1 HN user recommended this demo2 months2018–2022score 2
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
HN uses it as the go-to demonstration of the loudness war and what over-compressed mastering does to music.
A short comparison of the retail release of Metallica's Death Magnetic against the Guitar Hero 3 version of the same song. It switches between the two so you can hear and see the heavy clipping in the retail master.
“A comparison between these two versions was the eye opener for me.” (HN, 2019)
For the unbelievers, listen to Metallica's Death Magnetic first from the official version. After that, try the Guitar Hero version and it'll quite literally blow your mind. A video comparing both: [this video] I tend to get physically and mentally exhausted when I have to listen to music that's maximised for loudness, took me a while to figure that out. A comparison between these two versions was the eye opener for me.
Eye-opening comparison of over-compressed versus properly mastered versions
If you don't believe in the Loudness War, or think that you can't hear the difference, here is a challenge for you: Grab Metallica's Death Magnetic. Listen through it all the way. Now find the Guitar Hero III remastered version of the same album, listen through it. I guarantee you feel exhausted after the official master version, because there is no dynamic range, it's just a full spectrum of noise. Here's a Youtube video visualising the difference: [this video]
Visualizes the dynamic range difference between the two masters
Death Magnetic, released a decade ago. Famous for being so bad, Guitar Hero's development team asked for the original unmastered files, was granted their request, and then properly mastered them just so they could be included in the game without destroying the experience. Guitar Hero's version of Death Magnetic was apparently pirated more times than rips of the authentic release. It was heavily praised for being a more clear, detailed mix, that didn't shove highs under the bus for muddy lows and generally ruined vocals. [this video] for a comparison on the least ruined song on the album, that the author volume matched for the video. The original release had to be decreased 14dB to match the level of the GH3 release for this comparison.
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