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

[DayLightPix <daylightpix @YAHOO.COM>]

I like to share what I use to preserve sound quality
with my computer setup.

I run a milonga at a place with acoustic-controlled
walls (no echo) and very high-end integrated sound
system (five figures, optical backbone).

Coming from a family with many musicians, I believe
any compromise in sound quality must be avoided.
Sparing no details, I use:


1. CD quality file format: AIFF (windows equivalent is
WAV)

MP3 vs. lossless: compare any compressed music side by
side with the original music using any decent sound
system (NOT the 5 watt speakers that came with your
computer) and you will hear a dramatic difference.

Yes the files are huge, but currently all my music fit
onto an external 250GB  hard drive. External drives up
to 2TB, or 2000GB are currently available on the
market, there is no excuse to go with an inferior
quality file to save room. In addition, almost all
programs play AIFF and WAV files, because this is the
format of the audio CD.


2. Good sound card: I use an external USB solution

Most, if not all computer's factory sound output port
are inadequate for high quality sound output. In the
best case it doesn't transfer the whole frequency
range of the music, in the worst case it produces
interference.


3. Turn off software sound processing (i.e. "sound
enhancer").

Most inexpensive software's enhancing mode assumes
that you are playing the music on inexpensive speakers
and attempt to compensate. It changes the music and
distorts the music, making music lose clarity.

Occasionally, when needed, I do use Volume Adjustment
for individual tracks when they are overall too loud
or too soft.


4. Use good cable: recently upgraded to one that cost
$70.

The difference isn't as profound as MP3 vs. AIFF. In
side by side comparison, the better cable provides
slightly better clarity throughout the sound spectrum.


5. and the standards: Don't forget good amplifier,
good speakers, and good speaker wires. Yes, speaker
wires also makes a difference.

Finally, the most important: I am sure everyone knows
this... No matter how good the equipment is, there is
no replacement for good selection of music.


David Liu
Tango Lounge - Boston milonga on 2nd Fridays
Special anniversary milonga January 14, 2005
www.tangolounge.org

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