HomePrint PageBack
Start This Feature At Its Beginning

about record grading systems for commercial sound recordings

There are many ways to grade sound recordings in the music industry and many grading systems are extant. Why? There are a number of factors contributing to this situation:

  • The Muse knows of no standards association that has stepped up to the challenge of developing a grading system, nor even of a de facto standard that has been accepted throughout the record selling industry and is in widespread use. To fill the vacuum, many record sellers have developed their own system for grading the records they sell. Consequently, there are many differences among systems and each has its particular eccentricities.
  • Factors that impact sound quality depend on the recording medium and recording technology, as well as on the reproduction systems and listening environment. Sometimes some of these factors are included.
  • Nomenclature varies. The same degree of quality or sound characteristic may go by many names.
  • Factors other than sound quality may affect the price of a recording, for example, playing time, the type of sound reproduction system for which the recording is made, playing the condition of the label, whether there is a sleeve, whether original notes are included, and packaging.

coping with diversity—the Muses

In the face of such diversity, The Muses have adopted a modest albeit realistic set of objectives with regard to grading. The Muse will be satisfied if, by presenting one simple system, the visitor will:

  • Improve his "ear:" sharpen his hearing acuity; better detect flaws and imperfections.
  • Become more objective and accurate when judging the quality of a sound recording.
  • Improve his sense of the relationship between the quality of a sound recording and the objective factors that affect quality. Use this sense when making buying decisions.
  • Understand what factors may affect cost. Learn about some of the factors to look for when purchasing a recording.
  • More accurately judge the market value of a recording.
  • Add to his vocabulary of terms related to recording quality and pricing.
  • Develop his ability to decide when the aesthetic appeal, content, or historic importance of the sound on a recording is more important than the quality of the sound it makes.
  • Develop his appreciation for the importance of grading when buying records. Use grading in making choices about his own acquisitions.
  • Become familiar with some of the important factors that affect the quality of recorded sound reproduction.
  • Press relevant institutions to develop grading standards that will advance the art of acquiring fine, historic, or worthwhile recordings of any kind.

coping with diversity—the visitor

If you are serious about acquiring used recordings for their music and not for their resale value, The Muses can offer this advice.

If you are determined never to spend more for a record than it's worth:

  • Learn as much as possible about grading systems.
  • Operate on the principle that you are the best judge of what rating a record should be assigned.
  • Develop a "calibrated ear" by comparing records with their ratings.
  • Whenever possible, listen to a record before you buy it.
  • Decide for yourself if it's worth the asking price.
HomePrint PageBack

 



www.Electricka.com

Contact Us
Print This Page
Add This Page To Your Favorites (type <Ctrl> D)
 

This web site and its contents are copyrighted by Decision Consulting Incorporated (DCI). All rights reserved.
You may reproduce this page for your personal use or for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.
Additional copyright and trademark notices