Music Chat: Presto Music's Streaming Service--The Real Deal
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- Here's an app that actually gets the job done. It's simple, logical, easy to use, and allows you to find the music you love without headaches. If you're a serious classical music collector and shopper, you really ought to give this a try.
One thing I want to add about Presto is that (at least in my experience) their customer service is really excellent, which becomes a pretty hard thing to come by these days. I've already reported some mistakes in the track listing or metadata of certain albums, and they've always been very responsive and easygoing. They deserve all our support.
For Historical Recording fans, Pristine Classical has a good streaming service.
But not for IOS. Only Android
@jay kauffman Yes that is true. Since I use it on my Android phone, I forgot about that fact. Thanks for mentioning it.
Presto is easily my favorite online music store. I must get 90% or more of my classical and jazz from them. It is SO well organized, comprehensive, and competitively priced.
It looks like I'll have to look into their app, as well. I suppose even if I don't subscribe, I should be able to access my purchased library through it (edit :indeed I am able to!).
Thanks for spotlighting this, Dave. I wasn't aware it existed despite using the website basically every week or two for several years.
I use this service to download FLAC files. I'm a little old school, so if I want a CD, I'll burn one from the FLACs. Presto is excellent for this.
Another classical streaming app that has been popular lately is IDAGIO, maybe you can do a review of it sometime!
IDAGIO has an impressive selection of classical albums to stream and the sound quality seems very good although so far I’ve found Qobuz to sound especially sound through my hifi system.
Been paying for idagio for about 2 years now.
Excellent lossless sound quality, large (but not exhaustive) selection, biased towards new releases rather than historical (although some great historical stuff). Proper grouping of movements within a work (or scenes in operas).
However, the search functions suck, it's immensely frustrating to find something I already know about & get different results from work, artist, conductor searches.
I think they are founded by Apple-centric applied musicians using a playlist metaphor rather than a record collection (Presto is organized like a record store), as if the future of serious classical listening is on a mobile phone in the subway!
Also not very compatible with Android or Windows, and completely incompatible with high-end Sony TV + audio components.
Ditto!
I couldn’t agree more with the importance of elevating your music collection over the technology used to play it. Back in the days when we were still collecting records, a friend of mine came up with a useful rule of thumb, which was that the cost of your record collection should always be higher than the cost of the equipment on which you play it.
All the physical CDs I bought from them can be streamed from the app. Very cool.
thanks for considering presto, it is great that one can not only seach by composer or artist but also by record label. And they have booklets, not all albums but many. Back in the day I also learned a lot by cd booklet and back lp texts and for beginners this is the way I think. I think a straming service who wants to offer a service especially for classical music lovers has to offer booklets too. Primephonic did and I hoped for one and a half years that apple classical would bring them back but no, you only get really ugly composer portraits and often mislabeled individual tracks so I already canceled my apple classical account after two days. I will stick with CZcams music, but I will test presto for a while ...
Thank you for a great talk! I will investigate!
I left a monster comment on the Apple Classical vid about Presto, it's vanished but if it led any of y'all to get into Presto, I'm happy. Terrific company, and glad to see Dave's on board as well.
Just received my box set of Bernard Haitink cd recordings from Presto. It is a great store along with the fact that is was cheaper than Amazon and I recieved it a few months before the US release!
I got mine from them two weeks ago - just two days to ship from Birmingham UK to Denver CO, and available sooner and for less than a certain behemoth online retailer was offering.
That is one big box! I hope you're enjoying it.
Got mine from Presto too! The few CDs I have listened to so far have been fantastic.
@@jayeff221 I like JPC very much. And you are right, some of these big boxes are cheaper there!
