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Evaluating Loudness in Music Recordings

Loudness has traditionally been used in musical contexts to assist in the expressive qualities of musical ideas. This function of dynamics helps shape the direction of a musical idea, helps delineate the separate musical ideas (usually in relation to their importance to the musical message), assist in creating nuance in the expressive qualities of the performance, and/or it may add drama to the musical moment. In all of these cases, dynamics have functioned in supportive roles in the communication of the musical message.

The recording process has given the recordist more precise control over dynamics than exist in live, acoustic performances. This increased control has brought audio recordings to ...

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