Jeremy's Blog - Latest Comments

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

David Baptista da Silva — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 21:52:14 -0000

Sorry to jump into the conversation but...can we expect new Frank works any time soon? :P

(Yeah, the OBCR of Bonnie & Clyde is taking too much time for me...)

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

David Baptista da Silva — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 21:50:34 -0000

On a first read it does make some interesting points, thanks! :D
I'll have to sit calmly to read this again though, since there's a bunch of stuff there that I need to check for its meaning (English isn't my mother language =P)

LOL Yeah...but then again the only people that believe in Apple's marketing are the ones who want to believe them...and they are experts in selling mediocre quality stuff at the price of Gold lol

(did it show up that I'm a Windows guy? lol)

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

Jeremy — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:53:20 -0000

PS -- for geeks only:

(this issue has resurfaced due to Apple's new marketing of the "high resolution" audio on iTunes... which we all know is simply marketing-speak!)

http://people.xiph.org/~xiphmo...

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

Jeremy — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:51:09 -0000

Hi Kevin!
I've been pretty quiet here -- cooking up a storm though... really cool stuff coming...

Best,

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

Kevin Knight — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:25:41 -0000

Holy Moly, Did not realize this had come out! Since I was at most all of these concerts as a fan of J&H, a concert vocalist myself, and as a friend of RE, I will certainly be enjoying this. Wish I had checked back here more often. Jereme, so glad to see this happen after you mentioned last I saw you. Much continued success! -Kevin Knight @Kevin_Knight

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

David Baptista da Silva — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:40:44 -0000

I read the article, got thinking about it and decided to ask directly to the professionals. Don't crucify the messenger. :P

My suggestion would be (take it or leave it) to make clear on the site when you mention the encoding of the tracks that with the technology involved, it's irrelevant if it's 256 or 320kbps. 'cause just like me, other people may not be aware of that.

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

Jeremy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:23:08 -0000

>> 256 are substandard, 320 would be the minimum

Hogwash.

I'm not gonna argue geek-isms with a website or blog!

People MUST use their ears, and their gut. How does it feel? Ok, then it's done. I don't mix by the numbers, and I don't have rules for orchestration. The only "rule" that we live by is, "are we telling the story?"

320k vs. 256k ? Um, whatever.
PS -- learn about the state of the art in encoders, such as http://www.sonnoxplugins.com/p... and the statement about 256 being "substandard" will disappear. 256 may have been substandard 5 years ago, but not today. Not with the tools that are readily available to professionals.

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

David Baptista da Silva — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:02:43 -0000

Interesting, thanks for the answer.
I personally only notice the differences between 128 and 320 ('cause it's noticeable) but t if no one tells me, I don't really look at the encoding rate, not even when I'm putting songs from a CD into my mp3 reader (it can be 192, 256, 320...if it sounds the same, I won't notice).
I'm a physical-CD guy so I seldom buy my music through download (only do it when it's the only source like for example the Korean Promo of TEARS OF HEAVEN) so I don't know which encoding rates are used normaly. I assume it's 320 but I won't bet on it. And with state of the art technology I believe the result is pretty much the same. I don't work with music recordings so I take your word for it :)

Well, seen a premium product, then I understand.Actually I have to say that when compared with a similar producer here in Europe of quality backtracks, yours are actually at a cheap price. Each backtrack by him costs around 30€...which is over 30 dollars. I was thinking in the price per track in a plan of market competition with iTunes etc which I thought was the idea.

Anyway, I'm planning on buying them anyway as a Christmas gift from me to myself so...(just waiting for the complete CDs of Dracula and hopefully Tears of Heaven to be available too)

My question was aroused by curiosity after reading this article http://www.kultur-channel.at/q...

...though I must say I think they misread the FAQ. They say "the complete CD (that we can't burn ourselves) costs..." referring to the tracks.
I read the FAQ and what I understood is that we can't burn/produce a CD with our renditions of the songs using these tracks without permission. But unlike they said, we can burn the tracks as they are on a CD. After all, that's the safest way to do the backup. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

Jeremy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:04:11 -0000

Because there is no audible difference between 256k and 320 for how these tracks are going to be used! Anyone who wants 320k, gee whiz, I'll give you 320k if you ask. But you'll have to do a an ABX blind listening test with me. And if anyone can reliably tell the difference on mastered tracks, you can have my entire recording studio.

Remember, I am using the state of art in encoding tools -- http://www.sonnoxplugins.com/p...
and the point of this is to make it fast and easy.

As for the price-point -- it's an EXTREME discount for those who want the entire CD. We are not competing with the $2 karaoke tracks. They suck. You get what you pay for. We are not competing with the $30 for 8 song karaoke CDs. They suck too.

I decided to make a value offer for the whole CD that made it attractive to someone who wanted it all. Otherwise, just download what you want/need.

If you are thinking about price per track, iTunes is the better source for karaoke. But then you will get what you pay for. This is a premium product and I am trying to do my best to make this available to all.

Let me go back to the audio quality one more time -- I challenge ANYONE to an ABX listening test. We'll listen to 256k mp3 encoded (by me) with the best tools available, then we'll listen to 320k mp3 encoded by iTunes, and we'll listen to the unencoded 16-bit wav. If ANYONE can reliably pick the 320k from the test, every time (let's say 9 out of 10), I'll retire and give you my studio. Deal?

