Conference marvin::uk_music

    I recently heard the CD, and was so shocked to hear the current
    status of Joni's voice that I did not even notice the quality of
    the recording.  She used to have such a beautiful voice and talent.
    What happened, and when?  Unfortunately, she now sounds like Carole
    Bayer-Sager.  I have never heard such vocal deterioration.  What
    a loss.  The quality of CD's is indeed highly variable.  I bought
    a DDD CBS recording of Maureen McGovern accompanied by just a piano.
    She was poorly miked, with noticable distortion of the 's' sounds,
    and some passages are overly loud in comparison with other sections
    of the disc.  If I play the disc at a low volume setting as backround
    music, Maureen practically jumps out of the speakers during some
    sections and drowns out conversation.  However, at the very same volume
    setting, she is nearly inaudible during portions of the same song!
    I do not think that this represents the "increased dynamic range"
    or "lack of compression" of the format.  The vocals were
    inconsistently processed (engineered, mixed, mastered, who knows?)
                                          
    Shawn

    I always thought that this quietness/loudness inconsistency was
    one of the problems of compact discs. Vinyl crunched everything
    up into a defined range, but cd's, which are supposed to mirror
    real life, do exactly what was recorded. So quiet passages are quiet,
    and loud passages are loud. This used to be a problem back in the
     early days of cd, but I thought I read that it was being looked
    at, but then I haven't read a hifi mag in ages. Anyone know anything?
    Mike

    Yup, cds give increased dynamic range (thougth latest developments
    from Dolby labs push analogue tapes into the same ballpark). But
    maybe some engineers strive a little too hard to take advantage
    of that range, and trade a little overload for 'impressive' dynamics
    in the loudness department.
    
    At any rate, it's unforgivable; it's almost an insult, flogging
    you compact disk technology and then assuming you're too cloth-eared
    to hear distortion.
    
    Richard.

    I think its got something to do with the recording company.
    EMI , ISLAND RECORDS and VERTIGO are all excellent, whilst MERCURY
    (and most 'compilation-special' companies like K-TEL) and thoroughly
    naff.  
     
     My copy of SIMPLY RED's Picture Book has tremendous depth and imagary,
    whilst KATE BUSH's Hounds of Love is clipped and compressed badly.
     
     But by far the best of the bunch is PINK FLOYD's A Momentary Lapse
    of Reason - containing something called Spherical Sound .... truly
    amazing - did anybody else go to WEMBLEY in AUGUST ?  THIS WAS SURELY
    THE BEST CONCERT IN HISTORY ! (I also saw them 2 days later in
    Manchester). The sound quality at the Wembley gig was outstanding
    - and I'm pleased to report that it's all been carried onto the
    CD as well.
     
     Phil. 

    >> it's been carried onto the CD as well.....
    
    What CD are you referring.  If I'm not mistaken, from the context
    of your sentence, it sounds like a live Pink Floyd album.  Please
    let me know what you were talking about!
    
    Thanks
    Steve O

    sorry Steve,
     
     I'm only referring to the Momentary Lapse Album - a recent purchase
    of TARGET HJ15 speaker stands really show what 'SPHERICAL' sound
    is all about .
     
    .... shame there's no live recording available  though.... !
     
    Phil

    Soon...

    I thought the live lp was due out in the first two weeks of november?
    Mike

    Roger Waters once broadcast a concert in what was called "Hallophonic
    Sound."  It really is an amazing process.  While wearing a pair
    of Headphones, one could tell where things were happening in relation
    to the Microphone.  (left, right AND UP, DOWN!)
    
    At the begining of the concert broadcast, Roger did a demonstration
    for all of us listining at home.  I was wearing a pair of Headphones
    and had my eyes closed.  He started to snap his fingers while moving
    his hand in a circular motion around the Mic.  It seemed as if his
    hand was actually being circled around my head.  He then went to
    another part of the room where there was a large bass drum, he hit
    it and said,"If you didn't think that drum was coming from behind
    your left shoulder, then were in trouble."  And sure enough, it
    sounded like I could look over my left shoulder and see a bass drum!
    
    Steve O

    Re -1
    
    The Final Cut was also recorded using holliphonic (sp?) sound.
    The effect with headphones is increadable....give 'Keep your
    filthy hands of my desert' a listen.
    
    Jez
    

    I know, I have it on CD.  As soon as I got it home, I played that
    cut at full blast.  The entire neighborhood thought it was the end
    of the world.  8^)
    
    Steve O

    re: .0
    
    	I have 'Chalk Mark In a Rain Storm' on CD. To my ears, this
    	recording (and Joni's voice) is a sonic treat. Maybe you just
    	got a bad pressing?
    
    Ken....