Digital vs. CDs vs. Vinyl

[TheCoolGuy]

this may seem like a duplicate thread, but i realized i'm missing a few crucial options that i left out of the last thread.

if you buy, say, 20 cds a year and only 1 vinyl and that's it, only mark cds because the poll is about what you buy often. also, if you buy only cds/vinyls and then upload the music to your computer, that's considered only cd, not cd and digital. digital only applies if you actually buy the album digitally.

again, sorry for the repeat of a thread.

[Rockbandfan23467]

N B 4 Vinyl pwns all.

[Oscar-Rio]

I buy 5,000 vinyls per year so i marked down Digital...did i do it right?

[TheCoolGuy]

N B 4 Vinyl pwns all.

i'm not sure, i mean vinyls are the best quality but because cds are so much more accessible, organizable, and overall useful they might stand a chance.

@oscar: i almost chuckled but didn't.

[idiotec]

Voted CD and Vinyl

I would have a hard time believing vinyl is still the most popular. Certainly it has seen a strong comeback, but the numbers show downloads and CD's still dominate.



<soapbox>I will stand on my soap box one more time. WTF are vinyls?!?! There is no "s!" Vinyl refers to a format, not an individual record. You don't play a vinyl, and multiple records are not "vinyls." We have had a serious lapse in the English language with this recently.*</soapbox>

[TheCoolGuy]

<soapbox>I will stand on my soap box one more time. WTF are vinyls?!?! There is no "s!" Vinyl refers to a format, not an individual record. You don't play a vinyl, and multiple records are not "vinyls." We have had a serious lapse in the English language with this recently.*</soapbox>

vinyls is more of an abbreviated version of "vinyl record", so to speak. it's pretty obvious that i'm not talking about a vinyl movie.

[idiotec]

vinyls is more of an abbreviated version of "vinyl record", so to speak. it's pretty obvious that i'm not talking about a vinyl movie.
Then it would seem "VR" would be easier :p

"Vinyls" sounds like "waters" or "deers."

[TheClashTheClashTheClash]

CDs and torrenting

[idiotec]

torrenting
I think that would be considered digital. I don't think we need to include whether we steal or purchase the format.

[jgosh]

I believe vinyls are superior solely for nostalgic value, otherwise downloads.

[sonicnerd23]

I buy and rip CDs to my iTunes.

[Mystlyfe77]

Vinyl
CDs (typically ripped to iTunes)
torrenting
direct downloads (blogs, etc.)
sliding scale downloads (communitas media, moshpit tragedy, etc.)

Also, you left off cassettes/tapes. Though I doubt we have anyone into obscure enough punk/crust to really care about much released on tape these days. Well, maybe 'stasis. ;)

[Lameboy19]

Vinyl is cool to have, and make for cool decorations

but I'm still a digital man, mainly due to my disorganized habits

[a21schizoidman]

Vinyls?

are we buying like, gloves or something?

[afterstasis]

Also, you left off cassettes/tapes. Though I doubt we have anyone into obscure enough punk/crust to really care about much released on tape these days. Well, maybe 'stasis. ;)

most of my tapes are either noise/drone or black metal. :p

[TheCoolGuy]

Vinyl is cool to have, and make for cool decorations

but I'm still a digital man, mainly due to my disorganized habits
agreed. i can't really organize vinyl well and don't have enough space.

Vinyls?

are we buying like, gloves or something?

since this is a thread about music, it's obvious we're not talking about vinyl movies or anything, but this made me chuckle.

[a21schizoidman]

since this is a thread about music, it's obvious we're not talking about vinyl movies or anything, but this made me chuckle.

what the hell is a vinyl movie?

[Lameboy19]

what the hell is a vinyl movie?

laserdisc?

[a21schizoidman]

laserdisc?

that's a giant DVD

[Lameboy19]

that's a giant DVD

can't vinyl almost be a giant CD?

almost?

[a21schizoidman]

can't vinyl almost be a giant CD?

almost?

a vinyl record uses a similar philosophy, but, they sound different, work different, are made different, they are really different

[idiotec]

can't vinyl almost be a giant CD?

almost?
No

[General Lein979]

Cd and digital. I don't really see the point of vinyl anymore, it takes up too much space and not convenient. I like being able to switch from beach boy's fun fun fun to Audioslave's doesn't remind me in milliseconds in my itunes/ ipod.

[idiotec]

I don't really see the point of vinyl, it takes up too much space and not convienient

Sound Quality
Album Art
Nostalgia
Albums never released on CD
A gatefold jacket is perfect for deseeding cheep weed

I am sure there are more….

[schmeankman]

Sound Quality
Album Art
Nostalgia
Albums never released on CD
A gatefold jacket is perfect for deseeding cheep weed

I am sure there are more….
Being able to find everything from Talking Heads to John Hurt at prices like two for a quarter?

[clashcityrocker10]

I would love to actually start buying and listening to vinyl records, but I don't have the space for a record player in my room, so I can't. I do, however, buy CDs.

