The “Loudness Wars” refer to the trend in the music industry where recordings are produced with increasing loudness, often at the expense of dynamic range and sound quality. This phenomenon began in the late 20th century and has escalated with the advent of digital recording technology. The primary goal of this loudness race is to make tracks stand out on radio and streaming platforms, but it often leads to audio compression that diminishes the nuances and depth of the music.
One genre significantly affected by the Loudness Wars is Dubstep. Tracks like Marauda’s ‘RAGE ROOM’ and MUERTE’s ‘GRAVEL IN YOUR HEART’ exemplify the extreme compression and high loudness levels typical of the genre. The former’s true peak reached 2.6 dB, with a maximum loudness of -0.5 LUFS, while the latter reached +1.9 LUFS, which is physically impossible to achieve.
Streaming platforms such as Spotify have responded to these issues by runing loudness normalization policies. In 2017, Spotify set a standard playback level of -14 LUFS, aiming to balance the loudness of different tracks and preserve dynamic range (Spotify, n.d.). This move helps to mitigate the effects of the Loudness Wars by encouraging artists and producers to prioritize sound quality over sheer volume.
Research into the Loudness Wars reveals a consensus that excessive loudness can degrade the listening experience. For instance, a study by Vickers (2011) in the “Journal of the Audio Engineering Society” found that listeners generally prefer music with a wider dynamic range. Additionally, interviews with industry professionals, such as Bob Katz, a mastering engineer, emphasize the importance of dynamics in creating emotionally impactful music (Katz, 2013).
Understanding the implications of the Loudness Wars will profoundly influence my future work in music production. I plan to focus on maintaining dynamic range and sound quality, leveraging the normalization policies of streaming platforms to ensure my music stands out without resorting to excessive loudness. This approach not only respects the listener’s experience but also aligns with industry trends towards higher fidelity audio.
Spotify (n.d.) Loudness normaliztion. Available at: https://support.spotify.com/us/artists/article/loudness-normalization/ (Accessed 19 April 2024).
Vickers, E. (2011) ‘The Loudness War: Background, Speculation and Recommendations’, Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 59(6), pp. 346-351.
Katz, B. (2013) Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science. Oxford: Focal Press.
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