Could Apple’s new algorithm end the loudness wars?

A ‘Sound Check’ algorithm built into iTunes Radio could spell the end of the loudness wars, according to a speech by mastering engineer Bob Katz at New York’s Audio Engineer Society Convention last week.

‘The loudness wars” is the term given to the increasing volume of mixes in recent years, achieved by compressing the dynamic range of audio tracks in order to get louder results. Obviously removing the top and bottom end of a track results in diminished sound quality, which may be undetectable when blasting an MP3 from dodgy portable speakers, but is the bane of audiophiles everywhere.

Part of the rise of vinyl sales is attributed to the increasingly crappy quality of digital files, with these artificially bolstered tracks no match for the warmth and full dynamic range of a vinyl release. Katz pointed out in a 2009 AES Conference speech that a level increase of 3db seems like a greater volume change than turning the same track down 3db, which has helped the rise of the “louder is better” way of mixing and mastering audio.

The ‘Sound check’ algorithm built into iTunes Radio, however, normalises the audio range and limits the playback volume, meaning that newly mixed and mastered tracks will have to be produced with this limiter in mind, or risk sounding both compressed and quiet.

Speaking again on the topic at last week’s AES conference, Katz seemed to feel the war against this practice had been won, stating: “There will be still some skirmishes, but the main battle has just been won. Producers, engineers and musicians will ultimately discover this news themselves, but journalists and producers can hasten the close of the war, starting right now.”

The only issue is whether this algorithm will be removed from future versions. At the moment, it is built into the program, meaning it is not an option that can be toggled. It will be interesting to see whether this move is widely heralded, derided, or whether listeners will notice at all.