How has the Internet changed the way we consume music?

Downloads are fast replacing the physical record. Back in the day you had to go out and buy records from the shop... now, with the click of a mouse, you can download and store any song from the vast archives online. There are various online companies now where you can legally download music and store it on to your mp3 player. Electronics are fast catching up: stereos often come with mp3 outputs and phones and personal music players often include video capabilities and the Internet itself.

This is great, right? In theory, it is, but what happens when, inevitably, illegal downloading becomes simple? Record companies have reported dramatic losses, but many music lovers just don't consider that artists will suffer damage through one harmless illegal download.

Apparently, we are also largely unaware of the poor quality of our music once it has been compressed in order to fit our mp3 players. Compressing 1000 songs allegedly halves the quality of the original recording and, as downloading grows in popularity, record companies may simply cease to invest in high-quality recordings in future.

The nature of the 'single' is in a period of transition, too. Whereas before, singles were promoted in their own right, now albums are the main item being invested in publicity-wise, and singles are just played over (and over!) on the radio. Many more singles are being released off individual albums than before, as a sort of extra promo for the artist.

Crucially, you can listen to music before you buy it, and the Internet has enabled unsigned acts to promote their music for free, which is really amazing if you think about the way in which a band 'made it' pre-Internet.

All in all, the music scene is being altered dramatically through the use of the Internet and television. You can watch music videos online or on TV, on your mobile or iPod, and you have the option of buying online or in-store.