The Loudness War

I came across a great video online which demonstrates how the use of compression is damaging the sound of major music releases today, compared to 1989. The video explains it all.


LoudnessWar & YouTube, 2006

Also, you can see examples of the album 'Stadium Arcadium' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The top two samples are from the vinyl mastering, and the bottom two are the CD mastering.



ShowsOn & Hydrogen Audio, 2006

Music is being sacrificed because record companies want us to listen to their artists louder. This should be banned! If I want to listen to music loud, I will turn it up. Simple. No need to do it for me.

References

LoudnessWar, The Loudness War, available online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ, YouTube 2006

ShowsOn, Hydrogenaudio Forums > Music Discussion > General Music Discussion: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stadium Arcadium, available online at http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t42376.html, Hydrogen Audio 2006