on CD, and Vinyl, the downside being some new vinyl is poorly done

[@Tech-geeky]

Good take on diversity... but you forgot one thing "Content" (CD's wins hands down) (but i guess that would come under Music Discovery) While convenience always seems to win online, music does also disappear from streaming services... So that has must be added to from a music fan/listener perspective.. and would dictate what platforms listeners choose (CD or streaming) The problem is music can disappear on services and at any time due to copyright or profit (your being payed more on x service, your more likely to go there as a creator), and with this unforeseen music/track disappearance, CD's are a clear winner here, You have the product and nothing will ever change. (...until the CD get scratched) It seems although people are always unhappy about steaming music vanishing, but they don't care because they'd put convenience and cost (so many thousand tracks) *first*

[@thomascordery7951]

I don't require physical media though I do have a lot of CDs, vinyl, cassettes and even reel to reel tape. I even buy new CDs and vinyl, though usually at a concert or club where the artist has them available. But what I dislike about streaming is first, your point about streaming audio quality which is okay in the car, but lacking at home in the quiet, and second, I want to control how I access and use the titles I acquire. My clear preference for owning copies is to have the digital files: flac, wav, or even higher quality MP3 if it's not offered in a better file format.

[@thejoyofthemusicinmylife7897]

Steaming has its place and I only use it to discover newer artist whose music I might be interested in. The way I see it artist who I really like an artist then their music is worth buying in the physical form. I often buy their work on vinyl which usually come with a download card. I got into the CD game yearly so I own a lot of CD. Then my CD collection grew even larger when they start appearing at thrift stores cheap.

[@alexmag5735]

I choose to buy Hi Res flac files. Sometimes SACD or Blu Ray.

[@jasonwilson556]

CD audio quality crushes streaming.

[@DiscMakers]

💯❗

[@outboardfun3353]

It's all about sound quality all the way

[@DanielleKingdjdinosaur]

i do not sub so i would rather own my collection even if that meant going back to physical media.

[@PoitinCZ]

Great as usual Tony. I would mention that the uptick in physical is also to some extent due to the increased gigging after the covid-induced hiatus, meaning CD sales are rising merely due to the increasing number of concerts and resulting sales at concerts. What do you think?

[@tonyvv]

Probably. And certainly in 2021 they rose compared to the worst year in recent memory. But it looks like 2022 numbers will also be up, and we'll see what happens in '23. Regardless of growth or modest declines, CDs continue to be an essential part of the working musician's toolbox.

[@depafeo]

love my CDs. But you haven't lived until you heard Toto's Africa streaming in 24 Bit.

[@lindamasson7067]

From the standpoint of non-touring writers / instrumentalists who assemble and pay different vocalists and other musicians to work on the recordings of various productions: the ultimate goal is online CD sales. It is frustrating when people say they no longer have ways to hear CDs. Some (most?) stores have completely phased out selling CD players. How do we deal with this?

[@chrisdunnettmusic]

Agreed!

[@danmarjenka6361]

Some cars no longer have a CD player.

[@777MusicLVR]

I very much prefer CDs, however, pretty much 90% of friends and family no longer have a player in their home or car. And as we all know, car companies have no interest in changing that. However, seeing how everything is cyclical (vinyl is hot again for a niche audience).. so CDs may make a return down the road.

[@jamestyler8549]

Don't hold your breath waiting on that return down the road.

[@mafi211]

I prefer CD

[@Wainster]

I don't use Streaming. I never will. CD is my "perfect" format. I buy CD's and convert the audio for my digital audio player. This is a huge benefit which wasn't covered in this video. So when I buy a new CD, using a program to move all tracks to a portable audio player is a 3 minute job. No loss of quality. It's such a shame that many young people don't care that indie artists can't earn money on streaming platforms. If streaming platforms had to pay a decent amount per play to the artists they couldn't make millions and wouldn't bother. I do buy digital albums if there isn't a CD version, or if the CD is rare and very very expensive (used) due to it being out of print. Tbh, I don't now own a CD player. So, I convert all my CD's for DAP listening.

[@xygorf01]

Which is better ? Vinyl !!!

