NIN - Hesitation Marks "Audiophile Version"
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:10 pm
Background here: http://pitchfork.com/news/52074-nine-inch-nails-releasing-hesitation-marks-audiophile-version-with-alternate-mastering/
In summary, Trent was supposed to release an "audiophile" version of the new album. I've only listened to a couple of the songs so far and while I like what I've heard of the new album, I hesitate to call it an "audiophile" version.
On Top (for comparison) is Sanctified from Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
Second is Copy of A from Hesitation Marks Regular Version
Bottom is the same song as the audiophile version. To my ears the audiophile version does sound better but it's still compressed. However, it has better bass response and isn't distorted. I don't understand why clipping is allowed during mastering.
Quote from Barry Diament. He mastered Pretty Hate Machine.
In summary, Trent was supposed to release an "audiophile" version of the new album. I've only listened to a couple of the songs so far and while I like what I've heard of the new album, I hesitate to call it an "audiophile" version.
On Top (for comparison) is Sanctified from Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
Second is Copy of A from Hesitation Marks Regular Version
Bottom is the same song as the audiophile version. To my ears the audiophile version does sound better but it's still compressed. However, it has better bass response and isn't distorted. I don't understand why clipping is allowed during mastering.
Quote from Barry Diament. He mastered Pretty Hate Machine.
I wonder why anyone would think a recording of loudly played music, which is meant to be played loud, should be effectively predistorted by making the recorded level on disc loud, rather than achieving that loudness with the playback volume control.
While I admire what I take to be the intent of the "audiophile" version, going from a DR rating of 5 (with 6 tracks overloaded!) to a DR rating of 6 (with - only- 2 tracks overloaded) isn't exactly pushing the audiophile envelope. Makes me think the definition of the term "audiophile" is either completely misunderstood or it has been stretched to (well beyond) the breaking point.
I did the original CD mastering for "Pretty Hate Machine" (way back when, for TVT Records). To my knowledge, it has a DR rating of 13 and no overloads at all. It can be turned up, using the playback volume control, for a non-distorted hearing of the music, with all the "punch" put into the original mixes.
Some folks like their music a bit squeezed. It provides an illusion of loudness because it simulates the near overload (or in some cases, full overload) of a playback system taxed and stressed to the edge. I wouldn't argue with whatever brings anyone their listening pleasure but personally, I don't want the illusion of loudness, I want the real thing. And the only way to get that for real is with the playback volume control. (Turning up that playback volume control also brings with it other benefits, just as having to turn it down to achieve the same apparent level with a compressed recording, will bring with it certain drawbacks.)
Maybe there will be a "super audiophile" version next, with a full 7 dB of DR and only one track overloaded?
It would seem the real audiophile version of this release might currently be the one on vinyl.
Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
The Soundkeeper | Audio, Music, Recording, Playback
Barry Diament Audio
