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Essentials in
Get Music
Society Contest Audio Archive Goes Online
Now you can legally purchase barbershop performances from iTunes.
Updated: 12/19/2007 1:31:09 PM
The Society Contest Audio Archive Gets “Naked”
By Stephen Iannacchione
Tenor – Joker’s Wild, International Quartet Champions
Chief Creative Officer - Naked Voice Records, LLC
*Additional Contributions by Jonathan Clunies
Lead – Joker’s Wild, International Quartet Champions
Chief Operations Officer and General Counsel - Naked Voice Records, LLC
*Additional Contributions by Steven Legters
Baritone - Joker’s Wild, International Quartet Champions
Chief Financial Officer - Naked Voice Records, LLC
*Additional Contributions by David Kindinger
Bass – Joker’s Wild, International Quartet Champions
Chief Marketing Officer – Naked Voice Records, LLC
During my family’s 40-year involvement with our beloved art form, we have seen many changes in the way we’ve listened to recordings. Recent advancements in technology gave me an idea on how I could contribute to the preservation of the history and encouragement of the future of the Society and the Barbershop art form.
I am a second-generation Barbershopper. I have been a member of the Society for 20 years. My father has been a member for 42 years. In that time, we both have listened to a lot of Barbershop recordings and the ways we have enjoyed our wonderful, unique art form have changed and evolved. When I was growing up, my dad purchased the contest recordings from the Society on vinyl records. Before they started manufacturing cassettes of the contests, dad used to hold a portable cassette recorder up to the speakers of our stereo turntable (we didn’t have a cassette player), so we could listen to the recordings on cassette in the car. Well, we didn’t have a cassette player in the car, either. We just set the portable cassette player in between the two front seats so we could all hear the sounds of harmony emanating from the small speaker (yes, one speaker). Of course, this portable cassette player was also a portable cassette recorder, so cassettes exist of my brother and me singing “Daddy Sang Bass” in the back seat of the car as children. (Come to think of it, I should find them and hide them).
To use the cliché: “How times have changed.” We began by listening to vinyl records, then 8-track tapes, then cassettes, then Compact Discs. Now, we listen to digital audio files on our home computers and digital audio players clipped to our belts.
When I bought my first iPod in August of 2002, I thought: “What a brilliant invention! I can store most of my music collection on this little box no larger than a cassette case!”
Then, in 2003, Apple launched The iTunes Music Store. That’s when we had the idea…
Joker’s Wild was no longer actively performing on the show circuit due to distance and time constraints, but we still had recordings which made us proud. Other than the Harmony Marketplace and several other mail order services, there really were no distribution channels open to us. Major media chains don’t generally ink distribution deals with independent artists. Major record labels assess the revenue potential from any relationship with an artist. They determine if that artist has the potential to generate enough revenue for them to invest in producing, marketing and distributing that artist. For a major record label to call a release a success, they generally need to sell 500,000 copies. Thus, the probability of a Barbershop quartet being signed to a major label in the current market has been very low. So, we discussed an opportunity to expand the distribution of our recordings (Joker’s Wild and The Pittsburghers). As our tracks began to sell, we thought maybe we could also help other Barbershop artists expand access to their recordings…so…Naked Voice Records was born. It took us several years to create relationships with the delivery services and copyright holders and to learn the technology involved in this new method of content delivery. We’ve spent months designing and developing a new database to handle the vast amounts of information about our 3,000+ tracks to date moving between us, our artists and the copyright holders. But, it’s been a fascinating and exciting journey as we ride a technological wave through an industry undergoing a metamorphosis.
This article introduces the technology of recorded music, explains the initiative between the Society and Naked Voice Records and finishes with a basic “how-to” for downloading music.
