The Loudness War

Big-name CD manufacturers are distorting sounds to make them seem louder. Sound quality suffers.

NOTE: Playback is now disabled on mobile phones because these devices apply their own dynamic range compression, which destroys the effect of my example.

This video was made with image editing software and a screen capture program for the visuals, and a DAW (Digital Performer 4.5) to process the audio.

Thanks to everyone for watching! - Matt Mayfield, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Loudness
• war
• race
• CD
• digital
• audio
• compression
• mastering
• remastered
• overcompressed

[dochmbi]

What's the name of the song used in this video?

[LoudnessWar]

@dochmbi and many other people, Y U NO read the credits at the end of the video?

[TheSpiderMind]

I recommend everyone who loves music and hates what record companies are doing to it favorite this video. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

[TheSpiderMind]

This has been bugging me for so long, and I could not put my finger on what was happening. I mean, it sounded compressed, but I didn't think it was some sort of global effort driven by improper motives.

[jogmas12]

this is why vinyl is making a come back

[runosulka]

For years I have wondered whats wrong with most music for it sounds "flat" to me. Well now I know it's not me that is faulty, it's the industry.

[GermanBoysTV]

cool =)

[TWEAKER01]

@Cokoholicar deluxemastering[dot]com[dot]au And yes most of my clients specifically request retained dynamics. Not that compression itself can't sound good - but it's for the sound of it, not for sheer level. Often no compression per se in mastering. Keep in mind the mixes should already sound amazing!

[Cokoholicar]

@TWEAKER01

Hi, where do you work. How can your services be acquired?

[Smith8340]

Great video, and it's such a shame that music is being ruined by this loudness procedure. I only have a few CD's that sound great, and rest are average, because they don't care about dynamic range, and sound quality. Thanks for doing something about it.

[ChesGod73]

@Ozunreal i agree this should go out to all music lovers

[hardmous]

Agree--people are taking it to far. However, analog compression sounds great. Also, people need to find a middle ground.

[scaleop4]

The Loudness War fucks up music its as simple as that.

[HealthConnectTV]

Praise to you Matt Mayfield for calling BS on this degenerative fad.