German-Austrian startup di[rec] plans to let concert visitors buy recordings at the venue and take them home legally. The company described the service as a way to preserve the memory of a performance while remaining close to the audience.
Only three other providers worldwide were selling authorised live concert recordings, and di[rec] described itself as an early supplier using USB storage. After six months of testing at several large events, it reported demand above expectations.
The technical workflow uses stage recordings, remixes them, and adds dedicated audience microphones to capture the venue atmosphere. Producing and distributing the recording during the event requires substantial on-site work.
Depending on programme length, the USB recording costs €12 to €17 and uses Flash format. The company said legal restrictions prevented MP3 delivery. An included code lets buyers retrieve tracks online later and burn them to audio CD. The drives can also contain photographs, videos, and interviews.
Record labels share in the revenue, and each release requires approval from the event organiser, artists, and record companies.
