On Wed, 21 Jun 2000, .. - wrote:
> Does anyone on this list think that, for music created exclusively on
> computers, or even with external equipment (to the tune of synths,
> drum-machines), that pressing the tracks on vinyl preserves sound quality
> that cannot be achieved on compact disc? (dvd audio is another debate)
> To perhaps clairify: if music is CREATED in a digital environment, is there
> any reproduction quality to be gained by mastering it to an analog one?
> This dilemma wouldn't exist in traditional live music as the original sounds
> are produced in a natural (read: analog) environment.
Good point. Whenever I hear techno heads get into an analog/digital
holy war, I think of a couple of things. First, the music that we make is
usually going to be played off of worn 12"s over big grungy warehouse
systems. Sound fidelity is great, but it's not completely relevant. Also,
99.9% of producers master to DAT or ADAT. There have been several times that
I've heard people ramble about the sonic advantages of vinyl, only to find out
that they're just sending DATs over to the mastering plant.
I think there are two sonic reasons that people stick with wax, aside
from the utilitarian reason that it's better to DJ with. Vinyl is way less
dynamic than digital. In order to have something sound decent, you usually
compress it pretty severely. Super-compressed music sounds great on
a big sound system and moves big quantities of air. That's the story of
Swedish techno eh? Also, vinyl mastering remains a more hand-on and personal
process than digital mastering. The mastering engineers that everyone flocks
to - Ron at NSC, Simon at the Exchange, Stuart at Metropolis, Dubplates and
Mastering - have a personal sonic aesthetic which they add to your tune. That
additional stage can add a lot.
J
