We've all been in this situation before: you are watching a TV program when suddenly, the commercial break comes up. The commercial is much louder than the program you were watching. You turn down the volume, only to have to turn it back up once the program resumes.
This isn't some technical error at your local TV station or even your cable provider. This is an intentional strategy in the broadcasting industry. The idea is to get people to pay attention to the commercials by making them so much louder than the program. This is something also done in the recording industry with regards to music as well. This is changing the way that people record music, even the way people listen to music has changed as a result.
Average volume levels were once much lower in the recording industry. The norm would be 2 to 3 as the volume standard. Recordings would be done at this volume to make for a more pleasant experience for the listener. This also allowed for greater dynamic range on recordings, with a better blend of sounds on record.
Lower volume levels gave engineers the freedom to showcase arrangements and instrumentation. It also allowed them the ability to create greater freedom for movement where volume was concerned. Volume while recording music is a range in which you can increase or decrease the amount of sound. When you work with negative numbers on your volume dial; somewhere between -6 and -1, you have a lot of room to increase the volume if needed.
However, the standard volume has increased as the recording industry has progressed technologically. Currently, the industry standard is closer to 0 - one of the highest possible volumes. Many people do not even notice this and just turn down the volume during playback. This decision by the recording industry has, however, changed the way everything is done in the music recording industry, from the way instruments are recorded to the way that people listen to records.
This higher volume has changed the way that musicians and recording engineers think about dynamics, volume range and instrumentation and arrangements themselves. This has eliminated some of the possibilities for recording which were once parts of the music industry's palate. If you take a close listen to music which has been recorded recently, you may notice that there is a lot less dynamic range than once was the norm, a change in the types of instrumentation used and so on. This is all due to the fact that the volume has been turned up as high as it can go! This has limited the possibilities for musicians and recording engineers.
Volume control and in fact, the entire process of mastering differs according to the format you get your music in. There is a different volume standard for the radio than for CD, which is in turn different than that for MP3 format. Those who have custom recording technologies and setups at their disposal, there can be more freedom in the volume levels and mastering process used. Before recording, you should think about what sort of volume you want your finished product to be at. This will help you make your own way towards the industry standards of producing CDs.
When recording, you should always think about the different volume levels which you can use and the big differences they can make to your recordings. You certainly don't want to sacrifice your vision for the recording for the sake of volume. While you do want to fall within the parameters of industry standards, you also want to give yourself as much room to create as possible. This will let you make the recording you want at a volume level that invites the listener to turn it up and have a deeper experience.
Related Articles
New Technology Is Changing The Face Of Recording
By: Kevin Sinclair | 22/03/2008 | Music
Recording technology has advanced far beyond magnetic tape on large reels and recording everything live in the studio. New developments are happening all the time, both within the recording industry itself and with the technology used in recording.
Some Easy Ways To Lay Down Tracks
By: Kevin Sinclair | 13/04/2008 | Music
If you want to put together and arrange a recording, you might need something a bit different than simply putting a band together and then mixing all of the music in. Today, you have options available so that you can put together your songs and make sure that everything is hanging together just right.
Should You Play Live Or Use A Computer?
By: Kevin Sinclair | 19/04/2008 | Music
With the computer being able to do so many composites' in the new era you might wonder should you play live or should you just synthesize every sound needed in the comfort of your own home? Many wonder this every day, with the computer you can make virtually any instrument sound with ease and have them play at the same time.
Tips And Tricks For Recording Your Voice
By: Kevin Sinclair | 07/05/2008 | Music
Now at last it's time to put your voice on tape. make sure you have everything set up the right way before you start the tape rolling and begin to sing. Voice is one of the hardest things to properly record, but is often the most important part of a recording session. You'll want to know how to go about things before you begin.
Software Tools For Producers
By: Kevin Sinclair | 17/05/2008 | Music
In the studio, there;s a lot of different software which may be in use. They all have slightly different capabilities and there is more than one way to get that perfect sound. If you are up on these different programs and what they can offer to the producer, you will have an easier time deciding which to use to get that "just right" sound for your recordings.
The Process Of Recording - From A To Z
By: Kevin Sinclair | 29/05/2008 | Music
You may think that we are only going to be learning about recording instruments and vocals, with the results immediately going on to disc. Of course, it is a more complicated process than that. There is a lot of work done behind the scenes which goes into getting the finished product to sound exactly as desired.
The Wrong Kind Of Buzz
By: Kevin Sinclair | 02/08/2008 | Music
If you have ever recorded in a sound studio, then you know what "the buzz" is. It is unfortunately one of the recording syndromes that has to be dealt with. In the process of setting up your recording, if you notice white noise coming from your equipment, it is vital that you do what you can to locate the source of the buzz.
