"Hearing is Deceiving" Analog/Digital LP Kickstarter Project Now Live!

The "Hearing Is Deceiving" AAA vs. ADA vinyl record project is now "live" on Kickstarter!

This project will not be like some others. For instance, there are no "rewards" for putting up more than the $10.00 asking fee, nor will the records be shipped by the project initiator (me).

Instead, the goal is to have 1000 people put $10 each into the project for a total of $10,000 that will be used to produce the record.

The calculated cost of production including Stoughton Press full color (but not "Tip-on") jackets, tape licensing, QRP plating and pressing of 1000 copies, Lacquer cutting at Kevin Gray's Cohearant Mastering including digitizing before cutting one side, plus all shipping (of the project components), Kickstarter and bank fees etc.should be around $8000 with a $2000 "cushion".

Once we have the project funded, we will produce it as expeditiously as possible and then it will be for sale through Acoustic Sounds. The actual price for the LP will be determined once we have the full costs figured out. Of course Acoustic Sounds will have to factor in its cost of stocking, processing and shipping of the LPs in order to come up with the actual sale price.

I would like to be able to sell it to the first 1000 Kickstarter participants for an amount that reflects the $10.00 "kicked in".

Feedback about this welcomed. If you are ready to contribute $10.00, click on this link and let's get it going! BTW: the cover art is still undergoing modifications.

COMMENTS
CarterB's picture

awesome! I just backed it. Hope 1000 backers isn't too ambitious

Devil Doc's picture

I can't wait, but a thousand does seem ambitious.

Dpoggenburg's picture

I'm in, thanks for trying to make this a reality!

Jlmlong's picture

I am in

Brian Odd Nielsen's picture

I am in.

Bigmule1972's picture

I think this will be a very popular project!!! Just need to get the word out

pbnaudio's picture

And shared it on Facebook too

Good Listening

Peter Noerbaek
PBN Audio

Auric G's picture

A.I. robots prefer the sound of ADA.

vuckozagi's picture

...to send $30-40 but you made it to complicated. $10 might or might not mean anything on the other side, so I wil just purchase from Acoustic Sounds.

Michael Fremer's picture
If the funding isn't accomplished you won't be buying it from Acoustic Sounds or from anywhere.
Kirby's picture

Come on people time to put your money where your mouth is, especially you na sayers.I'm willing to bet AAA trounces ADA and I'm putting in $20 to prove it. Seeing how I'm Canadian and with the current exchange rate it's like I'm putting up $150. Hey if nothing else I'll be getting a good piece of music that I don't already own. Thanks again Michael great fun.

Consoleman's picture

Hopefully the $10k is achievable.

vinylrules's picture

Great initiative Mikey and everyone else involved!

Oz
LTBS/Phonogram

mraudioguru's picture

...however, I really don't understand. If the total of $10,000 will cover all the costs including Chad's back end costs, then the LP will be at ZERO dollars cost.

So Acoustic Sounds will make $25 per LP. If they sell all 1000, then they will make $25,000. That's a pretty substantial amount.

I am assuming that if the project gets fully funded, it would need close to 1000 backers and most of, not all of them will buy the LP. So Chad has no leftover inventory to write off. Oh wait, he has NO cost in it anyway.

Am I missing something?

Michael Fremer's picture
Must be covered. I am not doing this to make a "killing" and I don't want to leave myself open to losing money. If the total production cost is covered--and that includes all of the costs plus Acoustic Sounds' stocking and administrative costs---then the cost to buy for the 1000 kickstarter contributors will be adjusted accordingly.
flatmap's picture

Glad this is on the launchpad and I've just put my $10 to move it a bit closer to lift-off.

theboogeydown's picture

Good for you M.F. Glad I could spare the $10 for a fun group exercise. Amazing some have to over analyze and criticize all for the cost of a beer. WTF?

audiof001's picture

I agree that it's a little confusing and seems to suggest that it'll be cheaper to just wait and buy thru Chad - though yes, his free shipping minimum is now $99, I believe, so a single order of this LP will cost $7.95 or so. Come on, MF, make is simpler so we can contribute the $10 and get it off the back end when purchasing. Can't Chad can get a list of Kickstarter backers with which to do a crosscheck? We all wanna help.

