Linn Records started this in 2007, and it coincided with the introduction of Linn`s new streaming system - Linn DS . The concept of Studio Masters and DS concept was quite groundbreaking at the time, and we see very clearly that the world has followed suit. Linn Records has been a leader in selling HighRes downloads, and has also acted as an advisor to other companies, like Neil Young's Pono.

Linn Records has long expanded their repertoire of selling music from other record companies as Studio Masters, but has also been reluctant to release other distribution channels for the sale of Studio Masters from their own production. And that's what the revised strategy will change. Linn Records will now open for the other channels to sell their Studio Masters.

Linn Records announces an ever increasing sales of album downloads, and also says that 90% of all sales are in the form of Studio Master, although albums are also available in CD-quality as MP3.

Read the press release from Linn Records:

LINN RECORDS, PIONEER OF 24-BIT STUDIOMASTER DOWNLOADS,  ANNOUNCE NEW DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY

Award-winning label Linn Records has announced a bold new digital distribution strategy which will see the company, for the first time ever, make its premium 24-bit Studio Master content available on other digital music stores around the world from July 2014.

Linn’s digital music store was the first to offer Studio Masters as DRM-free 24-bit downloads to the market in January 2007 and has taken a leading role in the rise of high quality digital music. Since 2007, sales of Linn’s Studio Master downloads have grown twenty-fivefold, clearly proving that not only do customers want to buy 24-bit downloads, but they come from across the age spectrum and are willing to pay a premium price. Today, 90% of all downloads from LinnRecords.com are Studio Masters, confirming that customers are increasingly aware of the benefits of high quality digital music. In addition, Linn has provided around 100 other labels with the means to reach a rapidly increasing audience for Studio Masters via LinnRecords.com. It was this passion and vision for high quality music that led Linn Records to be awarded ‘Label of the Year’ by Gramophone magazine in 2010.

The company’s unique expertise has allowed it to act as a key advisor on high quality download strategy to the music industry, including Neil Young’s Pono initiative on which Linn Managing Director Gilad Tiefenbrun consulted. As a result, today Studio Master is an established format supported by artists, independent and major labels alike, with an increasing number of online services now offering 24-bit downloads. Commenting on Linn Records’ new digital strategy, Tiefenbrun said: ‘I’m very proud of the pivotal role Linn has taken in establishing Studio Master as a viable format and in the support we have offered to many other labels in doing so. 2014 is the year Studio Masters go mainstream, giving music lovers access to a vast array of 24-bit content from their favourite artists.’

It is this significant milestone of mass market adoption and increased availability of 24-bit music that has paved the way for Linn’s new digital distribution strategy. Kim Campbell, Head of Linn Records, commented: ‘Our new strategy will allow us to reach a wider audience through the distribution of Linn Studio Masters on other digital music stores. We’ve seen a 30% rise in Studio Master downloads on our own site over the last year alone and are forecasting strong growth in the years ahead. The increasing appetite for Studio Master downloads is great for our artists.’

In addition to Linn’s new digital distribution strategy, LinnRecords.com will become a focussed portal for Linn’s own artists and from 25 August 2014, Linn will cease to sell music from other record labels.

Linn Records has ten new recordings scheduled for release in the second half of 2014 from key artists including Britain’s First Lady of Jazz Claire Martin, performing with Joe Stilgoe; Principal Conductor Robin Ticciati and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra; acclaimed pianist Ingrid Fliter; the distinguished mezzo-soprano Dame Ann Murray; and bestselling percussionist Kuniko Kato playing Steve Reich.

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