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New Standard 50 Track Demo Playlist [link to download]

TheHighContemplator

Active Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
133
Likes
245
Location
Canada
Link to download:
Total edited runtime: 2 hours 40 minutes 5 seconds [approx. 4.5 hours without edits]
Total tracks over 5 minutes: 6
Average runtime of tracks under 5 minutes: 2 minutes 57 seconds
Total size of playlist: 6.55GB
Bit depth and resolution: 16-32bit/44.1-192kHz (I wanted as little compression as possible)

Track list:
[song name, artist name, runtime, bit depth_resolution_bitrate]
01 - Keith don't go - Nils Lofgren 3:53/16_44_1411
02 - Samba Pa Ti - Santana 4:45/32_192_12288
03 - All A Dream - Norah Jones 2:13/24_88_4234
04 - Mercy,Mercy,Mercy - Great Jazz Trio 3:43/24_88_4234
05 - One Love,People Get Ready - Bob Marley 1:53/16_44_1411
06 - Something About the Way You Look Tonight - Elton John 2:39/16_44_1411
07 - Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits 2:30/16_44_1411
08 - Spanish Harlem - Rebecca Pidgeon 1:48/24_88_4234
09 - Back In Black - ACDC 1:53/16_44_1411
10 - Piano Man - Billy Joel 1:58/24_88_4234
11 - Smooth Operator - Sade 2:54/24_96_4608
12 - Seeya - Deadmau5 2:01/16_44_1411
13 - The Chain - Fleetwood Mac 2:44/32_192_12288
14 - Thriller - Michael Jackson 3:13/16_44_1411
15 - Fever - Ray Charles & Natalie Cole 2:41/24_192_9216
16 - Learnin The Blues - Oscar Peterson 2:28/24_192_9216
17 - Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman 1:37/24_48_2304
18 - Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden 2:28/24_96_4608
19 - Hotel California [Intro & Outro] - The Eagles 2:58/32_192_12288
20 - Another Brick In The Wall - Pink Floyd 3:47/16_44_1411
21 - The Lady In Red - Chris De Burgh 2:07/32_192_12288
22 - Baby Come Back - The Players 1:47/32_192_12288
23 - Burbujas de Amor Juan Luis Guerra 2:25/16_44_1411
24 - Bohemian Rhapsody - Finale - Queen 2:51/32_192_12288
25 - One Day In Your Life - Michael Jackson 1:22/32_192_12288
26 - Black Cow - Steely Dan 2:41/32_192_12288
27 - La Vie en Rose (feat. Edith Piaf) 1:52/24_96_4608
28 - Beat It - Michael Jackson 2:28/32_192_12288
29 - Gone Home - Ending - Stevie Ray Vaughan 1:02/32_192_12288
30 - L-O-V-E (Remastered) - Nat King Cole 2:32/24_192_9216
31 - Is This Love - Bob Marley 1:03/16_44_1411
32 - In The Air Tonight - Climax - Phil Collins 2:17/32_192_12288
33 - Money For Nothing - Intro - Dire Straits 1:11/32_192_12288
34 - Money - Pink Floyd 4:34/32_192_12288
35 - Lady - Kenny Rogers 2:34/32_192_12288
36 - Life in the Fast Lane - The Eagles 1:47/32_192_12288
37 - Any Colour You Like - Pink Floyd 3:40/32_192_12288
38 - The Look Of Love - Diana Krall 2:32/24_96_4608
39 - Paranoid Android 2:43/16_44_1411
40 - Free Bird Lynyrd Skynard 4:19/16_44_1411
41 - Eruption - Van Halen 0:45/24_192_9216
42 - Dogs - Pink Floyd 8:12/24_96_4608
43 - Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile) - Santana 5:06/32_192_12288
44m - Fade To Black - Metallica 6:55/16_44_1411
45m - For Whom the Bell Tolls - Metallica 2:30/16_44_1411
46m - Orion - Metallica 8:29/16_44_1411
47m - Ride the Lightning - Metallica 3:03/16_44_1411
48m - Strip The Soul - Porcupine Tree 4:26/16_44_1411
49m - Face Of Melinda - Opeth 7:57/24_96_4608
50m - Ghost Of Perdition - Opeth 10:29/24_96_4608

Hello everyone,

For those who don't know me, my name is David Budo. I have learned so much in the time I've been on this awesome site thanks to the knowledgeable people on here and Amir's awesome reviews. As a thank you, I put together this 50 Track Demo representing all major musical genres [excluding hip hop/rap because I don't like that "music" and it's generally mixed/mastered really poorly]. This list also excludes classical music, as I'm still working on a list just for my favourite genre.

