Jim Tavegia
Jim Tavegia's picture
Offline
Last seen: Never ago
Joined: Sep 1 2005 - 4:27pm
Milwaukee Sym Downloads
bobedaone
bobedaone's picture
Offline
Last seen: 10 years 1 month ago
Joined: Feb 1 2007 - 12:27am

The Philadelphia Symphony has many downloads available as well, Jim. You can choose 256 kbps MP3 or FLAC. It's really a great page with a lot of excellent orchestral music from past years and the current season. I predict that as selling classical recordings on CD becomes less and less profitable for the record industry, we'll see an increase in the availability of lossless classical on the web. We will certainly see a day when the compact disc as a digital carrier becomes obsolete. I heard that the PSO may also make available 24 bit tracks in the future. The technology is in place to do it, it's just a question of demand, I think. The iTunes store and similar online music stores have prompted many mainstream consumers to question the purpose of the CD. Lossless downloads may soon have audiophiles doing the same, especially with components like the Slim Devices Transporter being given attention from the enthusiast press. I'm glad you're pleased with your downloads! I really ought to try that myself some time.

Elk
Elk's picture
Offline
Last seen: 3 years 6 months ago
Joined: Dec 26 2006 - 6:32am

Jim you are absolutely correct! There are great downloads out there of classical music. I have been very pleased with what I have bought this way.

Amazing what you can learn looking at the music with a waveform editor, isn't it? A little experience recording music and see how it translates to a wave teaches us what to look for in other's recordings.

I miss having a nice CD with liner notes however. I know it doesn't make the music sound better and, of course, I can read the info on line - but it's not the same! I like paper to hold in my hand to read.

I hope more people download these initial offerings to encourage more to be available.

Now if we could just download and burn SACD's...

At least 24/96 DVD-A is possible with DiscWelder.

Jim Tavegia
Jim Tavegia's picture
Offline
Last seen: Never ago
Joined: Sep 1 2005 - 4:27pm

Erik,

Thanks for the tip on the PSO. I'll be looking there this afternoon.

What I miss most about the liner notes is that they are no longer LP jacket size which old timers like me really need. 10-12 point type is getting to be a must. I am not Mr. MaGoo yet, but working on it. LOL

bobedaone
bobedaone's picture
Offline
Last seen: 10 years 1 month ago
Joined: Feb 1 2007 - 12:27am

Liner notes aren't just for AARP cardholders, Jim. I spend a lot of time with computer audio, but there's something to be said for opening a fresh CD and flipping through as you play it for the first time. I agree with Elk that it's nice to have something tangible to accompany your bits of information. One thing I do a lot is retrieve album artwork for my iTunes library. The iTunes 7.0 update is nice for people who enjoy artwork. I love those big LP sleeves, too! I have more records than a person without a turntable ought to have!

Jim Tavegia
Jim Tavegia's picture
Offline
Last seen: Never ago
Joined: Sep 1 2005 - 4:27pm

It is clear you need to be real good the rest of this year and see what Santa might bring you! You know you have some sonic treasures just waiting to be spinned. Even if you bought a MMF 5 or a Rega P3 you would be asking yourself: "What was I waiting for?"

If you look through your lp collection and find over 100 records you would love to hear again you will understand. Free software waiting to be played. Some of it probably means a lot to you as well.

bobedaone
bobedaone's picture
Offline
Last seen: 10 years 1 month ago
Joined: Feb 1 2007 - 12:27am

My collection isn't very big, but I've been going to my local record shops - we have a couple good ones here in Ann Arbor - and buying vinyl so that I can walk to my local hi-fi shop and listen to them! I'm putting the cart before the horse or, in this case, the software before the hardware. I feel a bit enigmatic; I live in the digital world with my iTunes and downloads, but love analog gear and that irreplaceable vinyl sound. Until digital technology can offer that natural, involving sound at a sane price, my heart will always be with those magical 12" black discs. I also look forward to record hunting this summer.

Jim Tavegia
Jim Tavegia's picture
Offline
Last seen: Never ago
Joined: Sep 1 2005 - 4:27pm

Sarah Hogan from the MSO sent me this link MSO Binaural

I've included the link to Neumann if you have interest.

Neumann Mics Binaural

Jim Tavegia
Jim Tavegia's picture
Offline
Last seen: Never ago
Joined: Sep 1 2005 - 4:27pm

I donwloaded both Winamp and FLAC in our two main computers and then downloaded the FLAC versions from the Philly Orchesrtra of Eroica. Very nice. Little trouble with downloading as it told me the URL for the 1st dowload was too long, but it was there anyway. With both the MSO and PO doing this I hope Telarc catches on on to this technology. Sonos type servers, the price of gas, and the convenience of a good quality download will change how many of us buy music. ITunes has made that clear for many music lovers.

DSL, a Mac Mini w/200 gig HD, a pair of K701's, and a nice headphone amp (I am more impressed every day with my little $80 24/96 Firewire Behringer FCA 202 used even as a headphone amp) may be the future. A firewire Grace would be even sweeter.

Kudos to the Philadelphia Orchestra for being a part of raising the bar of on-line music delivery.

RGibran
RGibran's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 4 months ago
Joined: Oct 11 2005 - 5:50pm

Jim,
If you haven't, give Foobar2000 a listen for playback. Plain jane user interface, but it's free and to many ears sounds very nice by comparison.

RG

Jim Tavegia
Jim Tavegia's picture
Offline
Last seen: Never ago
Joined: Sep 1 2005 - 4:27pm

Thanks for the tip. I'm working at trying to get HIP!

With Foobar I think the low end is a litte fuller. Sounds very good and free to boot. Thanks

Also seems a slight bit brighter than the other players, which for me is not a bad thing.

Log in or register to post comments
-->
  • X