Audio and Marketing Fun

[filkertom]

Okay, we're all going to become a little more expert at audio codecs today.

I'm looking at increasing the bitrate for downloadable MP3s, as some folks have indicated that they'd like the increased fidelity. But several of those same people have put in votes for FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) or Ogg Vorbis formats, having higher fidelity with smaller file sizes. (VBR, variable bit-rate encoding, sounds as if it's too much trouble on both sides to be worth it.)

(I actually can create Ogg Vorbis right now -- Acid Pro and Sound Forge save to that format. And it doesn't look like I'd need much to create FLAC, but you've always known that. ;) WinAmp plays .ogg files out of the box, and .flac files with just a simple plug-in [at the FLAC site].)

So, a little survey here:

1. Dial-up or broadband?
2. Do you purchase, or have you been considering purchasing, download music from Tom Smith Online?
3. What, if any, is your preferred music format for purchased downloads?
4. If MP3, would you pay more for higher-bit-rate MP3s?
5. Would you like the option for multiple audio formats?
6. If so, please indicate all audio formats you would be interested in. The big three here are MP3, OGG, and FLAC, but I'm open to suggestions.
7. I can write AC3 files, which are basically surround sound. Do you have surround sound on your computer, and, if so, would you be interested in that as a download option?

Update: Keep it coming -- this is fun and useful. To clarify a couple of things -- Acid Pro and Sound Forge are Sony/Sonic Foundry's high-end audio programs. Frankly, the best audio software I've ever found. And they happen to not do AAC/MP4. I have other programs that do so, but it's not worth the time, trouble, or results to go back and forth between them -- I'm trying to get the best sound I can here. :)

Comments

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

Dial-up or broadband?
Dial Up at home (Broadband at work downloaded to D: (direct CD!))
Do you purchase, or have you been considering purchasing, download music from Tom Smith Online?
I have, and right fun I get getting the emails with the secure links, although you sort it out quick enough usually!
What, if any, is your preferred music format for purchased downloads?
mp3. And I tend to convert those to standard CD format for playing
If MP3, would you pay more for higher-bit-rate MP3s?
Possibly. The mp3s I've had so far have been OK..with my hearing...
Would you like the option for multiple audio formats?
Uncommitted either way. Can't play ogg.
If so, please indicate all audio formats you would be interested in. The big three here are MP3, OGG, and FLAC, but I'm open to suggestions.
I can write AC3 files, which are basically surround sound. Do you have surround sound on your computer, and, if so, would you be interested in that as a download option
Not really. I'm a traditionalist - I prefer standard CD, vinyl or shellac.