In the age of MP3s, sound quality is worse than ever

[morosco]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 1:57pm

Interesting article from Rolling Stone.

Over the past decade and a half, a revolution in recording technology has changed the way albums are produced, mixed and mastered — almost always for the worse. "They make it loud to get [listeners'] attention," (David) Bendeth says. Engineers do that by applying dynamic range compression, which reduces the difference between the loudest and softest sounds in a song. Like many of his peers, Bendeth believes that relying too much on this effect can obscure sonic detail, rob music of its emotional power and leave listeners with what engineers call ear fatigue. "I think most everything is mastered a little too loud," Bendeth says. "The industry decided that it's a volume contest."


Full Article: The Death of High Fidelity

[morosco]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 2:02pm

This brief video explains why dynamic range matters in terms anyone can understand. (Even me!)


"The Loudness War" Updated On: 12/30/07 at 02:02 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 2:06pm

Another example

[1937]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 2:30pm

I got a record player for Christmas and I've enjoyed it's sound much better than a CD. It's so much softer.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 12/31/07 at 12:09am

Where do you get a record player these days? I really miss my 1971 system...
(BSR, pioneer, fisher)
Lasted 25 yrs., though...ah, well..........
Can you get the diamond needle replacements nowadays?

[1937]

Posted: 12/31/07 at 1:38pm

It's this really neat record/tape/cd/radio/mp3 hook up. It's by Crosley. They have them at Target. I think it was around $100.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 1/2/08 at 6:52am

1937, could you PM me more info on this device? Thanks.

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/2/08 at 9:14am

I got one of the Crosley's as a gift a couple of years ago. It's not as fancy as yours - just has a turntable, cassette tape deck and CD player. The built in speakers weren't much but it does let you attach external speakers and that helps a lot. It's great listening to the old LP's but surface scratches and dust does interfere with the quality. They're also a diminishing source. The Drowsy Chaperone LP is the first I've purchased in a dozen years!