Though it is by far not the norm, it is encouraging that Trent Reznor
and Saul Williams offered FLAC files as an option in their recent
experiment with virtual busking. If you look at the numbers released
on the Nine Inch Nails web site, those that chose FLAC were dwarfed
in number by those that chose MP3, but it is a little glimmer of hope.
- a separate Jim
At 05:54 AM 1/25/2008, you wrote:
>Is it just me who wonders about this? With the hundreds of articles I
>have been reading on the changes in media distribution (literally
>hundreds and is this a REALLY big surprise??) I have not read one -
>not one - that makes any mention of the fact that the quality of the
>recordings being distributed by download are significantly compressed
>and poorer then those distributed on media. Of course it does not
>have to be this way - there is no reason why .wav files could not be
>being downloaded instead of AAC or MP3 - but no one seems to care -
>at all.
>
>I figure that if anywhere - the members on this list should care. I
>don't get it - why aren't people complaining? Has our benchmark for
>quality become Apple Ipod earbuds? Tell me it isn't so. While people
>are spending untold thousands on Krell's and esoteric speakers what
>we are witnessing here is a recording media and quality implosion and
>I for one am concerned that getting a recording that is of the former
>relatively high (ok we can debate that but this is not the real
>point) quality of recordings on CD will become an impossibility in
>the not too distant future. How come there aren't a bunch of
>audiophiles - or professionals - or both - speaking up and saying to
>the downloading public and to the distributors - hey wait a minute -
>if I am paying the same prices for downloading as I am for physical
>media - the least you can do is give me the same quality.
>
>All I hear is - silence. To me this is a HUGE threat - even short
>term - to what you are going to be able to listen to, and the quality
>of what you will be able to listen to.
>
>So, members of ARSC - I ask you - to discuss this - and - OK I will
>say it - as an organization - take an actual position on this subject
>- let the world know that this is a BIG issue. That is right - I am
>actually advocating for standing up and talking out loud - not to our
>group but to the rest of the planet. If we are not going to take a
>stand on this - what will we take a stand on? Get some manufacturers
>behind you - you know the Krell and "monster cable" kind of folk that
>have lots of marketing smarts - because there really isn't any point
>in spending thousands of dollars on esoteric gear when the quality of
>the recordings will not let you hear it anyhow. They have allot to
>lose also. What we are talking about here is the dumbing down - the
>AAC'ing of all distributed music and I for one think this is an
>issue. Does anyone agree?
>
>
>
>Jim Lindner
>
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>
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