Musicians check in here. If you play, tell us about it!

[James Hart]

What I hear is that 320kbps is a wast of space and the higher definition result isn't detectable by most people when listening to the MP3.

Constant Bit Rate 320kbps sure... there is LOTS of wasted space, if you are doing that you may as well go lossless with FLAC instead of MP3s. With Variable Bit Rate, 320kbps max is similar file sized to a Constant Bit Rate 128kbps rip but with greatly improved fidelity.

Either way, no my ears cannot hear the difference between anything over 128kbps, but 32gb microSD cards are $20 and 2tb drivers are $100.

[edit]
My wife takes music and rerips it to 96kbps for her portable devices. We can both hear the difference, but she would rather have twice the tunes than better than FM radio sound
[/edit]

 

[Hypnophone]

Geez, here we are in digi-land.
There's no replacement for vinyl.
Well... ya know...
When the digi-audio (ceedee) standard exceeds 44.1kHz sample rate for the pubic, then we'll be happ'n.

 

[DaveP]

I find the lossless compression used by the Windows Media Player to be satisfactory and it's easy to use. It can RIP at 192kbps and I hear tight bass, clear mid range, and clean highs in my Ram pickup with the high end sound system. The speakers are probably not top of the line, but they are good. I have 4 6x9 full range speakers in the Quad Cab doors and two tweeters in the dash for a 6 speaker system. The overall sound produces images where the vocals stand out clearly above the mix, while the low end is tight and clean, and the highs shimmer clearly. I like it. I like to be able to hear fret noise and realistic effects that mimic a live performance.

That said, there are differences in the EQ for some CD's. It depends on the ears of the engineer who did the recording mix, I guess. Some are nice and others are more in the range of flatter response.

 

[James Hart]

I find the lossless compression used by the Windows Media Player to be satisfactory and it's easy to use. It can RIP at 192kbps

192kbps IS Lossy... the WMP Lossless codex and MP3 codex are completely separate things. I used EAC/LAME when I ripped my CD catalog 14 or so years ago. About 8 years ago I bought dBpoweramp which allows me to right click on any media files and convert them... as well as rip from CD. It also allows me to right click any video file and convert it to an audio file.

As far as the EQ statement... there are a many different mastering and engineering variables as there are guitar tones. The biggest issue facing modern music is the push for maximum mix volume. It has completely killed the dynamics of a track.

 

[Pipeous]

the over use of compression has killed dynamics... totally agree

 

[Mac]

I'm more into jammy, skull vibrating stuff live, but I really did get into tool when I saw them several years ago.

Amazing live show. I've seen them 6 times and they never miss!

 

[Mac]

I think I know what you intended... but I have to say, Tool is very complex, with layers of melodies/counter melodies/harmonies. Much more so than other bands within the genre IMHO.

A couple of prime examples:

Tool - Pu.... - YouTube
and
Tool - Wings for Marie (Pt. 1) + 10000 Days (Wings Pt. 2) - YouTube

And even going back to the first LP:

Tool - Flood [HQ/HD] - YouTube

Check those out Dave.

 

[DaveP]

Over compression is one of the ways commercials get around the loudness rules of the FCC. Dynamic range is lost but it reaches the kitchen easily.

 

[DaveP]

192kbps IS Lossy... the WMP Lossless codex and MP3 codex are completely separate things. I used EAC/LAME when I ripped my CD catalog 14 or so years ago. About 8 years ago I bought dBpoweramp which allows me to right click on any media files and convert them... as well as rip from CD. It also allows me to right click any video file and convert it to an audio file.

As far as the EQ statement... there are a many different mastering and engineering variables as there are guitar tones. The biggest issue facing modern music is the push for maximum mix volume. It has completely killed the dynamics of a track.

