Why is reverb so overdone in 80s music?

[Stephonovich]

Has anyone ever noticed that you can almost instantly tell if a song is from the 80s by the amount of reverb, especially on the drums? Every time they play any 80s song on the radio, it's instantly noticeable. A check on the internet for the release date when I get home confirms this. I know they had reverb pre-80s, so why the extreme overuse of it then? It just ends up sounding like crap, with the oomph of the bass drum being lost in the muddiness. Not to mention the snare and hi-hat lose their snap.

(-:Stephonovich

 

[Nacher]

Some times I wonder, were people really deaf in the eighties. Not only is the reverb overdone, but the synths... huh. It takes only the first synth note in the intro to hear the definite 80s sound, which sounds more or less amusing these days.

 

[eyeteeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nacher It takes only the first synth note in the intro to hear the definite 80s sound, which sounds more or less amusing these days.

That same synth sound begins countless movies from the 80s. And it's usually of the fast paced, upbeat variety (with scenes of people/streets busy).
UGH, terrible.

 

[winty]

I think you're talking about the advent of digital technology

Before the 80s, synths were usually big analogue monsters with oscillators that went in and out of tune as the circuit heated up and cooled down (giving a wonderful warm sound). When the digital synths started hitting the scene, these large synths covered in knobs were replaced with sleek digital surfaces with 2 little buttons and a small LCD. We were all instantly hooked on the "future of music".

Similarly, before the 80s many reverbs were literally room-sized reverberation chambers. The availability of relatively cheap digital emulations of this expensive effect meant everyone could have a go. And they did

But worst of all was the "gated reverb", which was an effect most often applied to drums. If you had a digital effects unit capable of doing a gated reverb, you could really crank up the reverb level without swamping the whole track in reverb. It became a fashionable effect in itself, particularly on snare drums, because it was felt that it made them sound huge. The most obvious example of this is Phil Collins drumming.

Music technology is always about trends unfortunately. During the 70s, with all those fantastic analogue synths available to them, musicians were forever trying desperately to get their vintage synth to sound like a real instrument, instead of cherishing the sounds made for what they were.

Just my thoughts...

 

[Stephonovich]

So it's a gadget obsession thing, then. Like today's music, where they see how long they can keep a signal at 0dB. Or in terms of sound-of-the-minute, insane distortion. Well above 80s metal sound. It's what happens when you run the Gain and Level at 11, and then run it through a compressor. Sounds more like a buzzing than anything else.

(-:Stephonovich

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephonovich So it's a gadget obsession thing, then. Like today's music, where they see how long they can keep a signal at 0dB. Or in terms of sound-of-the-minute, insane distortion. Well above 80s metal sound. It's what happens when you run the Gain and Level at 11, and then run it through a compressor. Sounds more like a buzzing than anything else. (-:Stephonovich

Definitely... the issue with levels is really more of a mastering thing than intentionally part of the music tho, although there's some crossover. People (particularly of the younger generations) have gotten used to listening to music with no dynamic range and no headroom. I can't even listen to a lot of what gets released these days and have basically given up on newer music because of this issue.

Sometimes I wonder about the complaints about digital around here, particularly how it can be 'fuzzy' or staticky in the treble. I think a lot of this perception comes from the overcompressed crap being put out on CD these days, rather than some inherent problem with inexpensive DACs or digital in general. People just don't realize how much badly recorded/mastered music there is, so the equipment gets blamed more often than it should.

 

[Stephonovich]

Slightly OT, but continuing on your thoughts, fewtch...

What started the loudness race? Was it when FM radio became popular, and you wanted to be the loudest one out there? Personally, I find that to be a bit odd, seeing how all radio stations have compressors and such anyway so there's no volume differences.

And yeah, most modern stuff sucks. The only new CDs I have at least have *some* dynamic range. Not much, considering it's rock, but there's some quieter passages. One that jumps from a full string ensemble (or, knowing the band, synth strings...) to screeching guitar riffs is particularly good

(-:Stephonovich

 

[zoboomofo]

I think cds have a signature sound in many eras of music. Most of my cds since 2002 have a soft top end, great dynamics, and a large midrange. This is compared to the cds in the 4 prior years that were too hot, lacked dynamics, and stung at the treble end . Cds in the earlier 90s sounded thinner, and had rough treble. To see what I mean, take a spin through Nigel Godrich's productions from Radiohead - Bends, to the new Air cd. Cds from the 70s and 80s sound very quiet, but the 70s recordings have a tubey warmth to them (eg. Stones). This is just what I notice in my collection anyway.

I wonder, do you think that in a few years time, folks will complain (as we are with 80s synths) over 'that Pro Tools sound' or something?

 

[Stephonovich]

I've got Radiohead's OK Computer, and it has a very nice warm sound. Of course, they recorded onto tape before going to Pro Tools. Very smooth, though, with good bass, midrange, and treble. Nothing harsh. I like it.

But yes, late 80s/early 90s stuff was pretty harsh, at least for metal. Listen to Metallica's self-titled album, or ...And Justice For All.

(-:Stephonovich

 

[Onix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephonovich But yes, late 80s/early 90s stuff was pretty harsh, at least for metal. Listen to Metallica's self-titled album, or ...And Justice For All. (-:Stephonovich

Actually, I consider that one a very good sounding album. The main difference is that is has a huge pressence and great bass, while the rest of my metal albums from the 80's (Dio, Judas Priest, Metal Church) sound bassless in comparition, and, I have to say it, wimpy. But some others are also very harsh, like Exodus's "Bonded by Blood". I think production values just got better, specially regarding European bands.