Downloading: A Beginner's Guide
Pristine Classical downloads
Downloading your music: a beginner’s guide
Buying music as a download means you receive music files rather than a physical disc. Once your order is complete, your recording can be downloaded to your computer, phone, tablet or music server, then played whenever you like.
The short version
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Choose your download quality
On a recording page, choose 24-bit Studio Quality, 16-bit CD Quality or MP3 – Smaller files, where available. -
Complete checkout
After payment, your download links are made available automatically. -
Open My Downloads
Sign in to your Pristine account, choose My Downloads, then open the recording on your My Music page. -
Download and play
Save the files to your device, unzip them if required, and play them using your preferred music app.
Which download quality should I choose?
24-bit Studio Quality
Our highest-resolution studio-quality tier. Choose this if you want the highest resolution we offer and your music player or hi-fi equipment supports it. These files are usually larger.
16-bit CD Quality
Lossless audio at CD quality. It keeps all the audio information in the 16-bit version, without the sound-data reduction used by MP3. A straightforward choice for high-quality listening.
MP3 – Smaller files
Widely compatible files which take up less storage space and are quicker to download. Our MP3 downloads are 320 kbps. MP3 is not lossless.
The choices available depend on the recording. Mono, stereo and Ambient Stereo describe the audio presentation, which is separate from the quality level. If the presentation differs between tiers, the purchase choices show that difference.
Choosing your file format
If you own a lossless tier, you can choose FLAC, ALAC or WAV from My Downloads, at the quality you own. Choose your quality when buying and your file format when downloading. You do not need to buy the recording again to choose another lossless format at that quality.
Owning only the MP3 version does not unlock lossless formats. Choosing a different file format does not upgrade a 16-bit purchase to 24-bit.
What do the file formats mean?
FLAC and ALAC store lossless audio in smaller files without discarding any sound information. ALAC means Apple Lossless and is suitable for Apple’s Music app. FLAC is widely used by other music players and hi-fi systems.
WAV stores the same audio without this compression, so the files are larger. At the same bit depth and sample rate, FLAC, ALAC and WAV preserve the same sound quality. Choose the format your player accepts; WAV does not sound better simply because the file is larger.
What does 320 kbps mean?
Our MP3 downloads use 320 kilobits per second, usually written 320 kbps. This describes how much data is used for each second of music. It is a high-quality MP3 setting, not a download-speed requirement.
MP3 makes files smaller by discarding some audio information, particularly sounds that are less easy to hear. This saves storage space and download time, but the discarded information cannot be restored by converting the file to FLAC, ALAC or WAV.
What do 16-bit and 24-bit mean?
Bit depth describes the precision used to store the sound. Audio CDs use 16-bit sound. Our 16-bit CD Quality tier is lossless; our 24-bit Studio Quality tier is the highest-resolution option we offer. The original historic recording and your playback equipment still affect what you hear.
Where do I find my downloads?
After purchase, downloads are available from your Pristine account.
- Sign in using My Account at the top of the website.
- On your account page, choose My Downloads.
- This opens your My Music page.
- Use the Downloads tab to download your recordings.
You can also use download links from your order confirmation email, but your account is usually the safest place to return to later.
More detail is available here: Finding your downloads.
Why does my download say “Preparing”?
Some files are prepared when you request them. “Preparing” means we are getting your chosen format ready to download. Please allow a little time, particularly for larger recordings. If preparation does not finish or you see an error, contact downloadsupport@pristineclassical.com with the catalogue number and the format you chose.
What happens when I download?
Most Pristine downloads arrive as a ZIP file. A ZIP file is simply a folder packed into one convenient download. It may contain the audio files, cover artwork, notes, cue files or printable covers, depending on the release.
Opening ZIP files
Modern Windows and Mac computers can normally open ZIP files without extra software. On most systems, double-click the ZIP file, then copy or move the extracted folder wherever you keep your music.