The Technology
(A special thanks to the many contributing authors of Wikipedia.com for some of the technical information contained in this section)
Audio Formats
An audio format is a medium for storing sound and music. The term is applied to both the physical recording media and the recording formats of the audio content – in computer science it is often limited to the audio file format, but its wider use usually refers to the physical method used to store the data. Music is recorded and distributed using a variety of audio formats, some of which store additional information.
Below is a timeline of the evolution of audio formats.
Timeline of Audio Format Developments (from Wikipedia.com)
Year |
Media formats |
Recording formats |
Mechanical analog; "hill-and-dale" grooves, vertical stylus motion | ||
Mechanical digital (automated musical instruments) | ||
Mechanical analog; lateral grooves, horizontal stylus motion | ||
Analog; magnetization; no "bias" | ||
Mechanical analog; electrically cut from amplified microphone signal, lateral grooves, horizontal stylus motion, discs at 7", 10", 12", most at 78 rpm | ||
Analog; magnetization; "bias" dramatically increases linearity/fidelity, tape speed at 30 ips, later 15 ips with NAB equalization; refined speeds: 7 1/2 ips, 3 3/4 ips, 1 7/8 ips | ||
Mechanical analog; electrically cut from amplified microphone signal, high fidelity sound, lateral or vertical grooves, horizontal or vertical stylus motion, most discs 16" at 33 1/3 rpm | ||
1948 (Commercial release) |
Analog, with preemphasis and other equalization techniques (LP, RIAA); lateral grooves, horizontal stylus motion; discs at 7" (most 45 rpm), 10" and 12" (most 33 1/3 rpm) | |
Stereophonic Vinyl Record |
Analog, with preemphasis and other equalization techniques. Combination lateral/vertical stylus motion with each channel encoded 45 degrees to the vertical. | |
4-Track (Stereo-Pak) |
Analog, 1/4 inch wide tape, 3 3/4 inches/sec, endless loop cartridge. | |
Analog, with bias, preemphasis, 0.15 inch wide tape, 17/8 inches/sec. 1970: introduced Dolby noise reduction. | ||
8-Track (Stereo-8) |
Analog, 1/4 inch wide tape, 3 3/4 inches/sec, endless loop cartridge. | |
Analog, 1/8 inch wide tape, used generally for note taking, mostly mono, some stereo. 2.4 cm/s or 1.2 cm/s. | ||
Analog, 1/8 inch wide tape, used generally for note taking, 1.2 cm/s | ||
Quadraphonic 8-Track (Quad-8) (Q8) |
Analog, 1/4 inch wide tape, 3 3/4 inches/sec, 4 Channel Stereo, endless loop cartridge. | |
Quadraphonic Vinyl Record (CD-4) (SQ Matrix) |
||
'Dolby Stereo' cinema surround sound | ||
Compact Disc (CD-DA) |
||
Sound Designer (by Digidesign) | ||
Digital Audio Tape (DAT) |
||
MiniDisc (MD) |
||
Digital Compact Cassette (DCC) |
||
WAVEform (WAV) Dolby Digital surround cinema sound | ||
Digital Theatre System (DTS) Sony Dynamic Digital Sound (SDDS) | ||
DTS Audio | ||
Super Audio CD (SACD) |
||
Windows Media Audio (WMA) | ||
Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) | ||
Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) | ||
Apple Lossless (ALE or ALAC) | ||
Audio File Formats
An audio file format is a container format for storing audio data on a computer system.
There are three major groups of audio file formats:
1. Uncompressed audio formats, such as WAV, AIFF and AU.
2. Formats with lossless compression, such as FLAC, Monkey's Audio (filename extension APE), WavPack (filename extension WV), Shorten, TTA, Apple Lossless and lossless Windows Media Audio (WMA).
3. Formats with lossy compression, such as MP3, Vorbis, lossy Windows Media Audio (WMA) and AAC.
Here are some examples of audio file formats:
• .mp3: The MPEG Layer-3 format is the most popular format for downloading and storing music. By eliminating portions of the audio file that are essentially inaudible, MP3 files are compressed to roughly one-tenth the size of an equivalent PCM (CD) file while maintaining good audio quality. The MP3 format is recommended for music storage. It is not very good for voice storage (so, you wouldn’t use it to record a rehearsal or a live performance). Many people confuse MP3 as an open format, but it isn't.
