For those who don't know, vinyl sounds better than standard CDs for several
reasons...
First off, vinyl has a greater dynamic range (75db) and frequency response 7
Hz to 25kHz resulting in that more detailed, nuanced and "warm" sound. This
is probably more noticable on a large or hi fi sound system that can
reproduce near the full frequency range.
As Keyser has said before, some pre-digital records will never sound better
than thier original vinyl form. This is because, back in the day, albums
were made in recording studios and mastered onto analog (magnetic) tape. The
analog tape was then cut onto record. No analogue to digital convertion.
[OT: One of the brilliant things about old blue note records and CD releases
is that they were mastered to two track tape! So when you hear the CDs there
is no remastering...its just as recorded. one of the first label sounds to
emphasize the drums & hi-hat properly]
The difference is can be visualized by comparing an actually photographic
print to a photographic reproduction in a magazine. If you look at a photo
in a magazine it looks nice, but if you look very close you will see that it
is composed of a fine pattern of dots. This is a convienent way to fool the
eye just as a CD is a convienent way to fool the ear at 44.1 million samples
per second and for all due puposes its probably the best way for most
people.
And finally to answer Richard's question...
At 12:29 PM 3/30/01 +0000, richard n wrote:
>Am I right in assuming the common consensus that vinyl has better quality
>than cds? I am wondering how this can be when, before being pressed, the
>music on vinyl is *already* in digital form. If you take an audio tape and
>convert to cd, its not going to sound better than the original. So why does
>digital music converted to vinyl feel better than cds? cheer richard
This is because most producers, who know what they are doing and have the
resources, use a DAT which has a greater dynamic range than a CD, a higher
sample rate 48mhz/sec (this small bit makes a difference) and sometimes a
greater bit depth. Combine this better than CD quality with a solid
knowledge of vinyl mastering and you get better sounding records.
The digital sound can also be fattened up by analogue processors that add
harmonics and other bits before the final cutting to plate.
As far as CD vs. Vinyl, DJs should utilize both, but there are still quite a
few establishments that don't have CD decks. I also find it difficult to
weed through music in your CD collection during a dancefloor set without a
bit of prep work (I would never show up at a lounge or my radioshow without
CDs!). Previewing through all of 12+ tracks and beat matching them seems
more difficult in the distracting, sensory overload world of the Dj booth.
There is just something very tactile, easy to organize and reasuring about a
12" record with one tune to a side...;p
Also try finding current DnB on CD!
here is a cool, semi-technical article about vinyl mastering...
check it
http://www.acousticsounds.com/acoustic/acoustech/
records.html
peace
Chris Widman
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