Doktor Avalanche
I still don't see the problem, Rap Pro etc handles it for you, when doing imports most software should be able to handle FLAC fine. As to this 'pureity' concept not understandng that at all it's lossless compression. Maybe I should ring up Neil Young... And talk to some audiophile hipsters ;).
You are correct, it's not a big problem alone ... but could be as layers are added, just like cheap cables or an unbalanced patchbay sitting on a hot PA.
And these days most software does, but all should be able to handle flac! lol
And not as an argument brother, just to explain where I'm coming from....
Purity is a concept, and so is lossless..... it is the same thing really, I do however see it as the "bigger picture".
Every compression has some loss, even if it's nominal.
In fact, any duplication has loss right off the bat.... and as a sound-man, we strive to capture the sound as heard.
I either want to preserve as much as possible or tweak it into another being altogether.
"Lossless compression" is a term, much like "light ice cream". lol
A carpenter will tell you a quarter inch on this end could equal a foot at the other, and as a producer I want as much control as I can dig up, whether I'm using a shovel or a toothpick.... every little bit counts, especially when doing a 23 track filmscore vs when I'm playing a 5 piece rock tune.
As a filmmaker, I want a flat lifeless picture style.. no added vibrance or color, that's my job to add.
When I paint, pure color and material, and as a musician I want the recording fast and while I'm in my personal sweet-spot so that is the only time to cut corners ... and any musicians performance comes first, but the rest I can control.
If I strive to keep it pure from the time I create my empty tracks, then it will be purer when it comes time to mix and master.
That way I can add the color and feeling and not have to concentrate on removing and repairing.
It's the same as using buses instead of duplicating track effects etc. ... they both work, but one is a shorter trip than the other.
Flac serves a great purpose, and arguably the next best answer to uncompressed, but it still adds a step even to the best systems.
Audiophiles are on the same tree-branch only because they also invest in high-end gear for their passion, but they sit on another limb than a producer because they want their gear to boost bass freqs etc and give them the best sound, and a $6k set of studio monitors will sound dull to them in comparison.... but that's what I need to work.... no added flavor.
I won't speak for Mr. Young, but it probably depends on which chair his butt rests at the time... pre or post.
But have him call me ... he won't return my calls! lol
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