Podcast Tuneup Blog
An Open Letter to Steve Jobs
In the latest November issue of Electronic Musician Magazine, Grammy and Emmy award winning Producer and Engineer Nathaniel Kunkel is commenting on the new iTunes feature called Sound Check, in an Open Letter to Apple’s Steve Jobs . Let me first explain this feature, then on to Nathaniel’s suggestion.
The Sound Check feature evens out the loudness of the various tracks or songs on your iPod. Have you noticed the volume variation from your favorite 80’s songs compared to the latest Metallica album? Big difference, huh? This is because of an ever-increasing trend of putting more “mastering compression” on pop music over the past 10 years to increase the apparent “volume” of the tracks. Actually, this has been going on since The Beatles, but it’s grown waaay worse recently. This is at the sacrifice of the dynamic range of the music. Mastering Compression is not the data-reduction compression that’s associated with mp3’s vs. wave files, but Compression as in “Smoooshing” the loud parts of music to be more in line with the quiet parts of music. If the peaks of all the loud passages are smoooshed, you can raise the overall volume of the track. This is recognized across the board as a bad thing in music production. So why the compression? Music execs want their latest singles to stand out from the pack from the other singles on the airwaves. So if they can make it louder, it stands out more. Same thing is used on TV commercials. Notice how the volume jumps up during the commercials without you changing the volume? This is the same process. So now everybody has to outdo everybody else, ergo there’s NO dynamic range in pop music anymore. IT’S LIKE LISTENING TO MUSIC IN ALL CAPS ALL THE TIME. But your older recordings (that have not been “Digitally Remastered"), and Jazz and classical music have little or NO compression on them at all. So they sound softer than your average modern pop track. iTunes Sound Check evens out the differences in volume so that you are not reaching for the volume control when you’re listening in “random” mode. Cool feature. But this is about implementation.
Kunkel says” the method that is implemented with the current version of itunes penalizes the dynamic recordings by adding gain (volume) and limiting them to match the overly compressed ones.” Kunkel suggests instead that itunes should “turn down the loud tracks to match the average level of the dynamic ones” and that “the average output level...should be dictated by the level of the quietest song in the library”. Then you can just crank up the volume of your ipod and have the same enjoyment of even listening levels, without ruining your older or jazz/classical recordings. Seriously, who wants a SMOOSHED version of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony? Or the 1812 Overture? Kinda looses the shock value, donit?
Kunkel’s suggestion would not be that hard to implement - just put another check box under Sound Check and let you choose the Dynamic Mode—Smoosh, or Just Mellow Out the Volume of the Loud Tracks. “The level information of individual song is already stored in the iTunes library, so it would be really easy to implement”, ads Kunkel. So I say, why not? With iTunes newer Lossless Audio Codec, the iPod can now be considered along with your other hi-fidelity devices in your home. The convenience concept of Sound Check for volume leveling is a great idea, but let’s not alter the original recordings to do so. Or at least give us the option. What do you think? Comments?
The 5D Mark II
Canon has released their newest DSLR the 5D Mark II. My jaw dropped when I saw the features. I was especially excited to see that it shoots HD, yeah that’s right HD Video from a still camera. I couldn’t help but think… hmm, could this be a reasonable option for podcasters, YES! Here is why:
Cost: At $2,699 the camera will compete with cameras at ten times the price. Most of you might be looking at the Canon XH-G1 or the new Panasonic HPX170, costing $6,499, and $5,195 respectively. This camera will blow away the other models in image quality for two primary reasons: The full frame CMOS sensor, and lens quality.
Lenses: The ability to put “L” series glass on this thing makes me salivate. I can’t wait to try my 70-200, 2.8 lens on this puppy and get some series depth of field. To quickly explain Depth of Field, it is simply the ability to select what’s in focus. A “faster” lens or higher aperture setting will allow you to “open up” your lens and the focus range will become very shallow. This puts your subject in focus, and lets the rest blur.
