I think, if they can be mass produced w/ high quality sound, and a lower price, it would sell good. The product has potential in other markets and would have advantages ia some ways over other media. Storage would be easier, boomboxes, portables, automobile receivers, etc could easily adapt and/or downsize, if need be. Overall, if marketed properly it could be around for a while because USB drives are so versitile.

Naaa , its just one of those hypes. In a matter of months they'll stop doing that. I still believe in the appeal of cds, with their booklets and everything

There are many obstacles that prevent this current marketing campaign from working.

First off, the media stored on these devices are typically of lower quality recordings than those found on CDs. At a lower price point, the masses can purchase a CD and convert those recordings to another format, such as mp3s, on their personal computers.

Secondly, the medium by which the media is stored is of limited use. Though USB flash storage devices have found great prevalence in our digital age and the idea behind a reusable storage medium is very enticing, the current crop of CD alternatives only provide limited storage capabilities. The last I checked, there is less storage than even CDs and even first (or at least earlier) generation USB flash drives.

So why, pray tell, would an average consumer purchase these artist-branded USB flash storage devices with low quality recordings at a retail store for such an outrageous price? If a technologically savvy individual wanted only a lower quality recording stored on a USB flash drive, would not these individuals prefer to download the full album at a lower price point (potentially only at a dollar a song, and approximately ten for the album) and store these songs on a flash drive with greater amounts of storage (given that multiple GB of storage is available at a very reasonable price).

Surely, only the most die-hard of fans would want these artist-branded items, but would there be enough purchases by these fans to even validate the existence of these products? Placing these products on the shelves cost money to the producers/distributors/etc. Do they believe there would be enough people to purchase these ridiculous items to reach a critical point where they would profit off these consumers?

So why, pray tell, why? The music industry is trying to catch up to the digital age. Too little, too late?

Also, I forgot to mention that I purchase songs online, when I only like a few (3 or less) songs on a new CD. If there are more than a few songs that I like, I would be inclined to purchase the CD.

Should the music industry not look to these buying habits as to a link to an issue that they themselves have? If you make/distribute great music, the masses will buy it. You make/distribute a mediocre attempt, the masses will only pick out the good and leave the bad. You make/distribute bad music, the masses will leave it well alone.

The evolving digital age has allowed the consumer to be choose what they want. In the past, you would need to purchase an entire album if you wanted just a few songs.

Wow, you guys have your facts mixed up here. Lower quality? No way... I own several usb albums and most of the mp3's are ripped at a higher bitrate than CD's. I promote bands that are using usb albums instead of CD's and they always use high quality MP3's. Also, flash drives are a great way to INCLUDE files like album art, videos, lyric sheets, etc, which you are not getting if you just purchase a digital download. I don't know where you saw $35 for the matchbox 20 album, but the real price is $25. A little much for a 256mb bracelet, but the bands that I promote now are using 1gb drives and selling them for $20. The value is certainly there, especially considering the fact that you can reuse the drive.

Ahh... I see the $35 price now... i wonder why they did that? It was available on their website for $25 before. $35 is too way too much for 256mb.

I also prefer buying new album on CD rather than digital sources.

To me, this sounds like a novelty item. Sometimes these novelties are a nice addition to your collection. Anyone remember the Smashing Pumpkins 'Airplane Flies High' singles box, or Tool's 'Salival' box? Completely impractical format, but beautifully packaged and must-haves for the 'die-hard' fan. If the right artist placed the right material on a USB drive, I'd more than likely be inclined to add it to my collection, but as a mass consumption format, I just don't see it happening. Can you imagine having four or five hundred of these things hanging around your room? At least cds store easily and are (usually) easily identifiable by a quick scan of the spines. And then there's the USB drives nasty habit of losing the master file table after an encounter with static electricity or improper undocking. Bye bye album!

That being said, there is some really neat stuff that can be done with a USB drive that you can't do with a cd. Anyone read about the amazing marketing campaign nine inch nails did with Year Zero? USB drives began showing up at venues in Europe with mp3 files as well as images and encoded sounds that revealed text and images when viewed through a spectrograph analyzer. Very cool stuff, and an instant collectors item. Can't imagine what something like that would fetch on eBay...probably a heck of a lot more than the $35 you'd pay for a Matchbox 20 album. ;-)

One solution to the flash-drive organization problem are the mini-micro's, which my bands have started using. They are literally the size of a quarter - basically the chip is positioned inside the connector end. They are very cool, and symmetrical, and they are protected by a metal shell - not to mention they are the swivel variety so you don't have a cap to lose... my personal belief is that you will see flash drives reach this smallest size as a standard, and thus become easier to store.

Hilarious!

You guys sound like those of us, the "old timers", whining about how vinyl wouldn't/couldn't/shouldn't be replaced.

Frankly, I can't wait for the day when I can simply plug my USB flash into my car dashboard.

Yes, the postings from Steve, and the last comment (right above me) are correct. The other comments are from "whiners" and I mean that with some humor (because I respect you old fashiond folks like me). I still use CDs, but can assure you just like I used to have a regular phone, I now use only a cell phone... I will evenutlly be using only USB Albums and MP3 players. Eventually, digital format (including USB Albums) will be the main way that music is heard, and sold (except for CDs which will eventually be the novelty). As we know vinyl already is!

I must say, that the way USB albums are currently marketed is pretty bad. They are currently overpriced, and only for die hard fans. However, the cost to produce the product (USB Albums) is also expensive right now. Remember Atari (maybe you don't). My dad bought that for like $400 in 1979. Usually new items are overpriced when it comes to technology. Do any of you own an iPhone?

I own my own record label called 3000 Records, and am excited about the changes to come in the music industry. For those with the right mindset, there is a massive opportunity in this. There is also a good amount of risk. Just ask Microsoft.

Warm Regards,

Terrance
P.S. I'm also a musician. If you still wanna buy a CD (buy mine). My goal is to sell a million. Please go to MakeMusicHistory.com

I think the point that everyone is missing is that CD's are digital, and not only are they digital, they are also fragile. If you drop a usb drive face down it will not scratch and therefor prevent proper playback. If they can get the price point down to a reasonable level there is absolutely no reason why this would be an unacceptable form of music delivery. And for those complaining about quality you are wrong, a CD typcially has no more than 700 mbs of storage, and as of today I can pick up a 4gig jump drive for 30 bucks, and since that price point is constantly dropping, there is no reason in a year or so all albums can't be released with a stereo and a 5.1 surround mix on the same jump drive, both being higher quality than CD at the same price point.

Wait...didn't we all say the same thing when the first CD arrived in stores....same hesitations and naysayers........USB drives may be new.....but the idea of new music storage is far from new!

This is a niche product for sure, but greener than the cd/dvd format because it is reusable in a way that cd's are not. Eventually wireless downloads/streaming will be the norm on all devices, but until then, attached to the right band/cause this is an interesting opportunity for specific markets.

I am a designer and will miss album art as much as anyone could - but I am a human being first and will trade that gladly for fewer plastic jewel cases and discs buried in the ground.

yes but how many reusable USB drives does a person need? it seems a bit of a stretch to think that this would replace a digital download, much less a cd or other physical format.