« Back to News

Martin Bisi on Tape Vs. Digital Myth

01/26/2010




 

"Not all records made in the golden era of tape sounded great." Words to live by.

 

By Blurt Staff

 

Okay, all you analog heads, you think you're holding all the cards? Maybe, maybe not. But as BLURT blogger - and esteemed NYC producer - suggests, the digital and tape divide may be more illusory than you want to admit. He challenges some of the common wisdom in the latest installment of his "The End Credits" blog, going all the way back to the dawn of the digital era.

 

In "The Tape Fetish" Bisi writes, "There's a natural fear in people that ‘something is being lost' with changing technologies, lifestyles etc. It's human nature that someone's gonna be paranoid. So it makes sense that at the onset of digital in the 80's, some people asked, ‘Is the soul of music being lost, because it's being turned into digital 1's and 0's ?'"

 

Read Bisi's entire blog here - it just may give you food for thought. Remember, "not all records made in the golden era of tape sounded great."

 

And we've got plenty of shitty-sounding indie rock albums from the ‘80s to prove it...

 

 




Feb 2012
Fad Gadget/Frank Tovey Tribute Events
02/09/2012
6 Backing Groups for Rock Hall Induction
02/09/2012
MP3: Archie Powell & the Exports
02/09/2012
Catfight! Jon Anderson Vs. YES
02/09/2012
Sigur Ros Prep Album, Gigs
02/09/2012
more...

Jan 2012
Video: New Feist Single
01/31/2012
Video: Lost George Harrison Gtr. Solo
01/31/2012
Report: Kantner/Jefferson Starship Live S.F.
01/31/2012
First Look: Black Bananas (ex-RTX) LP
01/31/2012
Spiritualized Announces UK, US Tours
01/31/2012
more...

Dec 2011
Report: Matthew Sweet Live In San Fran
12/30/2011
MP3 Premiere: New Cuddle Magic
12/30/2011
Guided By Voices Plays Letterman Jan. 3
12/30/2011
Of Montreal Offers Up New LP Teaser
12/29/2011
Diplo Unveils Sample from new EP
12/29/2011
more...

Nov 2011
Report: Sting Live in Los Angeles
11/30/2011
Steal This Book, er, Box Set!
11/30/2011
3 New Black Keys Songs Streaming Online
11/30/2011
Video: Watch Morrissey On Conan
11/30/2011
Video: New Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers
11/30/2011
more...

Oct 2011
Report: Neil Young’s Bridge Benefit 25
10/31/2011
Classic Royal Trux Box Reissued
10/31/2011
Flaming Lips 24-Hour Song Now Streaming
10/31/2011
Video Exclusive: New Mia Doi Todd
10/31/2011
Lou Reed, Metallica Talk Lulu Album
10/28/2011
more...

Sep 2011
Watch Freaky New Kid Sister Video
09/30/2011
Incoming: Beatles + Tony Sheridan 50th
09/30/2011
Book: Courtney Love Sets Record Straight
09/30/2011
First Look: New Zola Jesus Album
09/29/2011
Smiths Box Set Track & Release Details
09/29/2011
more...

Aug 2011
Incoming: New Dwight Twilley Album
08/31/2011
Report: Rev. Horton Heat/Nashville Pussy Live in Portland
08/31/2011
Acid House Kings Meet TV Personalities
08/31/2011
Beach Boys’ SMiLE Date, Tracklisting
08/31/2011
MP3: Awesome New Edward Rogers Track
08/31/2011
more...

Jul 2011
Report: Jeremy Messersmith Live Portland
07/29/2011
Lingua Musica/Blurt Say: RBTS WIN!
07/29/2011
Report: Yuck Live in Portland
07/28/2011
Read: New Son House Bio
07/28/2011
Watch New Wild Beasts Video
07/28/2011
more...

Jun 2011
Read: Jon Langford’s Skull Orchard
06/30/2011
First Look: New Jackie-O Motherfucker
06/30/2011
Chicago Street Named after Sam Cooke
06/30/2011
Free MP3: New Lindsey Buckingham
06/30/2011
Why Pandora Is Awesome
06/29/2011
more...

May 2011
Ranaldo & Ribot For Ellnora Guitar Fest
05/31/2011
Lingua Musica/Blurt Say: Brian McGee!
05/31/2011
Jello Biafra Covers the Deviants on EP
05/31/2011
Report: Jackson Browne in Ft. Lauderdale
05/30/2011
Report: The Whines & More Live in Mass.
05/30/2011
more...

Apr 2011
Tribe Called Quest Reunion in the Works?
04/29/2011
Report: Pixies Live in Hamilton, Ont.
04/29/2011
Watch Vid, Win Maggie Björklund LP!
04/29/2011
Nirvana: Photos from EMP Retrospective
04/29/2011
Report: STRFKR Live in Rochester
04/28/2011
more...

Mar 2011
Obscure-but-Great Krautrock Reissues Due
03/31/2011
Big Star Third Vinyl Reissue Due
03/31/2011
MP3: New Matana Roberts Album
03/31/2011
Excl. Download: New Ha Ha Tonka MP3
03/31/2011
First Look: New Jonny Album
03/30/2011
more...

Feb 2011
Report: Yo La Tengo/Urinals Live Oakland
02/28/2011
Trent Reznor Eyes Fall for HTDA Album
02/28/2011
Report: Gang of Four Live in D.C.
02/28/2011
Next Round of Nick Cave Reissues Due
02/28/2011
Watch/Listen: New Pierces Video/EP
02/28/2011
more...

Jan 2011
Report: Grace Potter & Chamberlin Live in Portland
01/31/2011
Santigold Designs a Vans Shoe
01/31/2011
Kills Unveil New Single
01/31/2011
Return of the Chocolate Watchband!
01/31/2011
Fleet Foxes Set Date for New Album
01/31/2011
more...

Dec 2010
Watch Flaming Lips NY Eve Show Online
12/31/2010
M.I.A. Offers Free Mixtape Download
12/31/2010
Boney M’s Bobby Farrell 1949-2010 RIP
12/30/2010
Listen to Rare Early Live R.E.M. at NPR
12/30/2010
Black Angels Confirm Austin Psych Fest
12/30/2010
more...

Nov 2010
UPDATE Listen to PJ Harvey Today
11/30/2010
New Garage Rock Doc Premieres
11/30/2010
New Player in the Ticketing Industry?
11/30/2010
Seefeel Returns After 14 Years
11/30/2010
Peter Christopherson 1955-2010 R.I.P.
11/29/2010
more...

Oct 2010
Ane Brune Releases Live Set
10/29/2010
Mary Gauthier w/Virtual Concert Series
10/29/2010
Get Up Kids Form Label, Prep New LP
10/29/2010
Video: Church’s ARIA Induction Speech
10/29/2010
MerleFest Announces Initial Lineup
10/29/2010
more...

Sep 2010
First Look: New Corin Tucker Album
09/30/2010
Thank You, Patti Smith
09/30/2010
Neil Young Unveils “Le Noise” Film
09/30/2010
Electric Owls Return w/ “Cullowhee” EP
09/30/2010
Rrrowr! Olof Arnalds Vs. Olafur Arnalds!
09/29/2010
more...

Aug 2010
Jane’s Addiction Live DVD a Letdown
08/31/2010
Flashback: Teardrop Explodes Deluxe 3CD
08/31/2010
Report: Sunset Strip Music Fest in LA
08/31/2010
R&L Thompson “Lights” Gets 2CD Reish
08/31/2010
Apparat Preps Monster DJ-Kicks Mix
08/31/2010
more...

Jul 2010
Blurt’s Video Game Guide #8
07/31/2010
Weekend Reading: New Phish Bio
07/30/2010
Robert Pollard to Have NYC Art Display
07/30/2010
Gorillaz’ Damascus Show Streaming Free at NPR
07/30/2010
Calexico To Headline Free AZ Rally/Show
07/30/2010
more...

Jun 2010
Matador Bash to Reunite Guided By Voices
06/30/2010
First Look: New Alejandro Escovedo Album
06/30/2010
Blurt’s Video Guide #6: Green Day etc.
06/30/2010
Cave Singers Prepping Next Album
06/30/2010
Current 93 Gets Close to the Edge
06/30/2010
more...

May 2010
It's Serge!
05/31/2010
Dio Funeral Joyful Despite Protests
05/31/2010
Cheap Trick Takes Sgt. Pepper To Vegas
05/31/2010
John Wesley Harding Online-Only CD
05/31/2010
Dennis Hopper 1936-2010 R.I.P.
05/29/2010
more...

Apr 2010
Report: Tallest Man On Earth in D.C.
04/30/2010
Colin Meloy Inks Kids Book Deal
04/30/2010
The Perfect Gift
04/30/2010
Congotronics Box Set Due in June
04/30/2010
Stooges w/2010 Raw Power Live Album
04/30/2010
more...

Mar 2010
More Record Store Day Goodies Announced
03/31/2010
Louie Armstrong Death Metal Mashup!
03/31/2010
Fela Reissues Are a Hit!
03/31/2010
Michael Jackson Fan Convention Announced
03/31/2010
Win FELA! Broadway Tickets at Blurt
03/31/2010
more...

Feb 2010
Report: Editors & Antlers Live Toronto
02/26/2010
Thom Yorke Names Band, Sets Tour
02/26/2010
Bettye LaVette Covers UK Rock Classics
02/26/2010
Report: Cayamo Cruise 2010 (Day 4)
02/26/2010
Getting Back In The Loop
02/26/2010
more...

Jan 2010
Unseen Hendrix Art Graces New Rec Sleeve
01/29/2010
MP3: New We Are Wolves
01/29/2010
Surfer Blood Expands Tour
01/29/2010
UPDATE: Saint Etienne CDs, Haiti Auction
01/29/2010
Tony Allen Gets His Secret Agent On
01/28/2010
more...

Dec 2009
P-Funk Artist Pedro Bell Benefit + Fund
12/31/2009
Massive Bee Gees Box Due in March
12/30/2009
Chess Records Biopic Arrives in March
12/30/2009
Rowland S. Howard R.I.P. 1959-2009
12/30/2009
Report: God Help the Girl Live in London
12/30/2009
more...

Nov 2009
Who Is Super Bowl Halftime Show
11/30/2009
Most Embarrassing Album Sleeves… Ever!
11/30/2009
Exclusive: Franz Nicolay Speaks (EP, Too)
11/30/2009
Meat Beat: Morrissey to Work W/McCartney
11/30/2009
Spiritualized w/intriguing L&G Contest
11/30/2009
more...

Oct 2009
IT’S ALIVE! Chuck Biscuits Death Hoax
10/30/2009
Have A Bloody Slayer Halloween!
10/30/2009
Download New Yeasayer Single FREE
10/30/2009
ANOTHER Friggin’ Punk Throbhead: Milo!
10/30/2009
Spoon Announces New LP for January
10/30/2009
more...

Sep 2009
Stax Records Lathe Back In Action
09/30/2009
Paul McCartney Live CD/DVD News
09/30/2009
David Bazan Limited Xmas Single Due
09/29/2009
Ray Davies To Tour Kinks Khoral
09/29/2009
Neko Case is Bad, She’s Nationwide
09/29/2009
more...

Aug 2009
About That Noel Gallagher Oasis Split
08/31/2009
Strung Out Strings It Out for 20 Years
08/31/2009
You Are Here Festival Invades Brooklyn
08/28/2009
Trampled By Turtles (hurts so good!)
08/28/2009
Nirvana's Legendary Reading Concert Now a DVD set
08/28/2009
more...

Jul 2009
Mountain Goats Get Biblical On New LP
07/31/2009
Oh, Canaduh! Chromeo Does DJ-Kicks
07/31/2009
Will Hoge Crawlin’ From the Wreckage
07/31/2009
King Khan & BBQ Show Have An Ad For YOU
07/31/2009
7 World’s Collide’s The Sun Came Out Due
07/30/2009
more...

Jun 2009
Exclusive: Warped Tour Debut Report
06/30/2009
Clutch Gets In the, uh, Clutch
06/30/2009
Vibe Magazine Shuts Down
06/30/2009
Q-Tip’s Long-Delayed Kamaal LP to Hit
06/30/2009
Screw John Mayer, Here’s Cetan Clawson
06/30/2009
more...

May 2009
New Dirty Projectors LP Streams at NPR
05/29/2009
Vivian Girls Prep New LP For Sept.
05/29/2009
Femi Kuti Shut Down By Nigerian Cops
05/29/2009
Cheap Trick: New LP + “Sgt. Pepper’s” Disc
05/29/2009
Wynn to Cover 2nd Dream Syndicate LP
05/29/2009
more...

Apr 2009
CSS Ceases Touring, Performing
04/30/2009
Vid Exclusive: MM Jacket Photo Exhibit!
04/30/2009
Joe Boyd Hosts Nick Drake Tribute Show
04/30/2009
A Request from Neutral Milk Hotel
04/30/2009
Exclusive: Wayne Coyne on Teeshirtgate
04/30/2009
more...

Mar 2009
Head-fucking Lemonheads LP Art Unveiled
03/31/2009
Richard Swift Dives into Atlantic Ocean
03/31/2009
Big Business Don’t Need No Bailout
03/31/2009
Duofest III Set; Mecca Normal to Play
03/31/2009
Kate Maki Tours w/Great Lake Swimmers
03/31/2009
more...

Feb 2009
DMX Plays The Badass Card Again
02/27/2009
Jesus Lizard Singles Box En Route
02/27/2009
Dirty Projectors Prep 5th Album
02/27/2009
Dolly Parton’s A Cracker (Barrel)!
02/27/2009
Diamond Dave Assteroidz Game Launches!
02/27/2009
more...

Jan 2009
Coachella Acts Named; McCartney Signs On
01/30/2009
CHANNEL GUIDE Fri - Sun
01/30/2009
Der Zappa Krappa: Family Loses Lawsuit
01/30/2009
Tricky Mounts Another US Tour
01/30/2009
Ettes w/New EP, Tour Dates
01/30/2009
more...

Dec 2008
About Damn Time: DMX Off To Jail
12/31/2008
Elvis Costello "Spectacle" Marathon Today
12/31/2008
CHANNEL GUIDE Wed - Fri
12/31/2008
Lee Boys + McCourys = Party!
12/31/2008
Sarah Borges w/New Album in March
12/31/2008
more...

Nov 2008
NME With Dumb/Fun Britney Spears Contest
11/28/2008
Kylie Minogue Tarts Up Remix LP
11/28/2008
Courtney Love: “I am not suicidal”
11/28/2008
Live Clips: Walkmen, Blitzen Trapper/I&Wine
11/28/2008
CHANNEL GUIDE Sat - Sun
11/28/2008
more...

Oct 2008
50th Anniversary for Warner Bros.
10/31/2008
Max Ochs Releases New Record
10/31/2008
Video: Springsteen Does Halloween Clip!
10/31/2008
Free Music: Tim Fite says Trick or Treat!
10/31/2008
Video: Wassup 2008 - Vote For Change
10/31/2008
more...

Sep 2008
CHANNEL GUIDE: Tuesday Music
09/30/2008
Courtney Love Wants A Non-Freaky Maid
09/30/2008
Harry Smith “Old, Weird America" Airs Today
09/30/2008
Sweden-N'awlins: Theresa Andersson Tours
09/30/2008
McCartney Rekindles Fireman; Nude Pics?
09/30/2008
more...

Aug 2008
CHANNEL GUIDE: Mon-Tues Music
08/31/2008
Gonzo Vid Clip: U2 Goes Shakespeare
08/30/2008
CHANNEL GUIDE: Friday Music
08/29/2008
Obama Speech Shock: Redneck Anthem Plays At End
08/29/2008
Rademacher Returns w/4th EP
08/29/2008
more...

Jul 2008
Does It Offend You, Yeah? Tour + Vid
07/31/2008
CHANNEL GUIDE: Thursday Music
07/31/2008
Flaming Lip “Christmas" Film Trailer(s)!
07/31/2008
Carla Bruni Hypes Album, Not Hubby
07/31/2008
Buckcherry Leaked, Nobody Gives a Shit
07/31/2008
more...

Jun 2008
CHANNEL GUIDE: Monday Music
06/30/2008
Stop Press! Slipknot Gets Fresh Masks!
06/30/2008
Singer-songwriter David Ford w/New Vid
06/30/2008
Complete Pitchfork Fest Sked Announced
06/30/2008
Blurt Exclusive: Flipper Comes Alive!
06/30/2008
more...