Comments on: ON THE AUDIO QUALITY OF DEATH MAGNETIC http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/ Your source for heavy metal news, gossip, MP3s, and assorted idiocy. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:02:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: METALLICA Haters Get A New Voice: Clipping Death - Metal Injection http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-173269 METALLICA Haters Get A New Voice: Clipping Death - Metal Injection Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:06:24 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-173269 [...] have been many critiques of the new record, whether it be that some of the songs are too long or the audio quality of the mix is just terrible. Well, one fan must really hate Rick Rubin, or just have a lot of free time on his hands, as there [...] [...] have been many critiques of the new record, whether it be that some of the songs are too long or the audio quality of the mix is just terrible. Well, one fan must really hate Rick Rubin, or just have a lot of free time on his hands, as there [...]

]]> By: Luke http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-169042 Luke Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:41:40 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-169042 What I want to know is, what is Metallica's response? Cliff Burnstein, you can bite me you twat. I'm a fan and I respect the musical legacy of the band, and I can't really see anyone with the musicality and experience of any of the band members giving the (CD) mix a good listen and actually enjoying how it sounds! Any audio engineering school would fail a mix that sounded like any track on the record if that much limiting was applied pre-mastering (or during mastering for that matter) and these guys (the engineers) were paid a lot of cash for their services. Are they really that scared to confess that someone f__ked it up? I understand that a remix and re-release is not gonna happen but at the very least I think the group should apologise to those of us with ears to hear the OBVIOUS AND INEXCUSABLY RUINED product that WE PAID THEM FOR. It's not like we're gonna pull a class action on their asses for admitting something went wrong. I guess though as with all of the big questions (like the existence of extra terrestrials, who put holes on doughnuts, and why Lars can't just talk a bit less), we're never gonna know the real story! As an aside, making the record that loud served no purpose cuz no (commercially orientated) radio station will ever play a 7 minute song anyway. For those who don't realise, this loudness war that is being so consistently referred to only came about due to commercial pressures to be the loudest track in a radio playlist... Metallica never were or will be a "Radio" band and I can't recall anyone at the parties I went to as a teenager whining that Fight Fire With Fire wasn't loud enough or heavy enough! If you need volume, reach over and turn it up. Finally, to any of the clowns trying to defend the band with rhetoric I've read such as "they just wanted it to sound old school": SHUT UP! Old school was clean and had dynamic range! Check some of the videos on youtube about this record and you'll soon get the point. The only distortion on Kill 'em All is a JCM800 with an overdrive pedal pushing it (or Cliff's thumping bass on Anaesthesia!!) What I want to know is, what is Metallica’s response? Cliff Burnstein, you can bite me you twat. I’m a fan and I respect the musical legacy of the band, and I can’t really see anyone with the musicality and experience of any of the band members giving the (CD) mix a good listen and actually enjoying how it sounds! Any audio engineering school would fail a mix that sounded like any track on the record if that much limiting was applied pre-mastering (or during mastering for that matter) and these guys (the engineers) were paid a lot of cash for their services. Are they really that scared to confess that someone f__ked it up?

I understand that a remix and re-release is not gonna happen but at the very least I think the group should apologise to those of us with ears to hear the OBVIOUS AND INEXCUSABLY RUINED product that WE PAID THEM FOR. It’s not like we’re gonna pull a class action on their asses for admitting something went wrong. I guess though as with all of the big questions (like the existence of extra terrestrials, who put holes on doughnuts, and why Lars can’t just talk a bit less), we’re never gonna know the real story!

As an aside, making the record that loud served no purpose cuz no (commercially orientated) radio station will ever play a 7 minute song anyway. For those who don’t realise, this loudness war that is being so consistently referred to only came about due to commercial pressures to be the loudest track in a radio playlist… Metallica never were or will be a “Radio” band and I can’t recall anyone at the parties I went to as a teenager whining that Fight Fire With Fire wasn’t loud enough or heavy enough! If you need volume, reach over and turn it up.

