MUSIC SYSTEM IN CARS

[shyamwestwind]

Hi Everyone
It would be very interesting to know the different opinions all of you have, as musicians, on the kind of music system you would like in your Car/SUV.
I have always had very simple systems in my cars,from the basic cassette players, CD players, MP3 players and now the USB acceptable player. The speakers were efficient but nothing fancy.
All I needed was a music system capable of delivering clean, clear sound. I never could listen to T H U M P Y High Volume stuff - it was always the well balanced clear sound at listenable decibel levels.
We often find cars whizz by with a loud THUMP...THUMP...THUMP and I wonder if these were for the benefit of the general public outside and around the cars.
The guy at the car showroom knowing I was a singer, offered me 12" woofers and 15" sub woofs, with an array if midrange horns and tweeters, all to be fitted on a plank behind the rear seat covering the boot space. He was awfully dejected when I told him of my simple needs
The boot is important to me, to carry my gear and I have all the big sound I need to amplify my "gun throat singing" to cannon levels.
What are your opinions on this and your preferences ?

[JohnG]

Much like you Shyam, a nice clear clean sound. No thump, thump for me either and I stick with CDs. I make copies naturally rather than carry the originals. Not sure how that figures with the copyright people but since I've got all the originals I don't worry that much. My son, who used to have a twin woofer sub with an extra amp in the past now just has the standard system in his car. I guess you could say he's grown up.
JohnG.

[shyamwestwind]

Nice to hear your vote for clear clean sound, JohnG. This USB input is truly fascinating and the model Ihave - Pioneer DEH-3050UB, has the USB socket in front which is very convenient. I have a 1"x 1/2" USB flash drive (just like a piece of PCB!!) and it comes with a tiny pouch with a tiny key ring to carry it in your wallet. It can hold 1 GB of music , and in folders too. There are no track slipping or skipping and its so easy to load your favourite music into it. You must try it to believe it, JohnG.

[shyamwestwind]

While on the subject of Car Audio, I find it oh so convenient to practice singing the song I want to learn, sitting in my car, playing back the subject song loud enough to drown my false notes. Its a great way to practice and very effective.
How many of you practice in your cars ? I have done this for years, especially on the way back home from late night gigs. !!!!

[Steptoe]

I just have the standard CD player that came with my Hyundai, puts out a great sound plus it plays MP3 CD's which means I can get several albums worth of songs on one CD!! I have the complete Beatle collection on one CD in MP3 format!
Though I find myself listening a lot to talk back radio when I come home late at nights, helps the time pass quicker.

[shyamwestwind]

Yes, listening to the local FM stations is pretty refreshing but more often than not, the music they play around midnight is usually stuff I'd rather not listen to, so its back to what I have on the CDs or USB .
The Talk Back radio must be interesting with all the newsy tit bits and talk shows and ofcourse the music.

[mark]

Hi Shyam

My Dodge has a nice simple cd player in.
The new Ford Suv`s and F150 trucks I sell are loaded with. Sirius satellite radio.6 Cd player voice sync for mobile phones and Ipods. They also have a screen with navigational and camera assisted reverse parking.Some even have dvd players in the back.
These cars you could live in. they have just added a fridgefreezer in one model. Just amazing.
.
Regards

Mark

[shyamwestwind]

Mark, those Fords must be amazing. I have always dreamt of owning one of those "live in" caravan type SUVs, with a fridge, cooking range, etc etc etc, but my dream was always built on fixing amplified speaker systems (PA) on the rear doors, which I could open out, have a compact mixer, all connected and ready for use. I would dream about going from town to town or village to village , do my little solo gig, collect some money in my hat just enough for petrol expenses and drive to the next town !!!!!!! Simple life. Oh, I'd love that kind of gypsy way of life.
Guess this should have been posted as a separate thread, but well........ !!
Lets hear about your preferences on music systems in your cars - the original thread.

[mark]

Hi Shyam
I have a nice simple cd/radio player in my car. All the above stuff I mentioned above is fine until it goes wrong.All the best

Mark