Quote:
Originally Posted by So Low Bass  I don't get dynamic compression. Is it really for DJ to "notice" a tune? Is it putting ketchup on everything? Not to be unkind, but dynamics are rarely an element in Rock, jazz, or pop anyway but I didn't realize it is now used in classical music recordings. Is it used so music "sounds good" with earbuds and small car radio speakers? |
Well, the article described where it started. And it wasn't only about radio DJ's. A big factor was also the jukeboxes, wich usually played at just one volume level set by the owner. Producers feared that if their single was overshadowed by another, it would not get as much playtime.
Your statement bewilders me. To say that dynamics are not really an element in rock, jazz and pop is a bit strange. Just listen to some old records. Dynamics doesn't only mean going from piano to forte in classical music - the dynamics between diffrent instruments play a big role in the sound and effect of the music too - even if the percieved overall level of volume is quite stable. Recordings with more sane dynamic range simply have more depth to them. They say "when all is equally loud, there can be no more loud".
I musically grew up in the 90ies, and I remember we used to adore the ever getting louder mixes at first, and tried to fiddle with compressors until our waves looked like a continious block.
It was only after "Californication" that we started to ask ourselves if that mix wasn't a bit perverse in loudness.
Through recent years, I have been getting quite annoyed by it, and a friend who is a recording engineer has helped me understand why. My ears and brain can't endure more than 3-4 songs in a row on modern recordings anymore, especially if it's on the heavier side.
I think there is hope for the future though. More and more people realize that things have gotten way over the top.
Unfortunately though, I guess that the majority of people will not notice, especially those who grew up in the days of mp3 and Youtube.