Finally, to any of the clowns trying to defend the band with rhetoric I’ve read such as “they just wanted it to sound old school”: SHUT UP! Old school was clean and had dynamic range! Check some of the videos on youtube about this record and you’ll soon get the point. The only distortion on Kill ‘em All is a JCM800 with an overdrive pedal pushing it (or Cliff’s thumping bass on Anaesthesia!!)

]]> By: exit-reality http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-164355 exit-reality Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:49:55 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-164355 This is the mix to have: http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4457458/Metallica_-_Death_Magnetic(The_Moderus_Remix) made from the 3 stereo files in GHIII, 100X better than the retail CD 17000 have signed the petition to remix. Have you? http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/re-mix-or-remaster-death-magnetic.html This is the mix to have:

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4457458/Metallica_-_Death_Magnetic(The_Moderus_Remix)

made from the 3 stereo files in GHIII, 100X better than the retail CD

17000 have signed the petition to remix. Have you?

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/re-mix-or-remaster-death-magnetic.html

]]> By: John http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-162221 John Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:24:19 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-162221 Listen to the mixes on the BLACK album which were done 20 years ago and tell me how ProTools has made records sound better. The editing portion is the strength of the format. Even listening to earlier 80's 90's records from ACDC and Guns and Roses through monitors and headphones, those mixes are way better than this one, and alot of records today. I think when the "industry" developed the digital recording format they forgot mention that you need talented people to use it. If my little "bedroom" Pro Tools recordings and probably yours, sound better (though we can't play or write as nearly as well as Metallica) than Death Magnetic then something is terribly wrong! Whether you like or respect Bob Rock, Mutt Lange, Barbosa and Thompson and many of the the 80's 90's producers and engineers they made sure their records sounded great regardless if the band hated the mixes. I think Slipknot's new record sounds unbelievable and could only wonder what Metallica's record would have sounded like if Dave Fortman produced it. Rick Rubin is a talented producer but I can't say all of his records "sound" great, which I think he believes is his signature for keeping it "raw" or "real"...Sorry man some of want to be blown away especially if you want us to buy it! Listen to the mixes on the BLACK album which were done 20 years ago and tell me how ProTools has made records sound better. The editing portion is the strength of the format.
Even listening to earlier 80’s 90’s records from ACDC and Guns and Roses through monitors and headphones, those mixes are way better than this one, and alot of records today. I think when the “industry” developed the digital recording format they forgot mention that you need talented people to use it. If my little “bedroom” Pro Tools recordings and probably yours, sound better (though we can’t play or write as nearly as well as Metallica) than Death Magnetic then something is terribly wrong! Whether you like or respect Bob Rock, Mutt Lange, Barbosa and Thompson and many of the the 80’s 90’s producers and engineers they made sure their records sounded great regardless if the band hated the mixes. I think Slipknot’s new record sounds unbelievable and could only wonder what Metallica’s record would have sounded like if Dave Fortman produced it. Rick Rubin is a talented producer but I can’t say all of his records “sound” great, which I think he believes is his signature for keeping it “raw” or “real”…Sorry man some of want to be blown away especially if you want us to buy it!

]]> By: James http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-147356 James Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:29:56 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-147356 I agree completly DemonicLemming, I just dont see the band re- mixing it because people find the sound not to their tastes. Its already released and for better or worse its already part of rock n roll folklore.... I couldn't imagine someone asking Dali to make the clocks not so melted...... I agree completly DemonicLemming, I just dont see the band re- mixing it because people find the sound not to their tastes. Its already released and for better or worse its already part of rock n roll folklore…. I couldn’t imagine someone asking Dali to make the clocks not so melted……

]]> By: Gafel http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-147232 Gafel Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:11:14 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-147232 Sign the petition here to get Death Magnetic fixed. There are over 4600 signatures at this moment: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/re-mix-or-remaster-death-magnetic.html Sign the petition here to get Death Magnetic fixed. There are over 4600 signatures at this moment:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/re-mix-or-remaster-death-magnetic.html

]]> By: DemonicLemming http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-147081 DemonicLemming Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:42:32 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-147081 An album standing out because of horrible sound - and yes, I mean horrible, try listening to this album with a good set of headphones and a headphone amp and you'll find yourself looking for a screwdriver to stab your ears with - is not, in any way, a good thing. I'd rather see the album relegated to the dusty back corner of the music closet rather than have people talking about it in 20 years because of the horrible mixing. The whole "loudness" thing is an issue that's been debated for a while, and really every audiophile site I've been on in the past few years have been adamantly against it. It does absolutely nothing positive for the music, but when the majority of the population (as well as being pants-on-head fucking retarded) thinks distortion is a POSITIVE thing (speakers aren't supposed to fucking THUMP when you play music, it's called transparency, assholes) and that turning music up so loud your ears bleed (and that's been a trend at metal concerts for a while now, too), I doubt we see any changes at the label/studio level. Loud, distorted shit sells better than more dynamic, better sounding, quieter music, and that's the ultimate checkmate. An album standing out because of horrible sound – and yes, I mean horrible, try listening to this album with a good set of headphones and a headphone amp and you’ll find yourself looking for a screwdriver to stab your ears with – is not, in any way, a good thing. I’d rather see the album relegated to the dusty back corner of the music closet rather than have people talking about it in 20 years because of the horrible mixing.

The whole “loudness” thing is an issue that’s been debated for a while, and really every audiophile site I’ve been on in the past few years have been adamantly against it. It does absolutely nothing positive for the music, but when the majority of the population (as well as being pants-on-head fucking retarded) thinks distortion is a POSITIVE thing (speakers aren’t supposed to fucking THUMP when you play music, it’s called transparency, assholes) and that turning music up so loud your ears bleed (and that’s been a trend at metal concerts for a while now, too), I doubt we see any changes at the label/studio level. Loud, distorted shit sells better than more dynamic, better sounding, quieter music, and that’s the ultimate checkmate.

]]> By: James http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-146970 James Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:12:01 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-146970 THe point is that it stands out as album... people are talking about it. Justice mix was different, but it stands out... Californicaton was mostly mono wasn't it... it stands out as a classic album..... the fact is its was released like that - it is now its own beutiful beast. Jim THe point is that it stands out as album… people are talking about it. Justice mix was different, but it stands out… Californicaton was mostly mono wasn’t it… it stands out as a classic album….. the fact is its was released like that – it is now its own beutiful beast.

Jim

]]> By: Mahkiavelli http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-146871 Mahkiavelli Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:11:45 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-146871 My question is this: where was Andy Wallace? He's mixed several "heavy" albums (see Wikipedia), including some that Rubin "produced". The point being that surely there were several competent engineers/mixers available - why didn't any of them get the call? My question is this: where was Andy Wallace? He’s mixed several “heavy” albums (see Wikipedia), including some that Rubin “produced”. The point being that surely there were several competent engineers/mixers available – why didn’t any of them get the call?

]]> By: David http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-146854 David Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:08:25 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-146854 Metallica was on tour in Europe and did leave Greg Fidelman and his assistant to take care of the mixes on their own. The band was apparently not present during mixing. James Hetfield has said so in an interview. The band also apparently approved the final masters over the phone during Ozzfest. Go figure. Metallica was on tour in Europe and did leave Greg Fidelman and his assistant to take care of the mixes on their own. The band was apparently not present during mixing. James Hetfield has said so in an interview. The band also apparently approved the final masters over the phone during Ozzfest. Go figure.

]]> By: Josh http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-146833 Josh Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:48:47 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-146833 i'm going to take up for greg fidelman. i seriously doubt he was handed the pro tools sesions, was told to mix, and then was left to do with them whatever he wanted. to land a gig as prestigious as tracking/mixing a metallica record (whether they're past their prime or not), usually means you know what you're doing. it's more likely a case that he was pressured to compress and limit the mixes to make them as loud as possible by an outside source. i'm sure warner brothers, the band, rick rubin, metallica's management, and everyone else involved had plenty of say in the mixing process. i've mixed for bands before where they have literally asked me to make it as loud as humanly possible, despite my preference for mixes with dynamic range. and to be fair, it's the band's album so i try to appease them. "death magnetic" mix buss is incredibly slammed. you can even hear distortion at points, but i doubt fidelman wanted it to sound that way either. ted jensen's a high-caliber mastering engineer, but there are mastering guys out there who hard limit like this as well. i've had plenty of projects where i've had to ask the mastering engineer to back off the limiter because the test masters came back with distortion due to how hot they were making the mixes. the compression and make-up gain levels on "death magnetic" are awful, but i think it's unfair to place the blame on fidelman's shoulders. i'm sure there are plenty of other people who had a say in making it sound that way. i’m going to take up for greg fidelman. i seriously doubt he was handed the pro tools sesions, was told to mix, and then was left to do with them whatever he wanted. to land a gig as prestigious as tracking/mixing a metallica record (whether they’re past their prime or not), usually means you know what you’re doing.

