Somewhat OT: Music player?
David J. Littleboy
I'd like a music player of some sort, but I don't know what's out there. I
want to rip my CDs to .mp3 files on my peecee, organize them (e.g. into a
file full of Sony Stitt blues, a file full of Grant Green, etc.) and copy
them to the music player and listen to them on headphones on the large
number of long flights I'm going to be making over the next year (completely
destroying my no-car low-carbon footprint claim to fame, sigh).
I don't want something that's going to try to sell me downloadable files.
What do you all recommend for this? It'd be nice if it displayed at least
the file name and supported some sort of reasonable structured file
directory navigation system..
David J. Littleboy
Who is sometimes completely technologically illiterate despite being a
certified* technotronic weenie...
Tokyo, Japan
*: I really do have an MIT comp. sci. degree. Honest...
Claus Rogge
> I
> want to rip my CDs to .mp3 files on my peecee, organize them (e.g. into a
> file full of Sony Stitt blues, a file full of Grant Green, etc.) and copy
> them to the music player
I use iTunes but I don´t have an mp3 player so I don´t know how well
that side of the system works (I burn audio CDs of the stuff). But this
organizing thing works very well ... probably does with all these
programs.
--
Latest record "Know Greed" at the iTunes store:
http://tinyurl.com/57ots3
at cdbaby:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/rogge
Des Higgins
There are tons of cheap low capacity solid state MP3 players that have
come in over the past 12 months. These hold 2GB which is enough for
40-60 cds and are very cheap and tiny so if you want to dip your toes
in the water, that is an easy starting place. The main gripes with
them are cluncky or daft controls or daft ways of loading files. The
simplest way of loading files is to drag folders of MP3s organised by
album, onto the player via a USB port. That is teh low end. These
devices are cheap and tiny.
At the higher end, I have a 6GB iRIVER H10 which is now crowded so I
would like one twice the size. I like the physical interface and
battery life but the inbuilt operating system had some bizarre fixes
and patches you had to hack. I am sure you can now get something with
about 10GB (200-300 cds) and sensible controls etc. for say 200dollars
or less. You need to check some believable review sites.
Then there are a whole pile of shiny machines by a huge computer
company that is a kind of fruit. I hate the bastards because I cannot
play their iTUNEs tunes on my own MP3 player and I refuse to be
bullied into buying one of theirs so knickers to them.
Nice machines though.
Des
andy...@mailinator.com
> I'd like a music player of some sort, but I don't know what's out there. I
> want to rip my CDs to .mp3 files on my peecee, organize them (e.g. into a
> file full of Sony Stitt blues, a file full of Grant Green, etc.) and copy
> them to the music player and listen to them on headphones on the large
> number of long flights I'm going to be making over the next year (completely
> destroying my no-car low-carbon footprint claim to fame, sigh).
>
If you want a "cd ripper"... windows media player will do it and you
can change the format to mp3 rather than wma if you check out the
options on it.
Des Higgins
I use that route (windows media player to rip from CDs and convert to
MP3). It works fine and is fast and simple and it will try to figure
out track names. You have to do the organising yourself using folders
(folder for one artist or band and a folder within that for each album
and the final files as MP3s or WMAs inside each folder). I then just
drag these onto my player.
Des
paul
> I'd like a music player of some sort,
ipods are still the best mp3 player on the market. you don't have to
use itunes (essentially mp3 player software), but it makes things
easier.
>
> I don't want something that's going to try to sell me downloadable files.
check!
>
> What do you all recommend for this? It'd be nice if it displayed at least
> the file name and supported some sort of reasonable structured file
> directory navigation system..
check!
--paul
Gerry
I use iTunes on both platforms though 99% of it is the Mac.
--
Dogmatism kills jazz. Iconoclasm kills rock. Rock dulls scissors.
Derek
rapidly filling it up. 16 gig last check.
cl...@claymoore.com
HI David,
I don't know how much this will help here goes. Two years ago in
preparation for a huge move I transferred ALL my CDs to my computer
using the iTunes system/format. At the time I was using an iPod, my
second since the first one conked out for apparently no reason. When
the second conked out I vowed never to buy another Apple product, but
thus far I've been happy to keep my library together using iTunes. The
problem is the files are in mp4 format, which works on programs such
as Transcribe!, but not on my new(er) mp3 player, a tiny SansDisk
(512k) that I got for @ $30 as I assume it was being discontinued.
