Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site minn-ua.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!burl!hou3c!hocda!houxm!ihnp4!stolaf!umn-cs!minn-ua!dwm From: dwm@minn-ua.UUCP Newsgroups: net.audio Subject: George Winston CD problems. Message-ID: <917@minn-ua.UUCP> Date: Sun, 29-Jan-84 20:59:25 EST Article-I.D.: minn-ua.917 Posted: Sun Jan 29 20:59:25 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 1-Feb-84 01:35:07 EST Organization: Univ. of Minn. Computer Center, Minneapolis Lines: 32 I recently purchased the George Winston album "December" on CD. Although the LP is one of my favorites, I find the CD nearly unlistenable. The CD has these problems: 1) Windham Hill makes masters with 30 ips analog tapes and NO noise reduction. I guess they avoid noise reduction to preserve the tonal purity. The resulting tape hiss is hidden by the backround noise on the LP, but it is extremely noticable and annoying on the CD. I suspect they may have used a 2nd or 3rd generation tape for the CD master which would only make matters worse. 2) Even worse is the actual piano sound (the album is piano solos). The piano on the CD version sounds unpleasant and out of tune. At first I suspected that the analog tape deck may have been running slow when the digital master was made. However, when I play both the CD and LP at the same time and do an A/B compare, I can hear no difference in pitch and the running times are the same (as close as I can tell). 3) With the CD I hear some clunking of the foot pedals which indicates some minor miking problems. Have others noticed this? Can anyone explain point 2. I am not interested in any "I told you so"s from the anti digital people. I plan to only buy LP versions of Windham Hill piano solo recordings. I would like to know other people's experiences of other Windham Hill recordings and other piano solo music on CD's. I think it was Stereo Review which felt that CD were great for piano music because of the total lack of wow and flutter. My experience is that CD are terrible for piano music because it does not need the dynamic range or frequency response of the CD. I own about 25 CD's and most (especially TELARC) sound great. - Don Mears, University of Minnesota Computer Center.