Yes. Analog is called that because it presents the true wave form which digital inherently does not because digital operates in a binary way. Think of the smoothness of a sine wave. Compare it to the saw-toothed digital ‘wave’ - - steps (no matter how tiny) are not smooth. This is how i understand why analog has a richer sound.
“Supposedly what audiophiles like about vinyl is it has the fullest and warmest tonality as nothing is lost in the process of digitization. “
The "warmth" of analog comes from the fact that the physical media can't practically render silence. There's always a little sonic residue from the inescapable friction of the physical media. In digital, however, the value can be set to zero sound, without any residue. The zero or near-zero value is usually what people describe as sounding "cold" or unnatural.
Of course, the speakers and transmission also play a role in what you hear. Radio broadcasts, especially heard in a car, often have greater compression in the signal, which can make the sounds seem "bigger."
As an indie musician many years ago who funded my own recordings, I got to spend dozens of hours in recording and mastering studios, with audio engineers much more skilled than me (thank goodness for that)!
Record stores are still the best places for music discovery. They play cool stuff. People within earshot talk about cool stuff. You’ll see album art that piques your interest, or be reminded about albums you still need to listen to. You can even ask the workers point blank for recommendations and they will light up. It’s paradise!
I have circled this drain for a few years, asking the same questions. Now, you have answered most of 'em. Except, except, where in a small house would I put the turntable and speakers? But, oh, man, how I am tempted.
My wife and I have taken to listening to an album most nights before we start on dinner. So it provides a little spot in the day where we sit and listen together. We tend to peruse the liner notes and learn things like on the Sonny Rollins that it is one of two albums released from three studio sessions before 2 of the members died in a car accident. It is having the desired effect of improving the quality of my listening so far.
I enjoyed your interview on Apophenia Gold. It helped to affirm my strange position of being a lot libertarian and a bit marxist.
But what I really want to know is… How are you getting on with your record player? I’m thinking of getting one like this but I’m pretty fussy about sound quality, are you happy with it?
Yes, let’s stick to the important stuff- music and listening to it! It’s going well. Our late afternoon practice of sitting down and picking an album to listen to is still going well. We might do less of that when it gets warmer outside. I’ve had some technical problems getting the tone arm balance just right, but I think we’re ok. A surprise is I actually find new stuff to listen to that is really good when I find an old album in a store that the algorithms or my own choosing hadn’t gotten me around to on Spotify yet, so the limitation has actually lead to some expansion, not just contraction. Some of the album prices are prohibitive, but I also find good stuff under $5, so that is all over the place.
Listening to records feels like a treat. I love our old scratchy player...and it's not quite analog, but retro: I'm trying to figure out how to take our house back to ethernet and off wi-fi.
This was an enjoyable post and one which I can relate to. Though I don’t listen to much music, I do like and enjoy photography, so nice hardback books full of photographs by legendary photographers - nothing like slowly reading the text and going through the journey. It’s the same with my picture taking - most often it’s Film and I develop my own negatives (used to print in a
Get a clean pressing of Sonny Rollins “Brass/Trio,” put it on that turntable and crank it up - the whole album is brilliant and the first track (“Who Cares”) is one of the best pieces of music ever recorded (imo). The first chord just explodes into you w such energy.
🤣 “No doubt pop music is much more cerebral now with major political messages like singing about our phalluses in Spanish or cultural manifestos manifested as twerking in some new way”
> Supposedly what audiophiles like about vinyl is it has the fullest and warmest tonality as nothing is lost in the process of digitization.
I've encountered the same opinion, but no one ever addresses how much is lost when going from the studio performance to the tape and then the vinyl or cassette.
Analog or digital, you're picking an approximation of the real thing.
Yes. Analog is called that because it presents the true wave form which digital inherently does not because digital operates in a binary way. Think of the smoothness of a sine wave. Compare it to the saw-toothed digital ‘wave’ - - steps (no matter how tiny) are not smooth. This is how i understand why analog has a richer sound.
“Supposedly what audiophiles like about vinyl is it has the fullest and warmest tonality as nothing is lost in the process of digitization. “
Thanks for the more detailed explanation
The "warmth" of analog comes from the fact that the physical media can't practically render silence. There's always a little sonic residue from the inescapable friction of the physical media. In digital, however, the value can be set to zero sound, without any residue. The zero or near-zero value is usually what people describe as sounding "cold" or unnatural.
