| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| coastline |
Posted - 07/31/2007 : 18:23:14
I just paid $13.20 to upgrade four albums that I'd originally bought from iTunes. The upgrade means I get DRM-free, 256-kbps downloads. This doesn't really compare to CDs (1320 kbps, if I remember Ben Mumphrey's post correctly), but it's better than the 128-kbps downloads I orginally bought from iTunes. The $13.20 breaks down to 30 cents per song.
Has anybody else done this? I've actually quit buying music from iTunes, because 128 kbps is too low-quality for me and I realized I like having CDs (after my hard drive crashed), but I figured it was worth the 30 cents a track to upgrade.
 There's a perfect explanation for the shit that I've been in. As soon as I find out, I'll let you know. |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| coastline |
Posted - 08/28/2007 : 15:26:20
For what it's worth, Honeycomb and FMRM are available on iTunes Plus now -- for $11.99 and $19.99 respectively. I think the latter is a bit expensive. I paid several dollars less than that for the discs.
Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| Jefrey |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 16:51:11
quote:
Originally posted by coastline
Yeah, well, you wear rubber shoes. What do you know? 
Ironically, it kind of reinforces my point! I've gotten to the point where I don't care what it looks like or if it's not the top model as long as it does the job and doesn't piss me off. I actually used to spend a lot on speakers and monitors, but I'm currently using some 10 year old 2-way JBL bookshelf speakers because that's what sounds good to me.
Exception: sunglasses. I spend waaaay too much on sunglasses.
== jeffamerica == |
| coastline |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 16:15:33
Yeah, well, you wear rubber shoes. What do you know? |
| Jefrey |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 14:32:27
quote:
Originally posted by coastline
That much I knew, KoK. What I don't know much about is how to optimize my equalizer settings for each type of music I have. I see there are settings called "Piano," "Super Bass," "Jazz," and things like that. But I have to try about five of them on any given song before I'm happy with how it sounds. There has to be a better way to optimize your experience than trying five different equalizer settings on every single song.
As to what Jefrey says about how and where you listen to music, I only recently became finnicky about how my music sounds. I guess the difference is that I used to get off on the overall vibe in a song, and now I have an interest in each of the individual sounds that make up that vibe. I guess I'm turning into a complete music snob. I read Aaron Copland's "What To Listen For In Music" a few months ago, and it opened my eyes to a lot of things about the way music is created and got me more interested in the various elements of songs: which instruments are used, the tone of each instrument, the key(s) used in a song, the chord changes, the time signature, etc. I feel like I'm much more in tune with my music now, so to speak. And so the quality of the recordings matters a lot more to me now than it used to. I can very much tell the difference between 128 kbps, 256 kbps, and 1320 (or whatever) kbps. The closer you get to the way it sounded when it was played (live or in the studio), the better it is. I also find myself wanting better and better speakers and headphones. That damn Aaron Copland -- his $6.95 book is going to cost me a lot more in the long run.
There's a perfect explanation for the shit that I've been in. As soon as I find out, I'll let you know.
Hmmm, this discussion could go on and on, but a recording is by nature not a replica of how it was played live. Every piece of equipment along the chain colors the sound in some way, up to and including the ears of the next person line to work on the song (artist-->engineer-->mixer-->masterer).
I've been lucky enough to take some recording classes where we had access to the original 2" master tapes of recording sessions of some famous songs. Not only did it sound completely different unmixed/uneffected played through different soundboards and speakers, but also in different rooms.
So, even at the best quality of media at the highest bit rate (if it has to be digital), what is your holy grail? To hear what the musician's original vision of the song is? The producer's? The mixing or mastering engineer's? I'm just saying even if you can get to the holy grail of the original source tape, what have you achieved?
I've read Aaron Copland's book, and I still think the same thing. If you can sit in the studio and hear a great recording in a great room on an analogue Neve console, the detail is breathtaking, yes. But there's no way to reproduce that exact sound anywhere else - it's just the nature of sound.
I guess my damn point is that I've learned to let go. I don't care that much about the quality (below 128k on an mp3 is definitely unlistenable though). I mean, to me, Devil's Workshop sounds like shit, and CD or bit rate or good speakers has nothing to do with it, it has to do with being recorded in an building made of cinder blocks. But Frank loves it.
== jeffamerica == |
| The King Of Karaoke |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 11:55:30
quote:
Originally posted by coastline
That much I knew, KoK. What I don't know much about is how to optimize my equalizer settings for each type of music I have. I see there are settings called "Piano," "Super Bass," "Jazz," and things like that. But I have to try about five of them on any given song before I'm happy with how it sounds. There has to be a better way to optimize your experience than trying five different equalizer settings on every single song.
As to what Jefrey says about how and where you listen to music, I only recently became finnicky about how my music sounds. I guess the difference is that I used to get off on the overall vibe in a song, and now I have an interest in each of the individual sounds that make up that vibe. I guess I'm turning into a complete music snob. I read Aaron Copland's "What To Listen For In Music" a few months ago, and it opened my eyes to a lot of things about the way music is created and got me more interested in the various elements of songs: which instruments are used, the tone of each instrument, the key(s) used in a song, the chord changes, the time signature, etc. I feel like I'm much more in tune with my music now, so to speak. And so the quality of the recordings matters a lot more to me now than it used to. I can very much tell the difference between 128 kbps, 256 kbps, and 1320 (or whatever) kbps. The closer you get to the way it sounded when it was played (live or in the studio), the better it is. I also find myself wanting better and better speakers and headphones. That damn Aaron Copland -- his $6.95 book is going to cost me a lot more in the long run.
