Flash drives are often viewed as useful portable devices that can store and transfer high volumes of files to other devices. Due to their low costs and high capacities, flash drives are widely used by all classes of computer users. These compact devices became so popular that people are less aligned to buy CDs and DVDs unless they are purely for backup purposes. The music industry has realised this as well and several bands are ditching the CDs as well by creatively releasing their latest albums on flash drives.

This can simply be achieved by copying the tracks at their highest quality into the drive, complete with track information and the drive is ready to go. This is beneficial to both the fans and the artists themselves.

Here are some reasons why the use of flash drives in the music industry should be welcomed:

Reduced Piracy

Music artists and record labels have been fighting piracy long and hard, yet they still suffer from their songs being pirated even before they are released. This is because most people cannot see any benefits of purchasing the audio CD unless they are collectors. With the album released on a flash drive, fans can view the specialized flash drive as a ‘freebie’ that is unlike any standard USB flash drive.

Better Marketing

A music store is filled with tons of albums that compete for selection by using their album art as the front end. Now artists can go beyond their creative album arts and add style and funky designs to their flash drives to make them really stand out. Nobody will resist a uniquely styled flash drive that even has the logo. Some interesting concepts allow people to wear their flash drive albums around their neck or wrist.

Easier Distribution

Mp3 players have quickly replaced walkmans and discmans since they were first introduced rendering the audio CD virtually useless. These players have a high enough capacity to store hundreds of albums and transferring these CD tracks to mp3 players requires a little bit of conversion work. Most albums distribute their flash drive albums in mp3 format so they are ready for play in any portable media device.

All the Benefits of a Flash Drive

Standard audio CDs are read-only, but flash drives can be formatted to make way for other files. Flash drive album owners can optionally move their tracks to another location and put other things in making it work just like a regular flash drive that was newly purchased.

Purchased CDs often get scratched even when they are handled well and are dust magnets as they age. Albums on flash drives get all the protection benefits of flash drives which makes them last longer. They are easier to store as well due to their compact size.

Album-branded flash drives aren’t that popular as of yet since a single USB drive is nowhere near the cost of a blank CD. But flash drives are becoming cheaper to produce and it is expected for more albums to be released on flash drives.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For information on Flash Drives in the music indusrty, he recommends Flashbay.com.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, September 6th, 2009 at 5:34 pm and is filed under Computers and Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.