--my darTZeel 468 mono blocks have a ’peak watt’ output (the value holds for 8 seconds after) read out on the front face. it’s very easy to see with your eyes how all analog vinyl has higher peaks than digital with the same recording played back at the same SPL level. because digital smears peaks.
@mikelavigne I was reacquainting myself with this thread and found this. I don't think its correct. Many digital releases have compression that does not occur in the LP release on account of there being no expectation the LP will be played in a car. Digital releases are often compressed on this account.
When we were mastering LPs, if the master was a digital file we would ask the producer if they had a non-processed version of the file, so we could make a more dynamic cut. I know we weren't the only LP mastering operation that did that!
@atmasphere
I am interested in your insight on the role digital mastering has played in LP production over the decades?
@richardbrand One thing is sure- its made their background noise lower. LPs are inherently lower noise than tape; digital knocked out a few dB on that account. One thing that many here have encountered is that digital releases tend to be longer. So now the LP release is often more than one disk which is probably the bigger effect. This allows the LP to have greater dynamic range since there's so much more real estate available for greater modulation in the groove.