this is a question i've been looking into. i have been thinking about starting an online acid archive, but i'm not interested in causing a riot. the idea is to have a PHP-based site that allows user uploads within a certain size range, with the site automatically refreshing to reflect each label page catalogue. the basic site is done already.

ideally, the site could focus on tracks that released before 2000. there could be downloads of files i heve personally encoded using lame 320kbps. this is the only quality mp3 i will play out, so user submissions would ideally be the same standard. i also have the ability to post WAVs, though i'll never have the bandwidth.

the bottom line is that people newer to the acid scene usually don't know about the older classics. collectors buy up all the copies, then refuse to sell for lower prices. so you get these amazing acid collections that never get played out, even fi that means Mp3 mixes on the 'net. this is contrary to the spirit of acid IMO. everyone should have access to the music, as long as it's well past making any money for the artists. at that point, i think downloading the tunes can actually help to revive the real acid sound.

anyway, the main question is who owns the music. if the larger companies still exist, free, public downloads could stir up some shit. from what i've seen, many of the German tunes still have some tie to existing companies. even though the artists has gone away, money could be an issue.