JAM: April/May 2005 Issue: Hampton's Hot Licks

MP3 - The Fad that Stuck

In early 2000 I had a blast writing the feature story for the February issue of JAM, “MP3 - Internet Audio and the Digital Music Revolution.” In the following issue we did an update and answered some of your questions. The reaction to “this MP3 stuff” was overwhelming. Many of you did not want to believe that another format for music was on the horizon. A lot of people called it a fad. Many musicians didn't want their music “dumbed down” to this level.

About a year later at a KCJA monthly meeting, we did an MP3 vs. CD sound test. We played sound clips in both formats and asked our audience to tell us which was which. Most agreed that they simply could not tell the difference. One person in the audience never missed and proclaimed that he much preferred MP3. He claimed to have extra-sensitive ears and could hear very high pitched sounds. In the MP3 format, to him, there was a high pitched hiss missing. Although I don't have ears like that, I thought that it was very understandable. It is the nature of the MP3 compression methods. Take out the highs and lows that most people cannot hear and you will end up with a file size about 1/10th the size of the CD version.

We denounced file sharing—Napster, Kaaza, and the like. We also predicted tune-at-a-time music distribution. And that is where we are today. I recently downloaded iTunes software and use it as my favorite digital jukebox. I also buy some great jazz via iTunes for a buck a tune. I get the tunes from a CD that I like and leave the rest. iTunes has over a million tunes available online and over 9,000 audio books.

I listen to my MP3 music on my computer, DVD player, home theater system, and on my car stereo. It's nice to have over 100 tunes on one CD. I have not purchased a Walkman-style MP3 player yet but am looking. The iPod is the Caddy and offers 12 continuous hours of playing. They say the iPod will store up to 5,000 tunes. Now, I'm sure they are not talking about the normal jazz tunes which are customarily much longer than those of other genres. Priced at about $300 for the 20-GB hard drive model, iPods are the top of the line. They also support many other music formats (WAV, AAC, AIFF, and more). If you don't care about the other formats, you can buy the Creative Labs NOMAD for around $250 and load up to 670 hours of music. If you want to stay under $100, there are a few models available using flash memory instead of hard drives. All of the above are great for “mobile listening.” Today, with these devices available to you, music is at your fingertips around the clock.

Jazz Hotline - 816-753-JAZZ (5277)

It's time for a reminder to call the Jazz Hotline any time you need to know what's going on in Kansas City jazz this week. Ginney Coleman updates the message every Saturday and includes eight days of events plus special events that are coming later. When you are out and don't have a copy of JAM or access to the Internet to see what's going on where, make sure you have the Jazz Hotline number programmed into your mobile phone.

Eldar

Eldar Djangirov's new CD on the Sony label is out and titled, Eldar . Enough said, but there is more and it is really good. Eldar , with John Patitucci on bass and Todd Strait on drums, is one worth buying before you read the reviews. In Kansas City, we got used to listening to Eldar and walking away shaking our heads, not understanding how such a young artist could continue to get better and better. This recording is evidence that Eldar's musical growth hasn't slowed down yet.

Jazzy Judy

I recently met with our new editor, Judy Katz, and we have had many emails flying back and forth. Opinion: Judy is just what the doctor ordered for JAM ! She brings a lot to our table: a super background in magazine publishing, youthful and fresh ideas, an uncluttered perspective on the KC jazz scene, and most importantly, a burning desire to make JAM the best it can be. She does need a little help. Relatively new to the Kansas City area, Judy needs to meet you—the readers—whether you be musicians, venue operators or jazz fans. She will be out there on the beat. Take a moment to introduce yourself.

--Dean Hampton






	Search our site:		MP3 - The Fad that Stuck In early 2000 I had a blast writing the feature story for the February issue of JAM, “MP3 - Internet Audio and the Digital Music Revolution.” In the following issue we did an update and answered some of your questions. The reaction to “this MP3 stuff” was overwhelming. Many of you did not want to believe that another format for music was on the horizon. A lot of people called it a fad. Many musicians didn't want their music “dumbed down” to this level. About a year later at a KCJA monthly meeting, we did an MP3 vs. CD sound test. We played sound clips in both formats and asked our audience to tell us which was which. Most agreed that they simply could not tell the difference. One person in the audience never missed and proclaimed that he much preferred MP3. He claimed to have extra-sensitive ears and could hear very high pitched sounds. In the MP3 format, to him, there was a high pitched hiss missing. Although I don't have ears like that, I thought that it was very understandable. It is the nature of the MP3 compression methods. Take out the highs and lows that most people cannot hear and you will end up with a file size about 1/10th the size of the CD version. We denounced file sharing—Napster, Kaaza, and the like. We also predicted tune-at-a-time music distribution. And that is where we are today. I recently downloaded iTunes software and use it as my favorite digital jukebox. I also buy some great jazz via iTunes for a buck a tune. I get the tunes from a CD that I like and leave the rest. iTunes has over a million tunes available online and over 9,000 audio books. I listen to my MP3 music on my computer, DVD player, home theater system, and on my car stereo. It's nice to have over 100 tunes on one CD. I have not purchased a Walkman-style MP3 player yet but am looking. The iPod is the Caddy and offers 12 continuous hours of playing. They say the iPod will store up to 5,000 tunes. Now, I'm sure they are not talking about the normal jazz tunes which are customarily much longer than those of other genres. Priced at about $300 for the 20-GB hard drive model, iPods are the top of the line. They also support many other music formats (WAV, AAC, AIFF, and more). If you don't care about the other formats, you can buy the Creative Labs NOMAD for around $250 and load up to 670 hours of music. If you want to stay under $100, there are a few models available using flash memory instead of hard drives. All of the above are great for “mobile listening.” Today, with these devices available to you, music is at your fingertips around the clock. Jazz Hotline - 816-753-JAZZ (5277) It's time for a reminder to call the Jazz Hotline any time you need to know what's going on in Kansas City jazz this week. Ginney Coleman updates the message every Saturday and includes eight days of events plus special events that are coming later. When you are out and don't have a copy of JAM or access to the Internet to see what's going on where, make sure you have the Jazz Hotline number programmed into your mobile phone. Eldar Eldar Djangirov's new CD on the Sony label is out and titled, Eldar . Enough said, but there is more and it is really good. Eldar , with John Patitucci on bass and Todd Strait on drums, is one worth buying before you read the reviews. In Kansas City, we got used to listening to Eldar and walking away shaking our heads, not understanding how such a young artist could continue to get better and better. This recording is evidence that Eldar's musical growth hasn't slowed down yet. Jazzy Judy I recently met with our new editor, Judy Katz, and we have had many emails flying back and forth. Opinion: Judy is just what the doctor ordered for JAM ! She brings a lot to our table: a super background in magazine publishing, youthful and fresh ideas, an uncluttered perspective on the KC jazz scene, and most importantly, a burning desire to make JAM the best it can be. She does need a little help. Relatively new to the Kansas City area, Judy needs to meet you—the readers—whether you be musicians, venue operators or jazz fans. She will be out there on the beat. Take a moment to introduce yourself. --Dean Hampton RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2004. All rights reserved.