高質音檔 vs 實體唱片
上次提到高音質檔案能否在不久的將來取代實體唱片? 大家可能心裏有數，但各位下結論之前，能否分清楚，到底是數位音檔還是高音質音檔有機會取代實體唱片？
有人說，聽數位音樂的，就不會聽實體唱片；聽實體唱片的，亦不會聽數位串流。這是因為聽數位音樂的，主要喜歡其方便丶選擇量多等，而聽實體唱片的，尤其是發燒級丶高音質錄音的實體唱片，主要當然是喜歡其高音效的享受。所以兩者是各有優缺點的，視乎情況的需要。筆者由於本身是發燒唱片監製，數位音樂與實體唱片對我來說是同等重要的。
時至今日，數位音樂的發展已不可同日而語了。近年來，大家可能都試過在YouTube找音樂！然而，在電腦上各媒體找音樂，是否資料正確呢？很多人不會知道，由於版權問題，各媒體發放的數位音檔不一定齊全，資料有些更是錯漏百出！也許你會說，普羅大眾根本不會在乎呢！但實體唱片看來仍有其相當重要的地位。
事實上，高音質檔案的好處，多不勝數，但能否取代實體唱片呢？雖然表面上數據看起來已是毋庸置疑的了，但筆者始終認為，實體唱片到目前為止甚至未來幾十年仍有其存在價值，不應誤認為高音質檔案可以完全取代實體唱片。最簡單的例子是電子書可以在不久的將來完全取代實體書嗎？電子音檔只可看成其中一種方便的format，一種形式，多一種產品給我們選擇罷了。不論實體書或實體唱片，相信仍有其重要及實用價值的，喜歡看書的人，相信大多會愛上其特有的書香；同樣地，喜歡聽實體唱片的發燒友，也必定會喜歡拿在手上的存在質感，尤其是有偶像的親筆簽名的封套呢！或許可以這樣想，打字是不會完全取代寫字的，電腦繪圖與人手繪畫也有其不同的意義。因此，與其說是取代，不如說是轉型會更為適當。
再者，高音質檔案現在一般是 24/96（當然由CD的 16/44.1 升頻至 24/96 不是真正的high resolution高清錄音）， 因此同時要注意的是實體唱片的定義，如果是指CD，compact disc，收錄的音檔是壓縮至 44.1，當然不會比 96 原音檔音質為高！可能實體唱片要 " 轉型 " 為沒有音檔壓縮的載體——例如黑膠唱片。而且，唱片的物料也直接會影響音效的！玩過黑膠唱片的朋友一定會會心微笑！再好再方便的數位音檔，即使是如何高音質、不失真，也絕不能完全取代實體黑膠唱片的。不過，假設你只是需要方便地在電腦旁的speakers擴音喇叭仔一邊工作一邊播點音樂， 16 位原還是 24 位原的音質應該沒有所謂吧？
About Astor
Astor is able to express herself with logical literacy but full of artistic feelings. She acts to record her valuable, interesting and unforgettable experiences during her travel and plans to share with others her instant feelings, thoughtful insights and findings via poems, free verses, prose, narration, reference, etc.
Music, Movie, Musicals and Me
Music and theatre have had a close relationship. Theatre can associate with movie or musical theatre (musicals) and I love both of them. I sing theme songs in some Asian movies, such as“When I Dream” (theme from “Dragon Squad”). It easily recalls people not only from scenes of the movie, but also from memory. I love theme music from movies as well as songs from Musicals, especially Broadway. I remember I have fallen in love with Broadway since I was 12. Musical films characteristically contain elements reminiscent of theatre; performers often sing and dance as if there is a live audience watching. Some musical films were adapted for the stage after their great success, such as “The Wizard of Oz” and“Fame”, while successful musicals also definitely received movie adaptations, i.e. stage-to-film adaptations, such as“Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita”. We can share our moments after all these years by passing through “Over the Rainbow”, “Out Here On My Own”, “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, “You Must Love Me” ……
“Moon River” (theme from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”) has to be selected in my new album "Theatre" although it has been covered by hundreds of artists all over the world. I sing it each time, it seems like a live performance accompanied by the pianist just in front of the audience.
“The Way We Were” (theme from “The Way We Were”) must be selected because it was the song of one of my favorite singers that influences me most, Barbra Streisand, and I won the singing contest with it!
“For All We Know” (theme from “Lovers and OtherStrangers”) was selected, of course, in tribute to my forever idol, the Carpenters.
WORDS from Astor :
I hope all of you would like the presentation of my albums.
Everlasting love dedicated to SUPERSTAR...
My dearest family,
Mom and Dad,
Uncle,
Tony,
Jan.
All the one I love,
Teachers and tutors, who have enlightened me,
All singers and writers of the original songs, especially Karen and Richard Carpenter.
All musicians,
All my fans and friends.
Thanks GOD.
Astor Fong
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