We welcome Andy Doe for another Ask Andy episode, where we discuss hi-fi equipment and speaker placement. “If you have a valuable disc, always use a brand-new needle.” This week’s guest : Andy Doe Proper Discord Show notes : Episode #41 – Whatever Became of EQ? The Master Set speaker placement system (PDF file) Kirk’s Doctor Evil chair (and cat): Our next tracks : Kirk: Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music Doug: Rolling Stones: 12 x 5 If you like the show, please subscr...
Mar 24, 2017•33 min
We discuss bootleg recordings, live recordings, and torrents. “Once we’re done with it, the audience can have it.” Jerry Garcia Show notes : Charles Dickens copyright International Copyright Act of 1891 Bob Dylan: Great White Wonder Bob Dylan: The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11 Charlie Parker: Complete Dean Benedetti Recordings Flick Lives has an archive of Jean Shepherd recordings for download Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live, 1966: The “Royal Albert Ha...
Mar 17, 2017•30 min
Chris Connaker joins us to discuss how music streaming service can make the next step. People just want to hear the song they want to hear. This week’s guest : Chris Connaker of the The Computer Audiophile website Show notes : This week’s guest: Tidal Deezer Elite Qobuz Spotify hits 50 million paid subscribers SiriusXM radio Pandora Our next tracks : Kirk: Leon Redbone: Long Way from Home Doug: Cactus: Cactus If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and plea...
Mar 10, 2017•29 min
We take a close look at playlists. What they are, where they came from, and what you can do with them. Show notes : This week’s guest: High Fidelity, by Nick Hornby High Fidelity (movie) Elizabethtown Yamaha CD-C600BL 5-Disc CD Changer The True Story of Audion Search Results to Playlist script Join Together app Our next tracks : Kirk: The Clash: Super Black Market Clash Doug: Mogul Thrash: Mogul Thrash If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate...
Mar 03, 2017•30 min
Andy Doe joins us to talk about EQ. What is it, how does it work, do you need it, and where did it go? This week’s guest : Andy Doe Proper Discord Show notes : This week’s guest: Equalization on Wikipedia The Mysterious Loudness Control: What Does It Do? How to tweak your sound in iTunes and on iOS devices The Next Track, Episode #21 – Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Subwoofers Our next tracks : Kirk: Grateful Dead: Morning Dew, 5/8/77, Barton Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Doug: ...
Feb 24, 2017•28 min
Author David Sax talks about his book The Revenge of Analog: why people like vinyl, and why other analog technologies are popular today. This week’s guest : David Sax, The Revenge of Analog: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/revengeofanalog/ Show notes : This week’s guest: My review of The Revenge of Analog The Paradox of Choice , Barry Schwartz Do Vinyl Records Sound Better than CDs? Discogs Our next tracks : Kirk: Harold Budd: Perhaps Doug: Kirsty MacColl: Tropical Brainstorm If you li...
Feb 17, 2017•34 min
Doug and Kirk discuss storing a media library on a network-attached storage device. We focus on using a NAS with iTunes, but there’s some useful information for those using a NAS with other media software. Show notes : WD MyCloud EX2 Plex Doug’s Launch at Login applet How to map a network drive on Windows Our next tracks : Kirk: John Cale: Fragments of a Rainy Season Doug: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: Jukebox Explosion If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast...
Feb 10, 2017•28 min
Chris Connaker went to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. He reports for us on new audio equipment and the MQA music format. This week’s guest : Chris Connaker of the The Computer Audiophile website Show notes : Chris Connaker’s Long Strange Trip Chris’s overview of his visit to the CES Pandora is available in the US, Australia, and New Zealand The Next Track, Episode #6: What Is High-Resolution Audio? Chris’s 2014 article High Resolution Audio Isn’t Coming Soon From Apple Mastered for ...
Feb 03, 2017•36 min
Mac writer Rob Griffiths tells us how to efficiently rip DVDs and Blu-Rays. This week’s guest : Rob Griffiths Show notes : The Committed podcast The Complete West Wing on iTunes (in HD) Revisiting ripping Blu-Ray discs Detailed instructions for installing the transcode-video tools Pioneer Slim External Blu Ray Writer BDR-XD05B MacGo Blu-Ray Player MakeMKV HandBrake 1.0 VLC Media Player transcode-video Installing transcode-video Difference Between Mp4 and M4v Change Videos from Home Movies to Mov...
Jan 27, 2017•31 min
Andy Doe returns to discuss how music consumption has changed in this era of fragmented media. “We are the acquisitors.” This week’s guest : Andy Doe Proper Discord Show notes : Chris Anderson: The Long Tail , Free Our next tracks : Kirk: Pink Floyd: Animals Doug: Corey Harris: Greens From the Garden If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. Special Guest: Andy Doe. Support The Next Track...
