2. music
  3. 138976-115924

The future of new music.......

I recently posted about my disappointment with the SQ of both of Alabama Shakes’ albums. The CDs have shockingly poor dynamic range and outrageous loudness. The HD Tracks versions are similar. Simply unpleasant to listen too. I can tweak them with the equalizer in iTunes (!) and improve things a little. The vinyl is slightly better but does not appear to be worth the foray into high end vinyl playback.

I like my old rock but still like to find and enjoy new music.

But when I do research into new acts I am finding the same problems that I did with Alabama Shakes. No quality recordings. Period. Some point to vinyl but as with Alabama Shakes the vinyl might be marginally better but with some bands it is no better at all. And as pointed out above the HD Tracks are just like the CDs.....high res poor recordings.

I have found this to be true for great new(ish) rock acts like The Struts, Gary Clark, Jr. and Tedeschi Trucks. No good recordings. Same with Neko Case....but she is not so new.

I’m assuming this is because there is just no demand for hi-fi level recordings these days? Does it really cost that much more to produce a CD/file/record with high dynamic range and modest loudness?

I’ve seen threads here that suggest that hi-fi is dying out because younger folks just don’t get it (ear buds and Spotify are enough for them). But if new music is being recorded/produced/out put at such low quality that just seems like another nail in the coffin.

A question: Since I can tweak some of this music in a crude equalizer like the one in iTunes, is there a better, higher end way of doing the same thing with an external or other software based tool?


n80

Showing 3 responses by cd318

cd318
2,636 posts
 
Let’s face it, only a very small percentage of music is mastered for use through full range loudspeakers. Most of it seems intended for playback through small portable speakers, radios and ear buds.
The majority of listeners seem to favour bass and punch over dynamic range.

It’s particularly frustrating when even long awaited so called ’original master tape’ prestige remasterings end up being dynamically compressed, often at the behest of some high executive or even the band/ performer themselves.

I appreciate that music is delivered as a commodity, and that market demands must be met, but can’t they just slip us audiophiles an earlier unprocessed copy. Surely it’s easy enough to click ’save as’ on a remastering project before you begin all that ’great’ compression magic?

Don’t audiophiles matter at all? OK, sorry I asked.
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@n80, same here. I'll always love vinyl but just don't want the hassle of dealing with bad pressings, cartridge cleaning, storage etc. Almost all of my most precious musical memories were from my vinyl days, and many favourite albums never sounded as good on CD.

However, all is not lost with digital for those that do want to listen to mainstream music (and not just the ubiquitous well recorded Hi-Fi show fare). Since the main issue is with dynamic compression, some of this can be ameliorated by the use of loudspeakers noted for good dynamics. 

Perhaps this is why (along with SET amps) we see a following for high efficiency designs such as those made by Audio Note,  DeVore, Living Voice, Tannoy and especially JBL and Zu etc.

As for adding dynamic range, I can do this on my MP3 player and TV with mixed results, but I'm not sure if it's advisable to even try it on a full range system.  
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@n80, you might find some good information here,

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/forums/music-corner.2/

although sometimes you may need to wade though pages and pages.. eg the Beatles discussions have gone on for almost 2 decades (without much consensus).

On the other hand it did lead me to picking up 'Get Happy’ on CD by Elvis Costello and the Attractions on Demon. Finally, a digital version that bears comparison with the original UK vinyl.
More to discover