it’s more likely a case that he was pressured to compress and limit the mixes to make them as loud as possible by an outside source. i’m sure warner brothers, the band, rick rubin, metallica’s management, and everyone else involved had plenty of say in the mixing process.

i’ve mixed for bands before where they have literally asked me to make it as loud as humanly possible, despite my preference for mixes with dynamic range. and to be fair, it’s the band’s album so i try to appease them. “death magnetic” mix buss is incredibly slammed. you can even hear distortion at points, but i doubt fidelman wanted it to sound that way either.

ted jensen’s a high-caliber mastering engineer, but there are mastering guys out there who hard limit like this as well. i’ve had plenty of projects where i’ve had to ask the mastering engineer to back off the limiter because the test masters came back with distortion due to how hot they were making the mixes.

the compression and make-up gain levels on “death magnetic” are awful, but i think it’s unfair to place the blame on fidelman’s shoulders. i’m sure there are plenty of other people who had a say in making it sound that way.

]]> By: Mike http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-146828 Mike Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:25:52 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-146828 Awesome. This album isn't great, but at least it is listenable now. How can a band like them allow something this terrible mixed get out? Oh yeah...they also released the final mix of St. Anger. Thanks GHIII. Awesome. This album isn’t great, but at least it is listenable now. How can a band like them allow something this terrible mixed get out? Oh yeah…they also released the final mix of St. Anger. Thanks GHIII.

]]> By: Cara http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-146813 Cara Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:48:29 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-146813 Nice. Thank you. \m/ ^_^ \m/ Nice. Thank you.

\m/ ^_^ \m/

]]> By: groverXIII http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-146799 groverXIII Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:00:50 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-146799 WOOT! Thanks for the mention, folks. And yeah, the GHIII rip really does sound a lot better. Granted, at this point I'm listening to it on computer speakers, hardly the best sound system out there, but the difference is very noticeable just on these speakers. ReplayGain-wise, the RG on the CD release was a -13.38 db, which is ridiculously loud. On the GHIII rip, it's a -4.70 db, much better. It's going to sound very quiet to those who don't RG their music... but the difference is very noticeable. The alternate version of Suicide & Redemption is nothing special, but a nice addition nonetheless. For those who enjoyed the album, but hated the sound... check it out. *COUGHPIRATEBAYCOUGH* WOOT! Thanks for the mention, folks.

And yeah, the GHIII rip really does sound a lot better. Granted, at this point I’m listening to it on computer speakers, hardly the best sound system out there, but the difference is very noticeable just on these speakers.

ReplayGain-wise, the RG on the CD release was a -13.38 db, which is ridiculously loud. On the GHIII rip, it’s a -4.70 db, much better. It’s going to sound very quiet to those who don’t RG their music… but the difference is very noticeable. The alternate version of Suicide & Redemption is nothing special, but a nice addition nonetheless.

For those who enjoyed the album, but hated the sound… check it out. *COUGHPIRATEBAYCOUGH*

]]> By: Carter http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-146798 Carter Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:56:32 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-146798 My question is, Who the Fuck Cares? It's a shitty album anyway. My question is, Who the Fuck Cares?

It’s a shitty album anyway.

]]> By: Kye http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/09/16/on-the-audio-quality-of-death-magnetic/#comment-146794 Kye Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:29:22 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=7485#comment-146794 Hopefully this is better quality than most GH rips...cause really, the bitrate and just overall sound on most of those suck Hopefully this is better quality than most GH rips…cause really, the bitrate and just overall sound on most of those suck

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