grateful dead dick's picks

If bucks are really tight, you might consider seeking out torrents of GD shows - there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of soundboard-quality shows in circulation right now. Just get a torrent client (BitTorrent or Azureus), do a Google search for "Grateful Dead torrent" and start downloading music - FREE.

Dick's Picks are usually okay, but many of the soundboards referenced above will blow them away...

-RW-

It's not too hard if you pay attention [smile].

1) Get a bit torrent client. I use Azureus. The bit torrent client is the program that reads torrent files and then downloads the music files you want.

Azureus: http://sourceforge.net/projects/azureus/

Once you'e downloaded and installed Azureus, you now need to find a torrent file of a show you'd like to download. Go to bt.etree.org for those, they have a TON of GD shows:

List of GD shows: http://bt.etree.org/index.php?cat=8

I selected the 3rd show in the list because it's a soundboard and was done by Charlie Miller - he really knows his stuff. Grateful Dead, Soldier Field - June 25, 1992: gd92-06-25.dsbd.miller.32496.sbeok.flac16

To the right of the show name, you'll see a little icon that looks like a floppy disc. Clicking this will allow you to download the torrent file of the show. Click it. You can now save the torrent file to a folder on your PC, I have one called Torrents.

Once you save the torrent file, you can then click the Open button on the dialog. This will cause Azureus to start and will "feed" it the torrent file. Simply tell Azureus where you want to store the downloaded files - you might want to create a folder called Grateful Dead and save them there.

The downloaded files are usually in some kind of compressed format, usually FLAC or SHN. You can either play these files using WinAmp or convert them to WAVs for burning to a CDR.

WinAmp: http://www.winamp.com/

I use dbPowerAmp to convert my FLAC or SHN files for burning: http://www.dbpoweramp.com/

Install dbPowerAmp and the FLAC and SHN plug-ins and you're good to go. Convert the FLACs or SHNs to WAVs and use any CD burning program to burn 'em.

Yes, you will have to do a little bit of reading, and you will mess up a bit here and there. But the payoff is SO great that it's definitely worth the effort. I currently have over 100 GD shows that sound terrific and cost me virtually nothing.

-RW-

>> ok, figured out that i burned a PC disc and not an audio disc. 20 min later, i'm listening to 5-4-72 paris on my main rig. <<

Rockin' dude, now you're hooked!!

>> holy sh*t! this is the greatest thing a deadhead could hope for! <<

Yep. It was even BETTER before The Archive pulled all the soundboard shows at Bobbie and Mickey's request. Phil was pissed about that. Nonehteless, all the shows are still available via torrents, it just takes a little more effort to find 'em. BFD, they're still free and that's good enough for me!! One recommendation for a very cool band is The Mermen, available on The Archive, check out this show, it is outstanding:

http://www.archive.org/details/mermen1999-07-09.shnf

You might also enjoy Earth Bombs Mars; great vocals, guitar work, and the recordings are stellar:

http://www.archive.org/details/ebm2003-03-29.flacf
http://www.archive.org/details/ebm2003-04-09.flacf
http://www.archive.org/details/ebm2003-04-18.flacf

*Definitely* check out Calexico, some of the best music and recording quality to be found on The Archive:

(Soundboard and Audience multi-tracks - whoa!!)
http://www.archive.org/details/calexico2000-07-01.flac16
http://www.archive.org/details/calexico2001-02-15.flac16
http://www.archive.org/details/calexico2003-04-25.flac16

>> any recs on an outbound burner thats suited for burning shows? <<

Most any decent quality USB/FireWire burner will be okay. I'm getting very fine service out of a USB external NEC I bought 2 years ago for $150. If you're really fussy, Plextor has the best rep in the business and comes with very good software.

No matter what, make sure your burner supports all shiny disc formats: DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, CD-R, etc. I would also recommned at least a USB 2.0 interface, if it has FireWire, too, so much the better.

And, finally, I would highly recommend an external drive in a decent case. A built-in fan is a very good idea. Rubberized corners and feet help to protect the drive and keep it from marring any surfaces it sits on. Also look for one that contains the the power supply circuitry inside the case - no ugly wall wart to carry around or, even worse, forget to bring with you.

>> btw, this is the greatest thread of all. its free music. rlwainwright, thanks for the info! <<

Well, being Da Man does have its responsibilities...

-RW-