So, if I want one of my old CDs to listen to on the SansDisk I first
have to convert the files to mp3s using a freeware program called
Switch. Fortunately that's not as big a deal as it might seem - you
can convert them in batch files if you want - but I also have piles of
music already in mp3 format from emusic and mp3fiesta, so I actually
have way more music I could put on the little dude than I could
possibly ever get to in a lifetime. BTW, 512k is several albums worth
of material, which is more than I can usually handle anyway when I'm
on the move or otherwise trying to jack with a piece of gear. One of
the biggest pains in the ass about having a large storage iPod was
easily finding the stuff. I tried to use it to play examples in a
class I was teaching and ended up spending a lot of class time
spinning the little interface wheel looking for the tunes. Yes,
playlists would have been the way to go.
Anyway, my advice is to buy a SansDisk or other aftermarket player and
save your money for good food when you get to your destination. As
others have mentioned you can use WMP to convert your CDs although I
think it's a cryptic piece of crap. Surely someone has a better
suggestion for another program.
Clay Moore
cl...@claymoore.com
BTW, the SasDisk player I have is this one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BONJXU/ref=dp_cp_ob_title_0. The
reason I say that is it uses AAA batteries, which is very cool, and I
think the newer ones are using specialized batteries, which isn't. At
$19 this is a deal.
Clay
dunlop212
them your CDs on a spool, and send them back on DVDs or usb hard
drive. You can get the tracks back in a lossless format, etc.
Since my cell phone (a palm centro) plays mp3s, I have never been
tempted to buy an mp3 player. Three big advantages:
1. I always have it with me; no extra gadget to carry; no extra
batteries or chargers to deal with.
2. It has a decent speaker, so I don't have to use earphones unless I
want to.
3. It does Internet radio, so basically unlimited content (in addition
to the 6GB SD)
Des Higgins
> reason I say that is it uses AAA batteries, which is very cool, and I
> think the newer ones are using specialized batteries, which isn't. At
> $19 this is a deal.
>
That is a crazy price alright; you cannot go wrong; for 34dollars you
can get the same one with 2GB. That is the kind of format I was
talking about in my reply. That holds maybe 40 CDs.
What I disliked about MP4 was that I was unable to convert them (to
e.g. MP3) when I tried 2 years ago; they had fixed the format to make
it uncrackable. By the sounds of it, you have a converter now.
> Clay- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Kjetil Rossavik
> That is a crazy price alright; you cannot go wrong; for 34dollars you
> can get the same one with 2GB. That is the kind of format I was
> talking about in my reply. That holds maybe 40 CDs.
> What I disliked about MP4 was that I was unable to convert them (to
> e.g. MP3) when I tried 2 years ago; they had fixed the format to make
> it uncrackable. By the sounds of it, you have a converter now.
iTunes can also (and always could) convert. The trick is to go into
options->advanced and change import format to MP3. Then if you right
click on the song there will be a menu option to 'convert to MP3'
KJ.
paul
>
> I don't know how much this will help here goes. Two years ago in
> preparation for a huge move I transferred ALL my CDs to my computer
> using the iTunes system/format.
doesn't help much now, but you can switch the format to mp3 in itunes,
and it will rip all your cds as mp3 instead of mp4.
Chickenhead
It's free and has a LOT of options for quality, error correction, bit rate,
etc.
I don't know if you need lameenc.dll with the newer versions of CDex, but if
you do, let me know and I'll send you the file. You might also need
wnaspi32.dll. Just put both .dll files in your windows/system32 directory
and CDex will find them.
It won't try to sell you any crap and it won't try to take over your
computer. It's the only ripper you need. It's non-spyware, non-adware,
open-source, and free. Way more options than Windows Media Player and most
other rippers. Best of all, unlike iTunes, Windows Media Player, and other
assorted bullshit rippers, it won't commandeer your computer, "organize"
your media files, or send data-mined bits back to NSA and RIAA.
"David J. Littleboy" <dav...@gol.com> wrote in message
news:MfKdnfyHh5hGh7TV...@giganews.com...
David J. Littleboy
"Chickenhead" <kuNOrtSPAMs...@YOUhoVERYtmail.MUCHcom> wrote:
> http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/?q=download
>
> It's free and has a LOT of options for quality, error correction, bit
> rate, etc.
