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On the auspicious day of Guru (Vyasa) Purnima (July 3^rd) the Bhaktivedanta Archives Releases Original Audio of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada for 1977 along with a VedaBase^® 2012.1 update.

In our continued commitment to make all the recorded material of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada available, the Bhaktivedanta Archives is presenting the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase^® 2012.1 update and original audio for 1977 (387 files, 237 hours).

The new Bhaktivedanta VedaBase^® 2012.1 update has a new layout. The current 3000⁺ transcriptions have been arranged chronologically and are sub-divided by year. The 1977 transcriptions have been reverified against the original audio and will be released simultaneously with the VedaBase^® update 2012.1. Also, 250⁺ new transcriptions have been added under the Heading, “Fidelity Check Pending”. These files still need to be checked for accuracy but have been included to show the completed transcriptions from all the audio on file in the Archives. These 250⁺ files will eventually be folded into the main body of the NFO (VedaBase^® database) once the fidelity-checking is completed. In previous updates, and in this 2012.1 update, spelling errors, omitted or incorrect words and dates will continue to be addressed. For those who already own the “Folio” Bhaktivedanta VedaBase^® software version 2003.1, there is no charge for this update nor will there be for any future NFO (only) (Bhaktivedanta VedaBase^® database) releases.

In addition to the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase^® 2012.1 update, you can also obtain an “Archival copy” of the original 1977 audio (MP3). Krishna.com will make these audio files available on a flash-drive along with PDF transcription texts that also contain imbedded audio for a nominal fee plus shipping and handling. Prabhupadavani.org will host streaming audio for on-line listening along with transcription texts. The 1977 audio files can also be downloaded individually. There is no cost to download these single files. Our next release will be the year 1976, then 1975 and so on until 1966.

    What is an “Archival Copy”?

The MP3 “Archival copy” is a direct facsimile of the original recording with very minor, if any, audio quality enhancements that may remove or reduce artificially induced sounds such as 50-60Hz hum, excessive tape hiss, and in extreme cases, the raising of volumes for those recordings made at very low levels. These ARE NOT sonically cleaned up, edited and packaged “for sale” recordings like the previous Ministry releases, but reflect the “as is” nature of the both good and poor original recordings.

    Why “MP3”?

Digital files are useless if they cannot be accessed now and in the future. Therefore, in order for the general devotee community to act as a backup for this audio (secondary preservation), the digital files must be in a common format. MP3 is the most universal consumer-compressed format which is easily readable. The original lossless WAV (broadcast) files, along with the cassette and reels, will always remain at the Bhaktivedanta Archives as the source of reference.

    Why not “cleaned up” recordings?

An Archival recording is an original copy or closest copy as possible to the original. As an Archive, the Bhaktivedanta Archives’ responsibility is to preserve these original recordings so the integrity and provenance of the original can be retained. If a recording is very poor, the Archival primary recording will remain very poor. This assures the integrity of the actual recording without subsequent changes–now and in the future. The 1977 MP3 files are taken directly from these “as is” files and are, in a few cases, slightly enhanced so you can follow along with the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase^® text.

In accepting these free MP3 Archival secondary files, we request that you not alter the files in anyway, either with editing the content, length of time or sonically. They must remain "as is" from the Bhaktivedanta Archives, thus maintaining the provenance, integrity and legacy of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

We at the Bhaktivedanta Archives look forward to sharing more MP3 audio (1976 thru 1966) and Bhaktivedanta VedaBase^® updates in the near future. If you would like to make a donation to help us further our service, please click here: donation. Please download the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase^® 2012.1 here: VedaBase 2012.1 update (donation page).

In the service of Srila Prabhupada, we remain your servants at the Bhaktivedanta Archives.

The staff

PS.  Our websites are vedabase.com, prabhupada.com or bhaktivedantaarchives.blogspot.com. For more information please contact: ekanatha @ prabhupada.com