• .wma: The popular Windows Media Audio format owned by Microsoft. Designed with Digital Rights Management (DRM) abilities for copy protection.
• .wav: The older style Sony ATRAC format. It always has a .wav file extension. To open these files simply install the ATRAC3 drivers.
• .ra: A Real Audio format designed for streaming audio over the Internet. The .ra format allows files to be stored in a self-contained fashion on a computer, with all of the audio data contained inside the file itself.
• .m4p: A proprietary version of AAC in MP4 with Digital Rights Management developed by Apple for use in music downloaded from their iTunes Music Store.
Audio Files and The Internet
In the first half of 1995 through the late 1990s, MP3 files began to spread on the Internet. The popularity of the MP3 began to rise rapidly with the advent of Nullsoft's audio player Winamp (released in 1997), the Unix audio player mpg123 and the peer-to-peer file sharing network Napster (released in 1999). These programs made it simple for average users to playback, create, share and collect MP3s.
The small size of MP3 files has enabled widespread peer-to-peer file sharing of music, which would previously have been nearly impossible. The major record companies, who argue that such free sharing of music reduces sales, reacted to this by pursuing lawsuits against Napster, which was eventually closed down, and has now returned, albeit in a slightly different form. Ultimately, the record industry began filing lawsuits against individual users who engaged in file sharing.
Despite the popularity of MP3, online music retailers often use other proprietary formats that are encrypted (known as Digital Rights Management, or DRM) to prevent users from using purchased music in ways not specifically authorized by the record companies. The record companies argue that this is necessary to prevent the files from being made available on peer-to-peer file sharing networks. However, this has other side effects such as preventing users from playing back their purchased music on different types of devices. Some services, such as eMusic, continue to offer the MP3 format, which allows users to play back their music on virtually any device. Furthermore, almost all sound cards in modern computers allow the sound played through them to be recorded back, so any sound that can be played can also be recorded in any (unencrypted) format. In 2007, Apple’s iTunes Store began offering DRM-free tracks from major record label EMI. Amazon.com offers DRM-free tracks as well. So, we are now beginning to see a shift in the distribution of “legal” downloadable music, as services are starting to offer tracks without copy-protection, thus allowing users to essentially “do with them as they please”, in accordance with federal fair use statutes.
Digital Audio Players
More commonly referred to as an MP3 player, a digital audio player is a portable, handheld digital music player that stores, organizes and plays MP3 and often other audio files. Most digital audio players are powered by rechargeable batteries, some of which are not user replaceable. Listening to music stored on them is typically done through earphones, but external speakers and docking stations for connecting the devices to home and automobile audio systems are also available.
Digital audio players are generally categorized by storage media:
• Flash-Based Players – These are non-mechanical solid-state devices that hold digital audio files on internal flash memory or removable flash media called memory cards. Due to technological advancements in flash memory, these originally low-storage devices are now commercially available with capacities of up to 16 GB. Because they are solid state and do not have moving parts they require less battery power and may be more resilient to hazards such as dropping or fragmentation than hard disk-based players. (Examples of flash-based players: iPod Touch and iPod Nano, both by Apple, Inc., and the Lyra series from RCA).
• Hard Drive-Based Players – These are devices that read digital audio files from a hard disk drive (HDD). These players have higher capacities, currently ranging up to 160 GB. At typical encoding rates, this means that tens of thousands of songs – perhaps an entire music collection – can be stored on one player. Because of the storage capacity, devices that also display video and pictures are often hard disk drive based. Such multimedia devices are usually called portable media players. (Examples of hard drive-based players: iPod by Apple, Inc., Zune by Microsoft, Inc. and Zen by Creative Technology).
