News
Apple working hard to get Beatles on iTunes Music Store
Following its legal win in the trademark battle with Apple Corps, Apple Computer says it will now work hard to get the Beatles’ music catalog on the iTunes Music Store. “We certainly will do everything we can to get them on iTunes,” Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes, told Bloomberg News. “The Beatles aren’t available in any digital format today but they are going to be one day. We certainly hope that happens on iTunes.” After the ruling in the dispute was given earlier this week, Apple CEO Steve Jobs had similar words. “We are glad to put this disagreement behind us,” Jobs said. “We have always loved the Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store.” Apple Corps said last month that it is remastering the Beatles’ catalog to make the songs available for purchase online.
Analysts say that an agreement between Apple Corps and Apple Computer makes financial sense. “Business is business,” said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Jupiter Research. “Apple’s strongest argument is that we’re the dominant music service in the market and we work with the dominant music player, so you’re going to sell more music here. Let bygones be bygones and let’s make money together.” Phil Leigh, an analyst with Inside Digital Media, said it’s a no-brainer for Apple Corps. because of the popularity of iTunes and the iPod. “They’re not going to refuse to market through iTunes since it’s the most popular site and it’s linked to the iPod,” said Leigh.
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1
I predict that RealNetworks will win an exclusive contract to sell The Beatles catalog in their (iPod-compatible) RealPlayer Music Store for one year. Lord knows, they could use the marketing boost.
Posted by Galley in Greenville, SC on May 10, 2006 at 2:21 PM (PST)
2
I think Apple Corps knows that nobody uses RealNetworks. Or at least, I pray that they know.
Posted by Bradley on May 10, 2006 at 2:34 PM (PST)
3
Both the record company and iTunes will benefit tremendously from having the Beatles on iTunes. There’s really no reason why they shouldn’t do it.
Posted by Cactapus on May 10, 2006 at 3:32 PM (PST)
4
One word: SONY! Sony owns the rights to the Beatles catalog. Sony is one of Apples biggest competitors in the MP3 world. I would be surprised if the Beatles end up on Itunes at all.
Posted by Shane on May 10, 2006 at 6:25 PM (PST)
5
“remastering the Beatles’ catalog to make the songs available for purchase online” what exactly is involved here as all the music is already available in digital format… ie CD
What else is there to do?
(a technical answer would be appreciated)
Posted by Karl Bailey on May 10, 2006 at 8:28 PM (PST)
6
Music on the ITMS is NOT imported from the CD
They use the original master, they remaster it (clean the noise etc.) and then, they digital it. So the quality should be better than a CD rip !
Posted by Steph on May 10, 2006 at 11:47 PM (PST)
7
Karl Bailey, I hope I can explain this better for you. In terms of remastering the Beatles, what it’s talking about is about leveling and re-adjusting proper alignment and balance from it’s songs, since it does requires this. One good example is some of the Beatles recordings when listening, most of them are not properly balance. You would hear more drums on the left side, vocals or sometimes just background music. Is like mono vs stereo in theory.
Posted by Oliver on May 11, 2006 at 3:38 AM (PST)
8
Steph the songs you buy from iTMS are at 128Kbps, so it is no different from a CD rip.
Posted by john on May 11, 2006 at 3:40 AM (PST)
9
Umm, Shane, that would be Sony and Michael Jackson who co-own the company which owns the Beatles’s catalog, not to mention some of Paul McCartney’s own stuff. Heck, I’m sure the Beatles would have done it long ago, were it their call.
Funny, it’s stories like this one that show you how little the “sources” really know.
Posted by Gordy. in Atlanta, GA on May 11, 2006 at 5:38 AM (PST)
10
Oliver - in regards to “re-adjusting proper alignment” ... the technique of using some instruments on the left channel, vs. others on the right channel is a technique known as “Beatles Stereo”. This was, in fact, exactly the way they wanted it produced / recorded. Rebalancing, as you call it, would destroy the original intent of the recording.
Posted by shaggyjo on May 11, 2006 at 6:01 AM (PST)
11
Oliver, you too are incorrect. You are actually referring to REMIXING, not remastering.
The Beatles are almost never remixed. It did happen for Yellow Submarine Songtrack in 1999, but it’s unlikely to happen again since George Martin will not be involved.
That said, The Beatles’ catalog is being remastered as per Mr. Aspinall. Remastering is the process of porting a creation from one medium to another, in this case from analog magnetic tape to digital computer files.
shaggyjo, you too are mistaken. The technique you describe is actually referred to as “duophonic” and not “Beatles Stereo,” a euphamism for same.
Posted by ira_l on May 11, 2006 at 6:22 AM (PST)
12
Apple’s got enough money… Jobs should just buy Apple records or Sony for that matter. Similar to they way they’ve got their finger on Disney. Then they could do whatever they want with the music industry.
Posted by CpH on May 11, 2006 at 7:14 AM (PST)
13
Let’s ask the FTC to allow Apple to buy everything. That way, there would be no competition and Apple could fix prices. It would be so much less confusing that way. Oh wait…that would be bad…never mind.
Posted by Think on May 11, 2006 at 7:25 AM (PST)
14
John: Uh.. the stuff on iTunes is LOWER quality than a decent CD rip. 128kbps will never be CD transparent, no matter how much Apple tells you it is.
Steph: And yes, they do rip it from the CD. They have a little process to get indie albums on iTunes, and it basically involves sending them your CD and filling out some stuff. They don’t use the masters.
As far as I know, they don’t do any remastering on the CDs either.. they use the audio as you provided to them.
Josh
Posted by Josh Powell in VA on May 11, 2006 at 8:57 AM (PST)
15
ira - thanks for the confirmation ! I knew there was a technical term for it, but all i could remember was “Beatles Stereo”. Again - thanks !
Posted by shaggyjo on May 12, 2006 at 5:46 AM (PST)