Thanks for the link. A note has been made thereof.
I just found "dBpowerAmp" which seems to be ripping to mp3 just fine.
Finding a portable gizmo is still on the "to do" list. But I need the shelf
space the CDs are taking, and it'll be nice to get the CDs themselves out of
sight.
David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan
David J. Littleboy
"David J. Littleboy" <dav...@gol.com> wrote:
>
> I'd like a music player of some sort, but I don't know what's out there.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I picked up a tiny "Zen stone plus" 2GB turd-shaped usb mp3 player and
filled it full of Sony Stitt*. With a pair of cheap noise cancelling
headphones I'm all set. (Actually, although the headphones are fine as
headphones, their noise cancelling effect is pretty minimal. The US$350 ones
do an amazing job. But I'll live with this setup for a while and see what I
want from a higher end system after some experience.)
* 276 tunes. And I haven't even gotten around to the later period Stitt or
the Stitt/Ammons CDs.
David J. Littleboy
Still stuck on Stitt in
Tokyo, Japan
Gerry
Hate to move it generally back to topic, but which Stitt albums are you
most locked on these days?
David J. Littleboy
"Gerry" <some...@sunny.calif> wrote:
>
> Hate to move it generally back to topic, but which Stitt albums are you
> most locked on these days?
If you can find it, the Verve "Compact Jazz" CD ("Sonny Stitt, The Verve
Years") has 14 drop-dead gorgeous cuts on it. The version of Tune Up on this
CD is beyond wonderful.
Sonnny Side Up, with Stitt, Rollins, and Dizzy is a must have.
"We'll Be Together Again" (Ammons and Stitt) is wonderful.
The 9-CD collection from Mosaic has a lot of excellent stuff on it.
The sound on the 3-CD collection "Stitt's Bits, Bebop Recordings 1949 to
1952" isn't as good as the Mosaic collection, but there's some great music
on it.
I also have a lot of Verve CDs from which the Compact Jazz disc cuts were
taken.
FWIW, and this is about me, not Stitt, I'm not all that fond of "Stitt Plays
Bird", "Endgame Brilliance", "12!", "The Champ", which are records that get
critical acclaim.
I was dissappointed with the sound quality on the Quadromania 4-CD
collection.
Gerry
> "Gerry" <some...@sunny.calif> wrote:
>>
>> Hate to move it generally back to topic, but which Stitt albums are you
>> most locked on these days?
>
> If you can find it, the Verve "Compact Jazz" CD ("Sonny Stitt, The Verve
> Years") has 14 drop-dead gorgeous cuts on it. The version of Tune Up on this
> CD is beyond wonderful.
I assume that's the title cut from the album of 1972. Jeez, I remember
I bought when it came out about. It got a glorious review in Downbeat,
I didn't know anything about Stitt but was trying to find out what was
up with Stitt. That blew me away as the center of the bop universe for
a couple of years. I think I have a transcription from around that
time in a Downbeat Workshop. Shall I track it down for you?
> Sonnny Side Up, with Stitt, Rollins, and Dizzy is a must have.
>
> "We'll Be Together Again" (Ammons and Stitt) is wonderful.
I know this. It's a delight. Too bad we don't get much in duos like
this (seemingly) these days. Mulligan/Baker and Mulligan/Desmond come
to mind too. Completely different, I know. Ammons and Stitt really
seem to be trying to "prove" something, but still with camaraderie and
bon homie. Funny I have to go to French hunting for the word. Talk
about two cats really listening to each other. I remember places where
Stitt steals a motif from Ammons, wrings it out and and re-invents it.
Then Ammons returns the favor.
> The 9-CD collection from Mosaic has a lot of excellent stuff on it.
>
> The sound on the 3-CD collection "Stitt's Bits, Bebop Recordings 1949 to
> 1952" isn't as good as the Mosaic collection, but there's some great music
> on it.
>
> I also have a lot of Verve CDs from which the Compact Jazz disc cuts were
> taken.
>
> FWIW, and this is about me, not Stitt, I'm not all that fond of "Stitt Plays
> Bird", "Endgame Brilliance", "12!", "The Champ", which are records that get
> critical acclaim.