Anyone can borrow these digital files, but you have to give them back when you’re done. I don’t want the studios coming after me, so remember this is a loan. You have a century to return these tracks back to me. I'll be waiting...

So why did I do all of this? My main intention is to setup a standard set of files that everyone can have. I don’t expect anyone to listen for hours every time, but instead pick the ones they liked best, or create a playlist that caters to their guest(s), to use as a test, demo, etc. For example, someone may use Beat it, while another might use Thriller. One says, "I hear this on my system every time I listen to Beat It." The other guy who doesn't use Beat It now has the exact file used and can make a more direct comparison.

If everyone has access to the same files, it reduces the variable of different people listening to different mixes/masters, and can listen to the same tracks used on their own systems to compare. I've heard pretty significant variations on remasters of numerous albums. Pink Floyd (my favourite band), as an example is notorious for this. Sure it's the same music, but the differences are easily audible.

I figured, I didn't want to go too esoteric in my selection, as I find it annoying when reviewers talk about music that maybe them and a handful of other people have heard and often isn't the most appealing. I have found the average person seems to lose interested after a while with these types of tracks.

I realised that most demo lists are cut to go through tracks quickly, which is perfect for blind testing or rapid switching comparisons, but doesn't make for a great listening session. Having made these lists in the past, I know this from experience. With the 50 Track Demo, I cut the music to allow a longer listening session, lower listener strain through reduced repetition, and for an overall fluid experience. I hate having to stop songs part of the way through, but I also don't like abrupt openings/endings [unless the artist intended that]. All but 7 of the tracks have been shortened this way and I tried to pick tracks that would satisfy the largest demographic of people, including women. I figured if guys get their ladies into a listening session, they might get their enthusiasm up to increase the budget on future purchases [not that you all have that issue].

I also maximised amplitudes of all tracks to within 0.0db - 0.5db of clipping using Waveshop. Hopefully, you will be able to set the volume once and forget it.

Here are some feedback questions I wouldn’t mind if anyone answered: 1. Which tracks do you feel would be helpful in gauging your system versus which are fecal matter in that regard? 2. At what level did you listen to the playlist? 3. Are there any tracks you think would be better to replace the ones on there now? 4. Is there another mix/master of any track from my list that you think is better? 5. Are there any issues with any of the tracks that you can hear (distortion, clipping, etc.)? 6. Do you feel this list provides enough material and variation to give you a comprehensive feel for any system you might listen to it on?

***

BONUS: Here is a mix of Pink Floyd's music that I made. I went through their entire discography of digital vinyl rips that I have and cut out all of the musical sections without lyrics. Then I selected only the pieces that produce that "flow state" feeling, which I then mixed into this 1 hour 27 minute piece. Maybe you'll enjoy it.

24 Bit - 96 khz - 4608 kbps - 2.74GB

POST EDITED TO REMOVE LINK to illegal file sharing.

Happy listening!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

johnp98

Active Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2021
Messages
133
Likes
201
Thanks for all the work!
Ill give it a listen and report back (although I am pretty busy currently and then out of town for a while, so it could be a good while).
 
OP
TheHighContemplator

TheHighContemplator

Active Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
133
Likes
245
Location
Canada
Thanks for all the work!
Ill give it a listen and report back (although I am pretty busy currently and then out of town for a while, so it could be a good while).

Cheers! I'm going to add more tracks in the next week or so. People can just borrow what tracks they want. I figured out how to rip the music off of my concert blu rays and DVDs, so I'll be adding some of those.
 

