Soundcheck

Drowning in Sound

Thursday, January 10, 2008

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."

Listen to the whole show

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