Musicological banter

But ? Is the ?low sound quality of digital a turnoff??

There are two possible answers to this: A ) ?Yes, if by ?turnoff?, you mean ?people are listening to more music than ever before.? (They?re just not paying for it)? or B ) ?Yes, but only because our perception is dead wrong.?

Here?s the reality: Modern digital doesn?t have low sound quality. By any objective standard, it?s actually far better in terms of raw sound quality than vinyl is!

We?re not just talking about CDs here. This statement includes any good resolution downloads or streaming files. The problem is that music marketers have effectively been lying to listeners by telling them that modern digital doesn?t sound good. And we?ve got to stop. Now.

Perception affects enjoyment more than anything else. That?s where the failure is. Right now, by any objective standard, we have the best listening formats and equipment ever made, and at prices that are mind-bogglingly low.

In reality, modern digital actually sounds f*ing great. A 320kbps stream from Spotify, eMusic or MOG sounds indistinguishable from a CD when heard by the ear. This has been confirmed in countless blind tests. Meanwhile, within the spectrum of human hearing, a CD is unquestionably closer to the original master than vinyl is. We can prove that with measurements and we can prove it with listening tests. There is no doubt. Zero.

In terms of raw sound quality, what?s available today is provably higher-fidelity than vinyl, cassette, 8-track, reel-to-reel, wax cylinder, AM/FM radio, and just about any other consumer format ever invented. But we?re failing to tell that story.

At this point, we don?t need to convince the engineers to design better digital. They?ve already done their jobs. The technology is there. Now we?ve gotta do our jobs and convince people to start paying for it again!

Unfortunately, my friend went on to write:

?I?m embarrassed to admit that it has been years since I heard vinyl. That all changed 2 nights ago when I was at a friends house. I was sitting there and noticed the warmth, the sonic space, the timbre of the instruments. It was?sumptuous, sensual, dare I say, intoxicating.?

I believe my friend. Wouldn?t doubt him for a second. But here?s the thing: What really happened was that he sat down and listened to an amazing-sounding recording on a friends? stereo? Which was far better than his own. Of course you?re going to notice new things!

Yes: Great speakers sounds amazing. Hanging out with friends, listening to albums and feeding off of each others? enthusiasm is awesome. No question. These things can make a huge difference in perceived audio quality. Vinyl on the other hand? Not so much.

Don?t get me wrong ? Vinyl can be great. People actually can hear a difference under blind listening conditions. There can even be something so subtly familiar, ?so soft around the edges? about the medium. It?s just that with good vinyl, those differences are not that dramatic at all. And, when we prefer it, it?s because we like the measurably less pristine sound of the format.

It may be counter-intuitive to some vinyl promoters, but pretending that digital can?t sound as good or better than vinyl is a major part of the problem facing musicians today. Not only is it untrue, but it reinforces the backwards notion that today?s recordings just aren?t worth paying for. When we lie to kids and tell them digital is lousy, we?re effectively saying ?that sucks, you don?t have to pay for that garbage.? While in fact, ?that garbage? is among the best we?ve ever had.

The problem of musicians? income in the 21st century is not going to be solved by singing the praises of vinyl. It is going to be solved by developing great streaming services and making sure they pay fair rates. It?s going to be solved by reasonable and effective crackdowns on piracy. And it?s going to be solved by information campaigns that tell people the truth, inspiring them to put value back into the music that is already right there at their fingertips.

That is all that can save musicians. There is no way that vinyl can do it alone.

So spread the truth: If you want sound quality, we?ve got better sound quality today than ever before. If you want convenience and access, that?s here too. If you want low prices, my God are they low. Perhaps too low. If you want physicality and ritual, you can get that too. Buy your CDs, buy your vinyl. As long as you?re buying, those things are not going to go away.

Sidehatch wrote:
Nice article.  I do like a lot of things about vinyl, but I have always thought the 'outstanding sound difference' argument to be a little weak and hipsteresque

In terms of raw sound quality, what?s available today is provably higher-fidelity than vinyl, cassette, 8-track, reel-to-reel, wax cylinder, AM/FM radio, and just about any other consumer format ever invented. But we?re failing to tell that story.

killsaly wrote:
as long as there are things to argue about, there will be arguments.   

I'd much rather listen to a pristine digital file. 

Would you prefer a VHS tape to a DVD?  A cassette tape to a CD? 

People like to inject subjective experiences into the objective vinyl vs digital debate (ie memories of youth and the "ritual" of listening to vinyl). 

if you prefer it, good.  But it doesnt mean it is better. 

Did you read that article?

In terms of raw sound quality, what?s available today is provably higher-fidelity than vinyl, cassette, 8-track, reel-to-reel, wax cylinder, AM/FM radio, and just about any other consumer format ever invented. But we?re failing to tell that story.

kosmo wrote:
So what's the deal with the 96k digital format, haven't had a chance to look into it.  It's something Toad The Wet Sprocket keep touting with their Kickstarter.  It's not a bandcamp providedformat.  And never seen it on offer before.

kosmo wrote:
So what's the deal with the 96k digital format, haven't had a chance to look into it.  It's something Toad The Wet Sprocket keep touting with their Kickstarter.  It's not a bandcamp providedformat.  And never seen it on offer before.

killsaly wrote:
because the quality can be measured, that was the whole point of the article!
;D

I dont just download mp3s for free, i imagine you are making a general statement and hopefully not directing it at me!

I spend LOTS of money on the music industry per year.  Digital, Vinyl, tapes, CDs, concerts, posters, and T Shirts.