Is downloading music illegal if you already have some form of that such as an lp CD tape 8 track?

It depends on the jurisdiction and specific circumstances. In general, downloading music without the permission of the copyright holder is considered copyright infringement and may be illegal. However, some countries have exceptions or limitations to copyright law that may allow you to download music that you already own in another format, such as an LP, CD, tape, or 8-track. For example, in the United States, the "fair use" doctrine allows for limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

It is important to note that copyright laws vary from country to country, and what is legal in one jurisdiction may be illegal in another. Additionally, the specific terms of use for a particular music service may also prohibit or restrict the downloading of music that you already own in another format.

To avoid potential legal issues, it is always best to obtain the permission of the copyright holder before downloading music. This can often be done by purchasing the music directly from the artist or record label, or by using a legal music streaming service.