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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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