Better mastered music could be on the way!

[steve_1979]

Just to let eveyone know if they haven't already seen it, Linn are giving away a free track every day leading up to Christmas. we are currently on day 2.

You can pick 16bit or 24bit whichever your heart desires.

Its free so grab them while you can and enjoy.

Would you mind posting a link to the page where the free tracks can be downloaded from. I'd like to take advantage of that offer.

Thanks.

 

[chebby]

Just to let eveyone know if they haven't already seen it, Linn are giving away a free track every day leading up to Christmas. we are currently on day 2.

You can pick 16bit or 24bit whichever your heart desires.

Its free so grab them while you can and enjoy.

Would you mind posting a link to the page where the free tracks can be downloaded from. I'd like to take advantage of that offer.

Thanks.

Google is your friend...

http://christmas.linn.co.uk/

 

[BenLaw]

Agreed. It is all so tiresome, whatever happened to being able to enjoy things.

Chuh, too radical!!

I don't think anyone, with the possible exception of Mirren Boy, said otherwise. I disagree with Chebby in relation to this particular thread, as long as it's not abusive or antagonistic, or the fourth thread about the same subject in a week, then I don't see the problem. Remember this forum is a resource for many as well as a pastime for its few contributors. No need to read the threads if you have no interest in the subject matter. This thread has been pretty amicable and contained some useful information, for those who are interested (obvs).

 

[steve_1979]

Google is your friend...

http://christmas.linn.co.uk/

Ta.

 

[Phileas]

Remember this forum is a resource for many as well as a pastime for its few contributors.

This is an interesting question in its own right. For whose benefit does the forum exist?

Should "outsiders", who don't contribute to most of the discussions, be allowed to comment in just thise few threads that happen to interest them?

 

[the record spot]

I don't think anyone, with the possible exception of Mirren Boy, said otherwise. I disagree with Chebby in relation to this particular thread, as long as it's not abusive or antagonistic, or the fourth thread about the same subject in a week, then I don't see the problem. Remember this forum is a resource for many as well as a pastime for its few contributors. No need to read the threads if you have no interest in the subject matter. This thread has been pretty amicable and contained some useful information, for those who are interested (obvs).

Which, clearly, covers off your reply to Cno a page or two back. And I'll pass on the self-absolution of "you don't need to read the threads if you don't want to" line.

Chebby nailed it one. I don't go for the whole tube rolling, cable swapping, accessory buying stuff either, but if someone wants to do that it doesn't need a bunch of others to go piling in and p1ss on the parade.

 

[DocG]

Just to let eveyone know if they haven't already seen it, Linn are giving away a free track every day leading up to Christmas. we are currently on day 2.

You can pick 16bit or 24bit whichever your heart desires.

Its free so grab them while you can and enjoy.

I can't manage to download today's track. I'm told I need Adobe AIR first, and then I always get a download error when trying. Is there a way around this?

 

[Neuphonix]

Not 100% sure, I just use their downloader app which seems to work OK? Not in front of my home PC at the moment so can't remember if your MUST have Air installed for the downloader to work properly?

Sorry

 

[steve_1979]

I've just downloaded the free track 'Oranges and Apples' from Linn in both 24 bit FLAC and 320kbps MP3 formats.

When comparing the FLAC version to the downloaded MP3 version there is a very slight difference in the way they sound. However when I converted the FLAC file into an MP3 myself it sounds identical to the original FLAC file.

When I analyzed the three files using the program 'Audacity' it's clear that the downloaded FLAC and MP3 files have been mastered to sound different from one another. As you can see from these pictures the downloaded MP3 has less dynamic range than the FLAC file. However when you compare The FLAC file to my own MP3 they both look (and sound) identical and they both have the same amount of dynamic range.

This clearly shows that Linn has deliberatly mastered the MP3 version to sound different to the FLAC version by reducing the amount of dynamic range in the MP3 version.

Linn downloaded 24 bit lossless FLAC

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/Linnlossless.jpg

Linn downloaded MP3

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/LinnMP3.jpg

My MP3 converted from the original Linn FLAC file

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/MyMP3.jpg

 

[Overdose]

I was going to try this exact same thing on the SoundKeeper Recordings site for format comparisons. I suspect that the files are in fact different aside from the resolution.

 

[John Duncan]

[Question to moderator... why is the word p-e-d-a-g-o-g-i-c-a-l edited by the obscenity software?]

Because it contains in its midst a word which, according to the urban dictionary, 'is widely used as an insult to italians and spaniards'.

I have modified it so that it should only be filtered when used on its own.

 

[Overdose]

[EDITED BY MODS - zzzzzzzzzzz]

 

[char_lotte]

Thats uncalled for.

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

I've just downloaded the free track 'Oranges and Apples' from Linn in both 24 bit FLAC and 320kbps MP3 formats.

When comparing the FLAC version to the downloaded MP3 version there is a very slight difference in the way they sound. However when I converted the FLAC file into an MP3 myself it sounds identical to the original FLAC file.

When I analyzed the three files using the program 'Audacity' it's clear that the downloaded FLAC and MP3 files have been mastered to sound different from one another. As you can see from these pictures the downloaded MP3 has less dynamic range than the FLAC file. However when you compare The FLAC file to my own MP3 they both look (and sound) identical and they both have the same amount of dynamic range.

This clearly shows that Linn has deliberatly mastered the MP3 version to sound different to the FLAC version by reducing the amount of dynamic range in the MP3 version.

