Re: [TANGO-L] Tandas at the speed of a mouse click

[Phil Seyer <weddingdj @gmail.com>]

The sound quality may be reduced, but is not necessarily reduced
significantly by using a computer with MP3 files.

But I do hear a difference. In fact, quality MP3 files on my sound
system really sound better than the sound from CDs played on most
professional DJ systems.  How is that possible?  Its due to the
research done by the folks at Bose. The Bose speaker system brings out
the best in whatever recording you have. The sound really rivals live
music even when coming from MP3 files. Of course, the human emotion
and feeling that comes from live music is priceless. (I'm a musician
as well as a DJ so I understand both sides.)

Although quality MP3's are good, whenever possible, though, I import
CDs using Apple's loss-less file compression system.

For more info. on this you may want to see:

        http://www.apple.com/itunes/import.html

Doctor Phil (Phil Seyer, the Dance Lesson DJ)
http://www.DanceLessonDJ.com
http://www.Argentine-tango.com
http://www.LoveMusicLoveDance.com


On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 16:19:41 -0600, Stephen Brown
<Stephen.P.Brown   @dal.frb.org> wrote:
> The use of a computer with MP3 files does make the dj's job easier in some
> respects, but I see two pitfalls.  First, the sound quality is reduced,
> which tends to suck the life out of the music and create less atmopshere.
> Second, the dj composing tandas on the fly is really required to know
> which tangos from a particular orchestra are in the computer, go together
> and what order they ought to be played.
>
> For instance, suppose the dj is putting together a tanda of Pugliese
> instrumentals and has the following files on tap: A Evaristo Carriego, A
> Los Amigos, Arrabal, Boedo, Chique, Derecho Viejo, Don Agustin Bardi, El
> Arranque, El Andariego, El Paladin, El Remate, Emancipacion, La Bordona,
> La Mariposa, La Rayuela, La Tupungatina, La Yumba, Gallo Ciego, Mala
> Estampa, Mala Junta, Nochero Soy, Orgullo Criollo, Para Dos, Pata Ancha,
> Pelele, Raza Criolla, Recuerdo, Tierra Querida, Tinta Roja, Tiny, Yunta de
> Oro.
>
> Which should tracks be put together?
> How about a "La" tanda -- La Bordona, La Mariposa, La Rayuela, La
> Tupungatina, La Yumba?
> How about an "El" tanda -- El Arranque, El Andariego, El Paladin, El
> Remate?
> How about an "A" tanda -- A Evaristo Carriego, A Los Amigos, Arrabal?
> How about an "A,B,C,D" tanda--Arrabal, Boedo, Chique, Derecho Viejo
>
> None of these tandas will work nearly as well in comparison to ones where
> the dj has thought carefully about what works together.  What happens if
> the dj is programming the computer and distracted by someone who wants to
> talk or ask questions?  In short, djs who do a poor job with a computer
> probably are distracted or don't know their music well enough to create
> coherent tandas.  Using preset tandas allows them to determine what goes
> together without distraction or the pressure of time.
>
> A little more about MP3 sound quality:
> Many claim that in a noisy room and the typical sound system at milongas
> and the mediocre sound quality of the original recordings, the loss from
> MP3 files won't be that noticeable.  A few claim that there is no audible
> loss in sound quality.  I wonder what kind hearing people who make such
> statements have.  I find the difference to be quite noticeable.  In
> comparison, to the original CDs, MP3 files of tango music sound suffer
> from a loss in dynamics, sparkle and dimensionality.  You can still hear
> the bump, bump, bump of the rhythm, but what much else of what gives music
> life is lost.
>
> With best wishes for 2005!
> Steve (de Tejas)
>
> Stephen Brown
> Tango Argentino de Tejas
> http://www.tejastango.com/
>