furious artisans

Why don't you sell Mp3?

In short, because they sound terrible, yes really!

Mp3 (Lossy) are NOT CD quality, far from it, in fact most Mp3 when played back on quality speakers or headphones have about 1/2 to 3/4 the perceived quality of their CD counterpart. While Mp3 is a fantastic method for compressing audio and especially useful for thenon-entertainment segment, it is no friend to fidelity, thus abad deal for those who truly love music.

Mp3 works  by selectively minimizing the dynamic and harmonic range of the audio. This process takes its toll on already compressed rock and electronic music by smashing the bass into a dull and shallow, submissive 'dud' and squashing the cymbals into a shrilland tinsel 'tit-tat', while voices generally become flat and narrow and less distinguishable from one another. The effect of such degradation is further multiplied with acoustic and classical music due to the inherently greater dynamic and harmonic range of this medium combined with the finer gradations in tonal variety between voices. Ask any classical musician and they will till you that the parameters which give music life beyond all else is dynamics and color (another word for tone). These are precisely the two components which are 'selectively' thrown-away by the Mp3 compression scheme. Perhaps it is no accident that the music industry is suffering from lack-luster enthusiasm.

Should I choose ALAC (Apple Lossless) or FLAC?

If you are using Itunes to manage your music library, ALAC is your best choice.

If you are NOT using Itunes then choose FLAC.

FLAC is open source, consequently it is compatible with the widest variety of software and hardware players. Inthe event that you someday wish to switch to or from Itunes, it is not a problem as both FLAC and ALAC are convertible to and from each other (without loosing your tags) using the excellent Mac-based X Lossless Decoder or by converting to a standard WAV file using your Itunes or FLAC music player or choice.

What is FLAC? 

FLAC is the acronym for Free Lossless Audio Codec. Similar to MP3, FLAC is a compressed audio format. Unlike Mp3, FLAC is NOT lossy, in other words, audio is compressed in FLAC WITHOUT LOSS IN QUALITY. 16bit/44khzFLAC files are the bit-for-bit equivalent to CD quality sound. The compression ratio for FLAC is higher than Mp3 (you can't get somethingfor nothing) and averages between 1/2 to 1/3 the original file size ofthe CD equivalent (600mb is the size for a 60' CD). FLAC files are playable on all computers and many stand-alone devices (see supported devices).

FLAC is the most efficient and widely supported lossless audio codec. Unlike Apple Lossless, it is a non-proprietary, open-source format benefiting in hardware and software support from a plethora of 3rd party developers.

What is a 'Lossless' audio file?

Lossless audio files (such as FLAC, Apple Lossless, Monkey's Audio,Shorten, TTA,  and lossless Windows Media Audio (WMA)) are compressed in size NOT quality

Pro- No loss of fidelity. CD quality or better. Increased dynamic range, spacialization, and harmonic content, smoother sounding, more 'punch, bass, and air', easier on the ears with far less listening fatigue, more emotional power.

Con- File size is larger -so what! Hard-drives are cheaper and bigger every day.

What is a 'Lossy' audio file?

Lossy audio files (such as MP3, Vorbis, lossy Windows Media Audio (WMA) and AAC) are compressed in size AND quality.

Pro- File size is small. Wider compatibility.

Con- Minor to extreme loss of fidelity by selectively removing dynamic-range (that which makes one note louder from another) and frequency content (that which comprises timbre or tonal quality -thus distinguishing the difference between a Steinway vs a Yamaha, a Stratovarius vs a Cremona.) Decreased spacialization (stereo image & sense of depth) sounds flat. Less 'punch, bass, and air', sounds, dull or harsh and has less of an emotional impact.