Basically sez the euro contingent have institutionalized bad records. Just kidding. Eq curve = Basically the mastering lab cuts a certain amount which is automatically boosted again by the phono input (hence the separate inputs for record players. With the smaller groove width, they had to adjust the standards for the eq curve so that they could cut louder highs into the groove with less space for the needle to dance. In doing this they also jacked up the 0 setting as well. All this adds up to a different type of amplification when the record gets played back. So it sounds louder. Basically.
k-money -----Original Message----- From: Jamil Ali [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 2:55 PM To: 313@hyperreal.org Cc: kent williams; Thomas D. Cox, Jr. Subject: Re: (313) Carl Craig :: The Workout From the prairie cat FAQ: http://www.prairiecatmastering.com/qna.html Q: Why do my import records sound louder? A: The standard for mastering vinyl in certain European countries is different than what we have in America. One big difference is that these "import" records have a zero level setting which is four decibels higher in level (volume) than we have with the N.A.B./RIAA standard. Another difference has to do with encoding and decoding. All records have an encoding and decoding process which contains an equalization curve. The RIAA standard is a flat line starting at 0 db at 1K and reaching +19.8 db at 20K and going down to -19.8 db at 20 hz. These curves are reproduced in their opposite when a turntable is plugged into a phono pre-amp or the phono inputs of a receiver. That's why if you plug a turntable into an auxiliary or CD input it doesn't sound right. The European standard is different. This standard suppresses more high frequencies during the cutting. This allows them to cut more high-end (treble) in the grooves at a louder level (volume) while avoiding distortion than is possible with the RIAA specifications. The N.A.B./RIAA spec calls for a nominal groove width of 2 millimeters while the European standard uses a nominal groove width of 1.6 millimeters. This allows more total time to be cut on a given side at 0 db. Sounds relevant, though I don't really get it.. J kent williams wrote: > Ron Murphy does a pretty good job of doing just enough when he cuts > that there is still some dynamics left. The Prairie Cat guy (who did > a lot of 430 West records) is the same way. They both cut really > well-balanced records. There's plenty of limiting and compression > involved, they just don't overdo it. > > But there is no shortage of people who just want their stuff to be > louder. Vote with your feet on this one -- if it doesn't sound good > don't play it. > > > > On 1/30/07, Thomas D. Cox, Jr. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> no way. listen to NCS mastering jobs on many records out of detroit, >> its not the case on those. UR, planet e, sound signature, none of >> these labels are super compressing their stuff. and im sure there's >> more. its definitely more of a problem with euro/UK records..... >> >> tom >> > -- Jamil Ali (416) 364-9227 ext. 31 www.orcsoftware.com