Linn downloaded 24 bit lossless FLAC

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/Linnlossless.jpg

Linn downloaded MP3

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/LinnMP3.jpg

My MP3 converted from the original Linn FLAC file

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/MyMP3.jpg

:clap:

Linn's mp3 has clearly higher loudness hence the peaks can't fit within dynamic range boundaries. that'll always sound worse than uncompressed original, no matter the resolution. thanks Steve for the effort!

to all the golden-eared lot; as you can see your ears don't full you. the recording companies do.

 

[Craig M.]

Well who'd a thunk it. Good work Steve, look what happens when you do your homework!

 

[the record spot]

Ah yes, nothing like doing your homework when it comes to mastering. Amazing that in some quarters it's taken so long for the Loudness Wars to be front page news. Still, the more the public are aware of some of the issues here (they've been known for years in some quarters) the better. As anyone who bought the Genesis box sets in 2006 will testify to.

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

Ah yes, nothing like doing your homework when it comes to mastering. Amazing that in some quarters it's taken so long for the Loudness Wars to be front page news. Still, the more the public are aware of some of the issues here (they've been known for years in some quarters) the better. As anyone who bought the Genesis box sets in 2006 will testify to.

you're reading it wrong. it's not about loudness war here. it's about stuffing people BS about how hi-res sounds "better" by some record companies.

 

[steve_1979]

I was going to try this exact same thing on the SoundKeeper Recordings site for format comparisons. I suspect that the files are in fact different aside from the resolution.

Yes the FLAC and MP3 files have been mastered differently.

If anyone else wants to compare the two files themselves you'll need to login to the Linn website using two different email addresses because they only let you download one file per user.

 

[the record spot]

...which HD tracks was caught out by some time ago as well, 2010 I think.

 

[Anonymous]

I've just downloaded the free track 'Oranges and Apples' from Linn in both 24 bit FLAC and 320kbps MP3 formats.

When comparing the FLAC version to the downloaded MP3 version there is a very slight difference in the way they sound. However when I converted the FLAC file into an MP3 myself it sounds identical to the original FLAC file.

When I analyzed the three files using the program 'Audacity' it's clear that the downloaded FLAC and MP3 files have been mastered to sound different from one another. As you can see from these pictures the downloaded MP3 has less dynamic range than the FLAC file. However when you compare The FLAC file to my own MP3 they both look (and sound) identical and they both have the same amount of dynamic range.

This clearly shows that Linn has deliberatly mastered the MP3 version to sound different to the FLAC version by reducing the amount of dynamic range in the MP3 version.

Linn downloaded 24 bit lossless FLAC

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/Linnlossless.jpg

Linn downloaded MP3

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/LinnMP3.jpg

My MP3 converted from the original Linn FLAC file

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/MyMP3.jpg

:clap:

Linn's mp3 has clearly higher loudness hence the peaks can't fit within dynamic range boundaries. that'll always sound worse than uncompressed original, no matter the resolution. thanks Steve for the effort!

to all the golden-eared lot; as you can see your ears don't full you. the recording companies do.

Linn is a very open company. Unless it is an actual Linn recording they have no legal right to change anything in the recordings. So I would suggest you send an e-mail to Linn, can guarantee you will be given an answer to your question. It’s a strong accusation. So lets see what Linn have to say

 

[BenLaw]

Still, the more the public are aware of some of the issues here

Whilst you derided the very existence of this thread earlier, I believe I said something like that.

Well done Steve, very informative

 

[Overdose]

Linn is a very open company. Unless it is an actual Linn recording they have no legal right to change anything in the recordings. So I would suggest you send an e-mail to Linn, can guarantee you will be given an answer to your question. It’s a strong accusation. So lets see what Linn have to say

It seems fairly straight forward to me. Providing that Steve has not lied about the files used and the source, then the files from the Linn website are not one and the same recording. I don't think that Steve is particularly bothered about high res recordings anyway, other than to debunk their superiority, but I'd be quite annoyed if I'd been sucked in to believing I was paying for something that was not delivered.

The only saving grace is that these high res recordings may have been better mastered, so would sound better, but then the same recording would sound just as good on 16/44.

I did try a high res to CD compression on Barb Jungrs - Man In A Long Black Coat, when it was offered as a freebee by Linn. I had the same results as Steve, ie no difference in sound. I subsequently went out and bought the CD, which as suspected, was every bit as good as the high res download.

 

[the record spot]

Still, the more the public are aware of some of the issues here

Whilst you derided the very existence of this thread earlier, I believe I said something like that.

My earlier post following Chebby's I stand by - the constant bickering between opposing views was right to a fault.

The premise of the OP here I have no issue with and have been a supporter of for a long time now. You can check my posts on my views on the mastering of recorded music and its importance (which is in part an issue in the OP's petition).

 

[BenLaw]

The OP is Craig, he doesn't have a petition. Wrong thread.

 

[CnoEvil]

Linn is a very open company. Unless it is an actual Linn recording they have no legal right to change anything in the recordings. So I would suggest you send an e-mail to Linn, can guarantee you will be given an answer to your question. It’s a strong accusation. So lets see what Linn have to say

I would also suggest this.

Back in 2010, Linn became aware of 24/96 being a problem from Arts (initially with Bach's Brandenburg Concerto, discovered much like this). The original recording was fine, but somewhere in the "translation" to Linn, the resolution got upsampled from 16/44.....something to do with incorrect filtering, I think.

All customers were informed, and the Arts Catalogue withdrawn from sale until checked.

@Steve 1979

If this isn't a Linn Records recording, it would be worth doing the same thing, with one that is....would be interesting to find if this is a rare case, or an endemic problem.

FWIW I have found Linn's own 320 kbps recordings to sound better than most.

BTW. Good job