Frequently asked questions about the Society of Sound
Everything you need know about the Society of Sound download service. You can find more detailed instructions on downloading here, and a definitive guide to 24bit FLAC files here.
- What do I get when I subscribe fully?
- What is the difference between the formats and which should I choose?
- How do I download the music?
- What is the Download Manager?
- Can I install Adobe AIR on Windows Vista/7 manually? (for the Society of Sound Download Manager)
- Can I play the music files in iTunes?
- What can I play FLAC files on?
- What is lossless sound?
- I am having trouble logging in to the Society of Sound subscriber's area
- What do I do when my trial runs out if I do want to subscribe?
- Which cards will Society of Sound accept?
- How do I use my voucher code?
- Can I access albums from previous months?
- Will they be released elsewhere?
- I only received one track, but I was expecting a full album.
- Can I buy individual albums or tracks?
- Where can I find information about the artists?
- How can I listen to 24-bit FLAC files?
- How do I cancel my subscription?
- How do I burn the tracks to CD?
- I can't see how to change my password
- I forgot my password, how can I log in?
- How do I change my billing details?
- I am experiencing technical problems that are not covered on this page
1. What do I get when I subscribe fully?
Each month you will be able to download unique albums curated by both Peter Gabriel and Real World Studios and the LSO. The music is accessed through our Download Manager as a full bit rate lossless file, either 16-bit FLAC, 16-bit ALAC or 24-bit FLAC. For more information on the different lossless formats, click here.
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2. What is the difference between the formats and which should I choose?
Please check our lossless sound page, this should give you all the information you need plus the option to try out a stunning high-quality 24-bit FLAC file for yourself
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3. How do I download the music?
If you are not a member you can try out Society of Sound for free here. If you are a member you will need to log in with your username and password and install our Download Manager. There is more information on our Download Manager here
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4. What is the Download Manager?
Our Download Manager is a desktop application which allows you to store, browse and download your albums in one place. The Download Manager application is compatible with Windows, Mac or Linux.
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5. Can I install Adobe AIR on Windows Vista/7 manually? (for the Society of Sound Download Manager)
First download the Adobe AIR installer here. Right-click on the downloaded file and choose 'Run as administrator'. Follow the installation process normally after this step. The same process may be necessary for the Download Manager to be installed with the correct privileges, depending on your system's security set-up.
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6. Can I play these files in iTunes?
Our ALAC files (Apple Lossless) are fully compatible with iTunes. We have more information on our different formats here
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7. What can I play FLAC files on?
There are a number of players which support FLAC files. Both Songbird and Winamp work well and can be downloaded for free. Please note that for Winamp, 24-bit audio support needs to be enabled in it's settings.
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8. What is lossless sound?
You can find out more about lossless sound here
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9. I am having trouble logging in to the Society of Sound subscriber's area
If you have forgotten your password, please see question 22. Otherwise email us: sos@bwgroup.com
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10. What do I do when my trial runs out if I do want to subscribe?
Sign up to upgrade your membership to a full paid subscription.
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11. Which cards will Society of Sound accept?
Society of Sound will accept the following cards. The territory refers to the country where your card is registered. Global - JCB, Mastercard, Visa Credit, Visa Debit. UK Only - Maestro, Solo, Visa Electron.
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12. How do I use my voucher code?
Follow this link and input your email address plus your voucher code into the Society of Sound Trial sign up box.
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13. Can I access albums from previous months?
If you are a full member you have access to a selection of previous monthly albums. Two new albums are added each month replacing two older catalogue albums. Once an album has been removed, the rights return to the artist and we can no longer make it available through Society of Sound.
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14. Will they be released elsewhere?
This is down to each individual artist and/or their label if they have one. It's worth checking their site and contacting them directly. Links, where applicable, are available on The Albums page.
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15. I only received one track, but I was expecting a full album.
If you have signed up for the free trial, you will only receive a track from each featured album (plus any bonus albums) each month. You need to subscribe fully to download the whole album.
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16. Can I buy individual albums or tracks?
No. Society of Sound Music is a subscription club, you invest in us and we invest in the artist. The minimum you can subscribe for is 6 months. If you want to get a preview of what Society of Sound Music offers you can subscribe to our free trial
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17. Where can I find information about the artists?
Each artist has their own page within the Society of Sound. This has a biography, photographs and links to the artist's own site where applicable.
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18. How can I listen to 24-bit FLAC files?
Please read our comprehensive guide to listening and playing 24-bit FLAC files
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19. How do I cancel my subscription?
Once you have subscribed, you have commited to either 6 or 12 months membership. You will not be billed for a subsequent subscription unless you choose to take one out.
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20. How do I burn the tracks to CD?
Please visit our How to Download page to find out more.
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21. I can't see how to change my password
Log into the website with the details you have, and click on the 'My Account' link in the top-right corner of the screen. You should now be able to update your password.
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22. I forgot my password, how can I log in?
Go to the sign-in page. Enter your email address into the 'Forgotten your password?' box and click 'Request Password'. You will receive a password reminder email shortly.
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23. How do I change my billing details?
The subscription to Society of Sound Music is a one-off payment and your billing details are not stored on our system.
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24. I am experiencing technical problems that are not covered on this page
If you have any issues downloading Society of Sound music that are not covered above, please contact us at the email address below. Unfortunately we can only answer questions regarding the Download Manager and membership enquiries. We cannot provide advice any issues you are having playing the files with 3rd party media players.
Please email us at sos@bwgroup.com detailing the nature of your Download Manager problem including the following information: Your Platform (PC/Mac), your Operating System (Windows XP, Windows 7/ OSX 10.4, 10.5), your Browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox / Safari). We will then assess the nature of your problem and email you with a solution.
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Subscribe to Society of Sound to download high-quality albums from Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios and the London Symphony Orchestra. All available in Apple Lossless and studio-quality FLAC. If you already have a Society of Sound membership please sign in
Community Discussion
Find out what Bowers & Wilkins customers and audio enthusiasts are talking about on our blogs, and read in-depth articles in the Sound Lab.