Only heard "Stitt Plays Bird" among these four, and don't remember my
response. I have an unrepentent "guitar licks" book that I got when in
Japan, so it's a test of my katakana skills. Cuts are by everybody but
it's kinda surprising that among the licks by Stern, Jim Hall, Joe Pass
and Coltrane, that there are lots of licks by Sonny Stitt. He seems
have a much higher profile over there than here. Just a thought.
Curiously, I can't seem to put my hands on it. If I can run it down
I'll see if there's anything that might appeal, if you're interested.
> I was dissappointed with the sound quality on the Quadromania 4-CD
> collection.
The Quads are a very uneven set of collections, by the way.
David J. Littleboy
"Gerry" <some...@sunny.calif> wrote:
> On 2008-05-17 12:16:27 -0700, "David J. Littleboy" <dav...@gol.com> said:
>
>> "Gerry" <some...@sunny.calif> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hate to move it generally back to topic, but which Stitt albums are you
>>> most locked on these days?
>>
>> If you can find it, the Verve "Compact Jazz" CD ("Sonny Stitt, The Verve
>> Years") has 14 drop-dead gorgeous cuts on it. The version of Tune Up on
>> this
>> CD is beyond wonderful.
>
> I assume that's the title cut from the album of 1972.
It's not. It was recorded in '59, with Amos Trice on piano, George Morrow on
bass, and Lenn McBrowne on drums. (The 1972 version is with Barry Harris,
Sam Jones, and Alan Dawson).
> Jeez, I remember I bought when it came out about. It got a glorious
> review in Downbeat, I didn't know anything about Stitt but was trying to
> find out what was up with Stitt. That blew me away as the center of the
> bop universe for a couple of years. I think I have a transcription from
> around that time in a Downbeat Workshop. Shall I track it down for you?
Yes, please.
> Only heard "Stitt Plays Bird" among these four, and don't remember my
> response. I have an unrepentent "guitar licks" book that I got when in
> Japan, so it's a test of my katakana skills. Cuts are by everybody but
> it's kinda surprising that among the licks by Stern, Jim Hall, Joe Pass
> and Coltrane, that there are lots of licks by Sonny Stitt. He seems have a
> much higher profile over there than here. Just a thought. Curiously, I
> can't seem to put my hands on it. If I can run it down I'll see if
> there's anything that might appeal, if you're interested.
I don't remember how I got stuck on Stitt. I don't think it was due to
paying attention to what was going on in Japan, though.
Gerry
>> I have an unrepentent "guitar licks" book that I got when in
>> Japan, so it's a test of my katakana skills. Cuts are by everybody but
>> it's kinda surprising that among the licks by Stern, Jim Hall, Joe Pass
>> and Coltrane, that there are lots of licks by Sonny Stitt. He seems have a
>> much higher profile over there than here. Just a thought. Curiously, I
>> can't seem to put my hands on it. If I can run it down I'll see if
>> there's anything that might appeal, if you're interested.
>
> I don't remember how I got stuck on Stitt. I don't think it was due to
> paying attention to what was going on in Japan, though.
There's something better-than-average about the jazz selections I hear
in coffee shops though. It's always a little outside the norm somehoow.
Over a two or three days I heard Gigi Gryce, Jackie McLean and Sonny
Stitt. What would the odds be of that happening again, I wonder? Maybe
they just like alto there. They certainly like late-50's to early 60's
jazz in their programming.
Gerry
I'm stunned to to find, after looking so diligently for this back in
May of last year that I found it stuck off in some completely
different locale.
So here's the Stitt solo from "Tune Up". Enjoy!
From a downbeat article in '73.
rpjazzguitar
Works great. Moving tunes is drag and drop. The computer thinks it's
an external diskdrive and Windows Explorer does everything.
There are shareware programs from download.com (among other sources)
that will convert any format to any other.
I had several Iriver IFP 700 series before that. I loved them dearly
(because of the recording capability), but four of them in a row
broke, all in exactly the same way (power button separated from the
circuit board).
The Sony seems much better made. The battery is built in, which I
didn't like at first, but the battery life is so long that it isn't a
problem. It recharges from the USB port of the computer.
I bought my young son a no name cheapie for $10 or so at Fry's. It has
a gig or two and works fine. It's even been reliable. Sound is
perfectly acceptiable.