Comments on: An Explanation Of The “Loudness Wars” That Even Your Dad Will Understand http://blog.fixyourmix.com/2009/an-explanation-of-the-loudness-wars-that-even-your-dad-will-understand/ Recording Tips | Production Trends | Songwriting Analysis of Pop, Rap, & Indie Rock. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:59:33 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Ian Shepherd http://blog.fixyourmix.com/2009/an-explanation-of-the-loudness-wars-that-even-your-dad-will-understand/comment-page-1/#comment-4852 Ian Shepherd Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:46:15 +0000 http://blog.fixyourmix.com/?p=2086#comment-4852 Sorry, I missed your reply ! Yes, I agree - many people react negatively to hyper-compressed music even though they can't describe why. In general, it's harder work to listen too, hence more fatiguing. The same happens with radio - there's research that shows that women especially turn off commercial radio stations sooner than less compressed material like the BBC. Ian Sorry, I missed your reply ! Yes, I agree – many people react negatively to hyper-compressed music even though they can’t describe why. In general, it’s harder work to listen too, hence more fatiguing.

The same happens with radio – there’s research that shows that women especially turn off commercial radio stations sooner than less compressed material like the BBC.

Ian

]]> By: Keith http://blog.fixyourmix.com/2009/an-explanation-of-the-loudness-wars-that-even-your-dad-will-understand/comment-page-1/#comment-4037 Keith Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:46:30 +0000 http://blog.fixyourmix.com/?p=2086#comment-4037 Ian- I actually did see your article the other day and thought about amending this one because of it. That being said, I've seen firsthand that most people have an extremely high tolerance for compression when doing side by side tests. People almost always choose the louder one. My best argument against this idea, though is that the lack of dynamics doesn't become apparent to non-engineers immediately or consciously. But it gets boring fast. Ian-

I actually did see your article the other day and thought about amending this one because of it. That being said, I’ve seen firsthand that most people have an extremely high tolerance for compression when doing side by side tests. People almost always choose the louder one. My best argument against this idea, though is that the lack of dynamics doesn’t become apparent to non-engineers immediately or consciously. But it gets boring fast.

]]> By: Ian Shepherd http://blog.fixyourmix.com/2009/an-explanation-of-the-loudness-wars-that-even-your-dad-will-understand/comment-page-1/#comment-4036 Ian Shepherd Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:35:45 +0000 http://blog.fixyourmix.com/?p=2086#comment-4036 Good post. The research showing people prefer louder music is correct, but in these tests the music is not being pushed up against a limiter or clipped. If the dynamic range of a recording is less than roughly 8dB RMS, it's all pumping and distortion after that. And, radio compression can sound good, but not *on top* of excessive compression and limiting. Fwiw I just posted about this: <a href="http://productionadvice.co.uk/stand-out-on-the-radio/" rel="nofollow">How to make your song stand out on the radio</a> Ian Good post.

The research showing people prefer louder music is correct, but in these tests the music is not being pushed up against a limiter or clipped.

If the dynamic range of a recording is less than roughly 8dB RMS, it’s all pumping and distortion after that. And, radio compression can sound good, but not *on top* of excessive compression and limiting.

Fwiw I just posted about this:

How to make your song stand out on the radio

Ian

]]> By: OPP – 10/29 (Miley Cyrus, Julian Casablancas, more) : EAR FARM :: music information helps grow ears http://blog.fixyourmix.com/2009/an-explanation-of-the-loudness-wars-that-even-your-dad-will-understand/comment-page-1/#comment-3878 OPP – 10/29 (Miley Cyrus, Julian Casablancas, more) : EAR FARM :: music information helps grow ears Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:40:51 +0000 http://blog.fixyourmix.com/?p=2086#comment-3878 [...] Here’s an explanation of the “loudness wars” that even your father will understand (their words not ours) [...] [...] Here’s an explanation of the “loudness wars” that even your father will understand (their words not ours) [...]

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