Ata

Senior Member
Forum Donor
Joined
May 6, 2021
Messages
388
Likes
333
Location
Adelaide, Australia
Link to download:
Total edited runtime: 2 hours 40 minutes 5 seconds [approx. 4.5 hours without edits]
Total tracks over 5 minutes: 6
Average runtime of tracks under 5 minutes: 2 minutes 57 seconds
Total size of playlist: 6.55GB
Bit depth and resolution: 16-32bit/44.1-192kHz (I wanted as little compression as possible)

Track list:
[song name, artist name, runtime, bit depth_resolution_bitrate]
01 - Keith don't go - Nils Lofgren 3:53/16_44_1411
02 - Samba Pa Ti - Santana 4:45/32_192_12288
03 - All A Dream - Norah Jones 2:13/24_88_4234
04 - Mercy,Mercy,Mercy - Great Jazz Trio 3:43/24_88_4234
05 - One Love,People Get Ready - Bob Marley 1:53/16_44_1411
06 - Something About the Way You Look Tonight - Elton John 2:39/16_44_1411
07 - Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits 2:30/16_44_1411
08 - Spanish Harlem - Rebecca Pidgeon 1:48/24_88_4234
09 - Back In Black - ACDC 1:53/16_44_1411
10 - Piano Man - Billy Joel 1:58/24_88_4234
11 - Smooth Operator - Sade 2:54/24_96_4608
12 - Seeya - Deadmau5 2:01/16_44_1411
13 - The Chain - Fleetwood Mac 2:44/32_192_12288
14 - Thriller - Michael Jackson 3:13/16_44_1411
15 - Fever - Ray Charles & Natalie Cole 2:41/24_192_9216
16 - Learnin The Blues - Oscar Peterson 2:28/24_192_9216
17 - Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman 1:37/24_48_2304
18 - Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden 2:28/24_96_4608
19 - Hotel California [Intro & Outro] - The Eagles 2:58/32_192_12288
20 - Another Brick In The Wall - Pink Floyd 3:47/16_44_1411
21 - The Lady In Red - Chris De Burgh 2:07/32_192_12288
22 - Baby Come Back - The Players 1:47/32_192_12288
23 - Burbujas de Amor Juan Luis Guerra 2:25/16_44_1411
24 - Bohemian Rhapsody - Finale - Queen 2:51/32_192_12288
25 - One Day In Your Life - Michael Jackson 1:22/32_192_12288
26 - Black Cow - Steely Dan 2:41/32_192_12288
27 - La Vie en Rose (feat. Edith Piaf) 1:52/24_96_4608
28 - Beat It - Michael Jackson 2:28/32_192_12288
29 - Gone Home - Ending - Stevie Ray Vaughan 1:02/32_192_12288
30 - L-O-V-E (Remastered) - Nat King Cole 2:32/24_192_9216
31 - Is This Love - Bob Marley 1:03/16_44_1411
32 - In The Air Tonight - Climax - Phil Collins 2:17/32_192_12288
33 - Money For Nothing - Intro - Dire Straits 1:11/32_192_12288
34 - Money - Pink Floyd 4:34/32_192_12288
35 - Lady - Kenny Rogers 2:34/32_192_12288
36 - Life in the Fast Lane - The Eagles 1:47/32_192_12288
37 - Any Colour You Like - Pink Floyd 3:40/32_192_12288
38 - The Look Of Love - Diana Krall 2:32/24_96_4608
39 - Paranoid Android 2:43/16_44_1411
40 - Free Bird Lynyrd Skynard 4:19/16_44_1411
41 - Eruption - Van Halen 0:45/24_192_9216
42 - Dogs - Pink Floyd 8:12/24_96_4608
43 - Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile) - Santana 5:06/32_192_12288
44m - Fade To Black - Metallica 6:55/16_44_1411
45m - For Whom the Bell Tolls - Metallica 2:30/16_44_1411
46m - Orion - Metallica 8:29/16_44_1411
47m - Ride the Lightning - Metallica 3:03/16_44_1411
48m - Strip The Soul - Porcupine Tree 4:26/16_44_1411
49m - Face Of Melinda - Opeth 7:57/24_96_4608
50m - Ghost Of Perdition - Opeth 10:29/24_96_4608

Hello everyone,

For those who don't know me, my name is David Budo. I have learned so much in the time I've been on this awesome site thanks to the knowledgeable people on here and Amir's awesome reviews. As a thank you, I put together this 50 Track Demo representing all major musical genres [excluding hip hop/rap because I don't like that "music" and it's generally mixed/mastered really poorly]. This list also excludes classical music, as I'm still working on a list just for my favourite genre.