I probably need to experiment with some other ripping software. Microsoft says that windows 7 incorporates lossless compression, but opinions may vary. I ripped mine on the desktop upstairs that is still running Win XP SP 3, so I probably can do better. That one is on deck for a rebuild when I find the right CPU/Motherboard/video card/memory/Win 7 sale at Newegg or Tiger Direct. That, or a new box that matches my specs, whichever is cheaper. It's an AGP machine running an AMD X2 4200 and no hardware that works on the new machines will transfer over. It's all legacy inside.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...08?msgId=81a774c3-a53d-4a5e-b9b9-65444fee2121

 

[Pipeous]

Well, I have been gigging a lot with different people. Been front man. I auditioned for a new band a couple weeks back and had first rehearsal sunday. Awesome musicians. Band is called Whiskey Priest. I am splitting lead vocals with the one guitar player, bass player sings a couple as well. I play keys on midi guitar, mandolin and when we need a 3rd guitar..

funny after rehearsals I got called to play at a bar. I said I was tired and I could provide some backing instrumental and some harmonies... turned out I had to be lead guitarist and sing about 1/3 of the night. I left my house 10am and got home 12 hrs later. played 6.5 hrs.... so I have taken 3 days off playing for a break lol

 

[DaveP]

Well, I have been gigging a lot with different people. Been front man. I auditioned for a new band a couple weeks back and had first rehearsal sunday. Awesome musicians. Band is called Whiskey Priest. I am splitting lead vocals with the one guitar player, bass player sings a couple as well. I play keys on midi guitar, mandolin and when we need a 3rd guitar..

funny after rehearsals I got called to play at a bar. I said I was tired and I could provide some backing instrumental and some harmonies... turned out I had to be lead guitarist and sing about 1/3 of the night. I left my house 10am and got home 12 hrs later. played 6.5 hrs.... so I have taken 3 days off playing for a break lol

All of that is good experience to have under your belt. I was always happy to be a side man and concentrate on showing up and knowing my material. I sang a lot of harmony and about 5 songs a night solo.

 

[Blueser]

Been playing since I was a kid, I'm now 62. I spent about 25 years on the road doing one-nite stands and house bands...pulling 6 nites a week in juke joints is pure insanity. I was fortunate to work with Sam Carr, Frank Frost & Big Jack Johnson aka The Jellyroll Kings...a humbling learning experience...Sam Carr was Robert Nitehawks son...blues aficionados know whom I speak of...

 

[DaveP]

Been playing since I was a kid, I'm now 62. I spent about 25 years on the road doing one-nite stands and house bands...pulling 6 nites a week in juke joints is pure insanity. I was fortunate to work with Sam Carr, Frank Frost & Big Jack Johnson aka The Jellyroll Kings...a humbling learning experience...Sam Carr was Robert Nitehawks son...blues aficionados know whom I speak of...

Sounds like you lived the Blues Brothers experience for real. The keyboard player in my first band as a teenager got signed up for a year tour with Wilson Picket through Capricorn records. About 6 months into the tour he came down with a severe case of exhaustion, anemia, and complications likely due to underage consumption of alcohol and who knows what else. He spent several days in a hospital when he got home. To hear him talk it was a grueling experience for a 17 year old. They were playing clubs and concert venues across the country during Picketts early years after the first #1 hit started selling.

To my knowledge he never tried that again and was happy to have a day job and a weekend music gig.

 

[nikkysikk]

I've played in dozens of bands that went nowhere. I play too many instruments to name off, but I mostly stick with guitar. Lately I've been in the producing game, working on mixing and mastering for friends and producing electronic dance music.


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[Hypnophone]

Hey there kids! I haven't been here in a while.
...sounds to me like y'all need a good dose of drummage:

 

[Hypnophone]

We lucked into a headline gig at the Kessler in Oak Cliff....
Stevie Ray used to play there...

Yeah, we suck. But we suck with confidence!!!

 

[Pipeous]

Well I never get enough of hearing you guys play PF. Man I am a fan...

 

[Hypnophone]

We appreciate you, Pipeous!
I love BC! It's like Colorado and California combined.
Love the mountains and ocean.

Well I never get enough of hearing you guys play PF. Man I am a fan...

 

[Hypnophone]

 

[Hypnophone]

mmmmmm, Kazumi: