Re: [ARSCLIST] Libraries disposing of records

[Scott Phillips <scottp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Stations are in a real bind, both because of the legal limits imposed
(these were there long before loudness wars) and the need they ALWAYS
had to be loud. If the record industry would produce recordings that had
decent dynamic range and frequency response, then it could be left to
the stations to sort it out. At least it wouldn't control every other
possible distribution means. The way it is now reduces us to the
approach taken by some in education... Cater to the lowest common
denominator, and screw the rest. (Sorry, soap box !!) The stations have
always had both abusers and realists working for them. Some stations
took it to heart and adjusted their processing in a tasteful way, others
did not. The reasons were mostly financial, in my experience. Good
technical people with 'ears' cost real money. I hated what some did,
liked the effort that some others put into it. Some did, some didn't. It
isn't so different than a library having material digitized by students
that don't even listen to the material as it is converted. (No slam
intended on those that do care, please !)

Again, just my opinion folks...!

-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Aaron Levinson
Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 10:01 PM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Libraries disposing of records

Scott- That is very relevant stuff and I amend my earlier statement to
reflect your insight. You offer valuable thoughts about the legal bind
that affects radio and why it does in fact operate in certain specific
ways that might be otherwise overlooked.

Aaron


Scott Phillips wrote:
> Thank you..!
>
> I have been in the recording industry in one way or another for years,

> but I also possess an FCC license that started out as a first class 
> license for radio, when they were 'hard to get'. Put bluntly, there 
> are legal restrictions that AM/FM broadcasters need to adhere to, and 
> they limit such things as dynamic range. They MUST have gear that 
> restrains/maintains things in those areas. They are NOT going away, 
> they can't. With that in mind, at the very least record 
> companies/producers/engineers/mastering engineers should understand 
> this. Radio CAN'T change this, it is the law. Sure, they have some 
> latitude as to how the gear is adjusted, but less than you might 
> imagine. Once it seemed like this was just common recording 
> engineering knowledge, I must be getting old...
>
> As a result, they have to be pretty inflexible as to their processing.
> Sure, they also want to be the loudest station as you tune across the 
> dial in most cases... But that WILL happen, HAS happened for more 
> years than I've been alive. Still, they have more restrictions 
> actually placed on them that the rest of the recording chain. This was

> not true when vinyl was king, it was different but 'similar' in 
> discipline. If the industry was in fact recording and mastering to fit

> the needs of radio, it wouldn't sound like it does right now.
>
> A good deal of yesteryear's best broadcast compression/limiting chain 
> is to be now found in the possession of the best recording engineers 
> doing fine mixes. Fairchild, anyone ? Tubes, don't ya know... Still, 
> one should NEVER overdo a good thing... But a old broadcast tube 
> limiter set to small settings is very nice indeed. Again, just IMHO..
>
> ..and yes, I'm not a 'tube guy'. My eyes are well and truly open...
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List 
> [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike Richter
> Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 8:23 PM
> To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Libraries disposing of records
>
> Scott Phillips wrote:
>   
>> I just have to respond to this, even though I agree with 90% of it...
>>
>> Use sound forge or similar and look at a remastered LP at the least, 
>> or a current recording... The results are a LOT of square waves that 
>> result from the misuse of plugin compressors or 'mastering' software.
>>     
>
> There is a page on the subject at one of my WWW sites:
>    http://www.mindspring.com/~mrichter/
>
> While it has little that will be new to those on this list, it may be 
> useful in communicating with others.
>
> Mike
> --
> mrichter@xxxxxxx
> http://www.mrichter.com/
>
>