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Backstories

Windows Media in Action

Getting Music from the Studio to the Online Store

Produced by Bill Birney
Microsoft Corporation
August 2004

This month, we visit an independent record label and an online content-management company to find out how music gets from the recording studio to an online store. We also explore the new opportunities that are opening up with online music distribution.

After an album is produced in the studio, a record label prepares the CD for distribution. Many labels prefer to work with online content-management and aggregation companies that take care of all the details involved in moving the product from the label to the online store. These companies may also create the Web applications that the store or the digital service provider uses on their site. Customers can then use the Online Stores pane in Windows Media Player 10 to access music stores, search for and preview content, make purchases, download music, and then manage the music in Media Library.

Producing the Music

Watch the video!
(300 Kbps, 2:51)

John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen of Origin Records describe how a small independent label works to get the music to market and support the needs of its artists.

Distributing the Music

Watch the video!
(300 Kbps, 3:13)

Brook West and David Cook of Loudeye describe the company's role as an Internet content-management and aggregation service.

Getting the Music

Click to enlarge

Customers can locate and purchase music from a service, such as Napster and MSN, through the Online Stores pane in Windows Media Player 10.

People Need Music

Watch the video!
(300 Kbps, 2:46)

Many people in the music industry see the growth of online music as being positive for everyone involved—musicians, labels, distributors, and consumers.

Next month, learn how to produce high-definition video with Windows Media. To view last month's Backstories column, see Encoding Tips from the Windows Media Test Team.

For More Information

Bill Birney
Bill has worked as a writer, director, and producer on numerous film and video projects, as well as a music composer, sound designer, and disc jockey. He currently works in the Digital Media Division at Microsoft, where he has co-written several books, including the Windows Media Resource Kit, and is a regular contributor to the Knowledge Center.

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