The Tyranny of Pop Music

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

NatBalance
Sorry to go back to the model railway but re-reading your post, you are explaining perfectly how music broadcast on the radio works. I’ve looked at some model railways and they look great. So what’s the problem?

OO gauge is rather badly out of scale, whereas HO gauge is more accurate. They both use the same track. Radio 3 wanders between the two.

[NatBalance]

Hmm. You have really lucked out on this one. I can hear the Kyrie (which is mostly a very quiet piece) perfectly well via the iPlayer Listen Again facility. What is more, the peak levels of CBH's intro and outro are quieter than the Kyrie itself. The peak level of the Kyrie is 4.5dB louder than than the intro, and that of the outro is even lower than the intro (7.5 dB below that of the Kyrie. However, due to the very quite nature of the early part of the Kyrie, the average RMS level of intro is 2.6 dB higher than the Kyrie, though CBH's outro average RMS level is 0.9 dB quieter than the Kyrie.

Thanks for that Bryn, that's interesting, but as to whether I have lucked out or not well I don't see that. The point is how would those values relate to the dynamic differences between the real things i.e. the spoken word relative to such a choir, bearing in mind I know that a totally natural balance is not always a good sound. I realise the spoken word does need some reinforcement and some of the high volumes are best compressing a bit, especially for home listening, but what I am saying is that the adjustments generally made are far too extreme. You mention that it is a quiet piece, well, in reality the quiet bits are about the volume of the spoken word or louder, or to put it another way, about as loud or quiet as a crooner, or a jazz singer singing a ballade.

I'd be interested in the difference in decibels between that choral piece and the string trio, and also the orchestral piece, the Suppe.

Perhaps not, but sometimes the sound engineers don't get it right. For example, TV adverts are often much louder than the programmes they interrupt.

That is the same problem to which I refer, most notable when it's a film which has loud music or sound effects relative to the spoken word in the film. The spoken word on the adverts will probably be the same volume as the sound effects in the film, therefore because the spoken word is quieter in the film the adverts will appear loud because the actual spoken word will be louder.

Well, three: but I'm so exasperated, I've given up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS12p0Zqlt0

Hey, a mate of mine told me about this and I was thinking of relating it myself, but you've found the clip, brilliant. So which one am I?

NatBalance
Sorry to go back to the model railway but re-reading your post, I realise that you are explaining perfectly how music broadcast on the radio works. I’ve looked at some model railways and they look great. So what’s the problem?

Glad you like the model railway analogy. The problem is that radio broadcasting replicate all the different audio items at different 'scales'. A model railway keeps everything the same scale, a toy railway is not that bothered about accurate scales.

Well, I'll probably not have much time for this thread over the weekend (or tonight) … yes I know you'll miss me, but I know you'll get through it … struggle on without me …. it'll be tough I know … be brave folks
:)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Talking of getting the volume right, most cinemas now have only one volume: excessively loud. When I've complained to the management, the reply is invariably that the film companies required the films to be shown with the specified volume.

Presumably the film companies will insulate themselves from any breaches of health and safety, by blaming the cinema management.

An then there's the question of excessive bass feedback. . .

[doversoul1]

The problem is that radio broadcasting replicate all the different audio items at different 'scales'. A model railway keeps everything the same scale, a toy railway is not that bothered about accurate scales.

NatBalance
It's like looking at a model railway where every item on it is at a different scale, a car is at a bigger scale than a locomotive, making the car the same size as the locomotive

Which shall we pick?

[MrGongGong]

An then there's the question of excessive bass feedback. . .

AAAARGH not YOU as well?
What do you mean by "feedback"?
Or do you simply mean Bass?

Given that you have on many occasions spoken of your dislike for amplified music (which is perfectly fine before someone suggests otherwise) i'm surprised that you go to the cinema?
You wouldn't catch me on a pilgrimage to Malvern

[MrGongGong]

Which shall we pick?

After you?

(but I can't resist this)

a toy railway is not that bothered about accurate scales

Dear Santa

Please send me a train set that exhibits consciousness
I promise to be good and eat all my greens

Love

George Ong age 8 3/4

[Bryn]

I think the film with the loudest soundtrack I ever attended was Silent Movie (Mel Brooks, that is).

[jean]

I am just now catching up with this week's Lunchtime Concerts, and with my sensibilities sharpened by this thread, I can say that while the players sound much as I imagine they would if I were listening from a good seat in the auditorium, the presenter is practically sitting on my shoulder (which might not be so irritating if it wasn't Katie Derham).

[Roehre]

I am just now catching up with this week's Lunchtime Concerts, and with my sensibilities sharpened by this thread, I can say that while the players sound much as I imagine they would if I were listening from a good seat in the auditorium, the presenter is practically sitting on my shoulder (which might not be so irritating if it wasn't Katie Derham).

at least Katie Derham not sitting on your lap

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

AAAARGH not YOU as well?
What do you mean by "feedback"?
Or do you simply mean Bass?

You are quite correct. It isn't feedback. It's excessive bass.

[MrGongGong]

Went to see the new Bond Movie last night.

It was great but totally ruined by being out of scale.
Before it started there was an advert for a mobile phone and I could swear that it was at least 8ft tall on the screen, how 'unnatural' is that? What sort of size kecks do they think we have?

The Bass was rather tasty though..... nothing like a bit of trouser flapping low end when the evil headquarters is being blown up


As you were

[MrGongGong]

You are quite correct. It isn't feedback. It's excessive bass.

You can never have enough of this IMV

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Bass was rather tasty though..... nothing like a bit of trouser flapping low end when the evil headquarters is being blown up


As you were

But I'm not deaf yet.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

You can never have enough of this IMV

Oooh! The old ones are always the best.

[Roehre]

You can never have enough of this IMV

Yummy