[SBR_John]

I loved napster back in the day.

I tried emusic.com and cancelled. No Rush, no Neil Young, no Grateful Dead....place sux if you ask me.

[patswin]

shareaza, free and no spyware, been using for 3 years with no problems

[moses millsap]

Limewire.

[gummo]

I use soulseek or bit torrents.

[robmpink]

I use bearshare

[tacomax]

You can't beat the torrents - no more downloading shit and poor quality music from Limewire et al.

[SBR_John]

Limewire is great! uh, so far. That's what I was looking for... thanks Taco

[bigboydan]

It was owned that said Limewire John. Ya, those two mofos are using the same avitar, and it confuses me sometimes too.

[PANZ]

Depends if you want to pay or not. Free methods are worse and worse because there are legal download methods now available and they are learning, albeit slowly, what customers want so users are jumping ship to pay services even though free is still alive and well. The big names are all decent but it really depends on your taste and needs. Some are monthly fee based, some per selection(s), others obviously are free.

Problem with free such as old napster/shareaza/limeware is quality, availability and control. Since they are community based it is up to the users to have it in the network and the selection and quality wanes and surges. Search today and come back 6 months later and music you once found is gone plus fakes are abundant. It is however useful for popular and obscure but not a predictable selection method like it once seemed. I have some really rare downloads via Shareaza (which I prefer since it handles multiple networks including EDonkey2000, Gnutella, BitTorrent and Shareaza's native network, Gnutella2) that have taken months to download because the users with the files are so few depending on my desires, such as an old live Rush concert that is now 95% finished at 2 months!

Problem with pay sites is they vary by selection, ownership rights, format and more. Best thing I would suggest is to Google the words “music download service review” and see what features are important to you and try the service (free trial), several list their artists. Then use the service that most appeals and has the selection you like. Most of my friends use several pay sites plus free and Napster is still alive but a pay service. Review them like a sportsbook and know too that there are some scam services out there so stay with the majors if you buy or at least Google their name to get other’s experience!

http://music.yahoo.com/jukebox/
http://www.apple.com/itunes/
http://www.rhapsody.com/
http://www.zune.net/
http://www.urge.com/
http://www.fye.com/
http://www.napster.com/

Above are a handful of top 10 leaders, the others I would have to research because several have switched hands. Smaller unknowns unusually don’t have the stuff you want due to rights because they have to pay to sell and most of the big studios really work to protect who distributes what. I would think Sony, BMG and several other companies have sites too.

[Razz]

Originally Posted by OWNED

Limewire.

A friend of a friend is being named as a co-defendant along with Limewire in a lawsuit by a recording company (I'm not 100% which one).

[durito]

Oink

[onlooker]

I usually just use the torrents.

[uPaxus]

I personally use Limewire.

Torrent is also nice, but can be a little tough on some that have older systems.

[jjgold]

Limewire

[Bill Dozer]

Do any of those share "lossless" files like AAC or FLAC?

[durito]

Originally Posted by Bill Dozer

Do any of those share "lossless" files like AAC or FLAC?

Yes, Oink does.

You need an invite. But, it's the best music sharing site out there. It has everything.

And, I don't believe AAC is lossless, unless something's changed??

[tacomax]

Originally Posted by durito

And, I don't believe AAC is lossless, unless something's changed??

I think that Apple Lossless has a AAC extension, although it is not really an AAC format - it's more in line with FLAC.

[Bill Dozer]

Originally Posted by durito

Yes, Oink does.

You need an invite. But, it's the best music sharing site out there. It has everything.

And, I don't believe AAC is lossless, unless something's changed??

You are right. I am thinking of Apple lossless ALAC(?). I think any lossless would work eventually being converted to FLAC.

[durito]

Ah, never heard of it before. Haven't used any of apple's formats since my ipod broke a couple of years ago.

[Bill Dozer]

Originally Posted by durito

Yes, Oink does.

You need an invite. But, it's the best music sharing site out there. It has everything.

And, I don't believe AAC is lossless, unless something's changed??

Seems odd that the best platform out there restricts who can participate.

[Bill Dozer]

Originally Posted by durito

Ah, never heard of it before. Haven't used any of apple's formats since my ipod broke a couple of years ago.

I tried Airtunes, bought 4 units. That was not a good day. Maybe it sets up easier if you have a Mac... Some lucky ebayer benefitted from it.

[Tchocky]

I'm a big fan of Rhapsody. Been using it for years. iTunes Music Store is good as well.

[durito]

Originally Posted by Bill Dozer

Seems odd that the best platform out there restricts who can participate.

It's kind of stupid, but their rules are what makes it great. It's a bit torrent only site and you have to maintain a good uploard ratio or they kick you out. Because of that, you'll find people seeding just about every CD out there at any given time.

Next time they give me some invites, I'll hook you guys up.

[Crayzee]

www.sugarmegs.org

www.komodoisland.net

[Crayzee]

www.wolfgangsvault.com

[Korchnoi]

In college I downloaded mainly rap music. There were a ton of files that I don't believe were regular tracks released on LPs. I think a lot of it was done by internet DJs who mixed rap music they liked. There's one mix I'm interested in particular which was my favorite one. I know it featured "turn it out" by jermaine dupri. If I'm looking for this kinda obscure stuff, what's my best option?