24KG production question - is it just me?

[TheWILDheart]

Hi all,

I've been listening to "Starshine" (which I freakin' love!) today and I also went back and listened to "Lady" and "The Dealer" as well after I noticed something.

All the production on these new tracks sound like it's recorded off an old cassette, with some quite distorted vocals in parts - especially if you crank the volume up. They almost sound like when you rip a song from YouTube and play it through your iPod, despite all 3 tracks being iTunes pre-order downloads.

I thought it might just be my iPod headphones, but I played it through my sennheisers and it was even more noticeable. It doesn't happen with any other tracks I've got ripped from CD or from iTunes.

Has anybody else noticed this or is it just me?

[MusicInferno]

Yes, I noticed it, too! The sound quality is kind of...weird. Maybe they intentionally went for this raw, sometimes imperfect sound, but I think the vocal mixing is quite odd, especially on "Starshine". It doesn't sound as crisp as it should, especially in the beginning. On "Lady" it's less obvious, but kind of distorted when Stevie sings loud. ;)

[BigAl84]

I thought Starshine has sounded the best of all of them so far!

The Dealer has bothered me since the day I heard it. Her vocals switch back and forth between muted(like there is a pillow over the speaker) to very clear and crisp. It's very odd.

[MusicInferno]

I thought Starshine has sounded the best of all of them so far!

The Dealer has bothered me since the day I heard it. Her vocals switch back and forth between muted(like there is a pillow over the speaker) to very clear and crisp. It's very odd.

Yes, that's true. There are huge differences between different takes, especially during the middle of the song.

[Machu]

On "Lady" I assumed that she got far louder than they were ready for and the needle in the studio hit red and they felt that it was such a great vocal (hence the clapping at the end) that instead of re-recording it, they just kept it. It's the distorted sound you get when it's recorded too loud. But I haven't noticed that on any other tracks other than they are far "warmer" sounding than "In Your Dreams" which surprised me but listening to them in context, side by side, I don't mind it. I will be interested to hear "Blue Water" in full because in the snippet Stevie's vocals sounded really loud compared to the piano but it's hard to tell from such a short clip.

[JAS]

Yes. I thought it was just me
Its a little annoying...
I wish her voice were crisp and clearer
The clip of Mabel Normand seems to be the only one
That doesn't bother be so far

[TheWILDheart]

I can't quite tell if it's on purpose or mistake. I really hope they don't sound like this on the CD. Maybe they've made this album specifically for vinyl?

[DauphineMarie]

I thought Starshine has sounded the best of all of them so far!

The Dealer has bothered me since the day I heard it. Her vocals switch back and forth between muted(like there is a pillow over the speaker) to very clear and crisp. It's very odd.

I think they mixed the bass up too high on the Dealer. Don't get me wrong, I love my bass, but, I think in some parts, they mixed it in with the voice as well when treble should have been increased as well.

[DauphineMarie]

Hi all,

I've been listening to "Starshine" (which I freakin' love!) today and I also went back and listened to "Lady" and "The Dealer" as well after I noticed something.

All the production on these new tracks sound like it's recorded off an old cassette, with some quite distorted vocals in parts - especially if you crank the volume up. They almost sound like when you rip a song from YouTube and play it through your iPod, despite all 3 tracks being iTunes pre-order downloads.

I thought it might just be my iPod headphones, but I played it through my sennheisers and it was even more noticeable. It doesn't happen with any other tracks I've got ripped from CD or from iTunes.

Has anybody else noticed this or is it just me?

I know some artists are going back to recording on tape instead of digitally. Perhaps the theme of this record is going to be the old demo/old taping method? I personally don't mind, but then again, I bought my copy on vinyl.

[TheWILDheart]

I know some artists are going back to recording on tape instead of digitally. Perhaps the theme of this record is going to be the old demo/old taping method? I personally don't mind, but then again, I bought my copy on vinyl.

