Demo Music at RMAF 2008
While checking out what other websites are talking about the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest I came across this thread at Steve Hoffman’s forum:
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=153011
Which talks about what kind of music a new exhibitor should bring to a show with them.
I don’t know who any of these people are, I am not registered there and the site does not let you see people profiles unless you are registered :D.
Well, besides disagreeing vociferously with the suggestion that exhibitors should not play show-goer’s CDs because they will invariably sound bad [a true signature of a bad sounding system all around, eh? If the system can’t play the music that an audiophile loves, then what use is that system for that audiophile? An accent for the livingroom decor?] – our suggestion would be to bring music that you love.
If the exhibitor brings music they love, or just music they want to play to see what it is like, then at least one person [i.e. the exhibitor] in the room will be enjoying the music. Sure, show some eclecticism – don’t just bring country, but bring some of your runners up like western and rock-a-billy and country-rock and bluegrass, etc.
This has the side effects of at least putting the exhibitor in a good mood and of attracting ‘like minds’ who love the same music. There is also a level of honesty implicit in this kind of approach – which we happen to think is a good thing.
Yeah, we get blasted for this approach [as being ‘unprofessional’] from some other dealers and reviewers – who, in another industry, would not let people test drive their prospective new car, or maybe just for 2 or 3 minutes [yes, there are still car dealers out here like that – ones that we visit just ONCE] nor review a car without Corinthian leather bucket seats [OK, my metaphor sucks – but moving on…].
This year I feel that we want to bring mostly things we have gotten recently: a CD by the Dave Holland Quintet – Extended Play [yeah, yeah, plenty good audiophile quality – but the songs are long – a no no at shows 🙂 and it is complex enough that it’s depths are hard to plumb in just a few listenings… like Radiohead … except it is Jazz ;-). Oh, and way less complex than Sun Ra or even Ornette Coleman – or is that Ornette Coleman and even Sun Ra?].
Anything else? I don’t know … usually we just do a mad rush through here and pick things we like and want to hear. The only problem is that Neli and I usually disagree significantly on the selection. So – we just end up with a his and hers side on the CD and LP collection at the show.
mike i read the crap black elk dispered ”
As a rule I always avoided playing discs that attendees had brought along. Why? Because as a rule they invariably sounded bad, and the goal is to show the system off in its best light (which is why you invest time in checking out all the music before the show starts!). Of course there are exceptions, if someone is serious about buying some speakers, you should accommodate them. Similarly, if someone like John Atkinson of Stereophile walks in, you should ask him if he has something he wants to listen to (you don’t need to worry about the quality of JA’s recordings). Otherwise, it is best to say no, because if you say yes to one, you have to say yes to all. On the few occasions where I gave in and played someone’s disc the results were truly awful. Ever heard a home recording played back on an extremely large, extremely revealing system? Not pretty! And you can bet that that is the moment when someone important will walk in, take a quick listen, think WTF and disappear pronto! ”
then i read this post , by a guy named metralla, that was a good reply: Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Elk
“As a rule I always avoided playing discs that attendees had brought along.”
Having attended many shows, I would say that this is bad form. You are entitled to run your room (speaking in an abstract way) as you like, but you will alienate the audiophiles if you draw a hard line.
Sure, you will get the odd dud. You will know it and you can just take it off. You can bet others in the room will be on your side – the owner will be miffed, but that’s life.
But at RMAF you can be pretty sure that attendees will bring their best stuff. I’ve heard some fabulous pieces of music being played by the demo owner that have knocked me out; and I’ve heard some wonderful stuff from visitors.
Over the years, I have played many pieces, when permitted; and on a number of occasions I have had the demo owner and other attendees ask for the name of the track and the artist.
We, who bring music to audio shows, live for that thrill. ”
i love going to the RMAF because i get a chance to make my own call. frankly i have gotten so sick of the mags . i finally came to a simple understanding. it’s about what i hear. if i do not like what i’m hearing then i don’t like it.
rmaf gives me a chance to play something i have worked to know intimately on a sonic level and see how the system is playing it.
this year i spent about 6months working on my disc for this year’s show. add to this the last twomonths i’ve spent developing a familiarity with my play list so that i can know what to listen for.
that a dingus like black elk can be so disrespectful is saddening. . i really hope that some joe blow talks him into playing his cd and proceeds to pinpoint every flaw in elk’s setup in a way that can’t be refuted. i ‘d really enjoy watching this.
the reason for my cruel view is that in some cases controlled playlists are of ten mad to glorify or highlight the good points. but not expose flaws
. i have spent a lot of time trying to make a disc that will show me the whole view of a system.
magazines have gotten too political in some cases and you really never kknow the quality of the equipment unless you play your own music. just my rant. see you at the show
Hi Steven,
Thanks!
Good ole Metralla. Haven’t seen him since we were all listening to the Coltrane Supremes for the first time at CES a few years ago. Good to see that he is going to make it to RMAF.
Hope all the rest of you can make it as well…
Take care,
Mike.