The Loudness Wars

[JV]

http://www.loudnessrace.net/

Interesting link where this guy gives his reviews/opinions on albums that that have flaws for the sake of loud. I know Andy has stated that he stays away from this for better dynamics. Opeth's "Blackwater Park" made the list.

Opeth - Blackwater Park (2001 KOCH/Music for Nations) (H, Ds, N) (-2.5db)
* Produced: Opeth, Steven Wilson; Mastered: Göran Finnberg
* WaveGain values
* Sound clip from "Bleak", showcasing audible low-end distortion and narrowed song dynamics

Interesting nonetheless.

 

[Andy Sneap]

yknow what im going to start doing. That a ridiculously hot master for these CD comps on the front of the mags, and a normal master for the actual album. Its only when they are side by side it's an issue

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Hey I have had some thought about this too a while ago, and decided I'd do two masterings for my cd : one real for the album, with a reasonnably not too loud level, and another one for the medias, way more loud (cause the medias are deaf of course, and don't listen more than once to your productions anyway... ), for compilations etc, where your sound doesn't seem too thin compared to other productions (though people just have to raise their volume knob to get a louder (and better cause more dynamic) sound if they want to !). Have you really already done that Andy ?

 

[Andy Sneap]

no, but it's what I thought I may do, saying that, the people who compile these compilation usually mess them up any way, Killswitch was a good 3 db lower on the metal hammer cd this month

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Maybe they're trying to keep the level consistant for all tracks ?

 

[Kevin Kitchel]

You know, instead of doing that, you could petition the magazine to have you to master their comps. Its like an afternoon of work, you get paid, and everyone is happy. As you know the budget for underground metal magazines is astronomical too, so this is really realistic. But then again "Mastered by ANDY SNEAP" on the CD cover might help move some more...

 

[Andy Sneap]

well they certainly didnt keep the levels consistant on the metal hammer cd!!