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The future of new music.......

I recently posted about my disappointment with the SQ of both of Alabama Shakes’ albums. The CDs have shockingly poor dynamic range and outrageous loudness. The HD Tracks versions are similar. Simply unpleasant to listen too. I can tweak them with the equalizer in iTunes (!) and improve things a little. The vinyl is slightly better but does not appear to be worth the foray into high end vinyl playback.

I like my old rock but still like to find and enjoy new music.

But when I do research into new acts I am finding the same problems that I did with Alabama Shakes. No quality recordings. Period. Some point to vinyl but as with Alabama Shakes the vinyl might be marginally better but with some bands it is no better at all. And as pointed out above the HD Tracks are just like the CDs.....high res poor recordings.

I have found this to be true for great new(ish) rock acts like The Struts, Gary Clark, Jr. and Tedeschi Trucks. No good recordings. Same with Neko Case....but she is not so new.

I’m assuming this is because there is just no demand for hi-fi level recordings these days? Does it really cost that much more to produce a CD/file/record with high dynamic range and modest loudness?

I’ve seen threads here that suggest that hi-fi is dying out because younger folks just don’t get it (ear buds and Spotify are enough for them). But if new music is being recorded/produced/out put at such low quality that just seems like another nail in the coffin.

A question: Since I can tweak some of this music in a crude equalizer like the one in iTunes, is there a better, higher end way of doing the same thing with an external or other software based tool?


n80
amg56's avatar
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amg56
887 posts
 

In a world which is marked by "time is money", especially noted in the sound quality of advertisments, (compressed, narrow SQ , chipmonk quality of voices), and where streaming is the big thing, small files heavily over SQ'd is the norm. All music is now the same. The days of clear, slow and rich sound quality would appear to be passed.

It is easier to produce music to suit the earbud connected mobile phone masses, than to process it at the user point. Almost the reverse of what MQA is doing, but badly.

I agree, the days of producing the languid high quality all immersive musical album/cd/reproduction is albeit over. Shame really, when we are all told to slow down, life is getting faster and cheaper.

n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
I have to make a little correction here:

Gary Clark, Jr.'s album Blak and Blu does have very poor DR on CD and lossless download but the DR on the vinyl is quite good.

I really, really do not want to be pushed into vinyl...........

If you haven't heard that album, you should...give it a listen...maybe on vinyl....
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@n80, same here. I'll always love vinyl but just don't want the hassle of dealing with bad pressings, cartridge cleaning, storage etc. Almost all of my most precious musical memories were from my vinyl days, and many favourite albums never sounded as good on CD.

However, all is not lost with digital for those that do want to listen to mainstream music (and not just the ubiquitous well recorded Hi-Fi show fare). Since the main issue is with dynamic compression, some of this can be ameliorated by the use of loudspeakers noted for good dynamics. 

Perhaps this is why (along with SET amps) we see a following for high efficiency designs such as those made by Audio Note,  DeVore, Living Voice, Tannoy and especially JBL and Zu etc.

As for adding dynamic range, I can do this on my MP3 player and TV with mixed results, but I'm not sure if it's advisable to even try it on a full range system.  
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,396 posts
 
@n80,
I don't know which Neko Case lp you're referring to , but "Hell On" is nowhere near digital sounding.

n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
I have Fox Confessor. Loudness is over the top. Dynamic range is poor. Disappointing. I still listen to it because I like it but it sounds better with software based EQ adjustment...which is a shame. Middle Cyclone should arrive at my house soon. It also has poor dynamic range. I'll let you know how it sounds (on my system) when I get it. I do not have Hell On.

Understand, I'm not criticizing the music. I'm critical of production quality. The more I research the more I find that few if any contemporary artists are releasing media with high level production quality especially on CD or hi res downloads. It looks like vinyl, in general, is being recorded at a higher quality level but again, I cannot comment on that as the vinyl portion of my system is subpar. But the DR specs on these new albums is nowhere close to good pressings of older music.

It will be hard to justify spending thousands on a better turntable, phono-preamp and cart in order to listen to mediocre and expensive recordings. Could I do it for less? Probably. Would a basic U-turn TT and a Schiit Mani do the trick? I don't know. Time will tell if it is worth it to me.
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