1. My list of 10 worst mistakes in Audio (some of which are pet peeves) J. D. (jj) Johnston Neural Audio Kirkland, Wa, USA

2. #10 Applying tube circuit design to transistors – Yes, its over and done with. Thankfully. #9 Magnitude (frequency) Response Without phase, amazing things can slide by.

3. #8 Signal to Noise Ratio – That includes THD, IMD, TIM … – A message weight – No, its not for music! #7 Making an audio demonstration in a paper, workshop, or tutorial session at any conference, anywhere.

4. #6 well never understand – When I started in audio, I heard this over and over. – Its not true, either. – Understanding has often been waiting in the wings from the IEEE or ASA for years before it arrives in the audio community. Nobody understands how the ear works – Yes, its hard to understand, but we do have a good idea – Giving up doesnt help anyone. #5 Giving people a pan pot – Not telling them how it works – Not explaining how the ear hears it – Not including time delay – Worrying about mono compatibility any time after 1990

5. #4 Pointing out that in blind testing, slightly louder is perceived as better – Its a fact. – It doesnt justify a loudness race #3 Forgetting that digital designs must include analog sometime – Grounding – Noise – All manner of digital techniques that dont work in analog audio I wont even mention computers. Oh. I did.

6. #2 Trying to apply analog processing to digital systems – Distortion works differently – Filters work differently – Noise methods are different – Resolution issues are different – Its never going to work!!!!

7. #1 Letting anyone find out just how low you could turn the bit rate in a perceptual coder and still get something remotely approximating music. – Do I really need to explain this one? – Do you really think anyone could have stopped them?

8. The Takeaways New things come along. Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated You dont want something new every time you have a new problem! Enthusiasm for the new does not excuse excess.