Why most recordings sound like crap....

[mrfeedback]

Sorry, no I haven't used any of those.
I get to hear good and bad things about all sorts of things though.
With my mic mods I am finding that the mic pre becomes less mission critical, interestingly.

Eric.

[Brett]

Originally posted by Da5id4Vz
Mr Feedback,

Have you tried the API, GML or Focusright Mic Pre's?
Just curious how youd rate them.

If you can build gear, and want a scorchingly good design, use a VSE RTP3C preamp. Simply remove the RIAA (and maybe volume control) and set the gain at the front end. Amazingly linear, low noise, especially with the MAT02 in the cascode and nowhere near as complicated to build as it looks.

[fdegrove]

Hi,

Do you people have a system high enough in resolution allowing to discern between say, a Neumann mic and an AKG for example?

As far as most recording goes I'd advise to opt for KISS as well...

Cheers,

P.S. Just your local blind Shaolin priest talking...nothing to get worried about...

[dkemppai]

Originally posted by grataku
I am convinced that in terms of raw figures the CD is a superior system but the intricacies of the digital combined with the analog world are far beyond the grasp of most, certainly of mine. As a result, the CD system is not properly optimized and the end result suffers, though not very much.

This is a little late...

I believe this to be true also. I have some "Pro Quality" test CD's that I listen to quite often. There is so much more detail and bass that it'll make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Then I pop in a comerically produced CD, and the sound literally hurts my ears.

After designing and building my first true home brew amp, I was dissapointed to find that it sounded terrible... ...that is until a friend gave me the test CD's... ...It was then that I understood what was missing. It was the music, not the amp.

-Dan

/With a bad amp, everything sound the same. It takes a good amp to tell the difference between true "Artists" and rest of the "Performers".

[grataku]

Originally posted by fdegrove
Hi,


P.S. Just your local blind Shaolin priest talking...nothing to get worried about...

You crack me up! lol

Do you people have a system high enough in resolution ....

I will, as soon as I build your ultimate preamp, right? RIGHT??
Surprisingly enough I found that I have most of the parts in the house.

[Gregm]

Do you people have a system high enough in resolution allowing to discern between say, a Neumann mic and an AKG for example?

Hard to tell. Depends a lot on the quality of the cd/LP. Many Neumann recordings seem to have a mid-range "bloom" while some AKG's are somewhat dry -- but reasonably flat, as far as I can (or can't ) tell.

BUT, as Dan (dkemppai) notes, pro-quality cd's are far more agreeable than the standard commercial offerings. This includes certain sheffield labs I've tried. True, the latter originally circulated in vinyl.

This said, I haven't managed to get redbook sound to approach my vinyl. The upper register is particularly irksome: it seems stuck @ around a 12kHz, and won't budge.

Cheers

[audionut]

Where do you get pro quality CD's???

[till]

could anybody put pro audio or reference material as .wav on some webspace? or mail me if not too large ?

[Gregm]

Through mastering or studio professionals, I suppose.
I heard a few through an acquaintance who is a recording engineer & has a (re)mastering lab.
Cheers

[JOE DIRT®]

Originally posted by audionut
Where do you get pro quality CD's???

A company called Mobile Fidelity produces reference CD`s for testing systems....I reccomend them Highly


Cheers!!The DIRT®