Signals And Sound Processing
By: Kevin Sinclair | 11/08/2008 | Music
Recording technology gives us a lot of different methods for getting the sounds you want into the finished project, as well as removing the sounds you don't. This is all made possible through signal processing. A signal processor is used during the pre-mixing and mixing phases of the recoding process and during set up for instrument recording.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Music Articles
Tim Young Releases Third Album 'the Cost' on not Fade Away Records
By: Eric de Fontenay | 20/08/2008
Album to be available through major digital retailers on September 9th
Kazaa Free Music Downloads - O Kazza
By: Ben Levanger | 20/08/2008
In this day and age, millions surf the internet in search of free music downloads. There are numerous websites that offer access to thousands of audio files. Hence, now music buffs can enhance their song collections by downloading music files from these sites.
Free Music Downloads For Itunes - Why You Should Avoid Them
By: Ben Levanger | 20/08/2008
iTunes is the worlds favorite personal jukebox from Apple Inc and is being widely used by Apple iPod owners for organizing all their music and videos in one place. iTunes is noted particularly for its ability to synchronize with Apples favorite music player iPod and iPhone, for transferring music.
Friends and Family Join Ray Brown Jr. on His New Release
By: Eric de Fontenay | 20/08/2008
Ray Brown Jr.'s newest CD, "Friends and Family" is an all-star duets album with Ray joined by some of his well-known musician friends including Dionne Warwick, Dr. John and Sophie B. Hawkins
The Musical Box Tickets—reliving the Wonder of a Genesis Show
By: Andrew Good | 20/08/2008
A tribute band to out-tribute them all, The Musical Box salutes the innovation and celebrates the music of the band Genesis with a spectacular display of creativity.
Musical Starstreams Tapped for Nightly Airing on Wnua, Chicago, #3 National Media Market
By: Eric de Fontenay | 20/08/2008
Long-running syndicated program of exotic electronica on radio, satellite and the internet, Musical Starstreams, commences nightly run in Chicago on WNUA
Nylon Magazine Music Tour Tickets—see Your Favorite Magazine’s Favorite Bands!
By: Andrew Good | 20/08/2008
Alway on the lookout for the hottest new bands? You've read the magazine, now check out the music tour with bands that are tearing through the usual noise at the Nylon Magazine Music Tour.
So What Ringtone - Pink - so What Ringtone
By: Daniel Sitar | 20/08/2008
So What is a song written by American pop singer Pink, Max Martin and Shellback for her forthcoming fifth studio album called "Funhouse", of which it will be the first single. The single has already reached #100 on the Billboard Pop 100, #63 on the Pop 100 Airplay Chart and is expected to debut on the Hot 100 Singles Chart next week. It was released digitally on American iTunes on August 19th, 2008 and has already reached #23 on the US iTunes Top Songs Chart.
More from Kevin Sinclair
Can Your Web Based Business Survive Without You?
By: Kevin Sinclair | 20/08/2008 | Home Business
What if you were to need major surgery on short notice? Would your internet business from home be able to cope? If you have been in the internet marketing business for a while, then you are likely already producing a sizable revenue stream without having to do anything - but if you are not, then having to take time off could be a real problem.
A Wave File Is A Wave File
By: Kevin Sinclair | 20/08/2008 | Music
People in the recording industry spend a lot of time thinking about the best way to produce recordings in order to get the best possible sound onto CD. Engineers and other professionals work on mixing wave files using various techniques in the attempt to create a great finished product.
What Is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
By: Kevin Sinclair | 19/08/2008 | SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) are various methods which are used in order to improve the search engine ranking of a website. So what is search engine ranking? This is the position on the list of results which a search engine return for a given keyword.
Learning To Cope With And Get Rid Of Stress And Panic
By: Kevin Sinclair | 19/08/2008 | Advice
Stress and panic seem to come with everyday life for many of us and learning to control and cope with this can mean less time in the doctor's office being sick. Stress is not something to turn your nose up at because if it is not treated it can lead to serious illnesses and possibly diseases.
What Is Web 2.0 - A Definition
By: Kevin Sinclair | 18/08/2008 | Technology
Web 2.0 is as yet something of a nebulous term, with as many different definitions out there as people defining it. This naturally can lead to some confusion. O'Reilly Media, an American company who have been one of the leaders in web development book publishing since the internet was in its infancy, came up with the term in a 2003 meeting.
Learning How To Play The Guitar
By: Kevin Sinclair | 17/08/2008 | Music
Learning to play the guitar is an aspiration that many people have. Unfortunately knowing how to play the guitar correctly can be more difficult than you had expected. This is why many people give in after only a few lessons. The same applies for many different musical instruments.
Guru Tactics And What They Really Mean
By: Kevin Sinclair | 16/08/2008 | Home Business
If you're in the internet marketing field, "guru" is a word you probably hear a lot of. In fact, you are probably well aware of who these gurus are. While most of them are very personable and nice, there are some who are quite the opposite. Even the nicest among them will employ the following tactics.
Wellness And Its Benefits
By: Kevin Sinclair | 16/08/2008 | Wellness
Body wellness occurs when all of the body pressures, physical and mental, are functioning at peak levels. Many people ask "what does it take to achieve a complete body wellness?" Well, the fact of the matter is that it requires more than just a trip to the gym, or a walk in the park.
Art and Entertainment 
| Posted: 24-07-2008 | Comments: 
