Oh boy! It's been a crazy time for me the past few weeks and I'm still trying to get everything back in order. I've got some updates on things we've acquired for this set, but I'll save the specifics for another upcoming post. I'm using this post to give all of you out there a chance to hear what's up with the read-along transfers. Yep....you read correctly; to HEAR what's up with the read-along transfers. So I present to you a SAMPLE .mp3 which has the same section of audio from THE GIFT OF THE MOGWAI presented in 4 different ways. There's a short bit of silence after each sample finishes before the next sample begins.

First, here's the link to download the .mp3 to listen to:

http://rapidshare.com/files/118375275/Gremlins_Read-along_examples.mp3

Below is a brief description of each of the 4 ways the section of audio from THE GIFT OF THE MOGWAI and how it is relevant to the project's developement:

Sample 1) The first transfer that I did with the original set of used read-alongs that I did. This is the unedited version, and you can hear the amount of noise that I was dealing with at the time.

Sample 2) This is the first “clean-up” attempt, and ironically…the best sounding out of all the other various versions I tried. You can still hear a pretty good level of noise in there. I can only attribute it to the fact that the read-along records had been played enough that the grooves have become wider and a bit warped over the various multiple plays. You can hear the SCCCCCCCRRRRRRR sound at a consistent precise moments during playback that you could almost set your watch to.

Sample 3) This is the unedited version of the newer, SEALED read-alongs which had never been played until I made the transfer to the computer. The first thing you’ll notice is that the noise level is between a half and two-thirds LESS than the older, used read-alongs. This also makes the actual recording contained on the records seem louder and clearer right from the get-go.

Sample 4) This is the first “clean-up” of the newer, SEALED read-along transfer. Beyond the initial “needle hitting the record” sound and one other SCCCCCCRRRRR sound (try to find it, it’s hidden well enough the ears almost forgive it). I’m using earphones and the sound is quite direct so I can hear some of the digital clean-up noise as I wear them…but then again since I’ve studied sound production I’m aware that to a degree I’m just being “picky.” How I know it is that I don’t hear the same problem when they come out of my actual speakers.

Please, those of you who have taken time to listen to the samples it would be GREAT to have some feedback to hear what your opinions/comments/suggestion are.