Here's a mastering article that's sure to raise a few eyebrows.

[David R. Modny]

I don't know if this one's been posted yet, but I stumbled across it last night. I thought the Bernie Grundman comment was interesting. As far fetched as some of this sounds, I have to confess to *possibly* agreeing with the "different brands of digital media having thier own distinct sound" controversy...even though I'm pretty sure the subject of our forum here doesn't! Maybe, it's the placebo effect...but after an exhausting test of brands, call me crazy, I'm starting to become a believer.

Nonetheless, I'm sure this article will draw a few laughs and comments from the gallery.

http://www.johnvestman.com/digital_myth.htm

[GregM]

Seems like he knows what he's talking about IMHO. Thanks for the link.

[Dave]

Great link! Thanks for posting it.:D

[Paul L.]

This guy's claim that all CDRs sound different is, in my opinion, nonsense. I use Mitsui CDRs because I know Mitsui has good quality control. But not because they impart any special sound of their own--that would be the last thing I would want.

This guy doesn't say how he thinks one CDR is better than another. Does he think, maybe, that one is sweeter, or one is harsher? Come on, let's get real here.

If you want to get really extreme, like these claims that one thing sounds different than another, think about this: Every time you move in your listening room, the sound changes. If you move one inch to your left, or right, or closer, or farther back, higher, lower--the sound changes. Think of the implications of that.

I'd be happy to bet this chap that with his eyes closed he could not tell one brand of CDR from any other brand any better than chance.

[Grant]

I don't care what John Vestman's credentials are, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Audiophile snake-oil and mythology. Only someone who doesn't have a full grasp of digital technology would believe half of what he writes.

Hell, I don't even agree with everything Roger Nichols writes.

[David R. Modny]

The article definitely has some views that one could say are waaayyyy out there!

As far as snake oil goes, and correct me if I'm wrong, I can remember a day in the distant past when you too, Grant (on the BSN board), claimed to be able to hear differences between blank brands! Change of heart? :)

[GregM]

Originally posted by Grant:
>> Only someone who doesn't have a full grasp of digital technology would believe half of what he writes. <<

Don't you mean "only someone who doesn't have blind faith in the marketing hype of digital audio companies. . ."

Look past that hype and you'll see the systems you pledge allegiance to are dropping bits like crazy.

Now place hand over chest: "I pledge allegiance to digital audio, and all the wordlengths for which it stands, one bitstream, indivisible, with interpolation and brickwall filtering for all."

[Grant]

Originally posted by David R. Modny
The article definitely has some views that one could say are waaayyyy out there!

As far as snake oil goes, and correct me if I'm wrong, I can remember a day in the distant past when you too, Grant (on the BSN board), claimed to be able to hear differences between blank brands! Change of heart? :)

Yup. Funny how our desire to believe things leads us to false conclusions.

[Grant]

Originally posted by GregM
Originally posted by Grant:
>> Only someone who doesn't have a full grasp of digital technology would believe half of what he writes. <<

Don't you mean "only someone who doesn't have blind faith in the marketing hype of digital audio companies. . ."

Look past that hype and you'll see the systems you pledge allegiance to are dropping bits like crazy.

Now place hand over chest: "I pledge allegiance to digital audio, and all the wordlengths for which it stands, one bitstream, indivisible, with interpolation and brickwall filtering for all."



I don't have blind faith. I work with digital everyday. No miracle. It's all math. But digital is no better than analog, just different. Gimmie a break!

[SVL]

As for the argument about different sound of different CD-R blanks, there might be something there, but it is much more likely to be a combined effect of blank/burner/system configuration/burning software, rather than just blanks.

Thus, one might say that a specific brand sounds "better" than others - to their ears, and when burned on their system.

[tomcat]

What surely raised my eyebrows is that this guy (as an engineer!) said that Minidisks run at 32 kHz, which is absolutely ********: they run at 44,1 kHz just like CD players.
I was into recording on MD for a few months (they sound ALMOST as good as CDs, at least via a fine external DAC like the Krell Studio), but what I can say is that different MD blanks DO sound different. I don't know but why shouldn't that be also the case with CDRs?
All the best
Thomas

[Beagle]

Hell, I don't even agree with everything Roger Nichols writes I should certainly hope not...

[Michael]

I don't know about sounding different..but..Please explain to me how a certain brand of CDR plays in my TOSH-3109 DVD player when no other brand will? Strange.

[Bill S]

Did anyone read the "Hot CDs Q&A"? I believe that article demonstrates everything that is "wrong" with the way music is mastered for CD these days.

There's just no dynamic range anymore. It seems as if every new CD released today has been compressed and maxed out at 0dB, so it's as LOUD as possible. "Cut it as hot as you can - pump it up - I want it to be hotter than the other cds..." That's what record companies are telling their mastering engineers, according to Vestman, and I don't doubt it.

I recently picked up the Fantasy 20 bit remaster of CCR's Cosmos Factory, and decided to A/B it with the DCC version. While at first listening it sounded better than the DCC, brighter and certainly louder, after adjusting for volume, the Fantasy became more grating and the dynamics felt more squashed. In the end I came to appreciate the DCC version better and realized it had more depth and a more natural sound.

My conclusion: LOUDER :mad: is not better. ;)

[Grant]

Well, that part of what Vestman says IS true. Record companies, and many times the artists demand digital level boosts. The poor mastering engineer just does as he's hired to do. All he can do is recommend things.

Boosting levels isn't always bad. It actually can enchance some types of music, like alternative, grunge, metal, and hip-hop/rap. Weezer's "Pinkerton" is a good example of that. But I don't want to hear it on oldies CDs and that's what's happening.