The Loudness War

[amoergosum]

I purchased the new Foo Fighters album a couple of weeks ago. In every interview they mentioned how cool it is that they actually recorded it in Dave Grohl's garage and that it sounds awesome.
Well...maybe before it got mastered.
...the album clearly is a victim of the Loudness War.
"Walk" >>>

[amoergosum]

As a comparison >>> "Bulls On Parade" by Rage Against The Machine (1996):

[circh bustom]

I think we are in a transitional period. Im waiting for Blu-Ray Audio. My concert discs sound incredible. The sound is uncompressed on the DTS HD Master Audio tracks and has literally brought tears to my eyes. My receiver is very good but my speakers need improving yet the difference from a standard CD is stunning. I believe all the compression is due to the fact that CD's are now 30 years old and only have so much space for information. The recording technology has evolved while the methods of playback havn't. I could be 100% wrong on that last part though.

[amoergosum]

I believe all the compression is due to the fact that CD's are now 30 years old and only have so much space for information.

....

[Matus]

CB, you wouldn't believe how much you have to struggle through record label corporates, ARs and such to be able to have a little bit of dynamics in your master and not compress the hell out of it. It can be attained on CD and Porcupine Tree's The Incident is current proof of it. It's mastered way lower than most of the stuff you can find today and it shows as soon as you put it on a decent stereo.

[moose]

I believe all the compression is due to the fact that CD's are now 30 years old and only have so much space for information.

Uh, we're talking about audio dynamic range compression, not data compression.

[robhaerr]

CB, you wouldn't believe how much you have to struggle through record label corporates, ARs and such to be able to have a little bit of dynamics in your master and not compress the hell out of it. It can be attained on CD and Porcupine Tree's The Incident is current proof of it. It's mastered way lower than most of the stuff you can find today and it shows as soon as you put it on a decent stereo.

Yes! I noticed this about PT's "The Incident"...especially while nodding off into a nap while listening...then...BAM!

[littlegrooves]

it shows as soon as you put it on a decent stereo

Decent stereo? What's that?

The only things that I'm aware of are the speakers attaching to a computer, or those little white ear-thingys that attach to some invisibly-small device that everyone uses nowadays.

Maybe if someone had one of those so-called "stereos", then they could probably buy one of those black, round disks that look like dinner plates-- I hear they still have good ol' "sound quality"... like a such a thing even exists (yeah, right)...

[robhaerr]

I am so glad I spent some good money on some Harmon Kardon stereo components 20 years ago...still crankin'.

I have nice pair of JBL 240ti speakers to belch the audio air movement...

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/j ... page07.jpg

..and yes...I wish I had a turntable. Might get one, haven't had one since the early 80s. I have been watching this group of folks on YouTube who collect vinyl. Here is one guy who gives us tour of his listening room...
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ewImorByAc[/youtube]

Some pretty diverse and interesting characters in this "Vinyl Community". People from around the world...hmm...reminds me of another internet group...

[Kurtis]

Don't these people know sound systems have volume controls. No need to make the music so loud. Put out a great product and the listener will handle the volume.