Although I appreciate the original art work (?) there are some discrepancies between what appears on the front of the cover and the music contained on the cd. For example I wanted to listen to Shostakovich Symphony # 6 (CD 82). If you look at the jacket it is coupled with Symphony #11 however, only the track listing (and recording) for #11 appears on the back. You will need to go to the table of contents in the accompanying book to find that Symphony #6 is coupled with Symphony #5 (CD 78) although that sleeve also does not show Symphony #6 on the front just on the track listing on the back. It seems to me that Universal could have either coupled both symphonies together on one cd or if not possible utilize some sort of double jacket to keep the listings true to the original art conception. Same for CD 76 (Symphonies 1 & 9 on cover) Symphonies 1-3 on the disc. And so forth. I am sure there are similar issues that will pop-up as I canvas the remainder of the box. So the bottom line is that you will need to consult the table of contents and not rely on the orginal art work if you want to find a particular piece of music.
I signed up for a trial this evening and I'm impressed with it so far.
I hate streaming classical music. At least they have "lossless audio" finally the last couple of years. I would recommend IDAGIO. It's the best one, you should try it. A German company, but probably works in the US as well.
I use Idagio, and it works OK in the USA. It has a huge library. However, its UI is awkward, the dates shown on recordings are the dates they posted the files, and some tracks have a dropout every two minutes, apparently due to digital import problems.
@@byronpostma6810 and their SE is confused. Still worthwhile for fidelity & new music.
Thanks. These are much needed reviews for classical music listeners. Please review Idagio.
Amazing comment about the industry in general...I'm gonna try out presto, thank you.
How about good old CZcams? 97% of the performances Dave mentions can be found here in listenable quality, at least from Europe. I know lots of stuff are blocked in the US (but you can probably circumvent the blocking with a vpn + adblocker combo).
You are right about this...I would say that approximately 97% of the works Dave mentions are to be found right here on CZcams-even here in the U.S., I know because I look them all up almost the immediately after he recommends them
@@ericleiter6179 CZcams is a treasure trove, provided one can abide the level of fidelity, which is ample for my aging ears. You usually can see the bump in views of a recording shortly after Dave makes a recommendation.
And the amount they have is still growing (it took a while, but they finally got the Spano/Atlanta Scheherazade)! But it's up to either an algorithm, some poor YT staffer, or whoever might be managing these "topic" channels to put together playlists. Often they're listed as not having any uploads or playlists, even if the tracks are searchable. And God forbid that the site recommend tracks in order. I think the "Various Artists" channel is the dumping ground for what hasn't been organised yet. If you can go through the trouble of iteratively searching for a long series of tracks for say an opera, everyone is able to save them as a private or public playlist for others to find.
Really loving this video topic!
I recently watched your video about Schreker. I could not find any recordings that I could readily purchase in the UK other than one or two over priced CD's. Then I went to Presto, which I have used a couple of times before, and they have a very comprehensive double CD compilation of mostly Schreker's music including your recommended Chamber Symphony. I was able to download the FLAC files for a little over £12 and am looking forward to listening to them over the weekend. Thanks for your advice.
I loved this video! I listen to most of my music using files or media that I have purchased, or, at home, streaming on my BlueSound system using Tunein. However, when I am traveling, my enjoyment is compromised by dropouts - loss of the internet. Does the Presto app buffer the stream so that if you have a 1/2 hour of no internet service, you can continue to listen? I think Apple Classical. I haven't watched your video on that service, but will do so now. I have some issues with it, but I'll save them for later.
Preach it, brother!
My only complaint about Presto is that of my own addiction. They're bound to result in my eventual bankruptcy.
Yep-per. Do you need a good bankruptcy attorney? ;)
You need not finance your addiction, man, because addiction is the only price of youtube, the market leader in everything. I tried Presto a little, and both items that popped up - you guessed it, already on youtube. Compared to youtube, everything is difficult, and costs money, which is better used elsewhere, often urgently.
I prefer to spend my money on music. I like supporting the things that I value. I like providing incentive to sustain a professional class of musicians. If nobody is willing to pay for music, there's not much incentive to make it at a professional level. And CZcams's sound quality isn't as good as CD.
