Confused about return -- distortion?

[aimusic]

Well in all fairness it kinda does make sense for them to use $20 headphones because it colours the sound and gives them a clearer indication of what it would sound like through normal speakers.

[hummingbird]

I think sometimes it is easier to blame the headphones than to understand the mindset of a trained screener who is listening to the minute detail of a piece of music that is going to be used in a broadcast environment. The feedback given seems like that of an experienced producer, in his/her opinion something in the production needs a tweak. Have you tried going back to the piece and following the suggested feedback? Cool piece. The kick does seem a little fuzzy to me, and I heard a little 'muddiness' in the mix when everything kicks in. I heard distortion around 4:20. I wonder about the quality of the synth sounds - what are you using? The rythm towards the end seems slightly off to me. H

[davewalton]

Sept 10, 2008, 5:36pm, wodinlord wrote:Remember, the reviewers are listening to your hours and hours of work on well-worn $20 headphones. A year or so ago, I had a chance to go through a short version of "screener training" with forum member HoraceJesse for several days. Part of that process was to do some "pretend screening" whereby I screened but my "results" weren't used... the music went on to be screened by real screeners. Anyway, they don't use "well worn $20 headphones" and the screeners take their jobs V-E-R-Y seriously. They do that because of the "culture" that Laskow creates at Taxi. That "culture" is that they operate with the belief (from their own experience) that they're changing peoples lives. And they are. Like any process, some critiques are kind of goofy. But... they screen the screeners and actually bring in outside Taxi members to rescreen music and rate the screeners on their critiques. So, overall the process is one that is focused on quality and is always under observation and scrutiny. Still... screeners judgements are theirs to make within the confines of what the listing is asking for and how high the bar is. They'll err on the side of caution more times than not. So anyway, they don't use custom fitted $950 headphones but they're not cheap either and not well worn. I don't remember the brand but they're over-the-ear, comfortable and they sound very good.

[mazz]

Hi,The sound that comes in on the right speaker has what sounds like a bit of overload distortion on the first note. I know this is meant to be a distorted sound but the distortion I'm hearing sounds like the front end of the preamp clipped when the sound was being recorded, it doesn't sound like the intentional distortion of the sound itself.I have a feeling that's what the screener was hearing . Since the sound is pretty isolated at the beginning, it kind of stands out. The drums sound a bit lo-fi but I don't think they sound distorted. They remind me of a 12 bit drum machine, the sound has a little bit of grunginess around the edges. That's more of an aesthetic choice than a distortion issue.Sometimes it's the small details that make a difference.Hope this helps,Mazz

[aimusic]

There we go, Mazz pinned out the little popping sound I was hearing.... Thank God - for a second I thought I was going insane....

[natallica]

This is starting to make me crack up. The same track got the following from a different reviewer for a different listing:A checkmark for "well-recorded" under sound quality and a comment under saying: "all parts sound clear."I guess it all depends on the reviewer. I'll take this as a life lesson and move on. -- N

[wodinlord]

Sept 11, 2008, 2:48am, weslong wrote:Sept 10, 2008, 5:36pm, wodinlord wrote:Remember, the reviewers are listening to your hours and hours of work on well-worn $20 headphones. Wodinlord I would be very surprised if the headphones are A) very worn and B) cost around $20. I would imagine the listeners may even purchase their own pro-level headphones for their work. It be would tax-deductible, I'm sure.Just my two-bits, for what it's worth.It has been well established on the forum, in the past, that the reviewers use one brand of headphones (I knew at one time, but I don't remember which at the moment) that are available at several internet sales sites for about $20. This information was posted by Taxi staff, previously. ADDED LATER - found the info -The Screeners at Taxi use Sony MDR-X100 headphonesThat is not to say that they don't normally serve their purpose. Just proposing a possible explanation for what seems to be an elusive distortion. Over my many years in music recording, I have often heard many odd distortions, pops, etc. that turn out to be a piece of paper on the console, a loose screw somewhere, light fixture, etc, etc. The muddiness and harmonic buildup in certain areas of this mix are just the kind to cause harmonic vibrations that come and go. In the absence of more info from the screener him/herself, almost anything is possible. They may just not have liked the distortion inn the instruments that was intentional.IF, what the reviewer heard was what was explained above, they deserve kudos for very close listening, as it is at most - minute.Taxi screeners have been very good to me and generally very complimentary to my recordings and given me a good record of forwards. NO disrespect to reviewer or Taxi was intended. I just sometimes forget to be as very careful and politically correct of what I say on here as I need to be. I have no axe to grind at all.Wodinlord

[maceman]

"The Screeners at Taxi use Sony MDR-X100 headphones"Do you mean the MDR-XD100 headphones? Those are my exact headphones and I have never heard them distort at all unless I was over the clipping levels.... I am not saying they don't distort, because mine are relatively new and haven't been used long enough to wear down, but just wanted to mention that I find them pretty good.Cheers,Maceman

[wodinlord]

Yeah, that's them. $18.72 on Amazon.com

[billg]

Hello N, I like the track. At first I thought I heard the distortion on the kick but I think what I'm hearing is a partially closed hat. You'll find that quite often you'll get one screener to give a comment only to have another hear things quite differently. That's just the way it is . . . you probably won't get used to it, but you'll accept it after a while.