But if that were the case, then "Bella Donna" through to OSOTM and every other album not remastered since would sound muffled and distorted like this one does, but those albums, whilst they're quite quiet, still sound clear.

It doesn't matter what I play the new songs on, it sounds like the volume is up too high on some crappy speakers and it's causing hiss.

[MusicInferno]

When you listen to "The Dealer" at around 3:12 when she sings "I'll just almost hold you" it sounds muffled and the next line "You just almost stay here" is much more clearer.
I don't know if that's intentional and supposed to be some "sound effect", but I just assume they're different takes and it's quite obvious.

[DauphineMarie]

When you listen to "The Dealer" at around 3:12 when she sings "I'll just almost hold you" it sounds muffled and the next line "You just almost stay here" is much more clearer.
I don't know if that's intentional and supposed to be some "sound effect", but I just assume they're different takes and it's quite obvious.

I never noticed that actually until you mentioned it.. I think it might be from different takes as well.

[vivfox]

Luckily I haven't heard any of what you are all talking about but so far have only played these songs through my computer speakers.

[MusicInferno]

The song "24 Karat Gold" sounds so much better and much more balanced than the others, don't you think?

[DauphineMarie]

The song "24 Karat Gold" sounds so much better and much more balanced than the others, don't you think?

Absolutely. The mixing on this one is fabulous. :D

[Johnny Stew]

It doesn't matter what I play the new songs on, it sounds like the volume is up too high on some crappy speakers and it's causing hiss.

You're listening to lossy mp3s. Fine for standard computer speakers, but a good set of headphones or speakers will reveal the sonic limitations.

I suspect when you listen to an actual physical copy -- whether vinyl or CD -- the songs will sound great to your ears.

[SameGlassTable]

Exactly Johnny Stew .

The ITunes rip is horrible I played it through my professional sound system and the whole thing is completely muddy
It's borderline unlistenable .
I wish they would have mastered it for iTunes
Even my Warner brothers downloads sound a world better .

The same thing goes for IYD .

But when I play The actual CD of IYD it's a world of difference .

I suspect (hope) the same goes for 24k .

I'm glad I got the Vinyl and the deluxe CD

My suggestion would be to rip a copy at full quality when you have the CD and then upload that copy into you're iPod .

[Macfanforever]

I have not listened to the new tracks to keep in suspense and not ruining my surprise when I get the new album. I know what you guys are talking about.The mp3's are crap.Thats why I cant stand iTunes and paying for them.They are great for the iPod ,iPhone with buds and earphones but not for sensitive high power full range HiFi stereo set. Also Stevie probably wants to try to keep them close to the original demos which is fine with me.

[TheWILDheart]

I've just downloaded the tracks from Warner. Same problem. And it's worse the more you crank the volume.

I've not had this problem with any other download or any other tracks on my iPod :/

[Christopher]

I agree that the new single MP3s have limitations & loss in their sound quality and eveness. But I anticipate that is a separate issue than the overall production on the entire "24 Karat Gold" record. It's the most apparent on "The Dealer" mp3 - I always have to turn the bass down, and cannot quite find the sweet spot. However "Starshine" sounds sparkling & overall the best so far of the full mp3s released.

The trend over the last 2 years, or so, is that many artists are mastering their new records for ITunes specifically, to enhance the variables in their recordings for those who chose to purchase compressed digital song files (mp3s) - an inferior product. But unfortunately that's the most commonly purchased music format. So it's unfortunate for fans who no longer bother to buy the actual CD, or Vinyl, that Warners (or Stevie) elected not remaster for Itunes on"24 Karat Gold." The actual CD always sounds 100% better than any mp3 format. The difference on a good stereo system is significant. The vinyl mastering on this record is going to be a real bonus.

[MusicInferno]

You can now listen to the four already released tracks on Spotify.
The issues we talked about are still there and I guess the songs are streamed from official digital sources of the album, right? :shocked: