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Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

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Re: Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

#271

Post by poelzi »

kstenerud wrote: post #189

I've got all my music ripped to FLAC, sitting on my file server, a little N40L microserver with 8tb mirrored storage (my music takes about 300gb total). On the server, I've got a script that uses ffmpeg to convert from flac to whatever format I want (currently aac and mp3, which my player devices support). The script also applies replaygain to keep the volume consistent. I run the script once and it processes the who…

I use git annex for my library. This way I can easily replicate my 3 TB archive to multiple devices. Since my notebook is size constrained, I can clone my archive and just pull the files I actually need.

Re: Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

#272

Post by raehik »

anc84 wrote: post #175
raehik wrote: post #158

Where are my Rockbox users at? My tiny plastic Sansa Clip+ MP3 player has been going for years, I'd be nothing without it. >10hrs playback, supports >128 GB microSD, plays OGG/FLAC/MP3/AAC/anything. The Rockbox firmware is still being developed, albeit at a slow pace. By far the best combination of hardware+firmware I own. Unlikely to replace it for another few years. Sadly not produced any more :(

Just today I thought how much I appreciate that exact setup and that I should donate considerable money to the project. So hereby I pledge that I will send 100 dollars this weekend. This is not even 2 dollars per months that this project provided me with a perfect portable media player setup. Who's with me?

I have high respect for you. As for myself, I'll play the student card and bow out, haha :)

Re: Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

#273

Post by devb »

rchaud wrote: post #261

I'm definitely on board with physical media. Almost all the vinyl I've bought comes with a download code anyway, and album artwork shines on a 12" x 12" canvas much more than it ever could on the tiny thumbnail you get on a music player app. That being said, indie music stores like Bandcamp are digital only, but offer one-click DRM-free MP3 downloads for purchased songs/albums. The UX is focused on buying music first…

> indie music stores like Bandcamp are digital only

Many bands on Bandcamp offer bundles of vinyl, CDs, t-shirts, etc. with the digital download. One example off the top of my head:

https://filthyfriends.bandcamp.com/album/emerald-valley

Re: Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

#274

Post by mrfredward »

x3haloed wrote: post #267

This headline smacks of fear mongering. Privacy TERRORS. ALGORITHMS! Walking, talking murder bots! Seriously? Please. If you pay for your streaming service, you don't have ads. Privacy concerns are an abstract existential concern that don't have practical effects at least in the context of music streaming. And algorithms? I don't understand what the fear is here. Just a general anti-technology sentiment? Why not make…

I agree with everything you just said, but I want to add a counterpoint. About a year ago, YouTube Music started playing ads for depression medication for me constantly. My music choice is...err...not particularly happy most of the time. I actually first noticed the ad after listening to a song called "Happy Pills." I have no evidence that I was profiled based on my music choice aside from this one coincidence, but it was enough to make me question if I want Google to know everything I listen to.

Music gives insight into the emotional state of a person, so it could become a very real privacy concern, if it isn't being exploited already.

Re: Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

#275

Post by poelzi »

omega3 wrote: post #219
kstenerud wrote: post #189

I've got all my music ripped to FLAC, sitting on my file server, a little N40L microserver with 8tb mirrored storage (my music takes about 300gb total). On the server, I've got a script that uses ffmpeg to convert from flac to whatever format I want (currently aac and mp3, which my player devices support). The script also applies replaygain to keep the volume consistent. I run the script once and it processes the who…

Slightly of-topic but how do you discover new music to listen to?

Bandcamp tags and notifications as well as following people with similar taste. Some reddit subs are also quite helpful

Re: Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

#276

Post by wafflesraccoon »

Not to go against the grain but I love Spotify, the Discover Weekly is killer for finding new music. I also have a large collection of vinyl at home for when I really want to enjoy an album.

Also because Tool won't release their albums online =(

Re: Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

#277

Post by wprapido »

wafflesraccoon wrote: post #276

Not to go against the grain but I love Spotify, the Discover Weekly is killer for finding new music. I also have a large collection of vinyl at home for when I really want to enjoy an album. Also because Tool won't release their albums online =(

I also use Spotify as a great music discovery tool. That's where it stops at though.

Re: Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

#279

Post by 52-6F-62 »

omega3 wrote: post #219
kstenerud wrote: post #189

I've got all my music ripped to FLAC, sitting on my file server, a little N40L microserver with 8tb mirrored storage (my music takes about 300gb total). On the server, I've got a script that uses ffmpeg to convert from flac to whatever format I want (currently aac and mp3, which my player devices support). The script also applies replaygain to keep the volume consistent. I run the script once and it processes the who…

Slightly of-topic but how do you discover new music to listen to?

Slowly and gradually. The music I love, I love. I don't like playing chase.

So sometimes they played a show/concert with an artist I already like. Sometimes it just comes up in the YouTube feed. Sometimes somebody points me to something and it takes.

Re: Why play a music CD? No ads, no privacy terrors, no algorithms

#280

Post by hbosch »

rchaud wrote: post #261

I'm definitely on board with physical media. Almost all the vinyl I've bought comes with a download code anyway, and album artwork shines on a 12" x 12" canvas much more than it ever could on the tiny thumbnail you get on a music player app. That being said, indie music stores like Bandcamp are digital only, but offer one-click DRM-free MP3 downloads for purchased songs/albums. The UX is focused on buying music first…

https://bandcamp.com/vinyl

Good news! Bandcamp is now offering artists an in-house vinyl pressing service.

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