Apple in Talks to Improve Sound Quality of Music Downloads 450
Barence writes "Apple and music labels are reportedly in discussions to raise the audio quality of of the songs they sell to 24-bit. The move could see digital downloads that surpass CD quality, which is recorded at 16 bits at a sample rate of 44.1kHz. It would also provide Apple and the music labels with an opportunity to 'upgrade' people's music collections, raising extra revenue in the process. The big question is whether anyone would even notice the difference between 16-bit and 24-bit files on a portable player, especially with the low-quality earbuds supplied by Apple and other manufacturers. Labels such as Linn Records already sell 'studio master' versions of albums in 24-bit FLAC format, but these are targeted at high-end audio buffs with equipment of a high enough caliber to accentuate the improvement in quality."
Damn (Score:4, Funny)
Re:In other words (Score:5, Funny)
I heard (Score:5, Funny)
Audiophiles listen to stereos. The rest of us listen to music. :)
Rebranding of FLAC (Score:4, Funny)
Apple will of course rebrand FLAC as Apple-FLAC, or AFLAC for short.
well, if you really wanna go pro u need 36 bit (Score:3, Funny)
with an alpha channel
Re:I heard (Score:5, Funny)
A: Only a PHILISTINE would appreciate the punchline with the ATROCIOUS acoustics in here.
Sweet! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Damn (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Not in theory (Score:4, Funny)
There is an easily distinguishable heft and comfort difference when you whip someone with expensive fiber optic, and don't let anyone tell you differently.
Re:Hoopla (Score:5, Funny)
Maximum practical dynamic range of CD: 90dB
Maximum practical dynamic range of 24-bit audio: around 140dB
Dynamic range required for full range live music playback, according to Ampex: 118dB average
Maximum practical dynamic range of high quality studio analog tape: 80dB
Maximum practical dynamic range of studio analog tape in the '60s: ~70dB
Maximum dynamic range of post loudness war recordings: 3 dB
Coming Next: iEars (Score:4, Funny)
This is just a prelude to the new Apple iEars implantable neural audio interface (with full DRM and iAd support) that they're going to sell you so you can fully appreciate this exciting new bandwidth. Then there will be the iEars TruSeven 7.1 channel version, which involves drilling another six holes in your head so you can actually experience BluRay Movies the way that God intended.
The Genius Bar guys can get you set up with an appointment at your nearest AOSC (Apple Outpatient Surgery Center).
G.
Re:In other words (Score:5, Funny)
You will still experience better sound quality with a 16-bit CD than with 24-bit FLAC files.
This is because CDs are recorded and played back with lasers, meaning they are essentially an analog medium, because light is analog.
FLAC files, on the other end, are made of bits - sharp little bastions of absolute certainty, having a value of either or one, with nothing in between.
So, in essence, while CDs are recorded in analog bits, whereas FLAC files are recorded with digital, electronic bits. This means that CDs will sound better, because each bit is closer to the original recording; and, remember, that the whole is even more than the sum of it's bits!
PS: Make sure you orient your Monster Cable wires in the appropriate direction to maximize electron flow! There should be an arrow on the insulation pointing toward the speakers.