strong@tc.fluke.COM (Norm Strong) (06/06/89)
In article <788@happym.wa.com> irv@happym.UUCP (0000-Irving Wolfe) writes: }It's absolutely a fact. We don't want dynamic range most of the time. It IS }real harmful (not just useless) in background music and car music, and that's }most of my listening and probably the same is true for others. } }If and when I can buy another CD player, you can be darned sure it will be a }model that has adjustable dynamic range (built in variable compression) so I }can have a real concert when I want one, but can have a pleasant experience }the rest of the time too. This question come up frequently. I know of 5 ways to solve this problem: 1. Manually ride the gain control while making your copy. This is the best way, but it requires that you familiarize yourself with the music beforehand. You'll probably need a practice run or two. 2. Buy a professional compander. These sell for at least $500, which generally sinks that idea. 3. Buy a dbx CD player. dbx puts a compander in each of their CD players for just the purpose we're talking about. I know of no other consumer CD player with this feature. 4. Make all your tapes off the FM radio. All FM signals are severely compressed in order to increase the area of signal coverage. (Yuk!) control. This is the method I use. If your CD player has a volume control, turn it up to maximum before making the copy. The VCR will cut the dynamic range by at least 20, probably 40db, and it will sound just fine in your car. The AGC circuit will probably be "blinded" from time to time by tympani and trombones, but nothing's perfect. -- Norm (strong@tc.fluke.com)
bruce@nmsu.edu (Bruce Rowen) (06/07/89)
I agree that wide dynamics can be a pain sometimes. I have the dbx DX5 CD player with the compression circuitry and find this the greatest thing since sliced bread. I use it extensively for background music or car tapes. A friend of mine would like to get the same player for similar purposes, however this model can't be found any more. The only other CD player with a "compander" that I am aware of is a unit made by Sound Craftsman that sells for about $450 mail order. -Bruce -- -Bruce
knudsen@ihlpl.ATT.COM (Knudsen) (06/10/89)
I was lucky enough to get one of those dbx DX-5m CD players with the built-in compressor. Variable, and very effective. It does take out some of the punch and kick of tympani and such, but there is another variable circuit provided to put the punch back in without losing the overall compression. All this is variable, and can be bypassed with a genuine relay. Overall the DX-5 is an excellent CD player. LAcks random play though. Costs $300 - $400. Yes, I bought this particular player just for the compression, for the reasons already cited. Given BSR/ADC/dbx's close working relationships with DAK, maybe DAK will be selling these players off for small change. Can't wait to read Drew Kaplan's purple prose ad -- this guy must have read thru all the Doc Smith "Lensmen" novels in Jr High school. Wow! -- Mike Knudsen Bell Labs(AT&T) att!ihlpl!knudsen knudsen@ihlpl.att.com Round and round the while() loop goes; "Whether it stops," Turing says, "no one knows!"