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... thoughts on Taylor Swift's REPUTATION CD...

Hello to all... Am wondering how other audiophile folks who critically listen to music as coordinated recorded sounds access the newest offering from Taylor Swift.

PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT IF YOU HAVE NOT YET HEARD THE CD IN ITS ENTIRETY.
AND PLEASE LIMIT COMMENTS WITH REGARDS TO SOUND - NOT ALL THE OTHER STUFF (looks, dating, etc) 

I find the recording fairly well done: abit thumpy throughout (which seems to be the trend in pop/indie music for the masses), but highly divergent in tones, dynamics, and harmonies. Deep and wide soundstage... Most vocals (within my system) are believeable (for the most part) but sometimes muddy up at the complicated refrains with several overdubs of her voice...

I think this is a good stereo test recording. YOUR THOUGHTS APPRECIATED...
justvintagestuff
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I’m listening to cassettes today. They are not compressed, I even listened to one that was digitally remastered and very dynamic, open and super analog sounding. Sweet fancy Moses! Neither cassette sounded even a trifle strident in voices or any other way. The voices were impeccable. So I reckon the theory of using compression to get rid of sibilance is probably bogus.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Compression has always been used in studio production. It’s used judiciously on instruments; eg, on a drum to tighten up the attack and decay, or cymbals to stop excessive overtones or ring-out. The result is a naturally sounding drum kit tailored to the engineer/producer’s taste.

An engineer would deal with sibilance by using a different mic, a blast filter or screen, and by isolating the offending frequencies and using filters and EQ. There could be some compression, and many effects are used to achieve a desired sound, but at this stage in the recording process it would not be detrimental to the music.

The mix process involves getting the best quality possible. This is where the producer and engineer show their skills.

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
And then all the effects are applied.
I've seen videos where rappers are in the studio and when the bass starts thumping and the vocals are tweaked to hell, that's the moment they start getting into their new track.

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
In my opinion nothing that records, analog or digital, is a true representation of reality. It is, almost by definition, a facsimile.
Listen to classical (either symphonic or a sonata) and a jazz combo using minimal mic's thru a well designed high-end system and room.
Is it live or is it Memorex?

The experience can be like you're in a concert hall.
(no way we're talking about my system).


justvintagestuff OP
104 posts
 
I'm just abit confused: am I hearing you say that most of what I hear of Swft's voice is really not her voice but a manipulated amalgam, a sandwich so-to-speak, concocted to be boosted instead of her singing louder?
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