Hotel California sounds good on the radio.


Hotel California came on the  local classic hits station while Was driving the other day. It sounded better than the other "classic hits" they played that trip. I got to thinking, Dark Side of the Moon and Reelin' in the Years sound good on the radio too. So when they say an album sounds lousy because it was mixed to "sound good on the radio", is it an excuse for poor workmanship?

jsbail

Listen to the original HC maybe once a month (always skipping 2 of the songs).

I've not tried the CD decks in any of our Honda's (first one with a CD deck was a 1991 Accord Wagon).

I also watch this video clip 2-3 times a month.

 

DeKay

I suspect those recordings were recorded and mixed for home systems because back in that day most cars only had AM radio. The idea of recording for radio really came about in the 80s with the Advent of commuting and FM radio widespread.

As I said, I was not commenting on the music. My post is about the quality of the recording. I like the music on my old Rolling Stones records. They sound like crap on my audiophile system. It has been explained to me it is because they are "mixed for radio". So why does well recorded music sound as good or better on the radio then the poor sounding ones "mixed for radio"

@jsbail

So why does well recorded music sound as good or better on the radio then the poor sounding ones "mixed for radio"

Radio audio processing basically magnifies audio, as it is compressed, EQ’d and limited. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression garbage in, garbage out. The same can be said for audio processing on radio. Feed the radio station audio processor some well recorded audio (I personally *do* think most Eagles music qualifies), and most times it will sound very good to excellent once played out over the air (OTA). Depending on your idea of what "better" sounds like (many music enthusiasts prefer re-mastered recordings to the original recordings), radio (audio processing) can make recordings sometimes sound better, and sometimes worse. Most 60’s and 70’s 45’s were definitely mixed for Top 40 AM radio, and jukebox playing.