Dark Matter - Dynamic Range Rescue Project

[Ensign9]

Boom! Scared of Fear sounds way better now. Can't wait for the audio nerds to dig this one. DR of 11.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wk_ECs ... drive_link

I agree there are parts that are clearer now but something about the hi-hat feels a little weird. It sounds like something else is being choked off to let the hi-hat take center stage. It may just be because I’ve heard the album version 50 times now and my head is cocking like a dog’s when they hear a new sound.

[RockPusher]

Thank you for doing this tragabigzanda.

[WaitingForBluey]

The "respond" on R/R sounds massive now, also there's some plucky part on the bridge I never heard before.

The drums on both of these sound really great, especially the toms

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[FlatSideofaDog]

Thanks man, this is awesome. Love what Jeff is doing in Scared of Fear...didn't notice all of it until now. Seems like there is way less spritz in both, now. Is there a reason for that?

[Jaeti]

I'm excited to follow this project.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[skilesare]

This is awesome! Can't wait to tear into these tomorrow. I have some apple airpod pro 2s and an apple tv 4k....is the best way for me to listen to the atomos version going to be through this setup? I guess In need to buy the blue ray? Or can I play it with my xbox...but then not sure how to connect the airpods. Would love to compare.

[Fattie_Vedder]

Trag, you magnificent bastard. I'm playing all 3 versions (Spotify, Apple mix, yours) on my laptop, comparing and taking notes song by song. Generally, I prefer yours and most amazingly it doesn't sound like it's going to destroy my ear drums because I can play it at a lower volume and still pick up the various instrumental nuances. The consistent differences that I'm hearing are:

Spotify: most compressed. Generally feels like there is a dampening blanket on everything. 'Fuzzier' sound to everything, but especially the bass. Not as loud as Apple mix.

Apple mix: better, snappier drums than Spotify mix, clearer and more forward bass. Loudest guitars of all. Gives a 'wall of guitar' effect. So damn loud. Laptop volume was the same between players and I had to lower the volume on the apply player half way to match the level of the others (Spotify was at max volume). The only time I prefer the Apple mix is on the buildup to the chorus of React, Respond, because you can hear the plinky guitar very well.

Trag mix: better, snappier drums, maybe slightly better than Apple. Clearest most forward bass of all. Left guitar is lower than Apple mix, but still audible and sits nicely. I can hear things clearly at a lower volume.

Edit: I did not compare the Dolby Atmos version, as that appears to only be available on my phone (I don't know why the Dark Matter album I purchased through Apple music is not the Atmos version on my laptop even though it is the same version. The Atmos version has some ridiculously cool effects where you feel like the instruments are in the space with you, but the left guitar and some other parts are so damn low that you can't hear certain effects or parts at all in the atmos version, which is super disappointing.

[Homeboyd]

I lied, I will nickel-and-dime you. Seems like it might be helpful/educational for some.

Wreckage
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GXFoxI ... drive_link

Dark Matter (this one is kind of a new beast)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hmM-1m ... drive_link

Just listened to Dark Matter on my headphones and damn I love it...no idea what you did but it went from a glossy wall of sound to more of a dirty, funky groove with the drums being the star of the show which really serves the song. Nice work.

[Fattie_Vedder]

I lied, I will nickel-and-dime you. Seems like it might be helpful/educational for some.

Wreckage
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GXFoxI ... drive_link

Dark Matter (this one is kind of a new beast)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hmM-1m ... drive_link

Just listened to Dark Matter on my headphones and damn I love it...no idea what you did but it went from a glossy wall of sound to more of a dirty, funky groove with the drums being the star of the show which really serves the song. Nice work.

Agreed. I was thrown off by how much echo there was in the toms at first, but it's a great effect when they feel more resonant and impactful during the fills. Maybe it's in my head, but the guitar that's going through the drum machine sounds louder and on top of everything, which I like. In general it feels less sterile, which is awesome.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Monkey_Driven]

Trag, you have to come up with a catchy name for this mix once completed. This is your chance to become a legend.

[coptheriotact]

Wouldn’t you be working with ghanea’s printed stems? But before it was mastered for CD ?

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[RockPusher]

Holy shit, would you believe there's actually a piano at the end of Upper Hand?! This is just the isolated surround stem from the outro, but it should give you an idea of what's buried under Ghanea's distorted compression:

https://vocaroo.com/1mwEcASXxvAD

/slowly removes glasses

[RockPusher]

Trag, you have to come up with a catchy name for this mix once completed. This is your chance to become a legend.

Ghanea Vaccine Mix

[Fattie_Vedder]

Holy shit, would you believe there's actually a piano at the end of Upper Hand?! This is just the isolated surround stem from the outro, but it should give you an idea of what's buried under Ghanea's distorted compression:

https://vocaroo.com/1mwEcASXxvAD

/slowly removes glasses

Lol, yeah that's the reaction I had too.

[LetMeSleep]

Well that's interesting.

Earthling was mastered by - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Merrill

Whilst Hackney Diamonds and Every Loser by - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Colton

No info on Ozzy's last one.

edit: Dark Matter was produced by Andrew Watt, recorded by Paul LaMalfa and Marco Sonzini, mixed by Serban Ghenea, engineered by Bryce Bordone and mastered by Matt Colton. All songs written by Pearl Jam and Andrew Watt (co-write on “Something Special” goes to Josh Klinghoffer).