Jan 20, 2017•32 min
Musician and developer Peter Chilvers discusses making apps with Brian Eno, including the new generative music composition Reflection. “Imagine lots and lots of theremins looping back at you…” Show notes : Peter Chilvers’ website Ten years working with Brian Eno Generative Music website with Peter’s apps Scape, Bloom, Trope, and Air Kirk’s review of the Reflection CD and app Kirk’s 2013 review of Four apps for making ambient music on your iOS device Note: Peter Chilvers’ explanation of the Refle...
Jan 13, 2017•32 min
We take a look at the pros and cons of syncing music to your portable device versus using the cloud to store your music. Sponsor : Waltr 2: transfer virtually any media files to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, without using iTunes. Safe 15% on Waltr 2 with the discount code THENEXTTRACK. Check out Waltr 2 . Show notes : Episode #22 – In Praise of the iPod Classic How Many Matches Does iTunes Match Match, When iTunes Match Does Match Matches? Apple improves iCloud Music Library matching, ditches copy...
Jan 06, 2017•30 min
In this special, one-hour, year-end episode, we feature clips from some of our more popular episodes. If you’re just discovering The Next Track, this highlight reel will give you an idea of the topics we cover in the show. Alex Ross on classical music Sunny Nam on mastering records Elijah Wald on the blues Timo Andres on composing classical music David Browne on the Grateful Dead Will Hermes on discovering new music Sponsor : Waltr 2: transfer virtually any media files to your iPhone, iPad, or i...
Dec 30, 2016•59 min
Chris Connaker of the Computer Audiophile website explains what a DAC is, how it works, and a whether you need one. (And how you already have lots of them.) Sponsor : Waltr 2: transfer virtually any media files to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, without using iTunes. Safe 15% on Waltr 2 with the discount code THENEXTTRACK. Check out Waltr 2 . Show notes : The Computer Audiophile website DACs – digital-analog converters : Digital-to-Analog Convertor, Wikipedia Schiit Audio Explanation of 44.1 kHz CD ...
Dec 23, 2016•35 min
We welcome Jim Dalrymple of The Loop to discuss his experiences with Apple Music. Sponsor : Waltr 2: transfer virtually any media files to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, without using iTunes. Save 15% on Waltr 2 with a discount code from The Next Track. Check out Waltr 2 . This week’s guest : Jim Dalyrmple of The Loop . Show notes : Jim Dalrymple’s article on The Loop: Apple Music hits 20 million subscribers by focusing on Hip-Hop Here’s How Messed Up Apple Music Metadata Is From 2013: New in iTune...
Dec 16, 2016•37 min
Why not spread a bit of holiday cheer? Doug and Kirk pick their selections for great Christmas gifts. Sponsor : Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to protect your important data forever. Listen to the podcast for a discount code to save 20% on a new Drobo. Visit Drobo.com . Show notes : IsoAcoustics speaker stands Auralex Acoustics MoPAD Monitor Acoustic Isolation Pads The Rolling Stones in Mono In Praise of Mono Recordings NRBQ: High Noon: A 50-Year Retrospective András Schiff: Beetho...
Dec 09, 2016•31 min
Doug and Kirk explain everything you need to know about tagging your digital audio files. Sponsor : Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to protect your important data forever. Listen to the podcast for a discount code to save 20% on a new Drobo. Visit Drobo.com . Show notes : The ID3 version 2.3.0 specifications Take Control of iTunes 12: The FAQ How to better organize your classical music in iTunes 12.5 (using Work and Movement tags) Smarts, Doug’s app for managing smart playlists Re-E...
Dec 02, 2016•32 min
Author Peter Robinson joins us to discuss how he uses music in his DCI Banks series of mystery novels. This week’s guest : Peter Robinson Show notes : DCI Banks Girl from the North Country Playlists for Peter Robinson’s novels Martin Carthy Our next tracks : Kirk: Bill Evans: Turn Out the Stars Doug: Leon Russell: Leon Russell And The Shelter People If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. Special Guest: Peter Robinson. Support T...
Nov 25, 2016•27 min
Paul Englishby talks about composing music for stage and screen, including the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new production of The Tempest. This week’s guest : Paul Englishby Paul Englishby on IMDB Show notes : The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Company Clips of Paul Englishby’s music for the RSC’s production of The Tempest The Tempest: Music and Speeches Miles Davis improvising the score for Louis Malle’s Ascenseur pour l’echafaud Our next tracks : Kirk: Mozart 225 Doug: Mose Allison: Greatest ...
Nov 18, 2016•31 min
Andy Doe answers listener questions about audio equipment and technology in our first Ask Andy episode. Sponsor : Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to protect your important data forever. Visit Drobo.com . This week’s guest : Andy Doe Proper Discord Show notes : CD Text to CD Info AppleScript Blu-Spec CD MQA Our next tracks : Kirk: Franz Schubert: String Quintet in C, d. 956 Doug: The Firesign Theater: Don’t Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers If you like the show, please subscribe i...
