The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul

My turntable found its way to my apartment today. As soon as I got it, I opened it up, assembled it, and spun Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" album. I immediately remembered the differences between analog and digital music. Off of vinyl, the music sounds richer, with more vibrancy and more detail. The drawbacks (the static and pop of the dust) were minimal on this particular record, due to it being almost brand new. Just to see if this was a fluke, I then put on Led Zeppelin III, which has seen much more wear and dust than the Black Sabbath LP. The music still sounded great, but the static and pops were more pronounced, and the record did briefly skip a couple of times. The same richness and vibrancy stayed with the music, however. Just to run one more test, I grabbed Led Zeppelin's "Physical Grafitti" and spun both records (yes, it's a double album). Neither of the records were in as bad of shape as Led Zeppelin III, but still weren't as clean and unabused as Heaven and Hell. And they both sounded great.

 

Listening to all of these albums on CD just isn't the same as listening to them from an analog source. I'm sure the mastering may have a bit to do with it (none of my CD versions of these albums are remastered), but there are still obvious differences between the two types of media. I wouldn't necessarily rate one superior over the other, as they both have their place. I won't even try saying that vinyl has as clear of a sound as a CD, because this definitely is not true. But classic rock that originated from the vinyl age just doesn't seem to sound as good in the digital realm.

 

To me, the music from a vinyl record definitely sounds richer than from a CD. The pops and hiss from dust and scratches just give it more character. I think that digital sound is highly overrated. I also prefer to listen to my audio cassettes rather than turn on a CD player. I prefer VHS to DVD. Maybe I'm just weird, but I couldn't care less about the "clean" sound people brag about CDs or the perfect picture and extras on DVDs. I just want a no hassle system that does it right the first time without any complications!

 

<going off on a rant now...>

 

I hate that most CD players make you start at the beginning of a disc each time you play; I have very little time during the day that I can actually listen to music; I don't want to hear the same 3 1/2 songs over and over again. Likewise, I hate the unpredictability of DVD menus; there should be some standard universal menu or at least a button on the remote control that overrides the movie's customized menu. I just want to play the freaking movie; I don't want to have to sort through subtitles, language selections, scene extras, and stupid trivia games! I hate that some DVDs won't let you fast forward through the FBI warning at the beginning. It totally pisses me off that so many DVDs have 10 previews in the first tracks before the movie begins. I paid to see a movie... I think that if they want to include commercial advertisements on my DVD, then the price should be dropped at least 1$ per advertisement. Why should I have to view their stupid commercials and promotions when I've already paid a good 2 hours worth of wages towards a shiny disc with a pretty case? It's not quite like free tv, where the commercials are paying for the time... that's extra dough they're raking in while they still charge me 22 bucks for a disc I'll watch once.

 

</end rant>

 

I admit it, I'm drunk while posting... again. doh!

Vinyl was and will always be king in my eyes(and ears). CDs only better point is the convenience. I don'tmind pops or hiss on vinyl. The richness of sound outweighs that by a long shot.

 

Especially in heavy music like Sabbath or Zeppelin or The Ramones. Even remixed, they just don't sound as good as the vinyl on CD to me.

I'm thinking at least part of the problem stems from the conversion from analog to digital. Most modern music sounds just fine on CD, whereas older music originating from analog masters does not. Many of the remasters that have come out lately (Black Sabbath's Ozzy catalog in particular) have managed to sound a lot better on CD, but even then they still seem to be missing a bit. I'm hoping that the successor to CD is able to better capture the richness of the old analog sources.

Cool to hear! What, no pics?

 

If I don't end up getting a turntable anytime soon (it doesn't look bright anyways) and I can get a replacement in LD format or something other (AND) if you don't already have and want I have some RUSH records and some other 'metal' records from the 80's I've managed to pick up over the past few months in trying to obtain more items for my retro-room.

 

Physical Graffitti is a favorite of mine! I had the double CD version until some KIDS ate the 1st CD (still have the 2nd one in my car).

 

What kind of stereo setup do you have pumping out your jams?

Cool to hear! What, no pics?

 

If I don't end up getting a turntable anytime soon (it doesn't look bright anyways) and I can get a replacement in LD format or something other (AND) if you don't already have and want I have some RUSH records and some other 'metal' records from the 80's I've managed to pick up over the past few months in trying to obtain more items for my retro-room.

 

Physical Graffitti is a favorite of mine! I had the double CD version until some KIDS ate the 1st CD (still have the 2nd one in my car).

 

What kind of stereo setup do you have pumping out your jams?

 

Damn, I never even noticed this reply. I'll definitely want to take you up on your offer of those records. The only Rush album I have right now is 2112, and wouldn't mind having a few more. My stereo setup isn't anything special. It's an AIWA stereo that my parents bought for me several years ago. It does sound pretty damn good though. I'll see about snapping a couple of pictures of my stereo setup and my record collection.

Sorry to necro-post, but this thread reminded me of Super 8. Anyone ever shot real movies? Every once in awhile, I wonder why I bother with shooting on film, when digital is so much cheaper and more convenient. But when I actually thread a movie in my projector (rather than just the viewer), then I remember. There is just something magical about film that is missing with digital and video.