Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
  • CNET
  • All range posts

range

Is dynamic range compression destroying music?

Dynamic range compression isn't new, it's been used by recording, mixing, and mastering engineers for many decades. A little bit of compression is fine, but over-compression can sound downright ugly. Most of today's music, whether it's on LP, CD, the radio or iTunes is over-compressed. Most remastered CDs are over-compressed.

Before we go any further, I'm not referring to the lossy compression used in MP3s, or lossless compression used in Apple Lossless. They've got their own set of problems, but dynamic range compression is a very different predicament.

To the casual listener compression can sound "good," mostly because it makes the music seem louder and punchier, and once music's natural soft-loud dynamic shifts are squashed flat music is easier to hear in noisy environments like cars or over iPods. Compression reduces the need to adjust playback volume--because it's always nearly the same volume--loud.

Engineers worry that if they don't compress their recordings the music would seem too soft and low. That is, if a music listener went from really loud, compressed music to quieter, uncompressed music they probably wouldn't like uncompressed music--unless they turned it up! That way they would hear the music's natural soft-loud dynamics.

Unfortunately, that's not an acceptable scenario to most engineers or record labels. They're addicted to over-compression, it's a hard habit to break.

But the unnatural onslaught of compressed sound obliterates musical nuance, delicacy and emotional power. Compression's loud-all-the-time nature sucks the life out of music.

Here's a great video that demonstrates the evils of compression.… Read more

See what's cooking with Dacor

The new Dacor Epicure 36-inch gas range brings style and ease of use to the kitchen. Featuring a cool flame-blue glow when in use, the burner controls are just a touch of what to expect when using the stove. With a large cooking area and a spacious oven interior that can accommodate a full-size commercial sheet pan, the range combines good looks with deep usability.

With six burners in total, in three different configurations, the stovetop is very versatile. The burners include two sealed gas burners rated at 9.500 BTU, two at 15.000 BTU, and two SimmerSear burners … Read more

Bertazzoni adds to range product line

Fans of Bertazzoni products will be pleased to note that the Italian company is expanding its product line with the addition of the Master Series. Joining the Heritage Series and Professional Series, Bertazzoni has been supplying customers with ranges for generations.

Paolo Bertazzoni, the company's fifth generation president said:

"For this particular series, we have taken the traditional styling of a commercial range and infused it with Italian finesse. The result is a proud and meticulous, yet practical design that will be the focal point in every kitchen, completing any decor from the traditional to the contemporary." … Read more

In Utah desert, Air Force lets the bombs fly

DUGWAY, Utah--"We train warriors and test weapons."

That's how Col. Jeff Snell, the commander of the 388th Range Squadron, which operates the gargantuan Utah Test & Training Range (UTTR), summed up the main mission of his command.

I had spent the day visiting part of UTTR's Maryland-size facilities, and discovered that Snell's words were a very succinct way of explaining what really goes on at the range: Air Force pilots fly in there in screaming-fast aircraft to run bombing training missions, often in advance of deployments to either Iraq or Afghanistan, and, less frequently, … Read more

GM's new engine to make its hybrids and plug-ins even more efficient

GM announced its development of a new, more efficient internal combustion engine that will eventually be used to power its lineup of hybrid and extended-range plug-in vehicles.

In the homogenous charge compression ignition engine (HCCI), the air and fuel mixture is compressed to ignite rather than using a spark. When combined with other advanced technologies, the HCCI engine provides up to 15 percent better fuel economy, according to GM. … Read more

Dacor range wants to get to know you

Getting dialed into your personal workspace is a fun and exciting challenge. When that space is the kitchen--specifically the oven--the resulting meals that emerge are like no others. Experience tells you if the oven runs hot or on the cool side, where the hot spots are, and even which burner burns better. Knowledgeable cooks in their own familiar kitchens are capable of producing anything. Trial and error gives way to familiarity, and understanding of the tools at hand gives way to delicious meals.

The Dacor Epicure 30-inch Dual-Fuel Range offers the home cook a number of nuanced cooking options. The … Read more

2010 Land Rover Range Rover (video)

Land Rover tosses the analog gauges out of the 2010 Range Rover and replaces them with, well, digital analog gauges.

In a vehicle as customizable as the Ranger Rover, with its adjustable ride height, differential, and traction modes, that customizable display may come as a godsend. It certainly looks cool!