Downloading Music
A music download refers to the transferring of a music (audio) file from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. Legal music downloads typically involve the purchase of a song or album available for downloading on the Internet.
Downloading music first became popular with file sharing technologies such as peer-to-peer networks, with people breaking copyright laws by not paying for copyrighted audio files. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) claimed that this practice was damaging the music industry, and a series of lawsuits led to many of these networks being closed down. However, those who support such technologies argued that the music industry said the same thing about recordable tapes and CDs, and the industry should embrace the advancements in technology rather than enforce prohibitions on the practice.
The second phase of music downloading was the digital delivery service (online music store), whereby songs could be downloaded for a price. Beginning in 2003, Apple’s iTunes Store paved the way for legal digital downloads. Other online websites included URGE, Napster and MSN's Music Store. Ad-Supported music stores are now beginning to emerge such as Spiralfrog and Qtrax which do not charge for music downloads, but instead, sell advertising space to pay for the music downloads.
In 2007, a third phase of downloading began. Technical innovations now enable the near instant downloading of real-time, radio broadcasted songs straight to a listener/user's mobile phone or computer, such as DROPme in Sweden.
In some countries, the sales of downloaded music have now surpassed the sales of 'physical copies' (CD, vinyl, etc.). In the UK, the song "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley reached the top spot in the UK Singles Chart based on download sales alone. Many artists can now offer alternate or extended versions of songs and additional content which had previously been cost-prohibitive. Our artists can now offer even just one song at a time. We no longer have to wait until we have an album’s worth of material to produce a physical release!
The Barbershop Harmony Society/Naked Voice Records Partnership
The Barbershop Harmony Society/Naked Voice Records initiative is to comb the BHS archive and make available every possible performance by every possible contestant in every possible contest.
The Society Archive
The Society has an archive of contest audio dating back to at least (the earliest date I personally saw on the shelf) 1948. Many of these recordings are on 1/4” reels. The songs number in the thousands. Due to the passage of time and environmental conditions (it is expensive to secure climate-controlled storage of these media), the recordings are in various states of deterioration. With every day that passes, we are losing American music history to father time. Our objective is to convert these tapes to digital files, which can then be digitally restored and enhanced, and make them available for purchase through our digital delivery services.
In the 2006 International Contest in Indianapolis, the 47 quartets and 30 choruses performed approximately 214 songs. There are 21 tracks on the quartet CD and 20 tracks on the chorus CD, for a total of 41 songs. The remaining 173 songs remained unreleased until the Society partnered with Naked Voice Records to digitally release these tracks. They are now available.
Just think…if this was the case for every International Contest all the way back to 1939…well, you do the math…
Every Possible Song, By Every Possible Contestant, In Every Possible Contest…
There used to be only one or two tracks for each contest competitor on an official Society release. But I always wanted to hear all of the songs performed in the contest. Back then, we were limited by the amount of data we could fit on a vinyl record or cassette, or even a CD. Now, we are only limited by the number of storage devices (essentially, hard drives) available to us at the digital delivery services. Thus, we can theoretically release every track ever recorded. We say “possible” because not all recordings are legally releasable for sale. For example, there are possible legal issues with “parody” vs. “satire” (a subject for another article).
We no longer have to make decisions on what we release. We can make it all available. That’s exciting!
Non-Dues Revenue
Another huge benefit is the fact that we are effectively converting an otherwise untapped asset into a potential source of non-dues revenue for the Society.
Increased Exposure
We are increasing our exposure in the world music market by making it very easy to access and purchase content from our artists. Naked Voice Records works with 43 digital delivery services in 21 countries around the world. Tracks recorded by our artists have already been purchased in countries where we don’t even have an affiliate organization (France, for example). C’est sensationnel!
The Website: www.nakedvoicerecords.com
We have launched a website for the record label, www.nakedvoicerecords.com, with the intent of creating a portal to our entire catalog, and making it very easy to find and download the content you want.
