> > --- In two-mix_clubT3@yahoogroups.com, op2mystic <
no_reply@y...>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > But here is one big question: Do you think it is right to
> download
> > > their music, as you appriciate it so much?
> > >
> > > For me, I'd personally say yes, as its not like I can buy it,
> and
> > > thus support them. (maybe I could, but I just do not have
the
> time
> > > and money for that... Sorry...)
> > >
> > > Whats your opinion?

MP3s are great for sampling music. I think they are also an
acceptable alternative if there is absolutely no other way for you
to access the music. For example, I know someone who lives in
Columbia (like eternal_minami) and he can't order anything from
Japan because it's too risky. The chances of any package
reaching him safely from Japan are pretty low.

However, if you are living in North America like some of the rest
of us, and you are old enough to have a bank account and/or
credit card, then you really don't have an excuse to call yourself a
fan and not own at least one CD.

Now that TWO-MIX has gone indies, I can see the difficulty in
trying to find their CDs, but before, stores like CD Japan always
offered TWO-MIX CDs at the street price. There are also stores
like Jungle Anime which still offer used copies of TWO-MIX's
CDs for extremely cheap prices. Both are extremely reliable and
easy to order from. Shipping is reasonable as well, provided you
know what to choose and how to ask for it.

$50 is a lot of money for one CD (although I've never had to pay
more than ~$40 Canadian), but it's surprising that saving money
towards a CD never occurs to some people.

I was in university when I became interested in TWO-MIX. I was
away from home and paying not just tuition but rent and other
living expenses as well (including an Internet connection), but I
would put aside a few dollars every month from my parttime job
to go towards CD purchases.

By the way, there is a significant difference between listening to
TWO-MIX songs on WinAmp (or whatever) and listening to an
actual TWO-MIX album.

First, TWO-MIX has always carefully planned the tracklist and
pacing for each of their albums. (They also remaster all the
tracks so they sound like a part of a coherent whole.) Meanwhile,
some people "clip" all silent time at the start and end of TWO-MIX
songs when turning them into mp3s.

Also, TWO-MIX's music is a very good example of music that
can't be 100% faithfully reproduced as an mp3. I think this has to
do with the large number of channels that TWO-MIX uses to
make their songs, but all the TWO-MIX mp3s that I've heard are
always missing something audio-wise compared to the original.

Generally, you've never truly experienced TWO-MIX's music until
you have heard it from the original CD.

Anyhow, those are my opinions. It obviously all boils down to
personal choice in the end. You are the one who ultimately
defines the extent of your devotion. So if you continue to rely on
mp3s, so be it, although I think the least you could do as a fan is
fully and correctly label the files.

Miyuki