Tips To Avoid Choosing An Inferior Online Record Pool
With the changes in technology today, the quality of music has taken a backseat to the ‘got to have it now’ society we live in. That is, some record pools have a tendency to post a song regardless of the source it is coming from because of the perception that they have to be the first to showcase it. This becomes a problem when the record pool doesn’t care what kind of quality the record is in.
It’s important to investigate the quality of the songs being posted. There is a huge difference in sound quality between a 128 kbps and a 320 kbps or VBR mp3. Just because a record pool may claim to have an “exclusive” (almost impossible in the Google age), what’s the point of having it when the second you play it: a) The song is distorted, b) The song is so low you have to crank the volume up which takes away the quality of an already poor studio mix c) The vocals are way too loud, d) All the above.
This is why it’s important to find their policy on posting music. More often than not, you can find this on the website’s FAQ page. For example, BreakzRUs.com has a few rules in posting music. The record must be sent to in a .wav form or a high quality mp3 (256 kbps or above). With the exception of the back catalog (2007 and older), which is offered at 192 kbps, BreakzRUs.com only posts mp3s of at least 256kbps. The majority of its music is set at 320 kbps or at a high quality VBR.
Take a look at the quality of mp3s posted. Some record pools usually tend to post a song regardless of the source it is originating from. It’s crucial that you take a look at the quality of the songs being posted. There is a huge difference in sound quality between a 128 kbps and a 320 kbps or high quality VBR mp3. When visiting a record pool website, look for information concerning the types of mp3s they post. Most information can be found on their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. A high quality mp3 should be at least 192 kbps or above.
Now that you understand how to judge the quality of mp3s in a record pool, it should be easier to narrow down your choices. Also, if you’re unable to find the answers you are looking for; make sure to email the website directly.
They should be able to answer all the technical questions you have. If they cannot, it’s probably best to move on to another record pool.
Christian has been managing a record pool for a long time and maintains a record pool for DJs where you can get answers to the rest of your questions.
