[CJs06]

I'm finally posting after reading these forums for the past month, but something peaked a question.

After reading The Death of High Fidelity I came to realize that all my favorite music I've been listening to is of course subjected to the ungodly amount of compression that as far as I can tell, is common practice. I do understand the difference and it dawned on me the moment I started to feel an urge to change that song I'm listening to for something different, only to change it again, simply because it was fatiguing to listen to.

My question is how can I get music that isn't compressed to hell. Also, is there an easy way to tell if an album isn't compressed.

I'm guessing most recently released music is going to be subjected to loudness therapy and that there is no way around it.

 

[krmathis]

Perform a solid listening to the music in the record store. Then only buy those that appear to have their dynamic range intact. Meaning that they are not destroyed by compression during mastering.

 

[Mr00000]

Keep in mind that, in a musical sense, there is more than one definition of "compression."

There is dynamic compression where stuff gets terribly mastered - this will sound terrible even in a lossless format like a CD.

This is different from the compression used to make MP3s nice and small - an MP3 of a well mastered song will still sound pretty good.

Anyone, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here.

 

[fuzydice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr00000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif There is dynamic compression where stuff gets terribly mastered - this will sound terrible even in a lossless format like a CD. This is different from the compression used to make MP3s nice and small - an MP3 of a well mastered song will still sound pretty good.

You're right. The OP mentions one in the topic of his post, but talks about the other in the body. What he probably wants are well-mastered versions of the music he/she likes--MFSL and other "audiophile grade" masterings.

OP: I'd recommend spending a good amount of time searching in the Steve Hoffman forums and Vinyl Asylum to get a feel for the 'best versions' of albums out there, be it on CD, SACD, DVD-A, Vinyl, etc. Good luck.

 

[BigJohn]

Don't just buy music for the SQ.
If you like the music enjoy it wether or not it's compressed or whatever.
You would be missing out on so much good music that is recorded poorly.
That would be a shame, musiclover!

If you buy for SQ alone you will end up with a couple of good cd's with good music on them, and a whole lot of really good classical recordings!

[size=xx-small]Search the web for recordings and compression and you will find a lot of information on just that, and a lot more!
You'll allso learn about the "better" recordings that are out there.[/size]

 

[ueyteuor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohn /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't just buy music for the SQ. If you like the music enjoy it wether or not it's compressed or whatever. You would be missing out on so much good music that is recorded poorly. That would be a shame, musiclover! If you buy for SQ alone you will end up with a couple of good cd's with good music on them, and a whole lot of really good classical recordings!

true dat

 

[Uncle Erik]

You want to get away from compression?

(Doesn't have to be a Gyrodec. Any turntable will do.)

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJs06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif After reading The Death of High Fidelity I came to realize that all my favorite music I've been listening to is of course subjected to the ungodly amount of compression that as far as I can tell, is common practice. My question is how can I get music that isn't compressed to hell?

The answer is simple, and it has benefits beyond just sound quality... expand your tastes in music.

See ya
Steve

 

[scompton]

x2. Although I've heard some mediocre remasterings of historical classical recordings. I've also heard some unbelievable remasterings.

 

[Rempert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr00000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Keep in mind that, in a musical sense, there is more than one definition of "compression." There is dynamic compression where stuff gets terribly mastered - this will sound terrible even in a lossless format like a CD. This is different from the compression used to make MP3s nice and small - an MP3 of a well mastered song will still sound pretty good. Anyone, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here.

You are right, but it is worth saying that dynamic compression is a very useful tool for all types of dynamic tweaking and shaping and as they say it is the sound of rock and roll. It is only when it is used in poor taste, or with the goal of maximizing the RMS level regardless of the consequences, that things start to go wrong.

And of course lame MP3 encoding is a marvelous tool, but if you compress too far with that you will get big problems too.

But in any case, they are no more related than the compression in your automobile engine is related to the compression in your spine.