Dan Moore Reviews Fullwave™ Prototype
05/02/05
"The FullWave I audio file compared to the standard .mp3 file is...well, not even a comparison."
"From working with some of the early audio compression codecs, I have witnessed a gradual improvement of audio quality coupled with decreasing audio file sizes as the years have passed. Because audio files are really just a collection of samples that re-create the sound, maintaining the original characteristics of those samples is directly proportionate to the resulting sound quality. But the popular existing audio codecs, such as the ones that create .mp3 files and others, have introduced aliasing and artifacts as basic side effects of audio file compression. This has been viewed by the marketplace as an acceptable trade off for the convenience of the newer music playback products, such as computer jukeboxes and personal audio file players.
Now, that sacrifice is no longer required. The FullWave audio file format is the ultimate breakthrough of this technology trend. When I first heard the FullWave audio file compared to a standard .mp3 (converted at 128Mb/sec), I immediately noticed a wider depth to the sound, more precise overall frequency response, and clear high-end tonality and crispness. In comparison, the .mp3 file had a damped, blanketed sound that resembled listening to a song from another room with the door closed. The FullWave audio file opened that door and made me believe that I was no longer listening to an audio file, but rather the original master recording. It was almost as if someone had cross-faded the audio coming out of my computer to the sound coming from my home stereo. And the best part is the size of a FullWave audio file is about one-third the size of an .mp3 equivalent. So, not only can I now get full resolution sound quality out of my audio files, but I can get three times more music into the same data storage medium(s). This is truly a win-win for both the digital audio industry as well as music consumers utilizing these products and/or services.
The art of recording and audio production is to "capture a moment in history", and maintain the original essence exuded by the artist throughout the production process. But over the last decade, music enthusiasts have come to accept sub-standard audio quality in exchange for convenience and portability. With the new FullWave audio compression utility, that sacrifice is no longer a requirement. Music consumers and enthusiasts can now enjoy the accuracy and detail that was originally intended by the great producers and engineers of the world - without the hindrance of unwanted artifacts and other side effects of the existing audio file compression codecs."
If the music truly matters, then there's no question that FullWave is the next wave. Catch it."
- Dan Moore
Product Manager
Mackie Corp.
Now, that sacrifice is no longer required. The FullWave audio file format is the ultimate breakthrough of this technology trend. When I first heard the FullWave audio file compared to a standard .mp3 (converted at 128Mb/sec), I immediately noticed a wider depth to the sound, more precise overall frequency response, and clear high-end tonality and crispness. In comparison, the .mp3 file had a damped, blanketed sound that resembled listening to a song from another room with the door closed. The FullWave audio file opened that door and made me believe that I was no longer listening to an audio file, but rather the original master recording. It was almost as if someone had cross-faded the audio coming out of my computer to the sound coming from my home stereo. And the best part is the size of a FullWave audio file is about one-third the size of an .mp3 equivalent. So, not only can I now get full resolution sound quality out of my audio files, but I can get three times more music into the same data storage medium(s). This is truly a win-win for both the digital audio industry as well as music consumers utilizing these products and/or services.
The art of recording and audio production is to "capture a moment in history", and maintain the original essence exuded by the artist throughout the production process. But over the last decade, music enthusiasts have come to accept sub-standard audio quality in exchange for convenience and portability. With the new FullWave audio compression utility, that sacrifice is no longer a requirement. Music consumers and enthusiasts can now enjoy the accuracy and detail that was originally intended by the great producers and engineers of the world - without the hindrance of unwanted artifacts and other side effects of the existing audio file compression codecs."
If the music truly matters, then there's no question that FullWave is the next wave. Catch it."
- Dan Moore
Product Manager
Mackie Corp.