Sound Graphs

[Daniel A]

I just made a transfer to my computer of Herbie Hancock's "The Prisoner". Here's a graph of the title cut (original Liberty pressing). I've recorded it so that the loudest parts are around -0.8 dB. The CD is mastered a little bit higher, but it should be possible to get an impression about the overall compression in the different masters.

RVG LP (1969):

[Daniel A]

RVG CD (2000):

[Daniel A]

TOCJ 20 Bit CD (1998):

[Daniel A]

What's apparent from the graphs is that the TOCJ-4321 seems less compressed than the LP, while the RVG CD and LP seem more similar in this regard.

However, my subjective view is that the LP sounds best, tightly followed by the TOCJ, while the RVG sounds nasal and somewhat tiring.

[couw]

The vinyl dub will likely have some noise that fills the gaps. Could you also post the frequency chart of the vinyl? Here's the TOCJ and the RVG.

[Daniel A]

I was foolish enough to erase the wav track recorded from the LP. I'm recording it again as I'm typing this and I've now raised the recording volume so that it will peak more or less at 0.0 dB.

Are the frequency statistics you posted generated from total track scans? I think I remember those take ages on my old PC, but I'll se what I can do...

[couw]

Here's a smoothed chart of the differences between the two. Although the very high frequencies of the RVG are lower (hiss reduction?), bass and treble of the RVG are higher, which is referred to as the "happy smiley" EQ.

[couw]

Are the frequency statistics you posted generated from total track scans?

yes.

[couw]

BTW, to my ears this is a very nice sounding RVG

[Daniel A]

After some dabbling, this is the LP graph:

Edited March 7, 2006 by Daniel A

[Daniel A]

With kind and instant online assistance from couw I've now created a frequency graph which could be compared with the two he posted above (my previous post is updated).

So, what does it now tell us?

Edited March 7, 2006 by Daniel A

[couw]

So, what does it now tell us?

You can see that the high end has a similar curve to the TOCJ BNW, albeit with the channels closer together. I have seen such loud lower end before, actually many of my own dubs have it. As if the bass is boosted too much by the amp. Dunno what's up with that.

[Daniel A]

It looks as if the biggest low-end difference is below 40 Hz. Wouldn't pehaps rumble and the like from the turntable make up for a big part of that?