Michael Fremer's picture
And those who contributed their $10 up front will get that subtracted from however much this turns out out costing plus whatever other costs are involved on the selling side.
Dpoggenburg's picture

How about people kick in $10 apiece and not expect ANYTHING for it? Would you pay $10 a year to subscribe to Analog Planet? I know I would (more, even). Not that ANOTHER voice needs to be heard from, but I would vote for kickstarters who contribute $10 or more get right of first refusal to purchase the LP from Acoustic Sounds - perhaps a special link on the AS site sent to contributors' email addresses when it's available -- and that's it. I know everyone has varying circumstances, but c'mon folks, it's ONLY $10. Get over it.

thomoz's picture

A good idea worth supporting.

Boxofsound's picture

I will definitely pledge my $10, but I hoped there would be a level of contribution where, once funded, you could be guaranteed a copy of the record without having to pay for the rest of it. This would fund the project quicker. I know you're not planning to make a big profit off this, but for the amount of time you've been planning this, I am surprised at how vague the pledge process is. I can't wait until this record is made available, it sounds like so much fun.

isaacrivera's picture

done and done!

Cartel's picture

Done!

Audio 1's picture

Excited to see this project come together!

Iraschwips's picture

I think this is a very cool idea for a project but I have to disagree with the way kickstarter is being used. Acoustic Sounds is in the business of producing and selling records. They are as well situated as anyone to produce this LP, as they have their own record label “Analogue Productions”, record pressing plant “Quality Record Pressings”, and retail website.

Acoustic Sounds should absolutely be permitted to make a profit and should not be expected to produce projects such as this for charity or industry goodwill. What I take issue with is a company which has sufficient resources to self-fund a project using kickstarter to ensure a profit is made.

The way that this kickstarter is set up, the backers of the project are being asked for their charity and goodwill. I think this is just as inappropriate as asking Acoustic Sounds to produce the project for charity or goodwill.

I would be happy to back this project myself but I feel certain changes should be made, or be made clear in the Kickstarter.

1. All backers should be guaranteed a copy. (From what I understand the run is limited to 1,000 copies. This means that if one person who did not back the project purchases the LP then not all backers will be able to get a copy).
2. That copy should be sold at $10 less than the cost it’s sold to non-backers. This should not be dependent on whether the project comes in under budget. (“If the actual cost of production is significantly lower than the projected $10,000, we will try to offer, if possible, free shipping or perhaps a slightly lower list price, considering that you've already invested $10.00.”)

Michael Fremer's picture
Not Acoustic Sounds or Analogue Productions. Acoustic Sounds will distribute the record. It is not set up as a charity! Especially since the goal is not money-making. Whatever is the final price, each Kickstarter pledger will get $10 off the final price. And everyone who pledges will be guaranteed a record. I thought that was obvious. But really, I think you wasted more than $10 of your time thinking about all of this!
Dorian Workman's picture

I think this is a great initiative Michael but I have to agree with Iraschwips and others and say that the kick-starter is confusing to say the least. At a minimum the kick-starter should explicitly state that backers are guaranteed a copy and that have their kick-starter pledge will reduce their final charge by the amount of that pledge. Can that be added please? I will then make my pledge immediately!

Michael Fremer's picture
I said that the $10 would be deducted from the final price. That is how it will be done. You have my word on that.
Dorian Workman's picture

OK I'm in!

gekone1's picture

Just go for it!

Bigmule1972's picture

Michael,
I am amazed on how much criticism you are getting from your "fan" base when you are trying to launch something really cool.

Quibbling over $10 and proper verbage in the description...geez!!!

THANKS for donating YOUR time/energy to make this happen.

Keep up the good work!

silviajulieta's picture

Dear M.: Well nice project. You are along with a similar project ( almost finished. ) by JT of Wave Kinetics. I think it's done " down the corner ".

Now, you say: " Then the two lacquers get plated and pressed on a single LP: one side AAA and one side AAD, but which is which is not identified and you have to vote on this website, for which is which. "

Seems to me that's your initial target and of course you can take whatever target as you are the " man " behind the whole project.
Now, from my point of view could be that instead to detect which is analog or the digital mastering to choice which is the one each one of us like it. Could be interesting if " suddenly "
the people that normally prefer analog choosed the digital side and viceverse.