[@jacklewis11]

Having released my first EP this holiday season, I can confirm that most of the friends & family I comped a CD to did NOT have a CD player and did NOT listen to it. While I value the sound quality and the physical 'presentation' of a CD (mp3s suck), I have to admit it was a resounding failure.

[@tonyvv]

But did they listen to your music on streaming? You see, CDs and streaming go hand in glove. They like the graphics and physical nature of the CDs, but the convenience of listening to music on their phone... Now, if they didn't listen to your music on streaming EITHER... then that's a whole different issue. 😏 And you can't blame the CD for that.

[@jamestyler8549]

@@tonyvv "CDs and streaming go hand in glove n glove". Not only the convenience of listening to music on their phone, KZbin, Spotify, Pandora, etc. But the promotion of your music & physical presentation' of a CD ( artwork/linear notes) & additional income. ( How to Sell your CD to Fans Who Don’t Own a CD Player)

[@johnanthonycolley3803]

Streaming is a non starter if you have no connection to the server.. A CD being a physical media doesn't suffer from this vulnerability..

[@alfredbrown7608]

CDs for me have over 1000

[@robertnelson9621]

I think a more relevant comparison should be CD vs FLAC

[@terryparham3913]

Meant to say …the band is called Club Malbec…Sorry for the typo.

[@shuttlebadminton24]

Streaming is like online shopping and physical media is like shopping in person. Simple.

[@IraQNid]

If your music collection exceeds 1 TB of data then carrying your entire collection on your phone isn't going to work. If you own a phone that cannot have its storage upgraded or augmented with external storage (Apple for instance) then you're still kinda out of luck. A CD collection that is ripped at 320 Kbps and numbers around 20,000 tunes can easily reside on a single 512 GB USB Flash Drive, memory card, USB SSD, HDD, etc. With optical disc media you can make your own more permanent backups of your songs from your CD collection. With the digital format it is easier to carry with you to enjoy your music skip free. Streaming, digital playback via computers (Pocket/PDA/Smart Phone/MP3 players), CD/DVD players, playback over the car radio via streaming or satellite radio service, home PCs all work hand-in-hand to compliment each other.

[@TheSpeenort]

I'm mixing in surround, I have to use DVD's.

[@tonyvv]

We got them too! 🙂

[@raycollins9981]

use your website to promote and sell your music/product

[@louarmagno515]

HEY...I cry foul! I demand a decision Tony, which is better? (haha)

[@tonyvv]

LOL... To be totally honest, if I was an active musician today and could do only one I'd be on streaming, because that's how everyone listens to music. BUT... as I mentioned in the video, there's no need to do just one.

[@phillipallen5564]

sound qualtiy will alays be comprommised on steaming whether its on any dieveice cause its stil compresed the hitgh bitrate is a lie for peoep e liek me it really matters cuz ever bit lost matters i cant hear any litlle detail uncopressed sound its ur there vs a simulated sound or like super comrpessed hitres audio streaming and alos flac is vetter cuz it is still compressed bbut its not steamigng and the aq iis lightyears above any streaming service outther notmatter hwat wuality i can set my flac copy of my vinyl and cd to the hithest quality rip and its wayyyyyyyyyyyy better

[@Lachenmann7]

The ultimate solution, is the acceptance of current reality. Give up on monetization. Make your art. Thrive on expressing yourself, and make your money--like Charles Ives before you--in the insurance industry, or teaching; or something. (He actually reinvented the insurance industry; his creative genius radiated far and wide...)

[@tonyvv]

That's kind of a fatalistic look at the situation, and I think most artists don't see it like that. It feels so... hopeless.

[@Lachenmann7]

@@tonyvvOf course it is precisely the opposite. Accepting reality is the very definition of hope. What is hopeful is humans creating or attempting to create art. And for the right reason: "The truth and beauty, and the beautiful meaninglessness of it." We would have a world of honest creations, made for their own beauty; separate from the material dimension with its inherent evil. And, teaching as a means of making a living couldn't be a more noble undertaking.

[@tonyvv]

Yeah you have a point.

[@jamestyler8549]

Give up on monetization!? U r n the wrong profession.

[@joelara610]

Streaming is good for knowing whether to buy the CD or not.