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Topic Closedthe importance of analog sound in prog
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Hercules View Drop Down
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Points: 7024 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 17 2012 at 15:47
Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

Early Genesis albums are horribly produced - whatever subjective benefit you think there is in analogue it is wasted on those albums. In terms of dynamic range, signal to noise, channel separation and frequency response digital beats analogue every time. If you prefer analogue then that's a different kettle of monkeys altogether but when it comes to attention to detail and hearing things deep in the mix then digital is the best option. For example while Dark Side of the Moon is rightfully held up as the epitome of analogue recording there is far more detail to be heard in the CD remasters than can be heard in the original analogue masters. You may still prefer the analogue versions (and many people do), but that's not because they are superior in any technical sense, it's purely a subjective liking of what you hear.

 
Digital is horribly 2 dimensional and has no front to back imagery. And digital does NOT have a better dynamic range - indeed many recordings are very compressed. And the frequency response on a good vinyl is way beyond the range of human hearing (mine is 32 to 33kHz +/- 3db) so digital offers no advantage that you can actually hear.
 
I use a Pink Triangle Anniversary with an SME V arm and Lyra Lydian cartridge and I don't own a CD player because I couldn't find one to compare with my budget of £10k.
 
The vinyl shows much more detail and tonal accuracy than any CD I've heard. Digital does score on signal to noise and lateral channel separation, but that's no compensation overall.
 
As for the early Genesis albums, Trespass and Nursery Cryme sound like they were recorded in a swimming pool with the water in!
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Points: 28028 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 17 2012 at 14:13

I used to have a vinyl copy of Aphrodites Child 666 album and it was was obviously superior to the CD equivalent that I now listen to although the CD has the same detail.The track that highlights this fact most is Altamont. An absolute monster on Vinyl that just sounds very ordinary on CD. Vinyl gives you more depth and the bass is very different especially. I think for early recordings (ie 1967- 1971) it may well be that you need Vinyl to appreciate the music best but after that the difference probably gets less noticeable I suspect.
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Points: 7264 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 17 2012 at 10:43
Originally posted by pkos76 pkos76 wrote:

as i understand in order to apreciate prog you should pay attension in detail  especially in the techique of the musicians.this detail only analog sound can offer to you.many prog gems like early genesis albums i started to love them when i listened them in vinyl format.i want to know if other proggers of this forum aggree with me   

Good question!  I enjoyed vinyl, but the insistent pops & hiss ruined the aural experience. 

One of my CD treasures is a VERY early CD release of CTTE!  Basically, the label took the actual studio tapes (as Eddie Offord would have heard them) and directly converted these to digital, warts/hiss and all. 

Quite brilliant!  Bruford's drumming (especially his cymbals) REALLY leap out on this one!   Plus, it doesn't have all the "digitally remastered" aspects that I am leery about....who does this re-mastering?  How well did they know the original music? 

The KC re-masters seem fine, but otherwise, I've heard some product that I just don't like.  Plus, the re-releases are jammed with all sorts of "extras" such as studio out-takes etc.  Nice to hear once perhaps, but I don't really need them. 

I'd say that the vinyl of TFTO is superior to my digitally re-mastered set....for some reason, they added all sorts of ambient music before "Revealing Science of God."  Perhaps Yes planned it this way originally, but it is hard to beat the amazing, sudden vocal intro on the original release! 

Oh well, I'm just Grumpy Old Chuck! 


Edited by cstack3 - September 17 2012 at 10:44
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altaeria View Drop Down
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Points: 178 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 17 2012 at 10:15

I prefer the "imperfect" recordings of the classic albums...
because I feel that THAT is exactly what gave each album (and studio) its unique identity.

Modern albums all sound like they were recorded on the same computer...
using the same sterilizing software.. in the same pristine studio environment.

This may not completely be an "analog vs. digital" situation-- but I'm sure it plays a big part.


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Dean View Drop Down
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Points: 37575 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 17 2012 at 09:59

Early Genesis albums are horribly produced - whatever subjective benefit you think there is in analogue it is wasted on those albums. In terms of dynamic range, signal to noise, channel separation and frequency response digital beats analogue every time. If you prefer analogue then that's a different kettle of monkeys altogether but when it comes to attention to detail and hearing things deep in the mix then digital is the best option. For example while Dark Side of the Moon is rightfully held up as the epitome of analogue recording there is far more detail to be heard in the CD remasters than can be heard in the original analogue masters. You may still prefer the analogue versions (and many people do), but that's not because they are superior in any technical sense, it's purely a subjective liking of what you hear.
What?
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Snow Dog View Drop Down
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Points: 32995 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 17 2012 at 07:31
I prefer CD. Always have done, always will.
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pkos76 View Drop Down
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Points: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 17 2012 at 07:17
as i understand in order to apreciate prog you should pay attension in detail  especially in the techique of the musicians.this detail only analog sound can offer to you.many prog gems like early genesis albums i started to love them when i listened them in vinyl format.i want to know if other proggers of this forum aggree with me   
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