Petition for High Definition Music Downloads.

[sometimesuk]

Hi,

I’m trying to start a petition to try and get Record Labels (and Retailers) to release High Definition music downloads (24 Bit) of popular mainstream music that people actually want to listen to. Many of the websites selling 24 Bit music mainly offer classical and other obscure music that doesn’t have mainstream appeal, there seems to be nowhere where people can download popular High Definition music.

Another major problem in the industry is the “loudness wars” – This is where the volume of the recording is turned up to grab the listener’s attention upon first hearing. They make both the loud and quite passages loud, so that there is very little difference between them in terms of dynamic range – The music has become compressed and often distorted.

While this is fine for radio broadcasts, it also means that listening to such music can often become tiring and many people experience listeners fatigue. When music isn’t compressed it actually increases people’s enjoyment and they also hear the music the way the artist originally intended.

Many music lovers would be satisfied with non-compressed CD’s or 16Bit Downloads, but it is obvious the generally public seem to be content with the poor quality records currently on offer. This is because they have been sold a lie and haven’t been told that there is better. You only have to speak to a handful of people to quickly find out that many are not fussed with music and could quite easily take it or leave it. This is a direct reflection on the quality of records available today, the high levels of compression used is making music unlistenable and unenjoyable.

It’s not realistic to expect this situation to change overnight but an increasing number of music lovers are getting fed up and want to access music that hasn’t been heavily compressed. One way to do this is to offer High Resolution - Studio Quality Recordings (24 Bit). This would differentiate uncompressed music in the market place and would also attract many people as they seek the “best” in the process. It would also have the benefit of reintroducing people to music the way it’s meant to sound.

16 Bit (CD) recordings have been available for 30 years now and instead of sound quality improving it has at best stagnated and in terms of downloads has managed to go backwards. It’s about time the industry took a leap forward and offered quality 24 Bit recordings. The playback technology is readily available, even modestly priced equipment and portables such as the iPod can support 24 Bit playback, so there is no reason why it shouldn’t happen.

If you want change then please show your support and sign the petition:

Record Labels: Release High Definition music downloads (http://www.change.org/petitions/record-labels-release-high-definition-music-downloads)

There is also a Facebook Group, intended to act as a focal point for anyone who shares the above views and wishes to get involved:

We want High Definition music downloads: http://www.facebook.com/groups/463034807076103/

[Tim]

Mike, I have edited your post as the link to the petition was reporting a page error, it has now been amended.
Can you check I have linked to the correct petition?
Thanks
Tim

[John]

Totally agree about the lack of mainstream high definition recordings, its not like we even been really offered a choice

[DSJR]

Red Book is perfectly high definition for the end user. A shame that so many record companies want even this mucked up so they can sell the few hi-res tracks as "better" when all it seems to mean is that the sonics haven't been butchered for mass consumption - IMO of course...

[Tim]

I have said it previously Dave, set up correctly and with the right equipment, red book is fine for my needs and ears.

Its the twats engineers who are lazy or incompetent and using things like Pro Tools badly who need sorting first, take a leaf out of Eric Bibbs book ;)

[bobbasrah]

Red Book is perfectly high definition for the end user. A shame that so many record companies want even this mucked up so they can sell the few hi-res tracks as "better" when all it seems to mean is that the sonics haven't been butchered for mass consumption - IMO of course...

Absolutely agreed that red book is good, but high resolution is a waste of time anyway if it is only means higher resolution shit. If they got the marketing guys to back off recording and production, let the artist have a greater say in what is presented in their album, and revert to doing the best quality recording they can, that would be a step in the right direction.

There also needs to be a change in attitude, as after all, SACD was high resolution, but they tried to sell it as elitist and mark kit and media up to the heavens with disastrous results. One of the industry's finest examples of shooting themselves in the foot.

[Audioman]

Most modern pop/rock recordings are not good enough for HD. A lot of HD downloads are just upsampled CDs. Anyway they are now releasing more HD versions of albums. It's called the vinyl LP.

[sometimesuk]

UPDATE:

After listening to the peoples comments on various forums the petition title has been changed to:

“Stop the loudness wars and release High Definition Music Downloads”

Petition Link: http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-loudness-wars-and-release-high-definition-music-downloads

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/463034807076103/

I had emailed all those who signed the petition for comment before doing so.

Please note that while many would like to see a fundamental change within the industry so that no record is heavily compressed, this is not realistic as no doubt the record labels / retailers would argue that many people prefer the music “louder” (Even though we may fundamentally disagree).

Instead the petition focus would be for record labels and retailers to offer uncompressed downloads alongside the “mainstream offering” in the download market in both 16 Bit & 24 Bit format. It’s not realistic to expect an uncompressed CD to be brought to market alongside the “normal” version.

My personal opinion is that if a new product market is created the focus should be on 24 Bit downloads and advertised as “the best”, as even modestly priced equipment is able to playback 24 Bit files and it’s also important for the industry to move forward.

