weaver@silver.DEC (Dave Weaver, DTN 231-7141) (09/27/84)
The request someone made for recording analog data on a laser disc
has already been done, in fact, it was done even before the CD's
hit the streets.
Pioneer has had video laser discs out for a long time. The information
stored on the disc is not digital (although there is talk of adapting
the CD encoding for audio, I'm not sure of the specifics). This is
not only analog sound, but it is also analog video! One problem is
they don't have the dynamic range of beta or VHS hi-fi, let alone the
CD's (this is second hand info, so someone correct me if that statement
is wrong).
I had always thought I would like a laser disc player, but while I
listen to music over and over again, I just can't envision doing the
same thing for movies or even rock videos. It would be nice to have
some soothing videos of ocean or streams as background video for music.
For those who wonder which side of the CD vs analog fence I am on, I
bought a Sony CDP-101 back in October '83 and have had no regrets. I
have bought some dissapointing CD, but I have also bought some fabulous
ones. For those into the "ECM Jazz" mentioned in a previous distribution,
I highly recommend the Windham Hill label. I have all of the Windham Hill
CD's but the 2 latest from George Winston. My favorites are: Alex de Grassi
"Southern Exposure", Michael Hedges (I forget the title), George Winston
"December". However, I like all of them. Note that you will not find
any vocals on the Windham Hill label, I consider them my "mellowing out"
music.
Granted some CD's have higher hiss levels than I would like, but I
find once I start listening to a CD, my mind physco-acoustically tunes
out the hiss. However, My mind can not tune out occasional clicks and
pops from vinyl.
Some other favorite CD's are:
Sheffield Labs - Dave Grussin (I forget the title)
Warner Bros - Grover Washington Jr. "Wine Light"
American Gramaphone - Fresh Aire (volume 1 just labeled "Fresh Aire")
Warner? - Donald Fagan "Night Fly"
Warner Bros Rickie Lee Jones "Rickie Lee Jones"
Denon - J.S. Bach "Concerto's BWV1060 & BWV1044"
Denon - J.S. Bach "Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord"
and of course!
EMI - Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon"
-Dave
decwrl!rhea!silver!weaver