Now, for your effort and our effort really could gives all real rewards both masterings must be with the very best " skills and tools " all the way out the pressing.

Maybe could be one challange against either mastering and that's the level of the audio system where we all be playing it.
We can thing that's is the same for both and that does not matters but I think it does because " errors " on analog are more easy to stay " hide " than the digital ones, especially in average systems.

Anyway, that's a good project and like other people say: 10.00 is achievable for any one.

Good that only AS will make a profit in the project where your choice was to " stay " at the same level of us.

For say the least the project will be a learning one to all audiophiles and music lovers.

Greetings and keep us " tunned ".

oranfoster's picture

your Start!

jmoray's picture

I said at the very beginning that I think it's a great idea, and that I would jump in....I stepped up to the plate as promised. 875 people still required.
ONE FAVOUR, MIKEY: I am not saying what the number is, but if we start to get close, why not get Acoustic Sounds to pony up difference? They are going to profit from this anyway, let them invest a little bit into their own profits?
Anyway, great website, FANTASTIC IDEA!
Jay

Chriswilford1's picture

I'm in...

dvbowen's picture

.... anything in the name of science!

PeterPani's picture

just paid my $10

theboogeydown's picture

Mike-
Tweet daily and encourage others to retweet and so forth and so on.

Muso's picture

This should be a lot of fun - just backed it!

Mendo's picture

Much of this thread is further evidence that audiophiles have a higher percentage of crybabies than any other hobby I've ever been part of. I love music, this hobby and analog, but the whining never ceases to amaze. If I had a dollar for everyone who ever wrote an audio rag and said, "Cancel my subscription." Thanks Mikey. You kick ass and are a continual inspiration. Without swelling your head too much, you are the best thing to ever happen to analog (at least in the last 20+ years).

rakalm's picture

$10, seems quite reasonable to get things started. Didn't even consider that a factor, even on my allowance. Hope it has a another big surge so we can get this thing going. You can always save up for a few titles you want from QRP (that's not hard) and qualify for free shipping. That's my plan. When will that Ellington (Masterpieces) be back in stock? Reappears/disappears. Thanks for your time, participating is a choice, seems like a no brainer to me.

teachscience's picture

In for the ten bucks. Will we get first shot a purchasing?

sphere's picture

I'm in.

vince's picture

Thanks for getting this far! I just kicked in 40$.

Zardoz's picture

And I'm not worried about the details. It's not complicated to me.

nicklane1's picture

As of Nov 6, 2:53PM EST, there are only 193 backers on Kickstarter. Total pledged is $2495. $10,000 is needed to fund the project. So many people were excited about this project but not many are ready to put down $10? I don't get it.

Nightfly3000's picture

This should be reposted to hit the top of your site to find more backers. Thanks as you are the man!

vince's picture

I think Nightly3000 has a good proposal. I would add that your friends at Stereophile should post as well.

warpig's picture

Well I was 198 and still need 802. That a long way to go. Fingers crossed.

silviajulieta's picture

Dear niclane 1/: " So many people were excited about this project but not many are ready to put down $10? I don't get it. ".

Perhaps because through internet people is very good informed through so many audio sites like Agon where you can read this about a similar project started months ago:

" another similar project now happening is the Debussy solo piano recording by Ilyn Iten from Wave Kinetics Music. this was recorded last May in upstate New York from the same mic feed in 30ips 1/2" tape and Quad dsd. there will be analog tape offered along with 45rpm pressings, and Quad dsd along with 2xdsd, regular dsd, and all manner of PCM too. not sure there will be a PCM based vinyl pressing, but this recording will certainly demonstrate the best of analog verses the best of digital. right now I have a few cuts from the recording in Quad dsd and it is an outstanding recording. this should be out in the next month or two. you need to watch for it. "

I posted here before about because I read that information on Agon that many other people knew of it months ago. I'm a MF follower for years nad applaud his effort.

Obviously many of us will wait for the Wave Kinetics project as others of us gone with both projects.

Greetings.

X