I like Radiohead quite a bit but the one thing I don't like is that their whole catelog is compressed dynamic range wise and I don't mean just a little. What's up with that?
Radiohead read on
Ok they are a rock band and with OK computer they won lots of critical fame. But with kidA and amnesiac they have created truely great albums. I think that they have recorded these albums in new and inventive ways and the sound quality or misuse of it is amazing. They have also pushed the musical boundries with the content and delivery of their music. I should also state that I am not such a big rock music fan but these albums are emotional inventive and intoxicating and force me to want to listen. What do you think?
Showing 7 responses by geoffkait
OK, I didn’t want to do this. Here’s the Radiohead page from the Unofficial Dynamic Range Database. Keep in mind the number 14 represents the first number in the Good range for dynamic range. The colors obviously represent Bad, Transition, and Good Dynamic Range. There are three number for each listing - Average, Minimum and Maximum Dynamic Range. Now, you tell me, is that a messed up dynamic range chart or what? And let's hear it for Pablo Honey! http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=Radiohead&album= Happy New Year |
Mapman, my guess is you'd really like the Japanese SHM pressing of Death Magnetic. ;-) Death Magnetic releases Metallica Death Magnetic (Mastered for iTunes) 2015 07 06 08 lossy Download Metallica Death Magnetic (Guitar Hero III) i 2008 12 11 13 lossless Download Metallica Death Magnetic (Moderus III.2 Remaster) i 2014. 08 08 09 lossless Download Metallica Death Magnetic [24-bit/88,2 kHz studio master] i 2014 05 03 06 lossless Download Metallica Death Magnetic 2008 03 02 04 lossless CD Metallica Death Magnetic [MarckIII Version] i 2009 11 11 12 lossless Download Metallica Death Magnetic (Japan SHM-CD mini-lp) 2010 03 02 04 lossless Unknown |
They are already loud as soon as you start playing them. That’s kind of the whole point. The level is set higher on the compressed CDs than it is on their uncompressed brethren so they play louder. You can’t get in too much trouble because the peaks are still a lot lower in dB than they would have been uncompressed. You actually need to turn the volume DOWN on some cases. |
It’s actually not the recording that’s louder. The recording is not the issue. It’s the CD format that’s compressed and made louder. That’s why they call it the Loudness Wars. As I said you can make the level higher and still not risk blowing up someone’s boombox or Walkman since the peaks have been compressed, as well as valleys obviously. Everyone’s happy, teeny boppers can play their music loud, the record companies are making money and the only ones who are unhappy are people like me who can’t stand overly compressed music. As I also said, that means I won’t listen to some of Dylan’s greatest CDs,,like Modern Times or Stones like A Bigger Bang and Bridges to Babylon, or Radiohead. Except Pablo Honey. If I can get them on cassette I can manage to get by. But that's a big IF. |
UB40 does indeed have a catelog with great DR. Among the best in the biz. Shame about the music. http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=UB40&album= |