Dynamic range in recordings - for 182k albums

[berettafan]

Any music junkies know about this site? Just found it the other day, has dynamic range measurements for over 182k albums. Pretty darned handy way to check up on which release/pressing you should seek out on the used/new market.

Thus far when i've listened to something on the home system and said 'damn that sounds good!' it's had a great score.

https://dr.loudness-war.info/

[gumby]

Very cool mostly CD's ....hardly any vinyl

[Dixie]

Nifty site, but I'm not sure I understand how dynamic range equates to a quality recording. Isn't that simply the difference between the quitest, and loudest, dB on the recording? Wouldn't the frequency range captured on the recording be more telling?

[berettafan]

Well I'm new to this hifi business so my understanding is limited but iirc the idea is it's not an absolute but given three versions of a release choosing the highest range version is most likely to get you the best result.

What this is measuring (apologies if you already know this- again it's all kinda new to me) is how much 'loudness wars' compression afflicts a recording. And for sure less compression is better.
Compression being, as I understand it, raising the level of the quiet parts to the loud parts level. Then you just have this smear of noise. The article I found says it started when music/radio execs noticed a song that played louder than those around it would get noticed more.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by berettafan

...(apologies if you already know this- again it's all kinda new to me) is how much 'loudness wars' compression afflicts a recording. And for sure less compression is better.

Thanks, that helps.
Plus, I don't know. That's why I asked.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Well I'm new to this hifi business so my understanding is limited but iirc the idea is it's not an absolute but given three versions of a release choosing the highest range version is most likely to get you the best result.

What this is measuring (apologies if you already know this- again it's all kinda new to me) is how much 'loudness wars' compression afflicts a recording. And for sure less compression is better.
Compression being, as I understand it, raising the level of the quiet parts to the loud parts level. Then you just have this smear of noise. The article I found says it started when music/radio execs noticed a song that played louder than those around it would get noticed more.

Back when, if I recorded something to cassette, my dad told me to make sure that the level was set so that I may occasionally get some red (but not too much). I've heard recordings that were set too high, and they sound like carp. I'm not sure if I've heard too low. I assume it's vaguely like taking digital photos, you want your exposure to be in the sweet spot. If you go too high, you loose details, if you go to low you lose details. Expose photos so they are at the top of the range and you get the best photos. I suspect audio recordings are similar.

[HardDrive]

The mastering on most music these days…dear lord. Who cares if the cymbals sound like mud, let’s just smash as much sound as we can into the signal so it hits hard on car audio.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Dixie

Nifty site, but I'm not sure I understand how dynamic range equates to a quality recording. Isn't that simply the difference between the quitest, and loudest, dB on the recording? Wouldn't the frequency range captured on the recording be more telling?

Originally Posted by berettafan

Well I'm new to this hifi business so my understanding is limited but iirc the idea is it's not an absolute but given three versions of a release choosing the highest range version is most likely to get you the best result.

What this is measuring (apologies if you already know this- again it's all kinda new to me) is how much 'loudness wars' compression afflicts a recording. And for sure less compression is better.
Compression being, as I understand it, raising the level of the quiet parts to the loud parts level. Then you just have this smear of noise. The article I found says it started when music/radio execs noticed a song that played louder than those around it would get noticed more.

These may help. I will read them tomorrow, so I may be wrong, maybe they aren't helpful. There were several more, but these looked like they might be decently explanatory.
https://mojosarmy.medium.com/recording-and-mixing-levels-demystified-151ec65705fa

https://www.thepodcasthost.com/recording-skills/how-to-set-recording-levels/

https://www.homemusicstudio1.com/how-to-set-recording-levels/

[berettafan]

HD I've had to re-learn how to listen with speakers in the house. I know that probably sounds dumb or pretentious but my ears were tuned to car audio just as you mention.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by berettafan

HD I've had to re-learn how to listen with speakers in the house. I know that probably sounds dumb or pretentious but my ears were tuned to car audio just as you mention.

When I was the sound guy for a band, after mixing a new song, the final test was to burn it to a disk and play it in the car, since that is what the ears are accustomed to.

Always sounds great through studio speakers, but that's not the real world.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Any music junkies know about this site? Just found it the other day, has dynamic range measurements for over 182k albums. Pretty darned handy way to check up on which release/pressing you should seek out on the used/new market.

Thus far when i've listened to something on the home system and said 'damn that sounds good!' it's had a great score.

https://dr.loudness-war.info/

As someone who is constantly screwing with gains and EQs in the quest for the perfect amount, this is helpful.

Thanks!

rjp

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by gumby

Very cool mostly CD's ....hardly any vinyl

Lots of CD's and "Unknown"

It does have an internal search engine which is very helpful. I have to look up the below 1973 Zeppelin vinyl album and see what that sells for. (Houses Of The Holy (US Robert Ludwig Pressing)). Edit: Not stupid money. $100 plus. Many others sell for more - e.g., LZ4 still in wrapper well over $1,000

Thanks for the link!!

[berettafan]

The Zep stuff is high on my list to dig through. We have an old two disc best of set (cases long gone) that actually sounds pretty good.