This is a project which will allow readers and listeners to compare the recording quality of a wide variety of recording devices. It is a sequel to the first Microphone Showdown project which was catalogued in 2011. Since that time the range of devices available for the recording of spoken audio has increased significantly.

These recordings were first published by Librivox on 4th September, 2017.

Tamerlane

by Edgar Allan Poe

Narrated by Denis Daly

Poe composed the first version of Tamerlane in 1827. However, he subsequently revised and shortened the poem by 172 lines. This late version, which is the subject of the present recording, was published in 1845.

One his deathbed, the warrior/prince Tamerlane, meditates on the course of his life and wonders whether he was wise to opt for the pursuit of power rather than the pursuit of love.

This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as Voices of Today is credited as the author. It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.

For further information about Voices of Today or to explore its catalogue please visit:

https://www.voicesoftoday.org/

Tamerlane

by Edgar Allan Poe

Narrated by Denis Daly

Poe composed the first version of Tamerlane in 1827. However, he subsequently revised and shortened the poem by 172 lines. This late version, which is the subject of the present recording, was published in 1845.

One his deathbed, the warrior/prince Tamerlane, meditates on the course of his life and wonders whether he was wise to opt for the pursuit of power rather than the pursuit of love.

This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as Voices of Today is credited as the author. It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.

For further information about Voices of Today or to explore its catalogue please visit:

https://www.voicesoftoday.org/

The Lad Who Rode Side-saddle

by James Baldwin

Narrated by Jennifer Fournier

This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as Voices of Today is credited as the author. It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.

For further information about Voices of Today or to explore its catalogue please visit:

https://www.voicesoftoday.org/

The Lad Who Rode Side-saddle

by James Baldwin

Narrated by Jennifer Fournier

This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as Voices of Today is credited as the author. It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.

For further information about Voices of Today or to explore its catalogue please visit:

https://www.voicesoftoday.org/

The Diamond Necklace

by Guy de Maupassant

Narrated by Cate Barratt

In the sardonic view of Guy de Maupassant, diamonds are not always a girl's best friend, as illustrated in this bitter-sweet story of the conflict between market value and moral values.

This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as Voices of Today is credited as the author. It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.

For further information about Voices of Today or to explore its catalogue please visit:

http://www.voicesoftoday.org/

The Diamond Necklace

by Guy de Maupassant

Narrated by Cate Barratt

In the sardonic view of Guy de Maupassant, diamonds are not always a girl's best friend, as illustrated in this bitter-sweet story of the conflict between market value and moral values.

This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as Voices of Today is credited as the author. It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.

For further information about Voices of Today or to explore its catalogue please visit:

http://www.voicesoftoday.org/

Kerfol

by Edith Wharton

Narrated by Denis Daly

On the advice of a friend, a man visits a picturesque ruin in Brittany, long since abandoned by its aristocratic owners. But is the house really empty?

This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as Voices of Today is credited as the author. It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.

For further information about Voices of Today or to explore its catalogue please visit:

https://www.voicesoftoday.org/

Kerfol

by Edith Wharton

Narrated by Denis Daly

On the advice of a friend, a man visits a picturesque ruin in Brittany, long since abandoned by its aristocratic owners. But is the house really empty?

This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as Voices of Today is credited as the author. It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.

For further information about Voices of Today or to explore its catalogue please visit:

https://www.voicesoftoday.org/

The complete recording can be purchased at Audible.com:

https://tinyurl.com/ycb5jgz2

Bliss

By Katherine Mansfield

Narrated by Olivia Sundeen

Katherine Mansfield has been compared with other masters of the short story, such as Guy de Maupassant, O. Henry, Anton Chekhov and Saki.

Bliss deals with the disillusionment of a devoted wife when she is presented with evidence of her husband’s infidelity. Many of Mansfield’s stories deal with the issue of fractured marital relationships, reflective of the various agonizing relationships that the author endured during her short life.