NIN - The Slip

[ik632]

Looks like Trent Reznor is embracing the world of free high quality music:
http://dl.nin.com/theslip/signup

This time it's a whole free album in wav, flac, mp3, or aac.

Nice work guys!

[richidoo]

Very cool! Now's the time for me to buy my first nine inch nails CD!!

They will have vinyl available in the summer too! Forward thinking marketers with their own best interests at heart.

[Carlman]

Downloading now... thanks, Nick.
I hope the 'better-than-cd' quality flac is worthwhile.. If it's distorted head-banging, mp3 would be adequate...  we shall see... later, much, much later...  haha..
-C

[Black Sand Cable]

I'm not a big NIN fan but I did download the 24/96 FLAC version just to have a listen.

[ik632]

I downloaded mp3, flac and 24/96 flac. I could hear a slight difference between flac and high res flac on my system, so I'm sure you audiophile's will definitely hear it. The mp3's are fine for the car and portable players.

I think they are doing a great job setting the standard for media format. I hope other music people take notice and start offering music like this. I know that they will require payment, but the other album that they released also came in these formats.

[Carlman]

It's a pretty sweet album if you're into this kind of thing...  I definitely got into it.. It takes a couple of times to get into it.. and the bass is very nice.  Thanks again, I'm enjoying it.
-C

[ik632]

I really like the 4th song Discipline. Some of the other songs are a little harder to get into with the really weird drum beats that are used, but it's pretty good. I would say that it's better than the last one that I bought from them (Ghosts I-IV).

[Carlman]

I never thought I'd say I liked 'Discipline' but in this case only, I definitely do.    If there was a 'hit' on the album, I would imagine that'd be it.  I like dreamy/swirly music towards the end also.  It takes a few times.

I can't play the 24-bit version on the SB3, btw.  It 'plays' but it's all choppy and weird.  Too much info for it to handle.  Now I have to download the 'normal' flac version. oy.

-C

[richidoo]

You might be able to reduce the 24/96 to 24/48 to play on SB using foobar. Or another free online music processor.

dbpoweramp music converter can do it, I think there is a free trial.
Rich

[Carlman]

I downloaded the other flac and mp3 before reading your suggestion, Rich...  but that makes sense..

The fact that the SB3 can't handle 24-bit is no big deal since I'll be using an audio-pc in my reference system anyway... and the PC has no issue.

-C

[mdconnelly]

The fact that the SB3 can't handle 24-bit is no big deal since I'll be using an audio-pc in my reference system anyway... and the PC has no issue.

-C

Actually, I believe the SB3 can handle 24bit.   It's the 96kHz it chokes on.   I think the SB3 can handle 24/48 while the Transporter can handle 24/96. 

[richidoo]

That's right Mike. That's also why Carl is hearing something, even though it sounds bad. SB is doing a rough 'downres conversion' on the fly, reading every other sample, or trying at least, or maybe not trying so hard?   

I always thought 24 bit was impossible on SB, only allowing 24 bit total. 16 for music and 8 more for volume control to the DAC. But apparently that's not true if 24/48 plays with VC active.

[ik632]

I thought it was my wireless network not being fast enough for 24/96. I downloaded both regular and high res flac when I downloaded though. It was a quick switch to play the regular flac on the SB3.