Have song arrangements changed to be louder?

themusicsmith · 8th July 2009

I know this subject( the loudness wars ) has been beaten to death on many forums. I have been listening to some pop music recently and I can't help but notice the lack of instrumentation in the verse. Is this the new trend to reclaim some semblance of dynamic range? Is it all drums and sparse instrumentation in the verses and blow it out in the chorus? Kelly Clarkson and Pink use this to great effect in their recent music. Songs like Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas are all drums and vox basically.

My questions for the professionals here are:

Do you notice pop song arrangement has changed to fit the new louder=better syndrome?

Has this been something done in the past as well when it came to mastering 45's and vinyl?

What do you think of the newer John Mayer and Jason Mraz albums?
Are they too compressed as well?

Thanks, Peter

Waltz Mastering · 8th July 2009

quiet LOUD quiet LOUD has been around for a while.

The Pixies (Surfer Rosa) were known for this back in the 80's and copied by Nirvana (Teen Spirit). (Both produced by Steve Albini)

I'm sure it was done quite a bit early on in pop music, it's a formula.

Tension - Release.

Lagerfeldt · 9th July 2009

it's just back to basics.

Drums + Vocals, just like it was back in the good ol' cavemen days.

Jeff Carroll · 9th July 2009

Beethoven did this too.

heaths · 9th July 2009

Awesome podcast from what I heard. I caught the Cannon segment. It was very intelligent, thorough, and interesting. A lot of great insight. Great job and keep it up.

simulationcredit

8th July 2009	#1
themusicsmith Gear interested Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 7 Thread Starter	Have song arrangements changed to be louder? I know this subject( the loudness wars ) has been beaten to death on many forums. I have been listening to some pop music recently and I can't help but notice the lack of instrumentation in the verse. Is this the new trend to reclaim some semblance of dynamic range? Is it all drums and sparse instrumentation in the verses and blow it out in the chorus? Kelly Clarkson and Pink use this to great effect in their recent music. Songs like Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas are all drums and vox basically. My questions for the professionals here are: Do you notice pop song arrangement has changed to fit the new louder=better syndrome? Has this been something done in the past as well when it came to mastering 45's and vinyl? What do you think of the newer John Mayer and Jason Mraz albums? Are they too compressed as well? Thanks, Peter

8th July 2009	#2
Waltz Mastering Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 2,933 Verified Member	quiet LOUD quiet LOUD has been around for a while. The Pixies (Surfer Rosa) were known for this back in the 80's and copied by Nirvana (Teen Spirit). (Both produced by Steve Albini) I'm sure it was done quite a bit early on in pop music, it's a formula. Tension - Release. __________________ Tom Waltz www.waltzmastering.com

9th July 2009	#3
Lagerfeldt Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 4,770 Verified Member	it's just back to basics. Drums + Vocals, just like it was back in the good ol' cavemen days. __________________ Professional geek Online Mastering - At the moment: Mastering Christopher (EMI) · Mastering Marijana (Universal) · Mixing Michalis (Universal)

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9th July 2009	#4
Jeff Carroll Gear interested Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC USA Posts: 12	Beethoven did this too.

9th July 2009	#5
heaths Gear interested Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Awesome podcast from what I heard. I caught the Cannon segment. It was very intelligent, thorough, and interesting. A lot of great insight. Great job and keep it up. simulationcredit