Interesting article on Mastering

What I don't understand is why their using Limiting instead of Compression. With compression, you do get the volume increase, but you don't get the clipping. It still kills the music dynamically, but at least it isn't harsh.

Perhaps they chose limiting, because compression sounded loud but dead, while limiting sounded loud and "intense" .

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

I'm sure both limiting and compression were used extensively throughout the recording process on this CD. But limiting is the main thing they did during mastering it seems. It is so telling to look at his waveforms to see what happened to the rest of the music.
I was so disappointed with the sound quality, it is virtually unlistenable in my auto stereo and I don't even want to put it on my Naim system... Though I guess I'll give it a try.
We got the CD before taking a road trip in my wife's car and I couldn't stand the sound of it. It was better in mine, but still awful. Can barely distiguish what notes are being played. I'll try it with my home system and see what happens.
It does sound like being at a very loud concert, which I guess they wanted to have for their CD. I'd rather hear a more traditional "studio" type mix where the instruments are not at the mercy of the limiting on the kick drum...
I think there is more of this to come, so we need to let the record companies know we don't like this type of sound.
David

Hi David:

It may well have been done at the CD mastering stage. I have the Atlantic double vinyl LP and although the dynamics and presentation aren't breathtaking, it's not what I'd call a bad recording. Live in hope of a re-master.

Best Regards,
Mark DunnV

Interesting...
The CD is a shining example of what is wrong with the "louder is better" mentality.
I'm not going to seek the vinyl as I am so turned off by the mastering job.
If you get to hear the CD, I'd be interested in what you think.
David