[terrymx]

Wired Science . Video: Audio Files | PBS

This video has listen test with some musicians vs engineers to see if they can tell the difference. Pretty interesting.

 

[JadeEast]

Way too much information missing about what constituted analog and what constituted digital.

 

[ILikeMusic]

<duplicate post>

 

[ILikeMusic]

The analog recording engineer made all the usual arguments but ultimately came off as sounding pretty foolish IMO. But yeah, the whole segment was more 'infotainment' than any kind of scientific test.

 

[royalcrown]

Pretty entertaining video. The test pretty much was what I'd expect, although I'm not sure of the testing conditions so I can't really say it's a valid one. I think the explanation at the end was right on the dot, though - you can simply replicate the so-called "analog sound" using software and have it perceptually indistinguishable.

 

[terrymx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILikeMusic /img/forum/go_quote.gif The analog recording engineer made all the usual arguments but ultimately came off as sounding pretty foolish IMO. But yeah, the whole segment was more 'infotainment' than any kind of scientific test.

I guess you haven't heard some Steve Albini works, some of his analog recording techniques are amazing.

 

[JadeEast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrymx /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess you haven't heard some Steve Albini works, some of his analog recording techniques are amazing.

Not to mention the awesomeness of a man who wears a calculator watch and coveralls.

 

[Arjisme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by royalcrown /img/forum/go_quote.gif The test pretty much was what I'd expect, although I'm not sure of the testing conditions so I can't really say it's a valid one.

My first complaint about the test was they didn't isolate the testees. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, each got hints from the other that something might have changed in the playback whenever the other switched their vote.

 

[ILikeMusic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrymx /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess you haven't heard some Steve Albini works, some of his analog recording techniques are amazing.

I'm not doubting his talent, just his view that even current high-end digital recording equipment somehow can't equal analog.

 

[ph33lix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILikeMusic /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm not doubting his talent, just his view that even current high-end digital recording equipment somehow can't equal analog.

Well, in some aspects, yes. I have a TL Audio PA-1 dual pentode mic pre, I also have access to a studio that has the Focusrite Liquid 4 pre which is the top of the line digital recording interface with numerous famous analog preamp modelling (including the one I have) and emulation.

Using the same mic, gain and recording settings, I sent the 2 seperate voice files to my engineer friend who promptly picked out the real deal from the emulated one.
Even at 192kHz internal sampling, the Liquid 4 pre somehow cannot impart the weight, presence and sheen that tubes can.