Compact Flash: 32GB Compact Flash Card for $67 vs. low quality DV Tape or a 32GB P2 card… at $1,549! I think I’ll take the CF Cards. Plus I don’t need funky adapters to transfer files… who has a P2 Store handy? For $1,529 more… No Thanks. Pick your favorite hard drive for under $100.
ISO Performance: When Nikon released the D3 I could not believe the sensor performance at the higher ISO settings (3200, 6400, 12,800, 25,600). If the 5D replacement could not match the Nikon, I was considering the switch. From what I have seen, it matches the Nikon, and I hope the video capture will perform well under the higher settings. I can’t wait to test the settings, but so far it looks stunning!
2 in 1: A 21 Megapixel camera comes with it. Yeah, I still can’t believe that it will shoot 1080p, and 21 megapixel still to boot. If you need a quality still camera, you can’t beat this camera. If you don’t have much experience with a DSLR, the learning curve will be fairly steep, but I still recommend the 5D over others.
Bonuses: Sealed Body, Full frame sensor, Integrated Sensor Cleaning.
Concerns: High ISO performance for video, Auto Focus for video, No pro audio.
If I had...
$5000: Body $2,699, 24-70, 2.8 Canon Lens $1,159, Sennheiser ME66/K6 Shotgun Mic Kit, $799, (3)32GB Flash Cards $67, Canon 50mm Lens, $89, Zoom H4 $299.
$4000: Body $2,699, 28-135, Canon Lens $409, RODE NT-1 Shotgun Mic Kit $249, (2)32GB Flash Cards $67, Canon 50mm Lens, $89, Zoom H4 $299.
$3,250: Body $2,699, 32GB Flash Card $67, Canon 50mm Lens, $89, Zoom H4 $299.
NOTE: Redrock Micro has announced a new accessory package for the 5D today!
Want to loan me some cash?
Is advertising the key to success in podcasting?
Are podcasters missing the mark when it come to attracting advertisers?
Apple smartly revises iPhone NDA
Apple has smartly revised the iPhone NDA giving developers greater flexibility in development and sharing of resources. The community has been up in arms over many gaffes over the last few weeks as developers have been turned down over extremely controversial practices. Other developers are peeved about the fashion in which Apple has conducted business over all. The news is welcomed by all but developers are still wary of any last minute strings attached that could still be potentially bothersome as the community seeks greater freedom. Our Take: both sides need to come to the bargaining table and bridge any gasps that remain. The iPhone represents a quantum leap in functionality, usability, and creative expression for both developers and customers. One caution to developers though. Many developers are extremely immature as they seek to dictate their terms. Just remember who spent a small fortune on the R&D to bring us this device. Plus, while the app PodCaster should be allowed to see the light of day in the iTunes Store, we must also be aware of other variable that may inhibit Apple from doing so - namely bandwidth consumption on the AT&T network, etc. Just a thought -
Related Links
CNET
Apple Developer Connection
Conversation with Rob Greelee: Zune Development Team
Microsoft continues to advance the Zune in the marketplace with new versions of the Zune Software and firmware update for both devices. Michael Harper, CEO of Podcast Tune-Up, had the chance to catch up with Rob Greenlee from the Zune Development Team and discuss various aspects of podcasting and Zune. Participate in our knowledge forums concerning the various topics discussed in the phone interview and give feedback. Go now
iPhone App “PodCaster” sends heads spinning in Cupertino
The fact that Apple has now for the second time declined to approve the app “PodCaster” is truly an interesting and appalling chapter in the fortunes of a company that we have all come to respect for promoting podcasting. This latest chapter in smugness is really unbelievable to say the least. Podcasters everywhere are now scratching their heads as to why this small podcast app, among others, is stirring so much angst? Well Apple, the issue is that someone needed to create an app that you have yet to implement even though it has been widely asked for. The iTunes app on the iPhone/Touch should have had the option to subscribe to podcast subscriptions long ago but for some reason has been kept from the masses. Why? Now you decline to let a creative individual take up the slack for your negligence. Come on Apple! Wake up and see what is at stake here. We’re still in a forgiving mood. That can change quickly!
Visit the PodCaster download link
Read the following articles:
iLounge
MacWorld
ValleyWag
BetaNews
