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CD volume levels

I'm a bit confused by various recording levels I've found on CD's. While most fall in a narrow range of mastering/pressing levels, every so often, I'll run across a CD that was manufactured with a really hot (loud) level, while others are rather anemic (soft). I'm not talking about compression or limiting on the master tape, just the absolute mastering level on the CD. While I understand the physical limitations of cutting vinyl (a combination of science, art, with a little voodoo throw in for good measure), why would there be such a variation in the digital domain? Are there trade-offs with different levels when pressing CD's, just as on the analog vinyl?
fatparrot

Showing 2 responses by wywhcan

wywhcan
39 posts
 
Phild

Your explanation makes a lot of sense. A good example is the the track Private Investigation on Love over Gold album by Dire Strait -- recording level is low but it has tremendous dynamic range. The same track on the latest compilation Sultans of Swing has a much higher recording level at the expense of reduced dynamic range. BTW, One thing that I like about the earlier Dire Strait albums on CD is the presence of tape hiss. It sure adds another dimension.

P.S. Do you guys think that all those 16Bit (storage and playback) "Digitally Remastered" re-issues are nothing more than boosted up recording level? I mean CD recording is 1bit PCM after all. What did they miss out originally?
wywhcan
39 posts
 
Thanks guys. This has been highly educational.
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