The Next Track

Mac writer Rob Griffiths tells us how to efficiently rip DVDs and Blu-Rays. This week’s guest : Rob Griffiths Show notes : The Committed podcast The Complete West Wing on iTunes (in HD) Revisiting ripping Blu-Ray discs Detailed instructions for installing the transcode-video tools Pioneer Slim External Blu Ray Writer BDR-XD05B MacGo Blu-Ray Player MakeMKV HandBrake 1.0 VLC Media Player transcode-v...

Andy Doe returns to discuss how music consumption has changed in this era of fragmented media. “We are the acquisitors.” This week’s guest : Andy Doe Proper Discord Show notes : Chris Anderson: The Long Tail , Free Our next tracks : Kirk: Pink Floyd: Animals Doug: Corey Harris: Greens From the Garden If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the...

Musician and developer Peter Chilvers discusses making apps with Brian Eno, including the new generative music composition Reflection. “Imagine lots and lots of theremins looping back at you…” Show notes : Peter Chilvers’ website Ten years working with Brian Eno Generative Music website with Peter’s apps Scape, Bloom, Trope, and Air Kirk’s review of the Reflection CD and app Kirk’s 2013 review of...

We take a look at the pros and cons of syncing music to your portable device versus using the cloud to store your music. Sponsor : Waltr 2: transfer virtually any media files to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, without using iTunes. Safe 15% on Waltr 2 with the discount code THENEXTTRACK. Check out Waltr 2 . Show notes : Episode #22 – In Praise of the iPod Classic How Many Matches Does iTunes Match Mat...

In this special, one-hour, year-end episode, we feature clips from some of our more popular episodes. If you’re just discovering The Next Track, this highlight reel will give you an idea of the topics we cover in the show. Alex Ross on classical music Sunny Nam on mastering records Elijah Wald on the blues Timo Andres on composing classical music David Browne on the Grateful Dead Will Hermes on di...

Chris Connaker of the Computer Audiophile website explains what a DAC is, how it works, and a whether you need one. (And how you already have lots of them.) Sponsor : Waltr 2: transfer virtually any media files to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, without using iTunes. Safe 15% on Waltr 2 with the discount code THENEXTTRACK. Check out Waltr 2 . Show notes : The Computer Audiophile website DACs – digital...

We welcome Jim Dalrymple of The Loop to discuss his experiences with Apple Music. Sponsor : Waltr 2: transfer virtually any media files to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, without using iTunes. Save 15% on Waltr 2 with a discount code from The Next Track. Check out Waltr 2 . This week’s guest : Jim Dalyrmple of The Loop . Show notes : Jim Dalrymple’s article on The Loop: Apple Music hits 20 million sub...

Why not spread a bit of holiday cheer? Doug and Kirk pick their selections for great Christmas gifts. Sponsor : Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to protect your important data forever. Listen to the podcast for a discount code to save 20% on a new Drobo. Visit Drobo.com . Show notes : IsoAcoustics speaker stands Auralex Acoustics MoPAD Monitor Acoustic Isolation Pads The Rolling Stones...

Doug and Kirk explain everything you need to know about tagging your digital audio files. Sponsor : Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to protect your important data forever. Listen to the podcast for a discount code to save 20% on a new Drobo. Visit Drobo.com . Show notes : The ID3 version 2.3.0 specifications Take Control of iTunes 12: The FAQ How to better organize your classical musi...

Author Peter Robinson joins us to discuss how he uses music in his DCI Banks series of mystery novels. This week’s guest : Peter Robinson Show notes : DCI Banks Girl from the North Country Playlists for Peter Robinson’s novels Martin Carthy Our next tracks : Kirk: Bill Evans: Turn Out the Stars Doug: Leon Russell: Leon Russell And The Shelter People If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes...

Paul Englishby talks about composing music for stage and screen, including the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new production of The Tempest. This week’s guest : Paul Englishby Paul Englishby on IMDB Show notes : The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Company Clips of Paul Englishby’s music for the RSC’s production of The Tempest The Tempest: Music and Speeches Miles Davis improvising the score for Loui...

Andy Doe answers listener questions about audio equipment and technology in our first Ask Andy episode. Sponsor : Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to protect your important data forever. Visit Drobo.com . This week’s guest : Andy Doe Proper Discord Show notes : CD Text to CD Info AppleScript Blu-Spec CD MQA Our next tracks : Kirk: Franz Schubert: String Quintet in C, d. 956 Doug: The F...

The second and final part of our interview with Timo Andres, discussing his compositions, and the business of classical music. Listen to part one . Sponsor : Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to keep your data safe forever. Visit Drobo.com . This week’s guest : Timo Andres’s website Timo Andres on Nonesuch Records Show notes : The Blind Banister , on the Pulitzer Prize website Alex Ross...

Doug and Kirk welcome Timo Andres, composer and performer of contemporary classical music. This is the first part of a two-part interview. One of the ways that […] any type of musician finds their style is by setting out to imitate something and failing. This week’s guest : Timo Andres’s website Timo Andres on Nonesuch Records Show notes : Alex Ross of the New Yorker on Timo Andres and other “stud...

Doug and Kirk welcome David Browne, author of So Many Roads: The Life and Times of the Grateful Dead to discuss the history of this iconic band. Sponsor: Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to keep your data safe forever. Visit Drobo.com . This week’s guest : David Browne’s website So Many Roads: The Life and Times of the Grateful Dead Show notes : Kirk’s review of So Many Roads The Grate...

Doug and Kirk wax nostalgic about the iPod classic, and other one trick pony music players. And Bob Dylan. Sponsor : Doug’s AppleScripts for iTunes. Make sure your iTunes management tools are updated for latest version of iTunes and for macOS Sierra at Doug’s AppleScripts for iTunes . Reader email : A question about earbuds and low frequencies; see the reply to a question on last week’s episode pa...

Doug and Kirk had some questions about subwoofers. So they invited Andy Doe to explain how they work, how to set them up, and why we might want to use them. Sponsor: Drobo, simple to use storage arrays designed to keep your data safe forever. Visit Drobo.com . You’re listening to this at home for your own pleasure, it doesn’t actually matter if it’s accurate. What matters is that you like it. This...

We welcome musician, historian, and author Elijah Wald to discuss the history of the blues. Sponsor: Master iTunes with Kirk’s ebook and save 30% on Take Control of iTunes 12: The FAQ , the indispensable guide to iTunes. Show notes : Elijah Wald’s website Elijah Wald’s Songobiography Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and...

Doug and Kirk discuss the pros and cons of live recordings vs. studio recordings. And, are live recordings really live? “Bravo!” Sponsor: Doug’s AppleScripts for iTunes. Make sure your iTunes management tools are updated for latest version of iTunes and for macOS Sierra at Doug’s AppleScripts for iTunes . Show notes : Grateful Dead: Dave’s Picks Vol. 19, Honolulu, HI, January 23, 1970 The Who: Liv...

We welcome New Yorker music critic Alex Ross for a long discussion about listening to classical music today. This episode runs a bit longer than usual, but we think you’ll enjoy the whole show. “I mix the familiar and the obscure.” Sponsor: Master iTunes with Kirk’s ebook and save 30% on Take Control of iTunes 12: The FAQ , the indispensable guide to iTunes. Show notes : Alex Ross’s website, The R...

Doug and Kirk look at the audio-related elements of this week’s Apple product announcement. The headphone jack, AirPods, and Apple Music. “Frankly, I don’t listen to a lot of new music. I’m still trying to catch up on a lot of old music.” Sponsor: Master iTunes with Kirk’s ebook and save 30% on Take Control of iTunes 12: The FAQ , the indispensable guide to iTunes. Show notes : Correction: When di...

Doug and Kirk discuss some news and some music and audio technology history, then examine the best ways to manage and store a digital media collection. Show notes : News: Rudy Van Gelder, Renowned ‘A Love Supreme’ Engineer, Dead at 91 – Rolling Stone Music Technology of the 1970s: A Timeline – Pitchfork Managing and Storing Digital Media Files: TuneSpan Drobo WD My Cloud 4 TB Synology Our next tra...

Doug and Kirk welcome Sangwook “Sunny” Nam, two-time Grammy nominated mastering engineer. He explains what mastering and remastering are, and we learn a lot about the magic that mastering engineers perform. “All the processing I’m doing is done on the analog side.” Show notes : Jacob’s Well Mastering Sunny Nam’s recordings on Discogs Doug Sax The Doors on vinyl Sunny Nam’s mastering studio. Our ne...

Doug and Kirk take a look at recent news in the music and audio world. From audiophile utility poles to iTunes news, from record stores to car radios, this news and views episode keeps you up to date on what matters in music listening. And Kirk gives an update on his first Pearl Jam listening experience. “For $10,000 there better be a powerful placebo effect.” Show notes : News: Pearl Jam: Ten A G...

Doug and Kirk welcome back Chris Connaker to discuss music streaming services. Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, or another; which is right for you? What are the pros and cons of the various streaming services? “I have never heard a song by Pearl Jam.” Show notes : News: Apple Is Finally Making iTunes Better for Classical Music Dislike is a New iTunes 12.5 Track Property Streaming music services: Pearl...