@@eugenebraig413 Very noble aim, but I`m afraid musicians are not seeing much/any of the money spent on streaming service/recordings. I understand recordings are mostly considered a promotion/calling card.
A great artist doesn`t need a CD to prove a point, a youtube video will do much better, as some artist, and companies, have realised.
For what it's worth, I buy the CDs. I only use Presto to access "My Library" (i.e., virtual versions of CDs I've procured through them) when traveling remote to my physical library.
Yes, a physical library is dinosaurish, but there's still some tiny resale value attached to it (there isn't for digital content, certainly not for that streamed), a physical CD/LP still tends to put the greatest proportion of proceeds into the hands of producers, and I personally like a physical library, like a library of associated liner notes, etc. I do rip CDs (even digitize vinyl) to digital forms for cataloguing, ease of use, etc. I don't personally care who disapproves of my physical library, don't care (yet) where more recent trends turn. My library is for me and not the masses. My kids can enjoy the headache of selling it off when I die.
They are my main music supplier
Highly recommended
I love Presto!
I'm doing exactly the same thing. New to streaming - and trying to decide between Qobuz and Presto Music.
Regarding large companies making complete hash of classical streaming; many people who have worked for large, publicly-traded entities are familiar with the need to work in committees at multiple levels. These groups invariably have a fairly high proportion of members with little expertise or experience in large swaths of the committee’s purview. The phrase “None of us are as dumb as all of us”, often summarizes the results.
You got me all excited. Then when I went on their website, I got the following information: 'Unfortunately, due to licencing reasons we're not yet able to offer streaming in your country, but please complete this form to be the first to know when we do.' (I live in Israel.) Should I hold my breath?
No.
@@DavesClassicalGuide lol
Maybe try VPN?
@@ahartify Yes, try a good one. They accept Paypal.
Presto are very country-aware so it is worth letting them know you’re interested.
I buy nearly all my music on Presto. The selection is limited, but I far, far prefer giving them my business rather than Amazon. I don't buy CDs anymore, strictly flac now. Not a big fan of streaming either. Good episode. I feel your pain on technology. That's why basically my audio setup il a lot like my old Dennon, with hard drives instead of CDs.
I've never felt their selection was limited. In fact I use it as a resource for cover art! What sorts of things haven't you found on Presto?
Streaming is practical, but physical media is special. And, if you own it, it won't get deleted suddenly.
I fail to understand how digital downloads get "deleted suddenly". It's a pervasive myth.
@@mike-williams I didn't say digital downloads.
I agree. Just remember what happened to Primephonic. Apple bought it, closed it and took years to bring out Apple Classical, which is available only on a tiny cell phone screen not a PC.
Correct. Specific titles can be deleted from streaming availability without notice -- analogous to manufacturer deletions of physical media titles. Digital downloads that you've purchased should not be affected, though there are stories on discussion forums claiming otherwise.
Hello Dave. I have a problem with streaming services and maybe you know a way to help me. I love operas, but I can't find a streaming service that doesn't separate all tracks from albums. On a CD the act has continuous playback but when I buy these damn separate tracks I have a huge job to be able to play everything continuously (without small interruptions between tracks) and the next listen I have to set everything up again. I don't mind buying it, that's not the problem. But do you know any service where I can buy the works, a whole symphony for example, or an act of an opera, or at least the equivalent of a CD as a single audio track for download? Grateful for the attention. I really admire your work.
Check out the comments to the Apple Classical video of a couple of days ago. You and I are in the same boat, but others have insights and suggestions that you may find helpful as they are far more educated about streaming services than I am.
@@DavesClassicalGuide Yes, actually I just watched the video and realized that my question was redundant. Very sorry. Thanks a lot anyway.
I will read the comments carefully.@@DavesClassicalGuide
❤️
It sound great.
How is this better than Apple Classical?
For a start, it's useable on things that aren't iPhones. Its library is of course a good deal smaller, but it has quite a lot that's fairly obscure.
