The "LOUDNESS WAR" Video. Required viewing--In 2 minutes, understand what it means!

How much things have changed between this and "Memory Almost Full".

 

I've been pimping this video on various forums since the first time I saw it last year. There are some great articles written on said subject as well. T'is a shame that the execs who work for the "big 5" and the RIAA don't care as much about sound quality, as they do about their money. Which is kind of ironic, seeing as how if they did care a bit more about SQ, no doubt that consumers would appreciate it, and thereby want to purchase more albums.

But then again, there's that pesky problem of industry born bands who pump out music not for the art of it, but for the glam and fashion of pseudo hipster/trendy MTv-ites, which really contributes zero to the industry except a cash cow. Priorities are funny in that biz.

 

Great education!

 

Great demonstration. Thanks.

Does this apply to new LPs sourced from a digital recording too or only to CDs?

 

I love this video, I've shown it to so many people. I couldn't, for the life of me, explain the loudness war to my girlfriend, and after I showed her this video she understood it immediately

 

It doesn't get any simpler than that. What an excellent demo of a serious problem! Loved it last year; love it now.
Bob.

 

Could we send it to every music label?

 

The video should be in the new glossary and reposted every six months!

 

This deserves a permanent 'sticky' status....right below the welcome/rules thread. I've never seen a clearer, more concise explanation of the loudness issue.

 

Mainly CD's and digital downloads. LP's sourced from CD's might have the same nasty dynamic compression, but they're not going to be as ear-bleedingly loud due to vinyl's dynamic constraints.

Thanks for making this required viewing, Steve. I love showing this video to people and subsequently turning their lives around.

 

I posted this link in the previous Loudness War earlier today. I was shocked when I first watched it. I'm still shocked that any producer would alter the sound of the mix so much.

I've shown it to all my "musician" friends. I think I've ruined modern music for them.

 

VERY impressive!. Even through my really crappy computer speakers I can hear the difference more than clearly.

 

I like it so much I use it for my signature and quote by Matt

 

even with these facts there are still many people who insist that making a Hit and a great first impression sells more product, than a quality product, that needs more time and better equipement to appreciate.
With other words : "Forget that, gimme a Hit is all what matters today. Kids buy Ringtones, not Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

 

so who are these guys... ?

http://www.turnmeup.org/

 

And therein lies the problem: As kids & young adults abandon "physical product" for downloads....and the labels follow that lead...what is to be done?

I've spent enough time in my car to understand the appeal of compressed music in a mobile environment. There are a couple of cases where I have opted to rip a more compressed version of a song to put on my iPod to play in my car...one that I would never listen to at home because it's "too loud".

What I don't understand is why - if we must have super compressed music for download services - we can't we decent sounding physical product also? And available on both vinyl & CD...or better yet SACD. I'd support it!

Dexter

 

Yeah, that seems interesting!!!

 

Thanks Steve, I thoroughly enjoyed this.

My concern is that the way that people listen to music is changed for ever. And where is there room for music mastering to go after "let's make all the quiet parts as loud as the loud ones"?

I'm hoping the backlash - at least for those who aren't on a solid MP3 only diet.

 

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=135624

 

Does anyone know where to get the original full-quality (pre-Youtube) video from? I've got a copy on my PC, but I cannot remember where it came from and searching for its file name (which I didn't change) in Google yields no results.

 

$

 

It's right here:
http://www.turnmeup.org/

BTW, I also vote for this as being permanently sticky.