Music has been an important part of human culture for thousands of years. In the past it was impossible to record sounds. Instead musical notes were written down so that future generations could play them. In 1877 Thomas Edison invented the phonograph. This innovative technology allowed people to record and distribute music. In more recent times other methods have been developed. As a result artists can create albums which reach millions of listeners.

Vinyl

One early form of sound storage was a flat disc with spiraled grooves. When a needle ran through it the recording could be heard. They are commonly referred to as records. During the 19th century shellac was a popular material for making them. By the 1940s it was preferable to use polyvinyl chloride. Therefore the medium came to be known as vinyl. A lot of modern music lovers still prefer to listen to albums this way. They claim that the sound has a warmer tone. However, vinyl is prone to imperfections. It is also fairly fragile. Because of this during the 20th century there was a demand for newer technologies like iGaming abroad on utländskacasino.biz or for music distribution.
 

CDs

In 1982 compact discs became available to public. They store sounds digitally. As a result more songs can fit onto one disc compared to standard vinyl. CDs are small enough for people to carry in their pocket. Portable players allow listeners to enjoy albums whilst outside. It should also be noted that CD machines are far less cumbersome than record players. This technology revolutionized the music industry. Amateur sound recordists could utilize this medium with ease. Furthermore, CDs were resistant to humidity and extreme temperatures. However, they could still be damaged if scratched. Degradation was a key weakness. Manufacturers needed to continue to innovate and find an even more appealing method for selling music.

Downloads

A digital audio coding format called MP3 was created in 1991. It took several years for it to become popular. MP3 songs could be shared and downloaded by internet users. This meant that artists were able to gain international exposure. Several high profile MP3 online stores were created. Digital libraries would end up becoming the dominant distribution method for a time. On the other hand this technology also had its downsides. Anyone could copy an MP3 file and release it on the internet. As a result music piracy grew.

Streaming

During the 2000s one of the main issues was the illegal sharing of music. There was an emphasis on creating centralized libraries where copyrighted songs could be played but not necessarily downloaded. The concept of online streaming gained prominence. This service tends to be subscription based. However, it can be free if adverts are featured. Tech developers created algorithms which could recommend new content for listeners. It has helped people to discover new musical artists. Streaming is superior to downloading as it does not take up as much digital storage space.