[LegendofRock3021]

I would love to actually start buying and listening to vinyl records, but I don't have the space for a record player in my room, so I can't. I do, however, buy CDs.

I would buy vinyl as well, but I've built up a pretty decent CD collection over the years. So it's not really worth it in that regard even though it would be awesome to experience my music with a record player.

[a21schizoidman]

i've got both a vinyl and CD collection, my CD collection is around 1000 (physical CDs), CDs burned to my computer and downloaded, probably around 2-3 hundred, and tapes (8 track and cassette) come to around 100 total, but i have around 400 vinyl, including LPs, 45s, and a 78

[BuRn7 CaK3]

CD's here.

[macamatic]

Am I the only one who understands that CDs are digital?

Also, the idea that vinyl is higher quality is laughable. You may prefer the sound, but that doesn't make it higher quality.

I prefer CDs because downloaded songs (purchased or otherwise) are always compressed to some extent. Some are higher quality than others, but the point is that you will never beat a CD in quality through conventional means. That said, I listen to them through my computer or iPod.

[idiotec]

Am I the only one who understands that CDs are digital?
I think everyone understands that. "Digital" is referring to the downloaded, physical free version.


Also, the idea that vinyl is higher quality is laughable. You may prefer the sound, but that doesn't make it higher quality.
Have you ever heard both through a high quality stereo? You're right that they are different, and there are times I prefer the CD version of certain albums, but vinyl done right offers the better SQ.


I prefer CDs because downloaded songs (purchased or otherwise) are always compressed to some extent. Some are higher quality than others, but the point is that you will never beat a CD in quality through conventional means.
Not true, there are hirez downloads (96/24 or better) that blow the CD versions away.


That said, I listen to them through my computer or iPod.
Then it doesn't matter anyway, might as well play MP3's :D

[a21schizoidman]

Also, the idea that vinyl is higher quality is laughable. You may prefer the sound, but that doesn't make it higher quality.


i take it you've never hear one then



I prefer CDs because downloaded songs (purchased or otherwise) are always compressed to some extent. Some are higher quality than others, but the point is that you will never beat a CD in quality through conventional means. That said, I listen to them through my computer or iPod.

CDs are compressed too



Have you ever heard both through a high quality stereo? You're right that they are different, and there are times I prefer the CD version of certain albums, but vinyl done right offers the better SQ.


yep, in fact, i even have an 8-track that blows away both vinyl and CD of I Robot, vinyl going through a high-quality stereo will blow damn near anything else, even on high quality equipment, away, although sometimes vinyl has bad pressings too, and they will sound bad

[OldFogey]

CDs are compressed too

Well, technically, they're sampled, not compressed. It does make a difference -- and usually com pressed will be both.


yep, in fact, i even have an 8-track that blows away both vinyl and CD of I Robot, vinyl going through a high-quality stereo will blow damn near anything else, even on high quality equipment, away, although sometimes vinyl has bad pressings too, and they will sound bad

Amen, I've bought some vinyl I was really excited about only to get home and be seriously disappointed.

[a21schizoidman]

Amen, I've bought some vinyl I was really excited about only to get home and be seriously disappointed.

Happened to my dad 3 times with Tubular Bells

[OldFogey]

Happened to my dad 3 times with Tubular Bells

I got bad pressings of Sticky Fingers and Abraxas that really ticked me off.

And guess what, record stores don't take 'em back because "they don't sound as good as they should."

"Are they scratched?" NO
"Cracked?" NO
"Then there's no defect" Are we talking about the record or your customer service policy now?

[a21schizoidman]

I got bad pressings of Sticky Fingers and Abraxas that really ticked me off.

And guess what, record stores don't take 'em back because "they don't sound as good as they should."

"Are they scratched?" NO
"Cracked?" NO
"Then there's no defect" Are we talking about the record or your customer service policy now?

that deserves this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaeCvdZtsgo)

[Razorhoof78]

With the exception of RB DLC, vinyl is the only music I purchase for myself. I'll buy multiple copies of a band's CD at the merch table, but will sell them to local record shops so the band is on the shelves in my area.

[macamatic]

I think everyone understands that. "Digital" is referring to the downloaded, physical free version.
And it's a terrible word to use to describe it. Digital is far too broad a term because it's intended to contrast "analog".


Have you ever heard both through a high quality stereo? You're right that they are different, and there are times I prefer the CD version of certain albums, but vinyl done right offers the better SQ.
I could see this happening if they cut corners on the CD version or if, for whatever reason, the vinyl version wasn't...****, what's that term? Basically many (if not most) new albums are mastered pretty poorly with everything around the same (high) volume, which is great for cheap devices with weak speakers but terrible for quality (when Death Magnetic came out, there was some fuss over the Guitar Hero version being higher quality for this very reason). If the vinyl version had a different master (and I can't imagine why it would in most cases), that could make sense. I'm not saying the actual songs can't be higher quality, you have to understand. My statement was in regard to the format. Digital recordings don't degrade with time or additional wiring, analog recordings do. Ask anybody with a digital stereo if they think their old analog one is better and see what answer you get.


