Why Your Music Sounds Lousy
Audio compressors that reduce the dynamic range are the cause. They make the softer parts louder and the louder parts softer. That makes the music dull and less vibrant. This audio/video demonstrates:
More on this at A Visual History of Loudness in Popular Music
See also this discussion at NPR: The Loudness Wars: Why Music Sounds Worse
The music on the above video is Figure of Eight by Paul McCartney. Here’s a suggestion: Go to the iTunes store and play the 30-second sample. How does it sound? Answer: It’ll do, I guess. Not great, though.
Here is what music is supposed to sound like:
The tune is Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley. Now go to the iTunes Store and listen to the 30-second sample, or buy it. How does it sound? Well, not too bad but I can tell the difference. Listening with headphones helps.
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