What file types are available
You will not find Linn Records music available for download on any other website. Please let us know if you are aware of other sites selling our music as downloads by filling in the contact us form. (This does not include soundclips on artist or retail websites.)
You will find three different formats available for download on this site - MP3, WMA and FLAC. WMA files are best for PC users although the CD Quality files can be imported into iTunes on to a Mac (unfortunately the WMA studio master files don't import into a Mac). We have written an instruction sheet for how to do this. FLAC works with all computer types, but you may need to check your computer settings to see if you are set up to listen to Flac. We will include more instructions on this in the future. If you have any other preferences for other file formats please do let us know! Along with the 3 choices of format, there are 3 choices of quality level - Studio Master, CD quality and MP3.
MP3
This file type should work with all computer types including PC, Mac and Linux. This is similar to what most other download sites refer to as "CD" quality. In fact, what they normally mean is that the file is digital, most other compressed music delivery sites deliver very poor audio quality. The audio that we offer is compressed but only to the point that sound quality doesn't suffer unduly (320kbps compared to other sites which are 128kbps). If the download speed of your internet connection is a concern then this file is best for you.
This type of download file is the only one to consider if you have dial up, the others are much too large to download over a dial up connection.
CD Quality
The 2 formats we offer are lossless WMA and FLAC.
WMA lossless format allows us to compress the music in a lossless manner ensuring that you get all the benefit of a full bandwidth audio performance, but with a file size that is around half that of a normal CD. This file type is suitable primarily for use on a PC. FLAC is also losslessly compressed without any loss in quality.
PC Users.
WMA files can be imported and used directly in most PC audio programs including Windows Media Player and iTunes.
FLAC files can be imported and played on a variety of media players. To play these files in Windows Media Player you first need to download a filter such as the one at Illiminable.
Mac Users.
WMA files can only be imported into iTunes on a Mac once converted to a Mac friendly format. The files can be played on a Mac, but in a limited way. The Microsoft website has further information regarding playing these files on a Mac. We wanted to offer Apple lossless too, but have been unable to get the rights to do this. You can also use "Switch", an audio conversion utility produced by NCH Swift Sound to convert them to aiff or wav type files which can then be easily imported at full CD audio quality in iTunes.
Flac files can be played back flawlessly in OS X. Examples of playback tools are Cog, MPlayer, VLC and Play.
If CD sound quality is what you want then this file is best for you.
Studio Master
The formats we offer are lossless WMA and FLAC at various high bit rates (check each title for actual details). This download is offered for those who desire the best sound possible. The quality is identical to that of an SACD. The format will be dependent on the actual recording method we used originally. No DSD files are offered as it is not possible to play them back on a PC so an equivalent PCM format is offered. These files offer true "studio quality" and are what was used by Linn to produce the production version of our CD releases. Be sure to check compatibility with your computer sound card etc before you download a file and note that large amounts of storage space are required for each track.
PC Users.
WMA lossless files can be imported and used directly in most PC audio programs including Windows Media Player and iTunes. iTunes will convert the files to AIFF.
FLAC files can be imported into many media players, but unfortunately Microsoft does not yet support high bit-rate Flac, so these files will not play in Windows Media Player. There are many other Flac players available such as Media Monkey.
Mac Users.
WMA lossless files cannot be imported into iTunes nor have we found a way to convert them to play in other programs. Please do let us know if you find a way around this.
FLAC Studio Masters play in Play and VLC, but not in Cog or MPlayer. It is however very easy to transcode FLAC to several other lossless formats.
If absolute sound quality is what you want then this file is best for you.
Please note; these files are too large to burn on to a CD, so if you wish to back them up, you will need to burn them on to a DVD. You will not be able to play these files in your CD player. They can however be enjoyed on your digital media receiver or in windows media player.
We will be adding more albums at this quality rate as they become available, titles currently available are:
For further information about FLAC please visit the FLAC website.