Phones and tablets can also open ZIP files, though the exact process varies between devices. On iPhone and iPad, downloaded files usually appear in the Files app. On Android, they usually appear in Downloads.
Playing your downloads
On Windows
Windows can play MP3 files easily, and many current Windows music apps also support FLAC. If your usual player does not recognise FLAC files, try another modern music player or use MP3 instead.
See also: Downloads for Windows.
On Mac
Mac users can play MP3 files without difficulty. FLAC support depends on the app you use. Apple’s own Music app is happiest with MP3, AAC and ALAC, while many third-party music players can play FLAC directly.
See also: Downloads for Mac.
On phones and tablets
MP3 is the simplest choice for mobile listening. FLAC can work well too, especially on Android and in specialist music apps, but support varies. Check which formats your music app accepts before buying. An MP3-only purchase does not include lossless audio.
On hi-fi streamers and music servers
Many modern streamers and music servers play FLAC directly. For these systems, 16-bit FLAC is the best general-purpose choice, while 24-bit FLAC is ideal if your equipment supports high-resolution playback.
Making an audio CD from WAV files
For Windows and Mac instructions, including how to burn directly from FLAC or MP3, see Making audio CDs from downloads.
Yes. Choose 16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV in My Downloads for making a standard audio CD. If you own the 24-bit version, choose the 16-bit WAV option for this purpose. This gives you a CD-ready copy; your original 24-bit download remains available.
- Download the WAV version and extract (unzip) the album folder.
- Open your CD-burning software and start an Audio CD project. Do not choose a data disc or MP3 disc.
- Add the WAV tracks in the correct order. Keep each disc within the playing time printed on your blank CD, usually 80 minutes. For a multi-disc release, make each disc separately.
- Insert a blank CD-R into a drive that can write CDs, then burn the disc. If your software offers a finalise or close-disc option, use it so the finished disc can play in an ordinary CD player.
Simply copying WAV files onto a data disc does not make a standard audio CD. You need CD-burning software and a CD-writing drive; an external USB drive is suitable if your computer has no built-in writer.
Standard audio CDs use 16-bit sound at 44.1 kHz. A 24-bit download must be converted to that standard for CD use. Burning MP3 files to CD does not restore the sound information removed by MP3 compression.
Digital Music Collection subscribers
If you have a Digital Music Collection update subscription, some recording pages show an Add to my account button beneath the normal purchase options.
This adds the recording to your downloads without further payment. It may not appear as a normal order. To find it, sign in and open My Downloads.
More detail is available here: Subscriptions.
Downloading and the right of withdrawal
For digital purchases, you may be asked to confirm that you want immediate access to your download during the 14-day withdrawal period and that you understand your right of withdrawal ends once access or downloading begins.
This allows us to provide the music straight away rather than making you wait. A small piece of legal plumbing, but an important one.
Frequently asked questions
I bought a download but cannot see it in Orders. Has something gone wrong?
Not necessarily. Open My Downloads instead. Downloads are shown on your My Music page, which is separate from your order list.
The download did not start. What should I do?
Try again from My Downloads. If the problem continues, check whether your browser is blocking downloads, or try another browser.
Can I download again later?
Yes. Sign in to your account and open My Downloads. Your purchased downloads should remain available there.
The files will not play. What should I try first?
Check that your music player supports the format you downloaded. MP3 is the safest choice. FLAC gives better quality, but it needs a FLAC-compatible player.
Should I choose 16-bit or 24-bit?
Choose 16-bit CD Quality for lossless CD-quality listening. Choose 24-bit Studio Quality for our highest resolution if your equipment supports it.
Can I import Pristine downloads into iTunes or Apple Music?
MP3 and ALAC files can be imported into Apple’s Music app. Lossless owners can choose ALAC directly in My Downloads. For existing FLAC files, use a compatible player or convert them to ALAC without reducing their resolution.
I am still stuck. What information should I send you?
Please tell us your order number, the recording you are trying to download, the format you chose, and whether you are using Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android or another device. That gives us a fighting chance against the little digital goblin in the wires.