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In Reply to: Re: getting started in computer-based audio posted by fmak on April 13, 2007 at 07:03:30:
Sorry to disagree with you fmak. Why don't you try a Wavelength Crimson and drive it with a MacBook Pro sitting next to you as you listen. You may be surprised.I would agree that sound cards are not the answer. As for problems with USB interfaces, I just don't hear it. Too bad you live in the UK; if you come to Southern CA, I'll be happy to give you a demo. We have nice weather too!
Follow Ups:
You should read up what Gordon now says about PC transport and interfaces.diyhifi.org
One cannot really judge with a tuned system (with valves too) on the merits and demerits of the two kinds of systems. One has to judge them side by side thru the same hardware. I have done so. Have you?
Gordon, I have an IMAC, there is not one software that I would use for serious playback. If you are using Itunes, then you've missed the boat already.
Vincent,If you are just using the iMac output then sure it would suck. You have to use something at least as good as the Lynx card you are using in your Products.
I have a ton of pc's and mac's here. The best PC I have found is a MAC running Bootcamp. I have already specified that this is mainly due to the custom drivers that Apple wrote. The original Bootcamp did not do any better than my Hush or custom PC (runs on batteries no DCDC covertors).
You should really try some better dac connected to your iMac and see if that helps.
I have pretty many customers and so far everyone that has switched from PC to MAC using iTunes has felt that it is a great improvement.
Gordon, I use on the Mac the Echo Audiofire firewire audio interface and the Focusrite Pro Sapphire which is firewire as well. I do not use I'tunes for playback. I spent the money and brought Bias Peak pro 5. Is it overkill, yes, but I would rather have my music played back at pristine quality vs. any commerical software. Take a listen and then you would never mention I'tunes again!
Vincent,I am new to your products. I checked out your site and read about the Revelation Music Studio.
You mentioned that "All software players add their own sonic stamp to the sound through DSP and resampling".
What is Apple specifically doing with their iTunes?
Thank you,
Steve
All consumer music playback software developers use shortcuts and pre-made components to build the software. If you were to develop software for playback correctly, it would cost more than the free they charge for iTunes and Windows Media Player. This is one reason why professional editing and mastering software costs $1,000 or more for a license.The shortcuts that are taken include less than ideal resampling of the data, premade DSP components (for volume control etc.) and algorhythms that are not as accurate as pro editing algorhythms etc.
These add up to a compromise of sound quality compared to what is theoretically possible. Download a demo of some of the quality mastering suites and playback some Wav files and you should hear the difference. Unfortunately iTunes (whether PC or MAC) and Windows Media Player etc. are not ideal players by any means from a sonic perspective.
Which mastering suites or players do you recommend for high quality sonics? I would be interested in downloading demos and trying them out.Thanks in advance!
Here is a link that I think that all of you would enjoy so have fun!
nt
Scab, please do a google search on pro audio editing suites or softwares. You will find an array of them, but a word of caution, they are not user friendly as ITunes, Windows Media player or Foobar. They do have a learning curve. Have Fun and let us know what you hear.
There is always some type of DSP processing going on underneath playback softwares, weather resampling before it gets to the audio device or adding some type of effect filter or a combo of both. These type of programs are not written to preserve the music. As a matter of fact, we have spoken to companies that have written these type of programs and have said that there should be no difference in audio quality, as bits are bits. This statement is absolutely false!
You understand the nature of computer programming. Most people seem to think it creates a perefect magic box!
Poorly written algorithms.
Only true of PC's not macs
J. Gordon Rankin
I am disappointed by the way some make Apple computers better than PC's as this whole myth is absolutely absurb! Even one claiming in a post below that Apple computers are used in 99% of recording studios and that PC software sucks. I don't get it, is this suppose to be about the music and its reproduction or bashing of the computers. Here is an answer that I have found on the great debate:Back in the mid 90's, Macs were dominant in computer assisted recording studios that actually made money. If you did not have one, you were not going to get as much work. That changed dramatically as we rounded the bend into year 2000. Today it is hard to say which is more popular. Your choice as a professional should be influenced by your clients, that is, by your customer base. Today people will be bringing you projects they started at home on their home computers, and if you want the job, you need to be able to cater to them. You might get a Sonar Project or one made in Digital performer. Of course if you have ongoing contracts with clients that are all Mac based, or with a Pro Tools studio, you might get a clue of what they might insist that you have. If you are exclusively Mac based, you'll be scratched off the list by producers that are working on tracks with Fruity Loops or developing a new video game on the PC.
Macs do not "sound better". Nor do PCs. That is another myth. The computer never touches the sound anyway, your audio interface's converters do. Get a RME Fireface for either platform and you have the same, great sound. The math that the CPU uses to execute audio transformations is a function of the application, not the CPU. The plugins and software instruments that affect the sound have nothing to do with platform. Since both machines can use the same hard drives, you won't find a smoking gun in storage either.
I have done some pro audio work... all on the PC, and using an array of tools that one would find hard to find on OSX without lots of $$$.Audio is an area where MACs are strong, as with 2D graphical layout, but I find that on the PC there is just a larger variety of tools... and in every area not relating to those two, the PC wins without question, the audio and graphics are an even tie, with both platforms being about equal. (although I would argue for the PC, since there is just so many more apps)
Besides, today's MACs are on the same hardware that PCs use... the apple fans seem too into what Steve Jobs had for dinner than the fact that apple is less about hardware and more about branding.
just based on my latest findings, etc..........
We absolutely agree with you!!
Thanks for the informative discussion Vincent VRS and Tuckers.
Yes, Frank me boy!
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