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+title = "Audio formats"
+author = ["Michał Sapka"]
+date = 2024-02-26T19:31:00+01:00
+categories = ["blog"]
+draft = false
+weight = 2001
+abstract = "Why I stopped caring and loved the digital files"
++++
+
+I, like many others, like to romanticize useless things.
+One of those things, up to recently, were _Vinyl records_.
+
+> The two things that really drew me to vinyl are the expense and inconvenience.
+>
+> -- unkown, some Reddit most likely
+
+Now, I still fully get why people invest in Vinyl, as those are _sexy_ as hell.
+It is one of the sexiest formats out there.
+The spinning disc certainly does have its magic.
+
+It is also expensive, annoying to use and - as it turns out - dangerous.
+There is a semi-recent vlog about it on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az2czfuiymq).
+
+My collection is very small (less than 20 records) and I currently have no record player.
+But I was planning on investing in having more.
+In hindsight, it was mostly a result to exposure on `/r/jazzvinyl` and similar.
+One of the worst things Reddit did to me, is to convince me to invest is some expensive things i never needed... nor I have a huge joy of having.
+
+But I still refuse to listen to _streaming_.
+Spotify can go destroy itself - like it is doing with music.
+But I still want to enjoy music.
+Where does this leave me?
+
+Files!
+Files are all that matter.
+I can listen to files on my computer, and on the go.
+I can have my files on every machine, I can even get them remotely (using programs like `rsync (1)`).
+And, what is also important, I can play music files inside Emacs.
+
+How do I get them?
+Except of the _alternative means_, there are still legit and good ways to aquire music.
+Contrary to the movie business, which is deep in the DMR hell, music is still _purchbsable_[^fn:1].
+We've got lots of stores selling music files - some so detailed, that only a 75-year-old audiophile can fully appreciate the fidelity[^fn:2].
+
+{{< img-r "23-haul-jan-haul.jpg" >}}
+A small CD haul from last year.
+{{< /img-r >}}
+
+And (up till recently), you could get anything on CDs, and then simply rip it.
+Funny, that CDs cost about the same as they did 30 years ago, at least in Poland.
+I am sure that USA, with their Good Will will get great prices.
+But you can use those CDs after 30 years, without any problems.
+No clicks, pops or speck of dust ruining your audio.
+
+Here comes the great part - there is a _lot_ of music that was never, nor will ever be on streaming services.
+You can get them on CDs and on YouTube[^fn:3] (which is the biggest source of music right now).
+
+We also have great new formats.
+There is FLAC for all you nerds, but almost anyone will be more than happy with an OGG file.
+MP3 is no longer the golden standard.
+
+I am also thinking of the social aspect of music sharing that was completely lost with that autogenerated playlists, but this is an orthogonal subject.
+
+Therefore, I am doubling down on getting my own, local music collection.
+I will not only help to _not_ destroy the environment[^fn:4], but also I will not feed the data-gathering machine[^fn:5], and not kill myself with the pollution.
+I fail to see any downside!
+
+[^fn:1]: Vide my article on [Digital Ownership](https://michal.sapka.me/articles/digital-ownership/).
+[^fn:2]: I get HQ music.
+    I hear no difference, but I get it.
+    But investing into DSP is nothing short of madness.
+    How much drive space do you have?!
+[^fn:3]: Yes, YT is a streaming service.
+    But it's what we call "music streaming", as it's closer to pirate paradise than to a music businessman.
+[^fn:4]: [The Environmental Impact of Cloud Computing](https://brainbaking.com/post/2024/02/the-environmental-impact-of-cloud-computing/)
+[^fn:5]: If I'd want it, I'd rather feed [last.fm.](https://last.fm)
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