No offense meant to anybody so don’t be hating on me now ....and apologies for veering a bit of topic. Us old pharts do that.
I would love to see a correctly done (good research design) double blind study that tested for discrimination accuracy of those tested regarding:
High quality mp3 vs wav vs etc. Vinyl vs CD vs the best streaming platform $3K speakers vs $500 speakers High end tube amp vs a decent sold state amp
And more...
Good article. I'm surprised CD sales are still that high.
Bud
Caveat 1: I have a huge vinyl collection dating to early Elvis...including the Beatles "Butcher" album - got real lucky with that! All purchased when released. After the advent of CD's they were all relegated to the basement where they remain. I've gone from that vinyl collection to replacing most with CD's to uploading 500 CD's to iTunes to Apple Music.
Caveat 2: I owned some of the best turntables and tube amps. Mostly they too reside in the basement...well I wish all the tube amps did given the market for them now!
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
LOVE playing vinyl. At our local hospital radio station there's over 3000 vinyl LPs. Quality even from the 60s' is incredible. I bought a double vinyl album last year from a friend of mine who recorded his last album on vinyl AND cd. He gave me the cd, but the difference is astonishing. Vinyl for me every time
I still have my vinyl collection (about 1500 albums), but am digitizing them to MP3 (using pretty good software designed for that). It takes a while, but it's a fun hobby. I could probably get a number of them on CD, but I don't like buying the same thing twice, and many are no longer available anyway.
And I never had very good luck trying to listen to my records while driving in the car.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
Matt, Can't speak for John, but I just record the turntable output to PT/RB, then use the PGVinyl tool sparingly (actually a pretty impressive tool once you learn it). And save as Wav.
The PGMusic VinylTool is worth exploring if you want to get your OLD vinyl albums digitized. I have a few hundred and some are definitely collector stuff, but alas I've also abused/wore out many that are no longer available. The PGMusic VinylTool is another hidden tool you already have but may not have tinkered with .. The settings in the image below are my default starting point, like I said; you gotta tinker with it a bit.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Hi all I am a great fan of vinyl, but sadly I sold my last turntable about 15 tears ago for more than I paid for it new back in the HI Fi era. Replaced most of my collection with CDs the balance transferred to high spec cassette tape.
Still miss that sound and the Valve (tube) amps. So much so that as some of you know I have recently bought a class A push pull valve amp for my guitar. Reminds me of those hifi valve amps like the Leak, Quad, Radford, etc. the sound I loved. However I can see how this all happened with the move to music PC based music and software in recent years. With the DAT audio systems and the ill fated minidisk (remember them) sandwiched somewhere along the way.
I love my vinyls and I probably have about 1000, but to be honest, most of my listening to music these days is via streaming... it is just so much more convenient.
Guys, if your Lps are quite crackly, then use Adobe audition ( or even cool edit as it was before.) It's been a fantastic tool for me copying Lps from friends. It REALLY works at taking all the crackles & pops out of a recording. I've even used it for hiss removal from old tapes. This was the software I've used for years for recording vinyl to cds to begin with. Don't have any more to copy now. I've about 10,000 cds on two 64gb sd cards and also backed up on a 1tb ext hd, which I use to take to the studio to do my radio shows.
Yes, I've used Adobe Audition (Cool Edit) for all my stereo editing from more than a decade. But unless you are recording from an amp the turntable is connected to, converting a signal from a turntable requires a preamp and that RIAA emphasis curve. There must be some interface that does it, or else perhaps software.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Originally my goodmans turntable had two phono out sockets, and would connect to my Behringer sound module. At the moment I don't have or need a turntable as I can just record any at the hospital radio studio and take them home to edit.
My Audio Technica turntable has audio outs, which is connected to my mixer and near field monitors, as well as a USB port, which is connected to my computer.
I only convert to a CD songs that I want or need to learn, and that is very rarely.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Some of you mention the RIAA equalization curve. This will need to be dealt with if your pickup is Magnetic, moving coil or moving iron (magnet) like Sure, Ortifon, etc. these will also need a pre amp as the output is low a few mv. The RIAA treatment is included in pre amps made for this purpose, in hi fi amps or can be bought as free standing units to give you an equalized output at a higher level for driving what ever. If you use a magnetic cartridge.
However those using ceramic pick up cartridges, you don’t need to worry about RIAA Eq or preamps. As they are a much higher impendence and output often 100mv to 1volt . The eq is not required because the ceramic element compensates for the recording curve.
This means that if you don’t use RIAA eq when using a magnetic pickup it will sound thin and toppy no bass. Where as a ceramic will give you an already flatter output across the range. Into its correct impedance.
The above all assumes that you are feeding the above cartridges to their correct input impedance, that is :normally 47k moving iron(magnet), Moving coil are often much lower impedance and need to go through a transformer to bring them up to a 47k input. Ceramic cartridges req a much higher impedance 1M to 2M to perform as above.
Strangely, and confusing for some folks if you feed a high impedance ceramic cartridge into a 47k input the mismatch causes its output to not be flat In fact it would be all top and no bass so you can bring it back on line by using RIAA EQ. But you would overload a magnetic cartridge input because of the ceramic cartridge high output
One thing I'm surprised is making a comeback is cassette - more and more independent artists I follow are releasing new projects on cassette tape. Which is strange to me since I have vivid memories of how low quality it sounded.
I do think vinyl is around for the long run. If anything else, the artwork on a record is stunning when you compare it to the tiny little artwork on a cassette or CD case. Between the packaging and vinyl itself, I almost consider it a work of art itself aside from the music.
I had read something about a huge shortage of vinyl pressing equipment and the people who know how to run them. I vaguely remember reading about how records are made as a kid and it's complicated. Here's a good article about it:
One thing I'm surprised is making a comeback is cassette - more and more independent artists I follow are releasing new projects on cassette tape. Which is strange to me since I have vivid memories of how low quality it sounded.
Strangely by the time cassettes came to an end, the high end cassette decks could turn in a good recording. What was not so good were commercial releases of compact cassette recordings, owing to the fact that they often copied for distribution on high speed copiers. As you know to double the speed doubles the frequency so you soon finished up outside the capabilities of the medium and the copies would playback at the correct speed when you played them but lacked in high frequency content. This has always been a problem with any double speed copier for tape systems in general. 15k is 30k at double speed. Real time copy is a much safer bet. Mike
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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