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Copyright issues are a hot item these days, with digital recorders and MP3 files dominating the news. But are audiophiles affected by such things?
Old LPs and now CDs generally have only 2 to 3 songs on them that I like, therefore I record those onto tape so that I can listen only to the songs that I really enjoy. I should like to see music clubs or recordings that allow the subscriber to choose from song titles to go on a CD rather than being restricted to purchasing CDs by the artist. When the costs come down, I might look at CD recording systems.
I have done many amateur recordings using tapes. The recordings came out ok. I really liked recording but didn't have the equipment or the means to do real recordings. Just this last summer I went to an Audio Engineering Institute and learned how to record on ADAT machines and DAT machines. We recorded a live ska band and got to master the recording. I plan to learn hard-disk recording this spring. I think everyone should at least know how the music they are listening to is recorded. My favorite recording, though, is purist.
As a pro audio enthusiast, I have gained a newfound appreciation for what I hear through my audiophile system. I'm starting to believe that a good system puts the responsibility for good sound onto the recording engineer. The problem is that many recording engineers are not as demanding as audiophiles of sound quality. As audiophiles, we only deal with 50% of the circuitry affecting the sound. It is important to remember that when we listen to a recording, no matter how good our systems are, we are limited by the quality of the equipment on which the recording signal was processed. For this reason, as my system improves, I notice more of the good and bad deeds committed by the engineers.
I originally purchased my CD-R to archive software and other such purposes. Now, however, I tend to use it more to make digital-quality compilations of songs from my favorite albums. I can also cram 15 to 17 songs on a single disc, so I don't have to worry about fiddling with the CD player as much while I'm driving. I looked briefly at the MiniDisc format, but I wanted to be able to play my media almost anywhere. I can with CD-R.
I'm planning to get a CD-R but I'm not quite sure how good the recordings will be . . . It all depends on the codecs used. I kinda wish someone would start reviewing audio cards from an audiophile's perspective. OTOH, since I only listend to CDs in the car and at work, it would be nice to be able to listen to all those records. OTOH-2: Who has the darn time to mess with recording anyhow? Other than Frank Zappa, there are precious few recordings that I really enjoy listening to over and over. I guess I have too many choices.
Last year I purchased a nifty little Rotel cassette deck after not having owned one for the last ten years. (I sold my circa-1985 Nakamichi to my younger brother for $150, after thoroughly denouncing the sound quality of cassettes.) I use my new Rotel solely to make recordings for my car stereo. After seeing how most car CD players completely ruin the little silver discs every time you hit a pothole, I decided to stick with the more ancient format until something more durable arrives.
I create all kinds of music digitally on my Power Macintosh. I don't violate copyright laws because I don't sell my recordings. I like to put different mixes from my CDs onto one disc, so when I'm in a car or listening to my portable I don't have to keep changing discs.
I record cassettes for use in the car. I travel a large marketing territory in the state of Washington, and listening to great music helps alleviate drive-time boredom, even if the medium isn't the best. The music is what matters!!
Cassette now, but I've been trying to decide on which digital format. My reason for recording is to compile my favorite songs onto a tape or disc (from CDs I purchased) to listen to out by the pool or while traveling. I'm a 57-year-old who still enjoys rock (but I'm stuck in the '70s and '80s). MiniDisc seems to be improving (ANTRAC) and gaining some market success, and DAT is the choice of professionals, but playback is awkward thru a portable boombox. Also, try renting a car with an MD or DAT player. CD recorders are reasonably priced, and the Philips CD880 reviewed by Wes Phillips in the September 1998 Stereophile will be my choice.
I don't copy CDs for two simple reasons. Besides the obvious moral reasons, I doubt that anything short of professional recorders would yield a musically equal CD. One example is a Stereophile CD. I doubt an MPG or a Sony recorder (on CD1s) could give anywhere near the 20-bit resolution that the Stereophile CDs have. And that reminds me, great work on the CDs---I just got mine in the mail, and it's incredible.