Dave says how in the video.
It’s probably gapless, while Apple isn’t.
@@musiclassica Wrong! Apple Classical does not add gaps between tracks. Just listened to Bernstein/NYP recording of Beethoven’s 5th. The 3rd & 4th movements are seamless, even though they are on separate tracks.
I think we should also take their pay model to artists into consideration. From what I read, Apple Music pays ONE CENT per stream. Anyone knows if Apple Music Classical is any different? On the other hand, Presto Music use a pay-by-second, which should work in artists' favour more and hopefully they can focus on their artistic development. So Vikingur et al. don't have to make those artsy fartsy, promotional videos, Khatia doesn't have to work as Louis Vuitton's brand ambassador. Yuja can afford proper attire... Just my 2 cents.
Too bad is not available in Mexico :(
Hello Dave-thanks very much for this recommendation. After experimenting/exploring the Presto streaming app a bit yesterday and today, I found that any number of random albums/tracks are having severe stuttering/glitching issues. I had my girlfriend download it onto her phone and she experienced the same issues. To your knowledge, is the app still undergoing development or some kind of renovation at the moment? I’m not inclined to subscribe when by just dipping my toes in the water, so to speak, there are immediate problems. I also tried deleting and reinstalling a few times…to no avail. Any comments or help would be much appreciated!
I haven't encountered that problem (yet). It works beautifully for me.
@@DavesClassicalGuide Hello Dave-thanks very much for your reply…although this remains puzzling that you have experienced no issues. I wonder could this be device specific?? I have emailed Presto directly, and am awaiting a secondary response; their initial response asked me to cite the albums/tracks in question, and I did that. It’s no overstatement to say that for me, the app isn’t even usable-at the moment…which sucks, because I’m keen to subscribe, naturally. I was also hoping that someone in the comments section here might have helpful/insightful remarks to make from the technical side of things; but, so far, nothing. So, I remain in an app “purgatory”. Btw, I’ve been watching so many of your videos; I have a graduate degree in music and never fail to learn things from you-as well as be thoroughly entertained in the process. I really enjoy your insights! Grace and peace-
Streaming glitches are due to other apps hogging the processor or internet bandwidth, not the provider's problem. Find a tech-savvy person and ask them to help you. I had this problem with Idagio and fixed it.
@@byronpostma6810 thank you so much for the suggestion! As soon as I actually subscribed, the problem was alleviated immediately. I have no idea why, but the glitches seemed to be solely associated with the “free samples” which I had been playing to explore around the app. I took the leap of faith and formally subscribed anyway-knowing that I had 30 days to cancel, if the problems still persisted. They did not persist, and I’ve been enjoying the app, trouble free, for a couple of months now. Thanks again for writing!
What about Idagio? How does it compare?
Adagio is nice and I've been using it for 2 years, but it suffers from 'track gaps' in long, continuous works.
@@francoismagne5863 Yes, that's a problem. Also, the dates shown on works are the dates they posted them, not the recording dates.
Tidal is better, especially when used with Roon.
Try Qobuz + Roon....
@@jacquesracine9571 LMS Rules !
Oh, please. Tidal doesn't support a Composer tag, which makes it difficult for classical music. Like Spotify and Amazon, they list composers as "artists".
@@byronpostma6810 Roon takes care of that.
I still like Pandora - for single song-based streaming i.e. "pop music". Coming back to pop after decades of ignoring it, Pandora has shown me lots of artists who have become New Favorites {
Agree with you. It's superb for pop-rock customized playlists, and (if you have a paid Premium subscription which I did for a few months) it's easy to locate specific pop albums for playback on demand. Classical music is not Pandora's strength. Their search algorithms bring up some unrelated results, and it's somewhat hard to find specific artists. Connected to my main audio system, sound quality is lossy and not CD-quality. I still use Pandora Free, and paid Spotify Premium (though I might ditch the paid subscription and try Presto Music and/or upgrade Idagio to a paid subscription).