B &W Bowers & Wilkins

Your Questions Answered

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.
  1. What do I get when I subscribe fully?
  2. What is the difference between the formats and which should I choose?
  3. How do I download the music?
  4. What is the Download Manager?
  5. Can I install Adobe AIR on Windows Vista/7 manually? (for the Society of Sound Download Manager)
  6. Can I play these files in iTunes?
  7. What can I play FLAC files on?
  8. What is lossless sound?
  9. I am having trouble logging in to the Society of Sound subscriber's area
  10. What do I do when my trial runs out if I do want to subscribe?
  11. Which Cards Will Society of Sound Music Accept?
  12. How do I use my voucher code?
  13. Can I access albums from previous months?
  14. Will they be released elsewhere?
  15. I only received one track, but I was expecting a full album.
  16. Can I buy individual albums or tracks?
  17. Where can I find information about the artists?
  18. How can I listen to 24-bit FLAC files?
  19. How do I cancel my subscription?
  20. How do I burn the tracks to CD?
  21. I can't see how to change my password
  22. I forgot my password, how can I log in?
  23. How do I change my billing details?
  24. How do I change my email address?
  25. 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. You will also be able to access all previous albums plus bonus recordings. 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 ALC 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.
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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 Music 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 the code printed on your card.
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13. Can I access albums from previous months?

If you are a full member you have access to all the previous monthly albums. Any bonus albums and EP’s are only available for one month and are not included in the back catalogue.
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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, podcasts and short films. There are also 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

Click on 'Update My Details' at the bottom of the page. You will first be asked for your email. Once you input your address, you will then be presented with a dialogue that asks your email and your password. To the left of this dialogue box there is a hyperlink marked 'change your password'
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22. I forgot my password, how can I log in?

Click on the 'forgot my password' option, fill in your email address and you will receive a reminder.
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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. How do I change my email address?

Click on 'Update My Details' at the bottom of the page. You will first be asked for your email. Once you input your address, you will then be presented with a dialogue that asks your email and your password. To the left of this dialogue box there is a hyperlink marked change my email address.
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25. I am experiencing technical problems that are not covered on this page

Please email us at sos@bwgroup.com detailing the nature of your problem and including the following information: Your Platform (pc/mac), your Operating System (Windows 2000, Vista / 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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