Anyone can borrow these digital files, but you have to give them back when you’re done. I don’t want the studios coming after me, so remember this is a loan. You have a century to return these tracks back to me. I'll be waiting...

So why did I do all of this? My main intention is to setup a standard set of files that everyone can have. I don’t expect anyone to listen for hours every time, but instead pick the ones they liked best, or create a playlist that caters to their guest(s), to use as a test, demo, etc. For example, someone may use Beat it, while another might use Thriller. One says, "I hear this on my system every time I listen to Beat It." The other guy who doesn't use Beat It now has the exact file used and can make a more direct comparison.

If everyone has access to the same files, it reduces the variable of different people listening to different mixes/masters, and can listen to the same tracks used on their own systems to compare. I've heard pretty significant variations on remasters of numerous albums. Pink Floyd (my favourite band), as an example is notorious for this. Sure it's the same music, but the differences are easily audible.

I figured, I didn't want to go too esoteric in my selection, as I find it annoying when reviewers talk about music that maybe them and a handful of other people have heard and often isn't the most appealing. I have found the average person seems to lose interested after a while with these types of tracks.

I realised that most demo lists are cut to go through tracks quickly, which is perfect for blind testing or rapid switching comparisons, but doesn't make for a great listening session. Having made these lists in the past, I know this from experience. With the 50 Track Demo, I cut the music to allow a longer listening session, lower listener strain through reduced repetition, and for an overall fluid experience. I hate having to stop songs part of the way through, but I also don't like abrupt openings/endings [unless the artist intended that]. All but 7 of the tracks have been shortened this way and I tried to pick tracks that would satisfy the largest demographic of people, including women. I figured if guys get their ladies into a listening session, they might get their enthusiasm up to increase the budget on future purchases [not that you all have that issue].

I also maximised amplitudes of all tracks to within 0.0db - 0.5db of clipping using Waveshop. Hopefully, you will be able to set the volume once and forget it.

Here are some feedback questions I wouldn’t mind if anyone answered: 1. Which tracks do you feel would be helpful in gauging your system versus which are fecal matter in that regard? 2. At what level did you listen to the playlist? 3. Are there any tracks you think would be better to replace the ones on there now? 4. Is there another mix/master of any track from my list that you think is better? 5. Are there any issues with any of the tracks that you can hear (distortion, clipping, etc.)? 6. Do you feel this list provides enough material and variation to give you a comprehensive feel for any system you might listen to it on?

***

BONUS: Here is a mix of Pink Floyd's music that I made. I went through their entire discography of digital vinyl rips that I have and cut out all of the musical sections without lyrics. Then I selected only the pieces that produce that "flow state" feeling, which I then mixed into this 1 hour 27 minute piece. Maybe you'll enjoy it.

24 Bit - 96 khz - 4608 kbps - 2.74GB

POST EDITED TO REMOVE LINK to illegal file sharing.

Happy listening!

If you re-share as a playlist on some of the streaming services, that would be the better option. I know I would take it for next time I need to critically evaluate new gear.
 

gsp1971

Senior Member
Forum Donor
Joined
May 26, 2021
Messages
471
Likes
821
Location
Europe
Just leave the tracks posted. People can choose to buy them / stream them or whatever.

Would be good if Amir could contribute to the above list with tracks from his own reference list.
 
OP
TheHighContemplator

TheHighContemplator

Active Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
133
Likes
245
Location
Canada
Hi everyone,

The thing that separates my list from just compiling one on a streaming service is the editing I've done to trim almost 90% of them down, allowing you to listen to more tracks and flow from one to the next with a more natural feel. When I used to demo my various systems in the past, I didn't like having to abruptly stop a track after the part I wanted the someone to hear. With this list I spent a decent amount of time creating, a person can pick out the tracks they find useful and get through the demo faster and with better flow. Unfortunately, I can't post the links here. Sorry everyone and sorry to ASR for any trouble I've caused.
 
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