The Effects of Loudness War on Sound Quality and Music
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Added on 2023/05/27
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This document discusses the loudness war and its effects on sound quality and music. It provides perspectives of both sides to maintain neutral perspectives. The research question is centered around the effects of loudness war on the music and sound quality.
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Running head: LOUDNESS WAR- MASTERING CW2 Loudness War – Mastering CW2 Name of the Student: Name of the University: Authors Note:
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1 LOUDNESS WAS- MASTERING CW2 Introduction: The method of recording sound and music has changed over the years. With modern technology the sound recording process has undergone a revolutionary changed over the last decade and more. The ever increasing audio levels to record music refers to the loudness war which many criticize due to the adverse effects of the trend on sound quality. With the objective of providing an in-depth discussion on the loudness war also referred to as the loudness race between the musicians a descriptive study is provided in this document. An honest effort shall be made to provide the perspectives of both sides in this document. Thus, arguments of those in favor of loudness war and those who are staunch critic of the ever increasing loudness war shall be provided to maintain the neutral perspectives to allow the readers to make their mind on the effects of loudness war on sound quality and music in general. Research question: The research is centered around the effects of loudness war on the music and sound quality. Thus, the document will focus on assessing the effects that the sound quality has endured subsequent to the loudness war that has started between sound technicians. Literature review: The trend of loudness war was first reported as early as in 1940. In respect to the mastering practice for 7 singles in 1940 the trend of increasing sound levels was noticed. Since then the music world has been divided into two as far as the effects of loudness war on the quality of sound and music are concerned. Many critics believe that the ever increasing loudness in music has reduced the quality of sound and music to a large extent. In fact the critics also believe that
2 LOUDNESS WAS- MASTERING CW2 the enjoyment of the listeners has also adversely affected subsequent to the ever increasing loudness in music. There have been huge improvement in the musical equipment and technology which were used earlier to record sound and music. Often the loudness war debate does not consider the huge improvement that the technology and innovation have made on the quality of sound and music. The varying specifications available with different music equipment and machines have changed the maximum peal level of analog recordings. The peak levels in music changed with vinyl and compact cassette recordings only to garner renewed attention to the loudness war by the beginning of 1990s as the digital signal processing was introduced. The introduction of digital signal processing meant further increase in the levels of loudness in music and sound. However, with the passage of time compact disc was invented which have specific limits regarding the maximum possible levels of amplitude allowed in such disc. However, the option to increase the loudness even further than the maximum allowed limit of amplitude in compact disc was possible by using signal processing techniques. Signal processing techniques include compression of dynamic range and equalization to enhance the loudness of sound even further than allowed as per the maximum amplitude limit.
3 LOUDNESS WAS- MASTERING CW2 Methods: Results: Discussion: Conclusion: Areas for further work: References: