The seductive appeal of loud music

[Djizasse]

Here's a nice article on why people like loud music:
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Barry Blesser

 

[MDS]

Good, well balanced article and very informative. I think we can all agree that listening to loud music that we enjoy has a stimulative effect. One thing I've noticed is that for the most part, people at concerts are very friendly and enjoyable, even if they are drunk off their azz.

We just have to balance the enjoyment with the potential for damage.

 

[Midcow2]

Good Article but I always thought the desire for loud music came from ..

When Bo Dereck was in the movie "10" and they played Bolero very loud duirng the sex scene.

 

[EYEdROP0]

Id say 80% of the people in my highschool turn their mp3 players on full blast and leave them in one ear all the time. You can easily hear what they are listening to from across the classroom. Many teachers tell them to turn it down so it dosent bother them. I try to warn my friends about hearing loss. They either say "I can hear just fine" or "I dont care". And to many of them, loud = good sound quality. I let them try my grado headphones at a decent volume and they say the bass sucks or its not loud. All of them have the EQ's on the mp3 players turned to rock or bass boost.

A couple of the kids failed a simple 100hz-4000khz test. Yet they say they can hear fine. It honestly makes me sad.

 

[Djizasse]

What I'm find interesting is that this article was included in the latest number of Computer Music Magazine. Last month, I read another article about how loudness is perceived by humans (MusicTech Magazine). I also found letters mentioning the lack of dynamic range in most albuns.

In 2006 and 2007 there were many articles printed in music mags on how to get that "club" sound, with tutorials on how to apply compressors, stereo enhancers and EQs (etc.) to rise the loudness of a track. Now, I'm starting to see people giving advice to maintain audio levels below the red and to let tracks breath and gain dynamic range.

I think there's a rise in awereness regarding the diminishing dynamic range. This is becoming a common subject at the consumer side, but fortunately is getting more and more interest among music producers.

This may also be credited to studio monitors getting more accessible each day, more and more home musicians are exchanging their coloured computer speakers for models with (somewhat) linear frequency response and increase clarity. I know these guys are not the core of the music industry production, but who knows for how long?

Anyway, here's to a future of dynamic range and dual music releases (hot and cold versions)

 

[EYEdROP0]

What I'm find interesting is that this article was included in the latest number of Computer Music Magazine. Last month, I read another article about how loudness is perceived by humans (MusicTech Magazine). I also found letters mentioning the lack of dynamic range in most albuns.

In 2006 and 2007 there were many articles printed in music mags on how to get that "club" sound, with tutorials on how to apply compressors, stereo enhancers and EQs (etc.) to rise the loudness of a track. Now, I'm starting to see people giving advice to maintain audio levels below the red and to let tracks breath and gain dynamic range.

I think there's a rise in awereness regarding the diminishing dynamic range. This is becoming a common subject at the consumer side, but fortunately is getting more and more interest among music producers.

This may also be credited to studio monitors getting more accessible each day, more and more home musicians are exchanging their coloured computer speakers for models with (somewhat) linear frequency response and increase clarity. I know these guys are not the core of the music industry production, but who knows for how long?

Anyway, here's to a future of dynamic range and dual music releases (hot and cold versions)

The thing with the loudness wars is the record labels make the producers produce the album as loud as possible, or else the albums will seem too "weak" compared to competing labels. Of course it sounds artificial with all the sounds being at the same level, the producers know that. I think part of the problem is that most people think loud = better sound quality. Just like most think the smiley face eq sounds best and flat sounds too quiet. To them I say, "turn up the volume"! Its a vicious circle.

 

[Djizasse]

I know you're right. The record labels (still) run the business. I understand they want to sell, if the market is composed of individuals with crappy equipment, they need to produce music that has appeal in those limited conditions. If people can't have pleasure in discerning the subtleties of quality productions (due to limited audio equipment), they'll have to turn to volume up.

I wonder what will happen when the MP3 generation goes daft. With some frequencies more damaged than others in their ears (100Hz -> 4Kz?), what will happen? Will the industry start to produce albums with boost applied at the damaged frequencies?

 

[EYEdROP0]

I know you're right. The record labels (still) run the business. I understand they want to sell, if the market is composed of individuals with crappy equipment, they need to produce music that has appeal in those limited conditions. If people can't have pleasure in discerning the subtleties of quality productions (due to limited audio equipment), they'll have to turn to volume up.

I wonder what will happen when the MP3 generation goes daft. With some frequencies more damaged than others in their ears (100Hz -> 4Kz?), what will happen? Will the industry start to produce albums with boost applied at the damaged frequencies?

I hate this generation of low bitrate MP3, even though I grew up with it. So many MP3 players come with crappy earbuds. And people feel they need to turn it up to block out external noise and get good sound, which is stupid because the sound ends up becoming distorted and they blow the drivers. Some people at my school get a pair of ear canals, or a set of full size phones. Even they say it is well worth the better sound quality and isolation. I think all MP3 players should come with ear canals. Too many people are screwing up their hearing.