Not true, there are hirez downloads (96/24 or better) that blow the CD versions away.
Hmm, I've never heard of these, actually. That's why I added "through conventional means" to the end; of course higher quality versions exist, but pretty much any download you find (legally or otherwise) will be compressed to some extent.


Then it doesn't matter anyway, might as well play MP3's :DUm, what? Truth be told, most of my music is in MP3 format, but with good enough headphones or speakers (and at a high enough volume) there's definitely a difference.

[DeadPhoenix223]

i've never downloaded a song/

[idiotec]

I could see this happening if they cut corners on the CD version or if, for whatever reason, the vinyl version wasn't...****, what's that term? Basically many (if not most) new albums are mastered pretty poorly with everything around the same (high) volume, which is great for cheap devices with weak speakers but terrible for quality (when Death Magnetic came out, there was some fuss over the Guitar Hero version being higher quality for this very reason). If the vinyl version had a different master (and I can't imagine why it would in most cases), that could make sense. I'm not saying the actual songs can't be higher quality, you have to understand. My statement was in regard to the format. Digital recordings don't degrade with time or additional wiring, analog recordings do. Ask anybody with a digital stereo if they think their old analog one is better and see what answer you get.
The quality of current recordings is a whole other subject, and since most of my music was recorded prior to digital recordings it is fairly moot for me. However, even with today's recordings, the vinyl version is often pressed directly from the hirez digital master and usually suffers from less dynamic compression. Not always the case however.

I have no idea what a digital stereo is :confused:



Um, what? Truth be told, most of my music is in MP3 format, but with good enough headphones or speakers (and at a high enough volume) there's definitely a difference.
My point is simply that many of the differences between the formats takes a fairly resolving system to distinguish them. Something computer speakers or an ipod is not going to do.


I got bad pressings of Sticky Fingers and Abraxas that really ticked me off.

The mofi copy of Abraxas is great. Spendy of course but worth the investment IMO :)

[macamatic]

The quality of current recordings is a whole other subject, and since most of my music was recorded prior to digital recordings it is fairly moot for me. However, even with today's recordings, the vinyl version is often pressed directly from the hirez digital master and usually suffers from less dynamic compression. Not always the case however.
Yeah, that's pretty much what my long-winded paragraph was saying: if the actual data on the vinyl is better, then yes, it's better. However, the CD format is definitely superior in sound quality, ceteris paribus.


I have no idea what a digital stereo is :confused:
I meant stereo system, sorry. Basically, it's a setup (usually for home theaters) where everything is digital. If you've ever heard of an optical audio cable, this is what it's for.


My point is simply that many of the differences between the formats takes a fairly resolving system to distinguish them. Something computer speakers or an ipod is not going to do.
Fair point, but here's what it comes down to: vinyl is less-than-easy to rip (yes, USB vinyl rippers do exist, but they're not as convenient as my existing optical drive) and all the downloads I've seen are of lower quality than the CDs. Ergo, my preferred medium is CDs. That doesn't always happen, which is why I didn't vote, but that's how I prefer it.

[idiotec]

Yeah, that's pretty much what my long-winded paragraph was saying: if the actual data on the vinyl is better, then yes, it's better. However, the CD format is definitely superior in sound quality, ceteris paribus.
But Redbook CD's are not capable of anything more than their standard 16/44.1 bit/sample rate.



I meant stereo system, sorry. Basically, it's a setup (usually for home theaters) where everything is digital. If you've ever heard of an optical audio cable, this is what it's for.
I was being a little sarcastic, my point being you cannot have a 100% digital stereo system. All music begins and ends in the analog domain, first when the instruments are being played, and last when that music is reproduced by the speakers. So on recordings that were made on analog tapes, pressed to vinyl, and then played through a stereo, no conversion is made, it is analog start to finish. That same recording if played through a CD player, is first converted to digital for the CD, and then converted back to analog by the DAC in the stereo.

The analog form is really what gives vinyl its edge in SQ. Sound is a continuous analog wave, digital is always going to be samples of that wave, the number of samples depend on the format. CD's like I mentioned before are sampled 44,100 times per second. Higher resolution formats like SACD are sampled more frequently, but it is never the exact continuous form like it existed in the analog world.



Fair point, but here's what it comes down to: vinyl is less-than-easy to rip (yes, USB vinyl rippers do exist, but they're not as convenient as my existing optical drive) and all the downloads I've seen are of lower quality than the CDs. Ergo, my preferred medium is CDs. That doesn't always happen, which is why I didn't vote, but that's how I prefer it.
I am not going to argue with this, records are definitely not the most convenient format! :) And really, CD's are great in a lot of ways, I have a lot of them and enjoy the hell out of them. Some of them sound really good and it sure is nice sometimes to not have to clean them, flip sides, etc.