A glimmer of hope in the Loudness War?

[HB Stone]

Originally Posted by Scharpf

Not related to the video but did you guys saw this article:To The Limit — 'Dynamic Range' and the Loudness War

Yeah, my gut actually hurt from reading that. They completely miss the point they're trying to prove.

After proving 4+ ways that the loudness war actually IS reducing dynamic range, they say that by squeezing the top, you get MORE information at the bottom! Nevermind that you're losing 4-6dB of audible information (read: music) to "gain" 6-8dB of either analog noise floor or digital silence.

But the article will get clicks/comments for sure.

[audioaddict]

I thought Greg Calbi had a great quote with regards to all of this, and is something I've been wanting to mention myself:

(paraphrasing):

"I've had a few clients tell me my mastering wasn't as loud as others, but they liked how my mastering sounded loud"

The biggest problem is that most people are not listening on hi fidelity/high powered equipment. Listen to a very dynamic CD off your ipod with some headphones and you might be wanting it to be a little bit louder.

On a high powered car system, it's very apparent the downsides of louder recordings....you just cannot blast them as loud without distortion.

I've always felt that was one way to demonstrate to clients the benefits....very high SPL in the right system. Unfortunately it might not click because they lack the system or is more often the case:

HAVE NO F***** LISTENING TASTE.

Sorry, had to be done. I've heard mastering engineers say they do this and the client still insists on louder.....it's obvious what the problem is.

[Jim Williams]

Originally Posted by audioaddict

HAVE NO F***** LISTENING TASTE.

That's a given. Look at the TV and see all the sophisticated people on Jerry Springer and the news. Look at those people on those entertainment shows. Look at the reality stars. Can you say "Snooky"? One cannot watch these people without wondering if everyone in the USA is that stupid. Unfortunately, most are. Thank you educational system, you've done a great job!

There's also another problem, rarely mentioned:

Nearly all teenagers are suffering from hearing losses, the types of losses that used to occur much later in life. Only very young children in the USA are testing well, by the time they are 18 they already have losses that used to be found in 75 year olds. By the time they are 50, most of them should be certifiably deaf. Good luck with music then.

[AUDIOBOMBER]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

I'm spending more time out in the garden listening to the birds, they have more to say and it isn't squashed.

good to hear i`m not alone

[luke basswalker]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

That's a given. Look at the TV and see all the sophisticated people on Jerry Springer and the news. Look at those people on those entertainment shows. Look at the reality stars. Can you say "Snooky"? One cannot watch these people without wondering if everyone in the USA is that stupid. Unfortunately, most are. Thank you educational system, you've done a great job!

There's also another problem, rarely mentioned:

Nearly all teenagers are suffering from hearing losses, the types of losses that used to occur much later in life. Only very young children in the USA are testing well, by the time they are 18 they already have losses that used to be found in 75 year olds. By the time they are 50, most of them should be certifiably deaf. Good luck with music then.

The business surely will change then, we'll have to master audio so it can be played back through spark plugs, so them deaf ones can still feel those phat beats.

Isn't it the same as with any war: Easy to start - everybody screams "JAAAAA!" - and very tricky to end?

I just today went the other way & finished a jazz CD pre-master with headroom and NO digital limiting on it, none, for the first time in my life (for a pre-master CD for CD duplication anyway)... let's see if this will be a problem for the client or their listeners.

[The_K_Man]

Originally Posted by TranscendingM

lol I lost it

Just remember: The forces demanding this probably don't know a damn thing about audio engineering or processing. And those forces can easily render those who do know better(mixing, mastering engs) jobless - if they do not comply and give the the garbage they're looking for.

(total mess!)

[Babaluma]

I mastered a Psy Trance tune recently with no clipping and no limiting, and the client was happy! Maybe things have already turned? Am finding more and more clients recently (mostly dance music), when I ask them about loudness, are telling me "Not bothered at all about loudness, just make it sound good"...