Production Advice

At first sight there’s something deliciously ironic about the fact that fans of Heavy Metal music – in particular the “Death” and “Thrash” varieties – are the ones who complain most bitterly about the loudness wars.

Most notable of course is Metallica’s infamous Death Magnetic, but consistently I see more and more comments by fans of the loudest, most aggressive styles of music who hate the damage done by excessive compression and brick-wall limiting.

But why is this ? These people are all deaf to begin with from attending too many loud gigs and constant head-banging, right !?!

Well, no. In fact, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense, because without quiet, there can be no loud. And the whole point about metal is that it should be played – and listened to – loud. (Well, one of the points, anyway !)

But a recording that has no dynamic contrast left in it doesn’t sound loud (ie. punchy, hard-hitting, aggressive) when it’s been crushed to death – it just sounds “wimpy loud” instead.

The video above illustrates this perfectly, and proves yet again that there’s more to metal (and metal fans) than just moshing and  \m/ emoticons.

Hats off to them, and let’s hope the bands, labels and producers are listening…

(And, if you’re making music and want to know how to make your recordings sound loud without crushing it to death, click here.)

It’s hard to write something that does this video proper justice, to be honest.

Watch it, and you’ll see what I mean.

I came across it by chance, following a link in my Twitter stream. I don’t want to spoil it by saying anything in advance, really – if you read either of my blogs you’ll find all kinds of things to interest you, but there’s more to it than first appears, and if you’re like me the real message will shock, surprise and move you.

Watch it, and then click this link.

Here are instructions if you would like to add a Dynamic Range Day banner to your site. Please make all banners link to this page:

Dynamic Range Day 2011

We have three versions – the original on the right was created in almost no time at all, last year by diamond geezer Mister Matthew Vince.

Click to continue »

Dynamic Range Day is March 20th, 2010

That’s TODAY !

Actually, that was two years ago.

But there’s going to be a third Dynamic Range Day in 2012, on March 16th and this year I want it to be even better.

DRD now has it’s own website – for all the latest information, click here.

If you’d like to get involved, please “Like” the Facebook page for regular updates.





Thanks, and see you soon !

Now just for the record, here’s the original text of this post, dead links and all, edited on the day…

Join us in a day of protest against the CD “Loudness Wars” – more info below

• Use the Twitter hashtag #DYNAMICRANGEDAY on March 20th to try and get this issue “trending” on everyone’s Twitter page

• It’s easy to take part – just SHOUT (type in all caps) ALL DAY, EVERYWHERE !

• And when people ask, tell them why you’re shouting

Read the full story here: Dynamic Range Day – The Idea

What are the Loudness Wars ?

Watch this video: 

Latest News

• 20/04/10 NEW Join us at 9pm GMT on Twitter to try and get this issue trending !

• 20/04/10 NEW Read my Dynamic Range Day post here

• 20/04/10 Dynamic Range Day gets off to a fantastic start, with a huge evening of activity on Twitter

• 19/03/10 Dynamic Range Day is global, and has just started in some time-zones !

• 18/03/10 How to take part in Dynamic Range Day

• 18/03/10 Over 2000 guests confirmed to the Facebook event already – still climbing

• 18/03/10 Pleasurize Music Foundation support Dynamic Range Day

• 25/02/10 Dynamic Range Day Banners available for download

• 25/02/10 TurnMeUp.org adds a Dynamic Range Day banner to their front page

Check back soon for more updates Click to continue »

There’s quite a buzz at the moment about Derek Siver’s talk at TED, Leadership lessons from a dancing guy. If you haven’t already seen it, check out the video above – it’s fantastic !

Despite the great response he got to his idea of the “First Follower”, he immediately decided that he wanted to “give it away” – as he wrote in his post First follower idea is all yours. He wants people to take the idea, and run with it.

And people are – in clever, interesting ways.

For example, Andrew Dubber has come up with what he calls The other way of following first by choosing to give away ideas of his own – one a day, every day throughout March. I advise you to keep an eye on these ideas, I’m pretty sure many of them will be very, very good.

And already, Andrew has his First Follower – well, sort of, anyway. Andrew Wicklander has commited to choosing and implementing one of Andrew’s ideas, within 30 days, as he explains in his post Dance Party.

So, by now you’re probably thinking that I’m going to jump on this bandwagon, too ?

Well… no.

At least, only in the sense that I’m jumping on in yet another, slightly different way.

Because yesterday I had what I think is a really, really good idea.

Click to continue »