Nov 11, 2016•28 min
The second and final part of our interview with Timo Andres, discussing his compositions, and the business of classical music. Listen to part one . Sponsor : Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to keep your data safe forever. Visit Drobo.com . This week’s guest : Timo Andres’s website Timo Andres on Nonesuch Records Show notes : The Blind Banister , on the Pulitzer Prize website Alex Ross of the New Yorker on Timo Andres and other “student composers” in 2004 Russell Platt of the New Yor...
Nov 04, 2016•34 min
Doug and Kirk welcome Timo Andres, composer and performer of contemporary classical music. This is the first part of a two-part interview. One of the ways that […] any type of musician finds their style is by setting out to imitate something and failing. This week’s guest : Timo Andres’s website Timo Andres on Nonesuch Records Show notes : Alex Ross of the New Yorker on Timo Andres and other “student composers” in 2004 Russell Platt of the New Yorker on Timo Andres in 2016 Timo Andres: Shy and M...
Oct 28, 2016•32 min
Doug and Kirk welcome David Browne, author of So Many Roads: The Life and Times of the Grateful Dead to discuss the history of this iconic band. Sponsor: Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to keep your data safe forever. Visit Drobo.com . This week’s guest : David Browne’s website So Many Roads: The Life and Times of the Grateful Dead Show notes : Kirk’s review of So Many Roads The Grateful Dead’s Wall of Sound Our next tracks : Kirk: The Grateful Dead Movie Soundtrack Doug: The Gratef...
Oct 21, 2016•34 min
Doug and Kirk wax nostalgic about the iPod classic, and other one trick pony music players. And Bob Dylan. Sponsor : Doug’s AppleScripts for iTunes. Make sure your iTunes management tools are updated for latest version of iTunes and for macOS Sierra at Doug’s AppleScripts for iTunes . Reader email : A question about earbuds and low frequencies; see the reply to a question on last week’s episode page . News : Bob Dylan wins the Nobel Prize in literature! Check out these Dylan albums to appreciate...
Oct 14, 2016•31 min
Doug and Kirk had some questions about subwoofers. So they invited Andy Doe to explain how they work, how to set them up, and why we might want to use them. Sponsor: Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to keep your data safe forever. Visit Drobo.com . You’re listening to this at home for your own pleasure, it doesn’t actually matter if it’s accurate. What matters is that you like it. This week’s guest : Andy Doe, Proper Discord Show notes : Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer Wha...
Oct 07, 2016•34 min
We welcome musician, historian, and author Elijah Wald to discuss the history of the blues. Sponsor: Master iTunes with Kirk’s ebook and save 30% on Take Control of iTunes 12: The FAQ , the indispensable guide to iTunes. Show notes : Elijah Wald’s website Elijah Wald’s Songobiography Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties Inside Llewyn Davis The Mayor of McDougal Street Inside Dave van R...
Sep 30, 2016•30 min
Doug and Kirk discuss the pros and cons of live recordings vs. studio recordings. And, are live recordings really live? “Bravo!” Sponsor: Doug’s AppleScripts for iTunes. Make sure your iTunes management tools are updated for latest version of iTunes and for macOS Sierra at Doug’s AppleScripts for iTunes . Show notes : Grateful Dead: Dave’s Picks Vol. 19, Honolulu, HI, January 23, 1970 The Who: Live at Leeds, Super Deluxe Edition Humble Pie: Performance – Rockin’ The Fillmore: The Complete Record...
Sep 23, 2016•28 min
We welcome New Yorker music critic Alex Ross for a long discussion about listening to classical music today. This episode runs a bit longer than usual, but we think you’ll enjoy the whole show. “I mix the familiar and the obscure.” Sponsor: Master iTunes with Kirk’s ebook and save 30% on Take Control of iTunes 12: The FAQ , the indispensable guide to iTunes. Show notes : Alex Ross’s website, The Rest is Noise Alex Ross’s writings on The New Yorker Alex Ross’s books: The Rest is Noise , Listen to...
Sep 16, 2016•41 min
Doug and Kirk look at the audio-related elements of this week’s Apple product announcement. The headphone jack, AirPods, and Apple Music. “Frankly, I don’t listen to a lot of new music. I’m still trying to catch up on a lot of old music.” Sponsor: Master iTunes with Kirk’s ebook and save 30% on Take Control of iTunes 12: The FAQ , the indispensable guide to iTunes. Show notes : Correction: When discussing AirPods, we said that they cannot be used with devices other than a Mac, iOS device, or App...
Sep 09, 2016•29 min
Doug and Kirk discuss some news and some music and audio technology history, then examine the best ways to manage and store a digital media collection. Show notes : News: Rudy Van Gelder, Renowned ‘A Love Supreme’ Engineer, Dead at 91 – Rolling Stone Music Technology of the 1970s: A Timeline – Pitchfork Managing and Storing Digital Media Files: TuneSpan Drobo WD My Cloud 4 TB Synology Our next tracks : Kirk: Harold Budd: Children on the Hill Doug: Bis: Social Dancing If you like the show, please...
Sep 02, 2016•30 min
