Do you prefer music that has been recorded and mastered in a studio or something that has been recorded in a live environment such as a club or concert hall. Let's assume the quality of the recording is equal and there is nothing distracting or offensive such as background noise or terrible acoustics. Well recorded music is great either way, but all other things equal, which do you prefer?

Cheers,

T Cobe

I use to hate live recording because of all the applause, whistling, and you name it. But as the years have progressed and my system has gotten better, I'm finding the reverse now. Live recordings are more consistent from start to finish as opposed to in-studio recordings which vary from song to song within an album. Have you ever noticed on to many studio albums that the majority of tracks sound great, but a few of the tracks will sound distorted...why is this? Do they think we're a bunch of idiots that can't hear, or is it just a fast way of getting product to market.

I generally prefer stuff recorded in a live performance IF it's done well. There just seems to be something more electric going on with the performer(s) with the performer/audience interaction. Maybe because it draws me in more and makes me feel more like I'm more AT the performance, not just listening.

Rick

I would have always said I prefer studio recordings, BUT these days I prefer concerts. I thought it was because of the surround, but perhaps some of it is because of the added energy of an audience?
Not sure, God Bless,
Wayne

My absolute number one, most preferred way of enjoying music is a Blu-ray A/V of a live concert in full DTS HD Master Audio surround sound, so I can "take in" the visuals of the performer(s), and the audience reacting and interacting, and be immersed in the surround sound. That's as close to being AT a live concert as I know how to get while sitting in my living room.

Rick

Thanks for your thoughts, gentlemen. I have found recently that I enjoy the acoutstics captured on a live recording. I think Rick touched on what I have been feeling. Live recordings seem to take me to the environment in which the recording took place. Additionally, I have found vocals and instruments are better defined in terms of location. Again, it sounds more like an actual performance versus multiple tracks laid on top of each other. I'm sure better studio recordings can achieve similar results but that has not been my recent experience.

I think the quality of the Triton towers really reveal what is in a recording. They are so articulate and detailed that every bit of what was captured during a recording is presented. Recordings that have sounded good on other systems are laid bare in my listening room. It has been a little embarrassing to some of my guests who have brought their favorite music over to demo just to realize that what they thought sounded great was really a mediocre recording.

I think I've also done a pretty good job with room acoustics with the possible exception of bass. This also helps present what was captured in true fashion. If a recording is captured in a highly treated studio, I get almost no ambiance in the music. Some may find this a potential weakness but I believe it is a strength since my room isn't adding much of anything to what is being presented. I think this preserves the integrity of the performance and work of the sound engineers. The downside is that if there is little to no ambiance on the recording, I'm not going to get any at my PLP.

Cheers,

T Cobe