Insane ebay auctions - CD

Stormspell · Post by **Stormspell** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:42 pm

pan_Heathen wrote:A lot of metal CDs still in print look exactly or almost exactly like versions printed 20+ years ago. First Testament albums, first Metal church albums, european versions of Metallica albums etc. So some labels are doing that.

It can be done but what's the point of emulating cheap pressings?

If I was in it for the money - then sure, I'd have loved to spew out ass-cheap releases with little to no attention to detail and minimalistic inserts. However, I'm not making significant profit on this label. My releases are pressed in 1000 copies and I still have copies left 5 years later.

I'm keeping Stormspell alive for my own satisfaction, and because I enjoy working with the bands and releasing stuff with proper packaging (or at least as good as I can afford).

90% of the bands had very little to nothing to say in regards to their releases in the past. All those ass-cheap releases you guys unload hundreds of dollars for on eGay were put together by opportunistic labels and the bands had no involvement in the packaging whatsoever. I'm giving them the chance now, and most of the bands I've worked with were quite happy to see their albums released with artwork/layouts designed under their supervision.

And it goes the other way around too. I get a band which doesnt give a shit or insist on some dumb/offensive imagery - then I'm the one who drops the project and moves to the next one.

As you said, there are plenty of labels around, so if you do not like my work you can always buy from them, or start a label and do it your way.

Heathen · Post by **Heathen** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:54 pm

I'm not saying you should do that. I'm not saying anyone should do that. I didn't express any opinion. If another label reissues a CD then it's obvious it will be different. I'm only mentioning the fact that some labels do that with THEIR OWN catalogue, thats all. But many labels will never do it because they don't exist anymore

or because it would not pay off. So it is impossible on a larger scale.

My opinion is that it is very good that a label like yours exists and it is perfectly natural that your re releases are different and better than first pressings. You cannot release identical pressings because that would make you... a bootleger

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 8:03 pm

stormspell wrote:I get a band which doesnt give a shit or insist on some dumb/offensive imagery - then I'm the one who drops the project and moves to the next one.

I'm wondering what we have missed because of that...

Stormspell · Post by **Stormspell** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:49 pm

^^ Nothing significant to worry about.

perishinflames · Post by **perishinflames** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:35 pm

Let label owners do what they wish, but personally I think 90% of new releases look cheesy and cheap. Huge logos and tons of websites / emails and other branding all over, not to mention today's shitty mastering and manufacturing techniques make an all-around cheap and shoddy looking product. I don't personally care about a 50 page booklet or anything like that, most of the time I get a CD I never even pull the booklet out of the case. I care about the music contained, and a CD with brickwalled production so its sounds loud on kiddies iPuds (cuz loud=good right?) but like shit on any halfway decent stereo is a no-go for me. But I'm only one person, others can have their opinions and I'll keep mine.

Stormspell · Post by **Stormspell** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:19 pm

If you don't care about the actual tangible product perhaps you should try iTunes. Just sayin'

perishinflames · Post by **perishinflames** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:00 am

Paying for digital files

Of course I care about the product, I guess I just have a different opinion of what constitutes a "quality release". For example an old Noise CD, with a booklet that has lyrics and other basic info (maybe a band pic), printed on good paper with a minimalist look, a good looking CD made from stiff and high quality plastics, great dynamic mastering and a heavyweight high quality jewel case. This is quite fine to me. I'm not trying to knock your releases or anything, and I wasn't singling out Stormspell. Almost every new release I've bought in the past few years has been pretty crappy from my perspective. This goes not only for CDs but for vinyl especially. I've run into more problems with new vinyl than anything else. Off-center spindle holes, many are warped straight from the presses, and most are now pressed from CD-R masters which completely defeats the purpose of analog. Once again 90% of a label's focus on putting out a "quality release" is devoted to making a thick sleeve or using funny vinyl colors and adding patches posters and all this die-hard gimmicky stuff.

I can understand describing Price Killers, SPV mid and low price CDs as cheap, because they were, and deliberately so. But you come off like every original pressing is a piece of crap just because it doesn't have a huge booklet filled with 100 photos and unneccessary fluff.

mega_lodon · Post by **mega_lodon** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 2:36 am

perishinflames wrote:Paying for digital files

Of course I care about the product, I guess I just have a different opinion of what constitutes a "quality release". For example an old Noise CD, with a booklet that has lyrics and other basic info (maybe a band pic), printed on good paper with a minimalist look, a good looking CD made from stiff and high quality plastics, great dynamic mastering and a heavyweight high quality jewel case. This is quite fine to me. I'm not trying to knock your releases or anything, and I wasn't singling out Stormspell. Almost every new release I've bought in the past few years has been pretty crappy from my perspective. This goes not only for CDs but for vinyl especially. I've run into more problems with new vinyl than anything else. Off-center spindle holes, many are warped straight from the presses, and most are now pressed from CD-R masters which completely defeats the purpose of analog. Once again 90% of a label's focus on putting out a "quality release" is devoted to making a thick sleeve or using funny vinyl colors and adding patches posters and all this die-hard gimmicky stuff.

You hit the nail on the head.

I think some people don't give a hoot whether their LP records are made from digital or analog source. They just want the format, the packaging, y'know, it's like a "CD" in some kind of "super uber digipak packaging".
I'm also seeing some kids today collecting vinyl don't really bother to play their records; some don't even unwrap their LPs. They keep their LPs on shelves and listen to the music on internet/youtube. And they still have the cheek to go around shouting "only analog/vinyl is real"!

I for one still prefer CD to LP unless someone can tell me where I can find a turntable comes with "replay" button.

perishinflames · Post by **perishinflames** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 2:49 am

mega_lodon wrote:I for one still prefer CD to LP unless someone can tell me where I can find a turntable comes with "replay" button.

http://www.elpj.com/

mega_lodon · Post by **mega_lodon** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:38 am

I knew about the laser turntables. Did you check out those prices?

Some of those liner tracker turntables with track selection capability may fit the bill (though not perfect) but they are pretty hard to find in my area.

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 7:05 am

What the...you guys have awakened my consuming instincts!But when I checked the prices,no sir!If one of you gets one anytime soon just let us know,is it worth?

Ensiferum2k7 · Post by **Ensiferum2k7** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 8:53 am

alright, whos the dummy who bought this.it's gotta be someone who posts here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ARBITRATER-DARKENED ... 53e19d8ab3

Heathen · Post by **Heathen** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:20 am

Half of the price of "Who Dominates Who?" ? What a bargain !!

necrovomit74 · Post by **necrovomit74** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:15 pm

perishinflames wrote:Let label owners do what they wish, but personally I think 90% of new releases look cheesy and cheap. Huge logos and tons of websites / emails and other branding all over, not to mention today's shitty mastering and manufacturing techniques make an all-around cheap and shoddy looking product. I don't personally care about a 50 page booklet or anything like that, most of the time I get a CD I never even pull the booklet out of the case. I care about the music contained, and a CD with brickwalled production so its sounds loud on kiddies iPuds (cuz loud=good right?) but like shit on any halfway decent stereo is a no-go for me. But I'm only one person, others can have their opinions and I'll keep mine.

they look fuckin' gay to me, dragon fairytale nice colorful rainbow reissues. that's not metal, that's gay in leather pants.

perishinflames · Post by **perishinflames** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:59 pm

pan_Heathen wrote:Half of the price of "Who Dominates Who?" ? What a bargain !!

At least Arbitrater is actually rare

necrovomit74 wrote:they look fuckin' gay to me, dragon fairytale nice colorful rainbow reissues. that's not metal, that's gay in leather pants.

If I were the type to put quotes in my sig, this would be a winner