MP3 downloads from mp3va.com - don't!
I know some people here are using it, so here is my experience.
The Good:
10-15 cents per title, 320 kbps bitrate. Better than Itunes $0.99 per title. Seemingly good selection of titles. This is where the good ends.
The Bad:
Of 3 albums only one album came out right - mostly because it was a single title-album. The other 2 were rejected by Kodi and Musicbrainz when I tried to add them to library. Couldn't match album-art, couldn't put the titles in order. Having wasted all day, I found that 2 albums were "kinda wrong".
One album (classic) was incomplete - 5 titles instead of 6. MP3VA plugged in an extra title in the downloads pack, to make it total 6 - totally different title from a different album. Took me a few hours to find the "right" missing title because it exists in a few variations.
Another album was simply the wrong one. I wanted 1978 Brian Eno performed by Brian Eno, instead I got 1998 group called "Bang on a Can" who perform works by Brian Eno. Different group, different instruments, 20 years later. Both original 1978 Brian Eno and the "Bang" playing their songs in 1998 released albums with same titles inside and very similar album names. M.orons from MP3VA further masked this by attaching the "right" Brian Eno cover-art and the "right" 1978 year to the wrong album in their catalog. MP3VA didn't have the original album, apparently.
You have to put minimum $15 in "virtual wallet" to buy from MP3VA, and use this balance until it's gone. They only take Visa and Bitcoins, - no Mastercard. If you are pissed off after the first purchase - like me - you may kiss your money goodbye.
The Ugly:
They ignore your complaints. Based in mainland China, this is TAD to be expected due to both language barrier and mentality of their small online businesses "you paid, now go frack yourself".
Conclusion
They are claiming to pay all the royalties, making a few cents on top of it - don't know, maybe. If somebody is desperate for money - I'll say, go for it. If you're careful, checking BEFORE BUYING that the album is: a) complete and b) right year and performer, 90-95% chance that you'll get what you want, and very cheap. 10% of time you'll waste a day on what was supposed to take 10 minutes, and possibly waste some money too. Like I wrote, Brian Eno album was mislabeled - they offer short samples to listen, so you "might" detect that it's a wrong album if you know well the original group and how it is supposed to sound.
Moderator's Note: mp3va.com is listed in U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE annual report as being unauthorized to sell music. Due caution should be exercised before giving out credit or personal info to this site! See post here.
The Good:
10-15 cents per title, 320 kbps bitrate. Better than Itunes $0.99 per title. Seemingly good selection of titles. This is where the good ends.
The Bad:
Of 3 albums only one album came out right - mostly because it was a single title-album. The other 2 were rejected by Kodi and Musicbrainz when I tried to add them to library. Couldn't match album-art, couldn't put the titles in order. Having wasted all day, I found that 2 albums were "kinda wrong".
One album (classic) was incomplete - 5 titles instead of 6. MP3VA plugged in an extra title in the downloads pack, to make it total 6 - totally different title from a different album. Took me a few hours to find the "right" missing title because it exists in a few variations.
Another album was simply the wrong one. I wanted 1978 Brian Eno performed by Brian Eno, instead I got 1998 group called "Bang on a Can" who perform works by Brian Eno. Different group, different instruments, 20 years later. Both original 1978 Brian Eno and the "Bang" playing their songs in 1998 released albums with same titles inside and very similar album names. M.orons from MP3VA further masked this by attaching the "right" Brian Eno cover-art and the "right" 1978 year to the wrong album in their catalog. MP3VA didn't have the original album, apparently.
You have to put minimum $15 in "virtual wallet" to buy from MP3VA, and use this balance until it's gone. They only take Visa and Bitcoins, - no Mastercard. If you are pissed off after the first purchase - like me - you may kiss your money goodbye.
The Ugly:
They ignore your complaints. Based in mainland China, this is TAD to be expected due to both language barrier and mentality of their small online businesses "you paid, now go frack yourself".
Conclusion
They are claiming to pay all the royalties, making a few cents on top of it - don't know, maybe. If somebody is desperate for money - I'll say, go for it. If you're careful, checking BEFORE BUYING that the album is: a) complete and b) right year and performer, 90-95% chance that you'll get what you want, and very cheap. 10% of time you'll waste a day on what was supposed to take 10 minutes, and possibly waste some money too. Like I wrote, Brian Eno album was mislabeled - they offer short samples to listen, so you "might" detect that it's a wrong album if you know well the original group and how it is supposed to sound.
Moderator's Note: mp3va.com is listed in U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE annual report as being unauthorized to sell music. Due caution should be exercised before giving out credit or personal info to this site! See post here.
