Music Delivery Via MP2 and MP3 by Jim Loupas July 2004 We have recently learned that Sony Records in Nashville has decided that radio should be serviced with MPEG-1 Layer 2 files at 384k. This is easily less than half the data available from a CD. Given the richness of music, particularly country music, this reduced data­-coupled with IBOC data reduction, hard drive data reduction, STL data reduction, and processing­-means a reduced-quality product for your radio stations. The issue is further complicated by the email delivery of MP3s to the PD or music director. We have experienced this already, and observed poor results. Sony calls these emailed tunes “reference copies,” but they frequently wind up on the air, and they sound terrible. We aren’t arguing with progress. But this stratagem is a step backward, not forward, in that it trades off the quality of your product for record company cost savings and convenience. Look for other record companies to adopt the same measures. We strongly recommend that you continue using CDs and stay away from schemes that reduce the quality of the music product that you put on the air on your radio stations. Return to Articles index.

Last updated 7/2/04
©2004 James Loupas Associates Inc