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Soundcheck / January 10, 2008

Soundcheck

Thursday, January 10, 2008
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  • Drowning in Sound

    A revolution in recording technology is producing CDs that sound louder than those made just 10 or 15 years ago. But something’s getting lost in the mix. Today on Soundcheck: a look at the "loudness wars" inside the music industry. Plus: soprano Christine Schäfer shares her gender-bending take on Schubert songs. And: the music of the acclaimed TV show "The Wire."

The Loudness Wars

If you think albums today sound louder than those recorded a decade ago you’re just not imagining things. Recording technology can now make even the softest parts of a song sound big and boomy. We ask Rolling Stone contributor Robert Levine and producer David Bendeth about "the loudness wars," the fight to grab the attention of listeners.

Robert Levine's story in Rolling Stone
David Bendeth's website
Video: Demonstration of compression in music by Matt Mayfield [You Tube]
More by Rob Levine on the Loudness Wars

New Pot of Gold for 'Rainbows'

Despite giving its album for free three months ago, British rockers Radiohead are topping the charts this week with the CD version of their new album “In Rainbows.” New York Times’ Jeff Leeds joins us with the story.

Christine Schäfer

As we enter the thick of winter, German soprano Christine Schäfer comes to Lincoln Center this week to perform Schubert’s epic song cycle, “Winterreise,” or “Winter Journey.” She joins us today to share her recent CD of the cycle – and talk about her varied career as a rising young singer.

Christine Schäfer's website

Introducing our Video Contest

Soundcheck

John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.

In Studio: Angel Deradoorian

Soundcheck

The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.

Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico

Soundcheck

Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.

In Studio: Stephanie McKay

Soundcheck

The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.

The Decemberists

In Studio: The Decemberists

The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.

headphone

Sound Off

Soundcheck

Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.