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Why do mass marketed CD's sound so crappy?

I posted awhile ago here asking opinions regarding the poor sound quality of Coldplay's "A Rush of Blood to the Head" CD. Now I want to ask the same question of U2's latest (which is great, btw). I also find Sheryl Crow's CD's to sound underwhelming and dissapointing. Besides that fact that I love her music. What gives? Are the artists clueless? Don't they hear what their releases sound like? Are the record companies deliberately turning out crappy sounding CD's to please the masses that listen primarily on Ipods and walkman's? Man, it makes it real tough to enjoy music I really love to listen to when it sounds so damn bad.

The first track on U2's newest, "Vertigo" really rocks out, but it sounds boomy and muddled. I wanted to turn this up real loud, but it just sounded awful. I'm bummed.
hammergjh

Showing 3 responses by rockethouse

rockethouse
42 posts
 
Thats funny...maybe if I....DOH!

Cheers
rockethouse
42 posts
 
Eldartford, I know where your coming from...I have the simplist of recording set-ups in my house... I still use a Yamaha MT3X 4-Track and I have used this technique for a long time(mostly)for acoustic by putting the 4-track on the floor and using my big toe on the fader (while I play). It took a while but I'm pretty good at it now. Maybe I could start hiring out my big toe as the(latest)next big thing in limiting.
Luckily I can play better than my gags.

rockethouse
42 posts
 
Sean is right with what he is saying. Eldartford I have been involved in recording as a musician for more years than I want to admit (my early days saw me study sound engineering breifly) and unfortunatley compression/limiting is what was used (or should I say even abused) I think in nearly everything I can remember being involved in. High average listening levels are what is desired/demanded.

p.s Noel Gallagher (Oasis)will listen to the mix on his old (and I mean old) portable player before approving final mixdown.
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