The Current Catalog
There are currently over 3,000 tracks available, including:
• International Barbershop Harmony Society Conventions: 1996 through 2007
• Independent Artists: ACOUSTIX, The Alley Cats, Gotcha!, The Innsiders, Joker’s Wild, Nexus, Power Play, The Pittsburghers, The Ritz, Rural Route 4, Shalimars, Special Feature, The Suntones, The Westminster Chorus, You Bet!...and more on the way…
• By the way, Naked Voice Records is currently accepting submissions for new artists. All submissions can be sent to our headquarters for consideration:
Naked Voice Records
239 East 81st Street
Suite 3A
New York, NY 10028
How To Download Music
Downloading music is a simple process. Here is an example.
*Although Naked Voice Records currently works with 43 different digital delivery services (the list is on our website), we have a great relationship with Apple’s iTunes Store. Every track in our catalog is available there. So, I’ll take you through the process of downloading a track using iTunes as the example.
**Now, music files are large compared to other types of files (like Microsoft Word or Excel, etc.). In order to truly be successful in the downloading process, you need a broadband (Cable, DSL, T1, etc.) internet connection. Otherwise, it will take a long time to download a track.
Installing The iTunes Software
1. Go to www.nakedvoicerecords.com.
2. Click on “New To Downloading Music?”
3. Click on “Connect.” (Box #1). This will automatically take you to the iTunes software download page. The iTunes software is free and works on both Windows and Mac.
4. Follow the instructions to install the iTunes software on your computer.
5. Once installed, launch the iTunes software.
6. On the left side of the iTunes software application screen, click on “Music Store.”
7. Click on the “Store” menu at the top of the iTunes application screen.
8. Choose “Create Account…” from the drop-down menu.
9. Follow the instructions to create an account.
10. You’re ready to go!
Finding Barbershop Music
1. Go to www.nakedvoicerecords.com.
2. Click on the “Artists” button in the navigation bar at the top of the screen.
3. Click on your favorite artist in the list.
4. On the Artist’s page, click on the recording you want to download. This will automatically take you to the recording page on the iTunes Store.
5. Click “Buy Album” if you want the entire album or “Buy Song” on the list of tracks at the bottom right of the screen if you want to buy a specific song.
6. The download will automatically begin.
Managing Your Music
Once you have downloaded music files to your computer, you can manage them through the iTunes software.
iTunes enables you to do the following:
1. Listen to music through your computer’s speaker system.
2. Stream wirelessly to your home audio system (through an accessory like Airport Express, by Apple, Inc.).
3. Burn the file to a CD for use in a CD player (if you have a CD-RW drive).
4. Transfer the file to your digital music player so you can take your music with you.
As we continue to grow, so shall the website!
This is a fascinating, cost-effective new way of distributing our music. It enables Barbershop to reach the far corners of the globe. It provides opportunities for Barbershop artists to garner a presence as never before in our Society’s history.
The Society is to be applauded for its prescience in embracing the new technology, and its forethought in pursuing new avenues for expanding the public awareness of recordings from our artists, and ways of generating non-dues revenue for the ultimate health and growth of the organization. The folks at headquarters have been absolutely wonderful in helping us chase this dream.
We are all diligently working to increase our efficiency in making these recordings available, track our progress, develop new markets for the content and provide new streams of revenue for our artists and the Society.
What can you do to help the effort? Download a Barbershop recording. Sing along. Spread the word.
So, there’s the first article about what we are doing and how it all works. I think I’ll give my dad a call and see what new Society contest songs he’s downloaded from iTunes to his iPod…
Stephen Iannacchione is the Tenor of the 1994 International Quartet Champions, “Joker’s Wild.”
He is Chief Creative Officer of Naked Voice Records, LLC.
He lives in New York City.
Naked Voice Records, LLC – www.nakedvoicerecords.com
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