Of course, the speakers and transmission also play a role in what you hear. Radio broadcasts, especially heard in a car, often have greater compression in the signal, which can make the sounds seem "bigger."
As an indie musician many years ago who funded my own recordings, I got to spend dozens of hours in recording and mastering studios, with audio engineers much more skilled than me (thank goodness for that)!
Zero sound? That never happens in life. Especially at a live music performance.
Record stores are still the best places for music discovery. They play cool stuff. People within earshot talk about cool stuff. You’ll see album art that piques your interest, or be reminded about albums you still need to listen to. You can even ask the workers point blank for recommendations and they will light up. It’s paradise!
One version of Eutopia I think.
Funny comment i overheard years ago in a record shop. One young girl to another, “Gee. Did you know paul McCartney was in another band before Wings?”
Gotta love what happens in a record store. 😍
I have circled this drain for a few years, asking the same questions. Now, you have answered most of 'em. Except, except, where in a small house would I put the turntable and speakers? But, oh, man, how I am tempted.
My wife and I have taken to listening to an album most nights before we start on dinner. So it provides a little spot in the day where we sit and listen together. We tend to peruse the liner notes and learn things like on the Sonny Rollins that it is one of two albums released from three studio sessions before 2 of the members died in a car accident. It is having the desired effect of improving the quality of my listening so far.
Maybe where the TV is now? 🤠
And, this turntable is a thing of beauty.
I enjoyed your interview on Apophenia Gold. It helped to affirm my strange position of being a lot libertarian and a bit marxist.
But what I really want to know is… How are you getting on with your record player? I’m thinking of getting one like this but I’m pretty fussy about sound quality, are you happy with it?
Yes, let’s stick to the important stuff- music and listening to it! It’s going well. Our late afternoon practice of sitting down and picking an album to listen to is still going well. We might do less of that when it gets warmer outside. I’ve had some technical problems getting the tone arm balance just right, but I think we’re ok. A surprise is I actually find new stuff to listen to that is really good when I find an old album in a store that the algorithms or my own choosing hadn’t gotten me around to on Spotify yet, so the limitation has actually lead to some expansion, not just contraction. Some of the album prices are prohibitive, but I also find good stuff under $5, so that is all over the place.
Ok great, that’s good to know.
Part of the joy of tech that’s been updated is the random vibe generator that is the neighbourhood thrift store.
Listening to records feels like a treat. I love our old scratchy player...and it's not quite analog, but retro: I'm trying to figure out how to take our house back to ethernet and off wi-fi.
We need an Analogue Revolution
Yes, indeed.
This was an enjoyable post and one which I can relate to. Though I don’t listen to much music, I do like and enjoy photography, so nice hardback books full of photographs by legendary photographers - nothing like slowly reading the text and going through the journey. It’s the same with my picture taking - most often it’s Film and I develop my own negatives (used to print in a
Darkroom I had in a spare room)
Get a clean pressing of Sonny Rollins “Brass/Trio,” put it on that turntable and crank it up - the whole album is brilliant and the first track (“Who Cares”) is one of the best pieces of music ever recorded (imo). The first chord just explodes into you w such energy.
Say it Babba!
🤣 “No doubt pop music is much more cerebral now with major political messages like singing about our phalluses in Spanish or cultural manifestos manifested as twerking in some new way”
Nailed it!
Gracias.
Agreed!
“I have no idea why the streaming services don’t include a way to pull up the liner notes. “
> Supposedly what audiophiles like about vinyl is it has the fullest and warmest tonality as nothing is lost in the process of digitization.
I've encountered the same opinion, but no one ever addresses how much is lost when going from the studio performance to the tape and then the vinyl or cassette.
Analog or digital, you're picking an approximation of the real thing.
No doubt live performance is best! When it gets warmer, would you come over and do a little backyard concert? I’m not really joking….
If I lived near your Holler, I would!
The Holler is a funny sort of place. Bridges this world and the next and you can get here from most any place just by desiring to be here.
See my comment about wave forms. The difference is palpable to the ears. (Sound is physical)
“humanity is analog,”
Yes indeed!!