The other day I wrote a Casparcritique (#4: CDs in the post modern music age) on why we should hang on to our CDs much longer. One of the reasons why we should, was the claim that CDs have a particular sound, different from streamed music, and vinyl. I thought about this claim, especially the sound of vinyl being distinct from CD. Without pretending knowing too much of the technical side of things, I believe my theory on the why makes sense.
The seventies were much acclaimed for their incredible sound, and recording progression. The mega-multi-track studio, the big PA-systems, the definite arrival on the scene of the synthesizer, these were all expressions of musical modernity. Back then you could experience and invent anything you like, but it all boiled down to what it did for you on the number one music medium at the time: the vinyl record. All was centred to perfecting the sound for that medium. And they surely did! Personal favorites demonstrating the use of the studio to the max are Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, any work by Steely Dan, and (on a very personal note) Street by Herman Brood. I'd say, what typifies their sound is that it seams all suppressed within full layers of sound frequencies. I mean, the heighs and lows of the frequencies are not very extreme, and within those parameters the recording must be cramped. The result is a cozy, warm sound, just love it.
What made the CD revolutionary afterwards, was that it enhanced the recording. The heighs could be made much higher, the lows much lower. That way, the CD gave more room to experiment, what was of course, exactly happened. But, in my opinion anyway, the result was that the sound got more 'empty'. Somewhere high up, there was a synth line, down low a clean bass drum, anywhere in between the vocals. Just listen to what is generally considered the first CD that was recorded, and mixed digitally: Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits. It just runs cold chills down my back listening to songs like So far Away, or Why Worry. Brr, empty, soul-less, I don't know, maybe 'cold' descibes it best for me.
On a last note, I would like to add that the use of cassettes brings a different sound all togethere. That would mean at least another Casparcritique to incorporate it into the discussion. Anyone still got cassettes? Maybe for old times sake?
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