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.