Re: [ARSCLIST] Sound card recommendations

[Mike Richter <mrichter@xxxxxxx>]

Charles Lawson wrote:
> steven c <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Keep in mind that when assembling sound recordings intended for the
> > public,
> >
> > about 99.9% of that demographic has no particular interest in the fine
> >
> > points of sound quality/accuracy...
>
>
> This may be true, but it is no reason for us to lower our standards. 
> We're not going to solve the problem by contributing to it.
>
> Chas.

I am struck by the persistence of such a position on this list. It is 
both admirable and questionable. Admirable since it does represent a 
nobility of purpose and a commitment to quality; questionable since it 
neglects real issues of limited resources: time, funds, skills.

Even if those limits were not imposed, the fact that material is being 
created today which requires archiving suggests that the purist approach 
may be impractical; it can lead to preserving less and less of what one 
hopes to retain lthat that that portion will be superbly enshrined.

I say "enshrined" deliberately since it does suggest separation from the 
surrounding masses, isolation from the interests of the overwhelming 
majority. Again, I mean no offense; it is appropriate that treasures be 
protected from contamination. But that isolation may make such 
preservation irrelevant to the many who ultimately determine the 
allocation of resources.

There is an issue of purpose underlying the questions here and I know 
that my own purpose - making a portion of our audio heritage available 
to all - is not that of many in this group. But if I were to work to the 
standards suggested here, I could do only a tiny fraction of what I have 
been able to accomplish. I might do it very well (assuming that I 
acquired the tools and, most important, the skills), but it would be of 
little overall value to my goal.

MIke
--
mrichter@xxxxxxx
http://www.mrichter.com/