Introduction
This is a very old web page, from 1996!These samples are each approximately fifteen seconds long, files of about 300K, dubbed from compact discs.
The "CD info" links each go to an appropriate entry at another site where you may learn more about or purchase the disc. In some cases, they also have better sound samples from these albums, using RealAudio or other formats.
Major disclaimer! These sound samples (all in stereo) are of reasonable quality but are certainly not great: they do not represent accurately the sound quality of the recordings. They are here primarily for use in rough comparisons among the instruments: the basic features of the sound. The actual instruments sound quite a bit different, especially regarding high harmonics. If possible, play and listen to representative instruments in person, or find these and other similar recordings.
On the plus side, all these samples are distorted similarly by the CD-sampling utility I used...it's a level playing field. The utility was an early one (1996), and I probably should remake all of these samples someday....
pictured: French double by Yves Beaupre
