How to order

How to order

Most Pristine Classical recordings can be ordered in two ways: as a digital download or as a physical CD. Both options are found on the same recording page.

Use Download files for music files or CDs by post for physical discs. On a phone, scroll down to see both purchase areas.

Important: check that you are using the right purchase area before adding your choice to the basket. Downloads do not include physical discs.

The two purchase areas

Download files

Use this area if you want to buy music files to download to your computer, phone, tablet, music server or hi-fi streamer.

Download purchases are available immediately after checkout from your account.

CDs by post

Use this area if you want physical CDs shipped to your address.

CDs are produced to order and are normally shipped within 3-5 working days. Some releases offer more than one CD option, such as a boxed digipack edition or a lower-cost CD-only edition.

Most CD purchases also include a complimentary MP3 download, so you can begin listening straight away. After checkout, sign in and choose Download this order to find the included MP3 version, or use My Downloads for your full library.

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.

Buying a download

1. Find the Download files area

On the recording page, find the Download files purchase area.

2. Choose your download quality

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.

3. Add the download to your cart

Select your preferred quality, then click Add download to basket.

You can continue shopping and add more recordings before checking out.

4. Complete checkout

Open your cart and follow the checkout steps. Once payment is complete, your download will be added to your account.

5. Download your music

Sign in and find your purchase in Orders. Choose Download this order beside it, or open the order and use the large download button at the top. The next page contains that purchase’s downloads; choose the file you want to save.

On a phone, tap the three-dot More actions button beside an order to find Download this order. For your complete library, use My Downloads or the Download your purchases button above the order list.

More help is available here: Finding your downloads.

Buying a CD

1. Find the CDs by post area

On the recording page, find the CDs by post purchase area.

2. Choose your CD option

Some releases offer more than one CD format. For example, you may be able to choose between a limited edition digipack-boxed set and a lower-cost CD-only edition in plastic sleeves.

Select the CD option you prefer.

3. Printable artwork for CD-only editions

If you choose a CD-only edition, you can still print the original Pristine artwork yourself. On the release's main product page, scroll down below the album details to the row of information tabs and open PDF Downloads. From there you can download the printable PDF artwork supplied for that release, including the cover, tray insert or booklet material where provided.

Pristine cover PDFs are already prepared at the correct physical size for standard jewel cases. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader, choose Print, and under page sizing select Actual size (100%). Make sure Fit, Fit to page, or any other automatic resizing or scaling option is switched off. The artwork will then print at exactly the right size to cut out and fit into a standard jewel case.

4. Add the CD to your cart

Click Add CDs to basket. You can continue shopping and add more items before checking out.

5. Complete checkout

Open your cart, check the contents, enter your delivery address and choose the available shipping option.

6. Download the MP3 version if desired

All CD purchases include a complimentary MP3 download. This is added to your account after checkout, so you do not have to wait for the discs to arrive before you can start listening.

To find it, sign in and choose Download this order beside your CD order, or open the order and use its download button. The included MP3 is also available through My Downloads.

7. Receive your CDs

CDs are produced to order and are normally shipped within 3-5 working days.

Which should I choose?

Choose downloads if...

  • You want the music immediately.
  • You use a computer, phone, tablet, streamer or music server.
  • You want music files in 24-bit Studio Quality, 16-bit CD Quality or MP3 – Smaller files.
  • You do not need a physical disc.

Choose CDs if...

  • You want a physical disc or collector's edition.
  • You prefer to play music on a CD player.
  • You want printed artwork or packaging where offered.
  • You are happy to print the supplied PDF artwork yourself for a CD-only edition.
  • You would like the included MP3 download while waiting for the discs to arrive.

Need help?

These pages may help with common questions:

In brief: use Download files for music files, or CDs by post for physical discs. For CD-only editions, printable jewel-case artwork is available from the PDF Downloads tab on the release page. Print it at Actual size with all fit-to-page scaling switched off.