Modern cd's - over compression

VanHal · 2nd May 2006, 10:21 AM

http://brianstagg.co.uk/p_t_a_clipressed/

It's shocking!

Precious (Playing The Angel, 2005) [cdstumm260] CD:

Precious (Playing The Angel, 2005) [lpstumm260] VINYL:

Scottmoose · 2nd May 2006, 11:38 AM

Yup.

Netlist · 2nd May 2006, 01:11 PM

As an Amsterdam citizen you must know the 'Deelder Draait' and 'Deelder Draait Door' cd's.
Carefully selected Jazz songs, recorded from vinyl with audiophile quality material.
http://www.love2party.nl/article/art...sp?art_id=1688
This is one of the worst tracks.
A real pity.

/Hugo

Eva · 6th May 2006, 08:56 PM

Wow!

That CD pre-processing seems like 10dB of gain followed by a fast peak limiter. Not much dynamics are likely to survive after that.

darkfenriz · 6th May 2006, 09:42 PM

Though digital clipping is belived bad by most studio engineers, the compression isn't so simple. Nearly all modern pop and rock cds are compressed. Over? Depends... When done on mastering it vanishes any dynamics of a song, just to make it louder. Compressing single instruments can enhance timbre, like bass guitar, slow compressor can even make attack more agressive.
My personal opinion is that in future this over-compression will be recognised and sound or nineties and beggining of 21 century.

Netlist · 7th May 2006, 07:19 AM

I believe these techniques are one of the reasons why I experience listening fatigue from listening to many modern cd's.

/Hugo

Eva · 7th May 2006, 12:06 PM

Careful compression and expansion in an instrument per instrument basis has plenty of advantages, but of course those waveforms show just bare peak limiting applied to the final mix.

It's quite sad to see recording companies asking sound engineers to destroy the music just to make it sound louder in the average boom-box.

Damn boom boxes!

francis varkey · 9th May 2006, 06:35 AM

Hi,
I just bought a Judas Priest-Rising in the East- DVD.
Sound sucks

In Dolby Digital, can hear only mid bass(that too muddled). The highs, lows, vocals can be barely heard.
In DTS mode, can hear almost no bass somewhat like a cheap radio sound.
This is the first time I observed such a glaring difference in the different modes.
My 16 year old analog cassette tape of the Priest's Nightcrawler sounds much better and clear. Which means that if you can do a decent enough job on a cassette tape, you could atleast do the same if not better for a CD or DVD.

Surely, I'd expect more compression is being used to make the analogue tapes.

Music wise, well Rob Halford has lost his higher notes, or was it recording tricks/ falsetto(remixed in portions) in their songs of yore.....

phase_accurate · 9th May 2006, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Careful compression and expansion in an instrument per instrument basis has plenty of advantages, but of course those waveforms show just bare peak limiting applied to the final mix.

Though I sometimes disagree with you - this time you are spot-on IMO.

Regards

Charles

darkfenriz · 9th May 2006, 09:01 AM

francis
most hard rock/metal is badly produced with too harsh trebles. Some albums sound better at old tape than CD.

2nd May 2006, 10:21 AM	#1
VanHal diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Amsterdam	Modern cd's - over compression http://brianstagg.co.uk/p_t_a_clipressed/ It's shocking! Precious (Playing The Angel, 2005) [cdstumm260] CD: Precious (Playing The Angel, 2005) [lpstumm260] VINYL:

6th May 2006, 08:56 PM	#4
Eva diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Near the sea	Wow! That CD pre-processing seems like 10dB of gain followed by a fast peak limiter. Not much dynamics are likely to survive after that. __________________ I use to feel like the small child in The Emperor's New Clothes tale

7th May 2006, 12:06 PM	#7
Eva diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Near the sea	Careful compression and expansion in an instrument per instrument basis has plenty of advantages, but of course those waveforms show just bare peak limiting applied to the final mix. It's quite sad to see recording companies asking sound engineers to destroy the music just to make it sound louder in the average boom-box. Damn boom boxes! __________________ I use to feel like the small child in The Emperor's New Clothes tale

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
modern pop/rock records	Chris8sirhC	Analogue Source	14	16th January 2010 12:01 AM
Is there a more modern transistor than a MJE181-171	grhughes	Solid State	2	4th May 2009 12:24 AM
Help finding modern console mfg	d to the g	Everything Else	1	3rd May 2009 06:12 AM
Compression ratio and diaphragm size in compression drivers	inkasound	Multi-Way	50	8th January 2009 03:38 PM
JLH with modern output transistors	diegot	Solid State	8	13th August 2006 09:05 PM


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

2nd May 2006, 11:38 AM	#2
Scottmoose diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK	Yup.

6th May 2006, 09:42 PM	#5
darkfenriz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Warsaw	Though digital clipping is belived bad by most studio engineers, the compression isn't so simple. Nearly all modern pop and rock cds are compressed. Over? Depends... When done on mastering it vanishes any dynamics of a song, just to make it louder. Compressing single instruments can enhance timbre, like bass guitar, slow compressor can even make attack more agressive. My personal opinion is that in future this over-compression will be recognised and sound or nineties and beggining of 21 century.

7th May 2006, 07:19 AM	#6
Netlist diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003	I believe these techniques are one of the reasons why I experience listening fatigue from listening to many modern cd's. /Hugo

9th May 2006, 06:35 AM	#8
francis varkey diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: U.A.E	Hi, I just bought a Judas Priest-Rising in the East- DVD. Sound sucks In Dolby Digital, can hear only mid bass(that too muddled). The highs, lows, vocals can be barely heard. In DTS mode, can hear almost no bass somewhat like a cheap radio sound. This is the first time I observed such a glaring difference in the different modes. My 16 year old analog cassette tape of the Priest's Nightcrawler sounds much better and clear. Which means that if you can do a decent enough job on a cassette tape, you could atleast do the same if not better for a CD or DVD. Surely, I'd expect more compression is being used to make the analogue tapes. Music wise, well Rob Halford has lost his higher notes, or was it recording tricks/ falsetto(remixed in portions) in their songs of yore.....

9th May 2006, 09:01 AM	#10
darkfenriz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Warsaw	francis most hard rock/metal is badly produced with too harsh trebles. Some albums sound better at old tape than CD.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read