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

David Baptista da Silva — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:40:13 -0000

Question Jeremy:

I was thinking and I wonder why are the tracks encoded at 256kbps instead of 320kbps? (We're not even speaking of lossless formats - the real CD quality - but encoded at 320kbps which is the maximum for mp3 files)
While as a whole CD the price may justify (as I said, above, 3 dollars per track at 256kbps is good), when one thinks in individual tracks, 10 dollars for ONE track at 256kbps is too much and may price you out of the market, wouldn't you agree?

Re: GlobalVision Backing Tracks and Karaoke Store

David Baptista da Silva — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:01:30 -0000

This is a great idea Jeremy! Of course it would be even better to have them at 320kbps but then again the price is ok for 256kbps. After all, if we take for example the Complete Backtrack CD for Jekyll & Hyde for 60 dollars, it's 3 dollars per track, which is quite good!

By the way, the "Absolutely! Congratulations. Hopefully, you will choose "Take Me As I Am" or "Someone Like You" (and not "The World Has Gone Insane")." cracked me up! LOL Though...it would be fun if the one singing "The World Has Gone Insane" would be the father or mother-in-law.

I love these kind of well produced instrumental tracks, so I'm definitely keeping an eye on this!

Re: Tears of Heaven & Havana, Cuba

Jeyre2 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:27:39 -0000

Hi Jeremy, first, I was so sorry I had to miss the Dracula performance at B&N, I had to work, but love the album. As for Tears of Heaven, I bought this from Germany several months ago and OMG, the voices, the music....what can I say, it took my breath away!!! Just beautiful. Best of luck in Cuba, it warms my heart to know that Frank's beautiful music will be heard there. I know you will be leaving with many new fans.

OH PS....I still cannot stop listening to "My Confession", by Christiane Noll. As always, she adds the perfect emotion with her gorgeous voice to this heartbreaking song....
Lori

Re: DRACULA: Live @ Barnes & Noble NYC (E. 86th) Oct 27

MP — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:05:43 -0000

I was totally planning on stopping by tonight but I'm stuck at work & no longer able to make it. Will you guys have extra signed copies available to purchase? At the store? On the web? Please??

Re: DRACULA: Live @ Barnes & Noble NYC (E. 86th) Oct 27

Tracie — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 07:46:54 -0000

The Dracula CD is amazing! Wish I could be there!

Re: DRACULA: Live @ Barnes & Noble NYC (E. 86th) Oct 27

Richie — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:23:36 -0000

This is a nice surprise for me. I think Wild horn is a genius. Been a big fan of James Barbour since my wife and I saw him in Tale of Two Cities. I wish I could pay for a seat so I could be sure I can get a seat. Legs are starting to go, but I will be there any way.

I was told B&N will be selling the Dracula the musical sound track. It is very good. I already have it. I know there is another sound track coming out soon called "Bring Me Giants" from the same group. I hope they will be selling that Cd as well. That I don't have.

Richie

Re: DRACULA: Live @ Barnes & Noble NYC (E. 86th) Oct 27

Mhorag — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:52:43 -0000

would love to be there but live in Aberdeen Scotland. Will tell all my NYC friends to go along. Love to hear James sing xxx

Re: DRACULA: Live @ Barnes & Noble NYC (E. 86th) Oct 27

Aelroy — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:21:13 -0000

Please James come and do this in LA!

Re: DRACULA: Live @ Barnes & Noble NYC (E. 86th) Oct 27

girl from L.A. — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:31:40 -0000

Me, too! I hope James does something in the Los Angeles area soon. I can't make it to NYC right now.

Re: DRACULA: Live @ Barnes & Noble NYC (E. 86th) Oct 27

Steve — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:37:38 -0000

Sure wish I could be there. Hearing James Barbour sing is enough for me!

Re: The Rock Tenor in The Grand Illusion

Tom — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:27:30 -0000

Any week but that one and my wife and I would drive up to NY for this show! We saw the original "Rock Tenor" show in Philly and it was AWESOME! In fact, I liked it so much, I went back for a second night!

Anyone who can make it, do yourself a favor and don't miss this show. I guarantee you'll have a GREAT time. Hearing Rob Evan singing these great songs from the past is a treat!

Re: Dracula CD update…

Tom — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:34:57 -0000

Thanks for the reply!

Your "version" of the songs I'm sure would be just fine (still like your arrangement of "This is the Moment" on RESURRECTION better than any other out there...).

Due to the short life of Dracula here in the states, the interest in the sheet music would most likely be highest elsewhere. Really need the show to re-open in the revamped (is that a pun?) version back here in the U.S.!

Thanks....oh, and I will go to iTunes and post my review right now!

Tom

Re: Dracula CD update…

Jeremy — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:32:23 -0000

Hi Tom,
No plans to do sheet music at this time. Printed music requires an entirely different set of rights and permissions - and the authors may or may not let us do it. But if enough people beg me I could create the sheet music of "my versions" of the songs... but I need to hear from lots of you...
Please post your review on iTunes and/or Amazon!
Thanks,

Re: Dracula CD update…

Tom — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:32:06 -0000

Hi Jeremy.

Love the new "Dracula" CD!! Do you know if there are plans to release sheet music for the songs?

Thanks.

Tom

Re: Dracula CD update…

David — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 20:57:44 -0000

Lori,
You may also want to try yesasia.com they also have it for sale (http://www.yesasia.com/global/...

Hope this helps

Re: Dracula CD update…

Jeremy — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 20:34:58 -0000

Lori,

We are working on a US release for this. You will be the first to know when this happens. We may have news on this later this week.

Thanks!