I couldent imagine the labels increasing those ranges. Most people lose the hearing in the upper frequency range, like 13,000KHz and up. I just think its crazy that so many people at my school lost 2000 and 4000 KHz. I tested mine recently (full range, not just the schools ridiculous 100-4000khz). I can hear from 23Hz to 18,500Khz, which Im really happy about. Im so glad I take care of my hearing. There are no set of speakers or headphones that can replace bad hearing.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Id say 80% of the people in my highschool turn their mp3 players on full blast and leave them in one ear all the time. You can easily hear what they are listening to from across the classroom. Many teachers tell them to turn it down so it dosent bother them. I try to warn my friends about hearing loss. They either say "I can hear just fine" or "I dont care". And to many of them, loud = good sound quality. I let them try my grado headphones at a decent volume and they say the bass sucks or its not loud. All of them have the EQ's on the mp3 players turned to rock or bass boost.

A couple of the kids failed a simple 100hz-4000khz test. Yet they say they can hear fine. It honestly makes me sad.

I used to listen to music loud through headphones when I was a teenager and up through my 20s. I think any hearing loss I have is normal for my age though. I do admit it was reckless and I could have lost a substantial amount of my hearing. But at that age you think you're invulnerable.

I'm just amazed that they actually let kids listen to mp3 players in class.

 

[EYEdROP0]

I used to listen to music loud through headphones when I was a teenager and up through my 20s. I think any hearing loss I have is normal for my age though. I do admit it was reckless and I could have lost a substantial amount of my hearing. But at that age you think you're invulnerable.

I'm just amazed that they actually let kids listen to mp3 players in class.

Were alowed to listen to them when the lesson is over and were doing the worksheets.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

There is a certain volume level that I like. Any quieter, and the music seems to lack a certain presence or fullness. Any louder, and it seems excessive. I don't know what this level is in terms of dB, but I know it when I hear it. I think of it as a "natural" level, even though it is much quieter than most concerts.

 

[Nomo]

When possible, I like to listen to music quite loud. Some times as loud as 90db.

I say "when possible" because there are a limited amount of times that no one is in the house allowing me to do so.

I think, besides the fact that music sounds better loud, the kid inside of me relishes in the fact that I CAN play it loud and no one is around to tell me to turn it down. It's like getting away with something that would normally be considered inappropriate.

That is until the GF gets homes and tells me, I mean asks me, to turn it down.

 

[fmw]

This is really an interesting subject. In the blind listening tests we've conducted volume differences play an overwhelming role in judging subtle to non existent sonic differences. Louder wins every single time unless the differences are gross indeed.

I have a very long bedroom - 27 feet long, in fact. I recently added the room's second sound system:

That's right, a monaural public address system. I use it as a music station. I have guitars, a bass, a synthisizer, CD player for backing tracks and microphones all connected to the mixer which drives the PA speaker (15" woofer and horn) with a 190 watt amplifier. There is some recording equipment as well. There is yet another 190 watt amplifier if I ever want to make this system stereo. Yes, I do most of my music practice and development in the end of my bedroom that doesn't have the bed. The bedroom also has a small A/V system for watching TV in bed. That's the second system in the room.

If put any music with deep bass on the PA system's CD player and crank it up, I find myself dancing around the room - way moreso than I do with my main A/V system in the family room or the stereo system in my exercise room. That PA system simply gets my blood moving. I can't explain it. It isn't subtle. It isn't sophisticated. It isn't high end. It is moving. It's really surprising. I thought you might get a kick out of seeing my "pro audio" system. Trust me, it works!!!!

 

[Geno]

Hearing loss usually doesn't get noticeable until a bit later in life, IMHO. In the '60s, I spent a couple of years on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier 3 feet from jets in afterburner. That's sound you feel more than hear, but I used extra hearing protection and came away with excellent hearing (according to audiology testing). When I got out of the Navy, I grew my hair down to my butt and went to lots of insanely loud rock concerts with no protection at all except my hands over my ears. After getting a decent audio system, I could still appreciate good audio quality, although my high frequency sensitivity was somewhat diminished(according to testing), although I can still hear 17 Khz. What I'm saying, is that listening to loud music will damage your hearing, but may not be too noticeable until middle-age or beyond. (I'm beyond). The irony of this insane hobby is that, for the most part, by the time you have the income to be able to afford decent equipment, you might not have the hearing to appreciate it.

 

[Djizasse]

The irony of this insane hobby is that, for the most part, by the time you have the income to be able to afford decent equipment, you might not have the hearing to appreciate it.

And then it's too late.

Last time I was testing speakers (MA BR2 vs MA BR5 vs other one), my g/f was with me. Everytime I changed to a set of higher sensivity, she said it sounded better, and it was just a little spl difference. I explained to her about sensivity and why it sounded better (louder). After adjusting the volume for each set, she no longer favored one of them. The little difference in loudness made the louder one sound fuller.

I don't like loud music and dislike some frequencies, mosty higher ones. I prefer to be able to pick the subtleties and the little sonic touches in some tracks. I'm glad I can still hear them and my gear is able to present it.