Man behind Development of CD's dies.

Feuer Frei! · 04-25-11, 11:17 AM

OPERA singer Norio Ohga complained about the quality of Sony tape recorders before he was hired by the company, developed the compact disc and championed its superior sound. Love of music steered the former Sony chairman's career and, in turn, he transformed the Japanese electronics maker into a global software and entertainment empire.
The company president and chairman from 1982 to 1995, Mr Ohga died yesterday in Tokyo of multiple organ failure, Sony said. He was 81.
The flamboyant music connoisseur steered his work through his love of music. A former opera singer, Mr Ohga insisted the CD be designed at 12 centimetres in diameter - or 75 minutes of music - to store Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in its entirety.
From the start, Mr Ohga recognised the potential of the CD's superior sound quality. In the 1970s, when Mr Ohga insisted CDs would eventually replace vinyl albums, skeptics scoffed. Herbert von Karajan, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock spoke up in defence of Sony's digital sound.
Sony sold the world's first CD in 1982 and they overtook LP record sales in Japan five years later. The specifications are still used today and have fostered the devices developed since.
"It is no exaggeration to attribute Sony's evolution beyond audio and video products into music, movies and game, and subsequent transformation into a global entertainment leader to Ohga-san's foresight and vision," Sony Corp Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Stringer said.
Some decisions made during Mr Ohga's presidency, such as the $3.4 billion purchase of Hollywood studios Columbia Pictures, were criticised as unwise and costly at the time. But Mr Ohga's focus on music, films and video games - as a way of enriching the electronics business - helped create Sony's success in his era.

REST OF ARTICLE HERE

RIP Sir, thank you for your contributions to society

MH · 04-25-11, 11:34 AM

I'm a generation that got caught on the end of vinyl and cassette era.
Was glad to put scratch and hiss noises behind for clear sound.

Sailor Steve · 04-25-11, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MH

I'm a generation that got caught on the end of vinyl and cassette era.
Was glad to put scratch and hiss noises behind for clear sound.

Yes indeed. A lot of audiophiles complained that digital recording media didn't have the range and depth of analog music. They may have been right, but CD technology has come a long way, and I could never tell the difference anyway. Just as I can't tell the difference between WMA full-detail recordings and MP3s.

Lucky me. I love the digital age.

MH · 04-25-11, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Yes indeed. A lot of audiophiles complained that digital recording media didn't have the range and depth of analog music. They may have been right, but CD technology has come a long way, and I could never tell the difference anyway. Just as I can't tell the difference between WMA full-detail recordings and MP3s.

Lucky me. I love the digital age.

Digital media has definitely more range and depth than analog media.
Problem was with sound "coloring" i think.
Every media or sound system has its sound properties while the target is to output sound naturally-depends on quality of audio system....

With early CDs they just took the old recordings and simply copied them on to cds which not always gave good results.
Thats why later on came the remastered versions.

joea · 04-25-11, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MH

Digital media has definitely more range and depth than analog media.
Problem was with sound "coloring" i think.
Every media or sound system has its sound properties while the target is to output sound naturally-depends on quality of audio system....

With early CDs they just took the old recordings and simply copied them on to cds which not always gave good results.
Thats why later on came the remastered versions.

Agree-technology had been good for music! We can keep alive the greats of the past who left us (been listening to Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash today) and a venue for new artists as well.

Fish In The Water · 04-25-11, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

In the 1970s, when Mr Ohga insisted CDs would eventually replace vinyl albums, skeptics scoffed.

Ah yes, we always seem to be surrounded by these bright visionaries otherwise known as 'the discouragement fraternity.'

Rest in peace Mr. Ohga, and thank you for your perseverance!

frau kaleun · 04-25-11, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Mr Ohga insisted the CD be designed at 12 centimetres in diameter - or 75 minutes of music - to store Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in its entirety.

A man after my own heart. RIP, Ohga-san.

04-25-11, 11:17 AM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Man behind Development of CD's dies. OPERA singer Norio Ohga complained about the quality of Sony tape recorders before he was hired by the company, developed the compact disc and championed its superior sound. Love of music steered the former Sony chairman's career and, in turn, he transformed the Japanese electronics maker into a global software and entertainment empire. The company president and chairman from 1982 to 1995, Mr Ohga died yesterday in Tokyo of multiple organ failure, Sony said. He was 81. The flamboyant music connoisseur steered his work through his love of music. A former opera singer, Mr Ohga insisted the CD be designed at 12 centimetres in diameter - or 75 minutes of music - to store Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in its entirety. From the start, Mr Ohga recognised the potential of the CD's superior sound quality. In the 1970s, when Mr Ohga insisted CDs would eventually replace vinyl albums, skeptics scoffed. Herbert von Karajan, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock spoke up in defence of Sony's digital sound. Sony sold the world's first CD in 1982 and they overtook LP record sales in Japan five years later. The specifications are still used today and have fostered the devices developed since. "It is no exaggeration to attribute Sony's evolution beyond audio and video products into music, movies and game, and subsequent transformation into a global entertainment leader to Ohga-san's foresight and vision," Sony Corp Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Stringer said. Some decisions made during Mr Ohga's presidency, such as the $3.4 billion purchase of Hollywood studios Columbia Pictures, were criticised as unwise and costly at the time. But Mr Ohga's focus on music, films and video games - as a way of enriching the electronics business - helped create Sony's success in his era. REST OF ARTICLE HERE RIP Sir, thank you for your contributions to society __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

04-25-11, 11:34 AM	#2
MH Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,184 Downloads: 248 Uploads: 0	I'm a generation that got caught on the end of vinyl and cassette era. Was glad to put scratch and hiss noises behind for clear sound.