modern albums that aren't compressed/limited to death??

[JBroll]

I do too... but the fucking drums?

Seriously, how do you tell your drummer "You know, I think this song is great... but what it REALLY needs is a cheesy drum machine!" in a session? If someone did that to me, I'd take over his girlfriend's mind and have her turn him down and say "Nothing personal, but this Japanese midget is giving me the best sex I've had in years, so..."

Jeff

 

[PhilR]

Anyone have a comparison of the UK vs USA version of Machine Heads "The Blackening"? I've heard the Euro release was very restrained in it's mastering on Robb Flynns request. But the US version was brickwalled to shit.

 

[Zuranthus]

discrepancies could be due to the fact that there are different encoders used with their own compression algorithms

 

[PhilR]

Lossy compression systems don't cause transient clipping in the same fashion as bus limiters.

I don't see how it's relevant anyway. Anyone with half a brain cell would be comparing CD rips.

 

[Suicide_As_Alibi]

Anyone have a comparison of the UK vs USA version of Machine Heads "The Blackening"? I've heard the Euro release was very restrained in it's mastering on Robb Flynns request. But the US version was brickwalled to shit.

I got the American version of a mate of mine before I bought the UK version. I can't comment much on the volume (the US version was a ripped CD), but the American version clips in quite a few places and the UK one doesn't at all that I've noticed.

Can't think of any modern albums off hand, but it know Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' is maddeningly quiet.

At the other end of the spectrum, NumberOneSon (little known UK band) had an album called 'Lessons' that's sounds way louder than anything else I own, but it's still pretty dynamic for it.

Steve

 

[smy1]

The German version of "The Blackening" is clipping A LOT!

 

[Sinister Mephisto]

Can't think of any modern albums off hand, but it know Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' is maddeningly quiet.

It's true, that CD is very quite. I like it how it is though. I was putting together a comparison of Rick Rubins productions for a class and I had this song next to Toxcicity by SOAD, what a volume difference!

 

[KeithTidd]

Listen with your ears, not your eyes.

There are dynamics with changing RMS value, it's just different than changing peak value.
Changing peak value is easier to "see" as a waveform. Changing RMS is easier to "hear", but takes experience.

exactly. If it sounds good to you, who cares how loud it looks. Some of my favorite albums are rediculously loud; take Dimmu's PEM.