If you agree and haven’t already done so, please sign the petition and ask your friends to do so too.

If change is ever going to happen then we need people’s participation.

Thanks

[The Grand Wazoo]

Can I ask you what you are going to do with this petition?
Did I miss it somewhere?
Apologies if I did, but I'd have thought people might want to know before they sign. I don't think it's good form to change the terms once folks have started signing either.

[sometimesuk]

First of all, I did email everyone that signed the petition, asking if they had any objections before changing the title:

FROM: Record labels: Release High Definition Music Downloads

TO: Stop the loudness wars and Release High Definition Music Downloads

Although the loudness wars were never directly mentioned originally, in the text it stated that music lovers are fed up with the compressed albums available today. So the loudness wars was at least implied.

After reading the comments of those who signed the petition and on various forums, it was clear that if the wording was changed so that it stated outright that people are fed up of the compression used in recording it would gain more support. So I decided to do so, as I believe that it is in the same spirit as the original petition. If anyone now does not agree, then they can email me and I will remove their name from the petition.

As for where I'm going with this. Its still very early days, but my "vision" is that once the petition has reached its peak, or ideally between 2000 - 3000 people, I will write a letter to the major record labels and online retails bring their attention to the petition and asking them to take on board our views and ask them for comments.

I plan on using the facebook group to communicate draft versions of any final letter, to accompany the petition letter, and for comment on who to write to. I will them email all those who signed the petition before it gets sent for comment.

[The Grand Wazoo]

OK, thanks for your reply.

The reason for my comment about changing the terms after people have signed is that it can be used against you when you present your case - the recipients may argue that such a petition is invalid and that dilutes your argument somewhat.

And regarding what you plan to do with it, call me picky if you like, but I won't sign something unless I know how it's going to be used. Some other people may not care, but it's against my principles and I suspect I may not be alone.

Despite what it may look like, I really am trying to help!

[sometimesuk]

Thats alright. Thats for the help.

I'll probably update forum posts / facebook group to say such. Will have to wait to tomorrow now, as I'm off to bed and have to be up for work.

In other news, the petition now has over a hundred people who signed it!

[Tim]

I suspect I may not be alone.
You aren't Chris, I need to know exactly what the objective is and why before I put my name to anything ;)

[sometimesuk]

I have been asked by a few people what my objective is with the petition and what I’m I going to do with it, for clarification my broad intentions are below. Bear in mind, it’s still very early days, which is why I intent to use the facebook group as a place to take on board peoples suggestions and advice.

Objective: To raise the issue of compression and availability of high quality downloads with major record labels and online retailers

When: Once I / others (facebook group) believe that the petition has reached its peak, or has reached a number that I believe would warrant notice, ideally between 2000 – 3000 people.

How: By letter to each of the major record labels and online retailers. The letter would bring to their attention the petition and ask them to take into consideration our views and ask them for comments (future plans etc).

I plan on using the facebook group to communicate draft versions of any final letter, to accompany the petition letter for people to comment on and who to write to. I will them email all those who signed the petition before it gets sent for comment.

[The Grand Wazoo]

You see, if it were me I'd write the letter first and also have prepared a list of the names addresses of who it was to be presented to.

[icehockeyboy]

Signed!

[Marco]

Signed... Some folk are too fussy ;)

Marco.

[sometimesuk]

This link has helped loads!

http://www.stereophile.com/content/petition-better-sound

[Audioman]

I think it's a waste of time doing this type of petition. It all depends who is going to see it at the end. Record companies are well aware of the loudness wars and are happy to put out compressed and brickwalled recordings for the masses. A few audiophiles are not their market.

A better target may well be producers and managers of bands or artists you would like to hear in uncompressed form. I'm sure if they were educated as to what their fans prefer they might change their ways - then again not. Wasn't there a mass outcry from Metallica fans over how bad their last record sounded. I don't recall them reissuing the CD in uncompressed format.

Actualy I think the situation is getting better away from mainstream pop/urban music that is aimed at the charts. Certainly the quality of Cds or Cd reissues from non mainstream or classic rock artists has improved. If the Cd is bad sounding there is often a less compressed sounding vinyl release.

HD releases are still in their infancy. It remains to see if the market will become large or remain another niche product such as SACD or DVDA. At least it is getting more publicity, but how many listen to high res downloads compared with the millions of MP3 player owners out there who are insensitive to quality and probably have impaired hearing by now.

[sometimesuk]

All - The petition letter has now been revised. Let me know what you think, ideally through the facebook group. Please try not to burn me at the stake if there are grammar errors! Thanks

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-loudness-wars-and-release-high-definition-music-downloads

P.S – 858 signatures now – carry on spreading the word. If you haven’t already signed, please do so.

[John]

I would love to hear more HD with the bands and artist I enjoy but like most people would be happy if we they just stopped or reduced the amount of compression on redbook CDs