A film by Harman - about the evils of compression. However, they talk only about mp3 compression with no mention of dynamic range compression (which I think is even more evil).
Nice conclusion though.
Hey Gary:
(First, congrats on the great 5.3 review!)
I totally agree that lossy compression is a music killer. However, it is perfectly suitable for portable, on the go listening
on iDevices etc.
I believe there is
no reason for mp3 or aac to even exist for PURCHASE. I believe lossless should be the only thing a consumer
should be offered. It takes seconds to make
your own lossy files, at the bit rate you choose, which is exactly what I do for my iPhone
and car.
Second topic. Dynamic range compression can be an ESSENTIAL tool for making a recording sound like the actual event. That may
sound odd considering all the propaganda against it, but it is true. Microphones pick up sound
far differently than the human ear.
I have been using compression very, very tastefully on a few analog tapes I have been transferring to 192 Khz, and it has improved
the musical experience.
This may sound strange, but a recording can have TOO much dynamic range, where the soft sounds are super quiet and
the loud sounds are ear crushing.
It is a romantic notion to have a purist recording with no compression, but it does not work every time.
All that being said, like any other tool, it can be and IS
abused!!!
If you are a rock an pop fan of the classic days, compression IS the sound of rock and roll, as Bob Ludwig says.
