Quote:
Originally Posted by rkomar
One difference between vinyl and digital is that the latter tends to be re-mastered for constant volume (first useful in bars and clubs, and then for listening via earbuds outside where it is noisy). LPs are mastered with a greater range in volume, which is nice when you want the quiet parts to sound quiet. So, it's not just about retro-hipness.
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Depends TOTALLY on the content, the studio and when. You can't have much range in vinyl volume without a looser spiral and less playing time so as louder bit are louder. You can't make the quieter bits softer. A 7" 45 rpm could have 8 to 11 minutes on one side, but it's under four, because singles were originally about the same playing time as 78s and also to give both more dynamic range and make them play louder than a 33. The outer edge of a 33 is faster than the outer of a 45!
"LPs are mastered with a greater range in volume" Not true for 33 rpm 12" LPs. Oddly it was true for 45s singles of 3 to 4 minutes. It is true that most Radio stations have the Optimod turned up too high and that certain categories of pop music have similar "sound loud" mixes that are awful.
And if a CD has not been remixed recently then assuredly it will have more range than the LP mastered in the same era. Mostly they just do pressings from existing masters. Costs money to remix and remaster!