Stadium Arcadium

DustinTaj · 05-09-2006, 04:47 PM

Has anyone purchased and listened to this yet? Best Buy has it on sale this week for $11.99, but I'm hesitant to buy it for 2 reasons:

1.) Red Hot Chili Peppers history of a NOTORIOUSLY bad sound quality / production value. Overly compressed, "louder is better" production techniques have ruined the last couple of albums for me. I can't even really listen to them. I did sign this petition hoping the word would get out: http://www.petitiononline.com/RHCPWBCD/petition.html Even wikipedia mentions the bad quality of their recordings. So, if it's mastered in the same way, I have little use for it because I'll listen to it for a week and then shelf it.

2.) I can't hear any samples to know what the music is like. I've found no where with samples up yet.

So, I wanted to ask if anyone here has tried it out and would care to comment on the sound quality and music.

-DD

Brian L · 05-09-2006, 05:01 PM

Samples are up at iTunes.

There performance on SNL last week inspired me to dig out my RHCP CD's. I listened to BSSM and Another Hot Minute. Neither sound bad at all.

Actually, BSSM is a stellar recording. AHM was a bit hot, but again, not as bad as it could have been.

I have not listened to Mother's Milk or Californication yet, but have read all the comments about Californication's audio quality being the sonic equivalent of Satan's Spawn. Haven't played it for a long time, and never on a really good system.

Brian

EDIT: A quick run through several samples has led me to this conclusion: Its a RHCP album. Nothing more. Nothing less. Funk Rock. Period. I like what I have heard.

No comments on the sound, but someone at Hoffmans claims it is the most compressed CD they have heard in a while.

Ron Reda · 05-09-2006, 05:25 PM

Strangely enough, I recently listened to Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication and By The Way and didn’t find anything at all wrong with them in terms of sound quality. In fact, I specifically remember “Don’t Stop” sounding pretty damn good to my ears! Hmm…

Anyway, I picked up SA today. While I haven't listened to the CD yet, every song that I've heard so far on the radio (a local station has been playing a tune a day for the past 18 days or so) has been good. www.Allmusic.com seemed to be a little rough on the Chilis this time around (and also mentioned the sound), but gave it 3.5 stars in the end.

DustinTaj · 05-09-2006, 05:35 PM

Thanks, Brian L.

BSSM is their best sounding recording, without a doubt. In fact, I think it's their only good sounding album. Everything since has been horrific.

The news about someone from "Hoffman's" (whatever that is) saying it's the most compressed album ever worries me. I would bet that it honestly is.

I'd love to hear from others though...

*Edit* I think "Hoffmans" is stevehoffman.com, right?

Matthew Will · 05-09-2006, 05:37 PM

I say it's worth it if you buy cd's. I've listened to all the tracks and the music is top notch. Another great album by RHCP if you ask me. Matt

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DustinTaj · 05-09-2006, 05:41 PM

Ron, the sound quality issue is one of being compressed to be overly loud. The dynamics are all screwed up. Drum punches don't "punch" because everything has been mastered at the same loud level. It's like a big square wave. It makes listening tiresome and painful - to me at least.

check out this article: http://www.prorec.com/prorec/article...256C2E005DAF1C

It's not on RHCP, but the same thing is happening. I always could hear something wasn't right and it wasn't until sometime last year that I saw a petition about fixing the compression issues. I then realized what was so annoying about those albums. It's a shame too, because I LOVE their music. RHCP is an awesome band. Their music should be heard correctly, though.

-DD

Aaron Silverman · 05-09-2006, 05:49 PM

Overly compressed, "louder is better" production techniques have ruined the last couple of albums for me.

Unfortunately, this problem is not confined to RHCP discs -- it's a trend, or I should more accurately say an epidemic.

Carlo Medina · 05-09-2006, 06:05 PM

Overcompressed??!?!?!???!? No way...

and this is one of the quiet tracks from the CD!

Brian L · 05-09-2006, 06:07 PM

Dustin,

Yes, "Hoffman's" is the Steve Hoffman forums. If you want to find a group of people that will analyze a recording to a far-the-well, that's the place.

There is also news from that site that Steve himself will be mastering a version of this album on vinyl. That should be very interesting. The sound of that record should tell us wether or not this reported problems on this CD (which I have not heard yet) happened during recording, or during mastering.

Brian

DustinTaj · 05-09-2006, 07:31 PM

Thanks, Brian. I've been looking for such a site.

I think this is the thread you referenced:
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/sh...0&page=1&pp=20

I wonder what it will cost? Maybe I'll wait. I love the sound of good vinyl, but it's so inconvenient. Some tracks you just want to skip - especially if there are 28 of them!

-DD

DustinTaj · 05-09-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlo Medina

Overcompressed??!?!?!???!? No way...

and this is one of the quiet tracks from the CD!

WOW. No, I won't be buying this. That looks like it would sound painful...

-DD