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At its core, the loudness war is about achieving maximum volume in recordings, often at the expense of sound quality. In the quest to ensure tracks sound louder on various media, producers have resorted to utilizing dynamic range compression. This technique compresses the quieter parts of a recording while amplifying the overall sound, resulting in tracks that may initially seem more engaging yet lose their intrinsic musical qualities.
A Comparison Through Time
To illustrate the impact of this trend, let's consider a musical track from 1989. When listening to it, one can appreciate the richness and clarity of the drums. The arrangement balances dynamic contrasts, creating an auditory landscape full of energy and substance.