from somewhere:

Nine Inch Nails has self-released a new instrumental album, Ghosts I-IV. Consisting of 36 instrumental tracks described as “music for daydreams” and released under Creative Commons, it is available in a wide range of formats: MP3, double CD, a package with: the 2xCD, multitracks on DVD, and a deluxe book, and finally the super-deluxe limited edition which includes all that as well as a copy of the album on vinyl.

The free MP3 download includes the first volume – nine tracks (each with unique artwork), wallpapers, and a PDF of the 40 page book. Available directly off nin.com, you also have the option to torrent it via official NIN profiles on Waffles, what.cd and The Pirate Bay. Absent from this release was any kind of leak of audio or information. Record labels and artists should take notes: This is how you do music distribution.

notice the bolded, underlined, italicized line above. this is what sets this release apart from any other of the recent digital distributions done (saul williams and radiohead for example). giving out the free version via “illegal” downloading sites is a new idea for a major artist. trent reznor has been quoted as having been a member of oink and some other music download sites.

the fact that he’s willing to put his money where his mouth is is pretty amazing. i’m happy to see an artist use this method of distribution. for those of you that don’t know, there are of course purchasable versions as well (which do have more tracks, 36 in total as opposed to the 9 avail for free).

a rundown of what’s available:

FREE DOWNLOAD
Ghosts I – The first 9 tracks from the Ghosts I-IV collection available as
high-quality DRM-free MP3s (320kbps LAME encoded, fully tagged) including complete 40 page PDF. Also includes the digital extras pack – various
wallpapers, icons, and graphics tools for your computer, website, profile, etc.

$5 DOWNLOAD
Ghosts I-IV – All 36 tracks in a variety of DRM-free digital formats (320
kbps LAME encoded, fully tagged; FLAC Lossless; Apple Lossless) including a 40
page PDF. Also includes the digital extras pack – various wallpapers, icons,
and graphics tools for your computer, website, profile, etc.

This version is also available from the Amazon MP3 store.

$10 2XCD SET
Ghosts I-IV – 2 audio CDs in a gatefold digipak package with a 16-page
booklet. To be shipped TBD. Includes immediate DRM-free download of the
entire collection in same choice of formats as $5 Download option. Download
will include the 40 page PDF and the digital extras pack – various wallpapers,
cons, and graphics tools for your computer, website, profile, etc.
This configuration will be released to retail in North America (April 8), Australia (April 5), the UK (April 8), Japan (April 5) and most European territories (April 8).

$75 LIMITED EDITION DELUXE PACKAGE
Ghosts I-IV – Hardcover book holding 2 audio CDs, 1 data DVD of all 36
tracks in multi-track format (in .wav files readable by Mac and Windows), and
Blu-ray disc featuring stereo recordings in high-definition 24 bit 96Khz with
exclusive slide show. Includes immediate DRM-free download of the entire
collection in all formats and with all extras mentioned above. Also includes
48-page hardcover of photographs by Phillip Graybill and Rob Sheridan.
Discs and art book both housed in fabric slipcover.

$300 ULTRA-DELUXE LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE
Ghosts I-IV – Contains all elements from deluxe package, along with
exclusive 4XLP 180-gram vinyl set, and two limited edition Giclee prints
available exclusively in this package. Disc book, art book, and prints are
all housed in a fabric slipcover. 4XLP vinyl set comes in its own fabric
slipcover. INCLUDES immediate DRM-free download of the entire collection in
all formats and with all extras mentioned above. LIMITED TO 2500 PIECES,
NUMBERED AND PERSONALLY SIGNED BY TRENT REZNOR.

what is so great about this is the fact that he’s providing a number of different options to consumers, which should help to maximize his own profits while allowing the fans to choose something that fits their budget. $5 for a full album download (including album art in each file) is more than reasonable in my opinion. $10 for a 2x cd isn’t bad either (and is the option i chose). beyond that, he’s released all the media under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. this license gives the user complete control over the songs. they can “copy, distribute, display, and perform the work” as well as “make derivative works” (ie remixes) as long as they list the source (NIN, trent reznor) and they aren’t charging anything for it.

to me this is how music should be distributed and used. i hope that this idea catches on for more than just those artists, like NIN, that already have a solid fanbase to work from. i don’t see any reason it can’t