So Much Good.. Pono
Pono is a new iPod like storage unit to store and enjoy music on. It offers up to 24 bit/192khz audio resolution. Why is this exciting? Because current mp3’s is a very lossy, low quality format if compared to the quality and resolution that music is currently being recorded at. Typical studios record at 24 bit / 44.1khz resolution. This is then dithered (smooshed) down to 16bit. The process is well known to compromise and damage the original audio in audible ways. This damage is very apparent to musicians and studio engineers that have been listening to the tracks at 24 bit / 44.1khz resolution and then hear the final 16 file. Normally words and phrases like: thin, weak bass, less clear, jumbled are used to descried the difference.
Some due argue that 24 bit/192khz is too high of a resolution and that it will unneccessrily clog up computer resources while recording to track (record) at such resolutions. I think thats nonsense. storage space is cheaper than ever and quality should always come first. Furthermore having spent years bummed out at the sounds of the final masters mp3 file I am happy anything may well be replacing it.
Besides. Neil Young likes it.
And if Neil Young likes it…