Burning Sounds
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Unassailable logic indeed!
But many folks take it a step too far. Many audiophiles extend the faulty logic called post hoc ergo propter hoc to system design. The logic goes something like this:
If you are to order rank from most to least significant contributor to seated position playback quality, GIGO principle mandates that the order rank descends from electrical outlet to the speakers in a linear way.
From this faulty perspective, it’s easy to blame all system deficiencies on the recording. Afterall, the recording came first in the playback chain; Right??
Agree completely here.....
IMO, it’s alot of excuse making from folks who need to improve their own system playback before criticizing the artists’ work. IMO, the artist is sovereign and it’s the listener’s responsibility to adapt their playback to suit the art.
But what about loud pop music with lots of DR limiting? The answer is to find a playback chain that better compliments such music.
It’s really about the artist and their performance. If you love the music, make it happen.
But not completely here...
As music lovers we can hear through poor recordings and enjoy the essence of the event - this is especially true of live recordings. Poor recordings can be a result of several reasons, whether older technology or other technical issues. Several examples come to mind - The Who Live at Leeds was supposed to be a trial run for a later recording, but the power of that concert was captured brilliantly even if it is not of the highest fidelity.
Lee Perry's Black Ark recordings were all done on a 4 track Akai tape deck that showcases his ability at the mixing desk, but it's hardly high fidelity. It doesn't need to be as his genius (madness ) comes through.
The kind of thing that is unforgivable is typified by the new release of Eva Cassidy's Live at Blues Alley. The original single CD release is a good example of a great concert with pretty decent recording quality. The new extended 2 CD release (with DVD which is great, BTW) has had more compression applied than the original- I wonder who approved that?