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lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)
28. Shannon's Information Theory, and Nyquist's Sampling Theory can clarify.
Mon Jan 8, 2018, 10:58 AM
Jan 2018

...if you are interested in the math. A carefully sampled digital recording is at least as good as analog. As an engineer and an electronic musician, I use both technologies every day. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Analog is really great for generating the original sound; it never aliases even with complex modulations and distortions applied. It's nice to turn a knob and hear the sound change in a creamy smooth way. On the other hand, digital is great for recording. It has huge dynamic range, and the convenience of nonlinear editing (assembling sounds in a visual way) would be impossible for me to give up.

For me, the reasons I sometimes listen to vinyl are similar to the reasons I roast and grind my own coffee. Sure, it's more effort, but I enjoy the physical connection to the product; the ritual adds to the pleasure. Also, it's fun to dig up some rare oddball in the thrift shop, and hear something that would never be available in digital form.

The answer lies in the difference between analog and digital recordings oberliner Jan 2018 #1
That's a bad answer. Analog recordings aren't capable of "capturing the complete sound wave" either. PoliticAverse Jan 2018 #8
Down with "HowStuffWorks" oberliner Jan 2018 #11
For an alternate comparison see this article... PoliticAverse Jan 2018 #15
Nonsense - neither CDs or LPs are "recordings" hexola Jan 2018 #22
Not to mention many albums are digitally KatyMan Jan 2018 #31
terrible article / question Locrian Jan 2018 #24
Shannon's Information Theory, and Nyquist's Sampling Theory can clarify. lagomorph777 Jan 2018 #28
Need a like button. Good post. NT Adrahil Jan 2018 #34
Yes, the dynamic range is a big argument in favor of digital cemaphonic Jan 2018 #68
Harder to wrap your head around dynamic range being about the quiet stuff... hexola Jan 2018 #71
Have you ever listened to a great album on vinyl? n/t Lucinda Jan 2018 #2
Lots, but it's been decades ago. Nt raccoon Jan 2018 #4
Everytime I think of a vinyl album, I remember blowing my Bose 901's up playing Pink Floyd. Lochloosa Jan 2018 #6
If it had to die at least it went our playing Pink Floyd... Lucinda Jan 2018 #26
You can replace the foam surround on the speakers. lagomorph777 Jan 2018 #32
That was a long time ago. I called Bose, but since they were bought used... Lochloosa Jan 2018 #35
Back in the 70's my dad bought a system with this at the heart; A HERETIC I AM Jan 2018 #48
Have a similar '72/'73 vintage system based on Technics receiver & turntable bigbrother05 Jan 2018 #64
Sansui. Nice. Dave Starsky Jan 2018 #73
Yep. As for my system - it took a pounding from the bass track on Hendrix's 'VooDoo Chile'. jonno99 Jan 2018 #57
What is a MP3? Are they smaller than my CDs? Lochloosa Jan 2018 #3
digital file crazycatlady Jan 2018 #14
for that smooth, snappy sound that only vinyl can provide. Blues Heron Jan 2018 #5
Because I have a huge vinyl record collection and a turntable to play them on? icymist Jan 2018 #7
Because lots of people falsely believe that vinyl is a more 'accurate' sound. Kentonio Jan 2018 #9
I love how vinyl records sound while I'm jogging Orrex Jan 2018 #10
Listening to vinyl while jogging or in the car can introduce distortion... jberryhill Jan 2018 #74
For some its true audiophilia, others are hipsters, others are nostalgic. aikoaiko Jan 2018 #12
Because they think they are getting better sound... TreasonousBastard Jan 2018 #13
There is a slight difference in sound -- vinyl is smoother. But digital often has more clarity. Hoyt Jan 2018 #16
Spotify janterry Jan 2018 #17
I remember paying big money for exboyfil Jan 2018 #18
I listen to both tymorial Jan 2018 #19
LOTS of music only available on vinyl. hexola Jan 2018 #20
To avoid the high-pitched hissing noise of CD's. (nt) Paladin Jan 2018 #21
I collect vinyls of select albums that I really love. phleshdef Jan 2018 #23
Album covers were/are certainly better than tiny CD booklets. n/t PoliticAverse Jan 2018 #29
Not to mention you could actually learn something about the music. klook Jan 2018 #38
Still waiting............ HAB911 Jan 2018 #25
I listen to vinyls or mp3/streaming. vi5 Jan 2018 #27
CD's Are None Of The Sound Quality? ProfessorGAC Jan 2018 #30
None of the sound quality of vinyl.....none of the convenience of mp3's vi5 Jan 2018 #33
Got You! ProfessorGAC Jan 2018 #40
Yes, I should say "my preference" is as opposed to.... vi5 Jan 2018 #44
(In Butthead's Voice): Heh, heh... ProfessorGAC Jan 2018 #61
What do you prefer to cook your food: an oven, or a microwave? nt Dreamer Tatum Jan 2018 #36
Some folks like the feel of Vinyl... Adrahil Jan 2018 #37
well, an MP3 is NOT a "good quality digital file" maxsolomon Jan 2018 #41
FLAC is a compressed version of what's on a CD. hunter Jan 2018 #47
good info maxsolomon Jan 2018 #55
I never said an MP3 was a good quality... Adrahil Jan 2018 #67
320K mp3 is hard to pick out hexola Jan 2018 #72
Because it's fun, it's relatively cheap, and it doesn't hurt anyone maxsolomon Jan 2018 #39
His is why I like vinyl The Genealogist Jan 2018 #60
For the gloriously large cover art... hunter Jan 2018 #42
Google Music in my phone and my Bluetooth speaker is all I need. IluvPitties Jan 2018 #43
i've collected and loved vinyl bdtrppr6 Jan 2018 #45
Because they need to wear their fedora for something obamanut2012 Jan 2018 #46
All of my vinyl LPs warped....I got rid of my collection about 20 years ago. LeftInTX Jan 2018 #49
I hear the jackets are excellent for cleaning weed jmowreader Jan 2018 #50
Dude, are you gonna throw out those seeds? I can plant them ... nt JustABozoOnThisBus Jan 2018 #78
I have a musician friend ismnotwasm Jan 2018 #51
I used to think it was about the sound....now Ferrets are Cool Jan 2018 #52
sadly the millenial vinyl trendoids are playing their vinyl on garbage cheap low quality turntables msongs Jan 2018 #53
I can tell you that nothing on CD (or previously on cassette) can ever match the excitement I felt LisaM Jan 2018 #54
+1. I miss those days! lunamagica Jan 2018 #58
Ha, I was just having this argument with my dad. Initech Jan 2018 #56
Your Dad is correct - always listen to your parents. hexola Jan 2018 #70
I can only assume that people buy and listen to vinyl because they like to. tenderfoot Jan 2018 #59
First thing is to get your hearing checked. FarCenter Jan 2018 #62
For me, it's nostalgia Runningdawg Jan 2018 #63
I have a friend who has become a vinyl fanatic Codeine Jan 2018 #65
resale. i bought a pipe organ album at a rummage sale for 25. 4 disk mills bros i got for free. pansypoo53219 Jan 2018 #66
It baffles my parents Sen. Walter Sobchak Jan 2018 #69
Because you have something to clean your weed on jberryhill Jan 2018 #75
Because buying and NOT listening to them Codeine Jan 2018 #76
I prefer vinyl for home music listening Docreed2003 Jan 2018 #77
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