There's a perfect explanation for the shit that I've been in. As soon as I find out, I'll let you know.
Have you seen "Ghost World". There's a great scene in there about this stuff. great movie too. Thora Birch. yum.
------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRZmzf7WiNg |
| coastline |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 11:27:08
That much I knew, KoK. What I don't know much about is how to optimize my equalizer settings for each type of music I have. I see there are settings called "Piano," "Super Bass," "Jazz," and things like that. But I have to try about five of them on any given song before I'm happy with how it sounds. There has to be a better way to optimize your experience than trying five different equalizer settings on every single song.
As to what Jefrey says about how and where you listen to music, I only recently became finnicky about how my music sounds. I guess the difference is that I used to get off on the overall vibe in a song, and now I have an interest in each of the individual sounds that make up that vibe. I guess I'm turning into a complete music snob. I read Aaron Copland's "What To Listen For In Music" a few months ago, and it opened my eyes to a lot of things about the way music is created and got me more interested in the various elements of songs: which instruments are used, the tone of each instrument, the key(s) used in a song, the chord changes, the time signature, etc. I feel like I'm much more in tune with my music now, so to speak. And so the quality of the recordings matters a lot more to me now than it used to. I can very much tell the difference between 128 kbps, 256 kbps, and 1320 (or whatever) kbps. The closer you get to the way it sounded when it was played (live or in the studio), the better it is. I also find myself wanting better and better speakers and headphones. That damn Aaron Copland -- his $6.95 book is going to cost me a lot more in the long run.
There's a perfect explanation for the shit that I've been in. As soon as I find out, I'll let you know. |
| The King Of Karaoke |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 10:13:48
quote:
Originally posted by coastline
quote:
Originally posted by The King Of Karaoke
I don't like to get my music from itunes but still do quite a bit. Mostly because I don't have the access to the music store I had back east. I try to keep my purchases to experimental stuff though. Then if that artist clicks for me the rest is bought as cd.
Coastline I'm not sure of all the technical stuff you are speaking off but do you go into "get info" for the album and adjust your equalizer and volume settings after your purchases? This makes a huge difference in sound quality.
------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRZmzf7WiNg
That's not a bad idea, using iTunes for the occaisonal experimental purchase and then seeking a record store for CDs.
As for the equalizer settings, I wouldn't have a clue how to optimize my sound. I guess I'll just play around with it and see what I like. Do those settings transfer to your iPod?
There's a perfect explanation for the shit that I've been in. As soon as I find out, I'll let you know.
Whenever I buy any album, cd or otherwise, after importing click to highlight one song, go to "edit" and "select all", after that go to "file" and click "get info" in that window you can increase the volume, choose the equalizer, add album covers, change, genre's compilation, whatever. Yes, it will sound much better on the ipod.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRZmzf7WiNg |
| Jefrey |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 09:57:49
I still don't get the quality thing when people complain about iTunes, or mp3s in general. I've gotten some of the iTunes Plus things, and yes, they do sound a bit better, but it wasn't like I was cringing before at the quality of the AAC files.
All I do if I buy a CD is then import it into iTunes so I can put it on my iPod, which goes in my car, where there's no way anyone could tell the difference between a regular or Plus song anyway. I guess it depends on how you listen to your music, but I just really don't hear that much of a difference unless it's dead quiet, the music's cranked, and I'm doing an A/B comparison.
== jeffamerica == |
| coastline |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 05:15:22
quote:
Originally posted by The King Of Karaoke
I don't like to get my music from itunes but still do quite a bit. Mostly because I don't have the access to the music store I had back east. I try to keep my purchases to experimental stuff though. Then if that artist clicks for me the rest is bought as cd.
Coastline I'm not sure of all the technical stuff you are speaking off but do you go into "get info" for the album and adjust your equalizer and volume settings after your purchases? This makes a huge difference in sound quality.
------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRZmzf7WiNg
That's not a bad idea, using iTunes for the occaisonal experimental purchase and then seeking a record store for CDs.
As for the equalizer settings, I wouldn't have a clue how to optimize my sound. I guess I'll just play around with it and see what I like. Do those settings transfer to your iPod?
There's a perfect explanation for the shit that I've been in. As soon as I find out, I'll let you know. |
| The King Of Karaoke |
Posted - 08/01/2007 : 00:36:03
I don't like to get my music from itunes but still do quite a bit. Mostly because I don't have the access to the music store I had back east. I try to keep my purchases to experimental stuff though. Then if that artist clicks for me the rest is bought as cd.
Coastline I'm not sure of all the technical stuff you are speaking off but do you go into "get info" for the album and adjust your equalizer and volume settings after your purchases? This makes a huge difference in sound quality.
------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRZmzf7WiNg |
| coastline |
Posted - 07/31/2007 : 20:46:30
Thanks, BLT. Interesting article. It adds to my feeling lately that Apple has finally outgrown its underdog tag and is now a full-fledged brute. I still love my Apple products, but I don't find myself rooting for that little company anymore -- I guess since it's not so little anymore. Apple really dominates certain aspects of the electronics and music industries. There was a time when I was happy that they were kicking so much ass -- but that was when Microsoft ruled the world and it was good that there was a little gnat to bother them.
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.
There's a perfect explanation for the shit that I've been in. As soon as I find out, I'll let you know. |
| BLT |
Posted - 07/31/2007 : 20:17:11
Did you know your DRM-free itunes files are embedded with your name and email address? Be careful who you share them with.
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/005288.php
I buy CDs and get CD quality music (and I only have to buy them once).
Amen, a pen, a canal: enema |
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