The "Loudness Wars"

[trbc08]

Interesting article... I find that it proves true. In the case of my Mars Volta CDs, I noticed that every sound is very loud. Overly loud. It is impossible to decipher certain elements within a piece due to this, which I think is sad. It's also the case with almost any CD I've bought that's been produced in the past few years.

[Tiggi]

Alex,

a good subject indeed !

I'm a member of a hi-fi forum which has been discussing this for ages now. Naturally the hi-fi community are incandescent with rage over this issue, but I must say I've only come across a few examples where the mastering is too "hot" for comfort.

Apparently there are signs that the pendulum is beginning to swing back a little, as artists & producers are starting to exert more control over how their hard work is presented.

I haven't looked at your link yet, but there is at least one 'net petition on this subject.

[Tiggi]

I've just had a look at the link. Is it the right one ?

[trbc08]

No, you're right... That was the wrong link. It must've been some kind of subconscious plug for that band... Which are a good group if you're into post-industrial music. Anyway, that's beside the point!

http://technology.guardian.co.uk/weekly/...e_continue
Here is the correct link.

[JonG]

I think Rolling Stone did an article on the same subject about a year ago. I see that Guardian article was published in January of 2007. I didn't read the entire Guardian article because I'm already familiar with the subject. Does it point out that not all albums made today are mastered too "hot"? The article I read gave Bob Dylan's Modern Times as an example of a (then) recent album that does not use this compressed mastering technique.

[JesustheMexicanBoy]

At The Drive-In CDs are ridiculous

[trbc08]

No... It just states that it is a trend in music these days. I've noticed The Bedlam in Goliath is almost impossible to listen to for this reason. The music and compositions are good, but the mixing is flat out terrible.

[JesustheMexicanBoy]

I agree. Bedlam is way too chaotic to listen to often at all... I saw a video a while ago about how drums can't be heard in most mixes now unless the music is very loud. Is this the video the thread is about?

[trbc08]

Nah, it's just general discussion about the topic. I first learned about it in the above article... But it's been kind of apparent for a while, I just couldn't really name the problem.