Something I read a couple of days ago. Apparently, the new album will be available in two versions: a standard "loud" master and a audiophile version, closer to the actual studio mix.
 
http://www.nme.com/news/nine-inch-nails/72329
 
That's the kind of option I've been hoping to see for years. Now if only others could follow...
 
 

I hope he starts a trend.

Bad idea!  Once people get a taste of actual dynamic range, they're going to demand that they go back and redo all their albums!
 
()

Kudos? Did you actually read what they said?
 

"Hesitation Marks was mastered in two different ways - the standard, “loud” mastering (which is what you’ll find on the CD, on iTunes, and everywhere else), and also an alternate “audiophile” mastering, which we’re offering as a free download option for anyone who purchases the album through nin.com. For the majority of people, the standard version will be preferable and differences will be difficult to detect. Audiophiles with high-end equipment and an understanding of the mastering process might prefer the alternate version."

 

Whatever it is, I don't get it. :s 

Here's what they wrote:

"Hesitation Marks was mastered in two different ways - the standard, “loud” mastering (which is what you’ll find on the CD, on iTunes, and everywhere else), and also an alternate “audiophile” mastering, which we’re offering as a free download option for anyone who purchases the album through nin.com. For the majority of people, the standard version will be preferable and differences will be difficult to detect. Audiophiles with high-end equipment and an understanding of the mastering process might prefer the alternate version."

 
Let me rewrite what they should have said:
 

"Hesitation Marks was mastered in two different ways - the “loud” mastering (which is what you won't find on the CD, on iTunes, or anywhere else because it's clearly and obviously inferior), and also an alternate “audiophile” mastering where the audio wasn't intentionally ruined just too make it sound a little louder. For the majority of people who aren't severely brain damaged or just too stupid to understand how a volume control works, the standard version will sound like complete garbage. Audiophiles with high-end equipment and an understanding of the mastering process and anyone else who isn't too dim to know how to turn up the volume control to make things louder will almost certainly prefer the alternate version regardless of what kind of equipment they are playing it back on."

Blah, blah, blah... (Can't read so I removed my comment!)

drewfx1
 
 
Let me rewrite what they should have said:
 

"Hesitation Marks was mastered in two different ways - the “loud” mastering (which is what you won't find on the CD, on iTunes, or anywhere else because it's clearly and obviously inferior), and also an alternate “audiophile” mastering where the audio wasn't intentionally ruined just too make it sound a little louder. For the majority of people who aren't severely brain damaged or just too stupid to understand how a volume control works, the standard version will sound like complete garbage. Audiophiles with high-end equipment and an understanding of the mastering process and anyone else who isn't too dim to know how to turn up the volume control to make things louder will almost certainly prefer the alternate version regardless of what kind of equipment they are playing it back on."

I think any one hoping to sell more than 5000 copies will have to take brain damaged people into consideration - they are the majority.
 
Also, from their Facebook page:
 
"NOTE: The standard mastered version is in no way inferior to the Audiophile Version - we wouldn’t release something inferior as the default. And vinyl purists rest assured, the vinyl edition was mastered to sound the very best for that format. The Audiophile Version is merely an alternate take on the mastering, which some people will appreciate. It’s meant to give a slightly different experience, not denigrate the standard version. Listen to each and come to your own conclusions."
 
 

Yes, because I need something with dynamics whenever I **** you like an animal.

My kids recently told me about some of their friends who are self-appointed audiophiles.  These wizards of the aural arena have spent sizeable amounts of their parent's money on audio gear in order to create the perfect listening environment. 
 
One of these MENSA members said, "I've got five subwoofers in the back of my car.  I turn the bass all the way down so I'm only listening to music through the subwoofers.  It's great!"  After one of my kids tried to explain one of the many problems with this statement, the future Nobel Prize winner said, "Wait.  What's the difference between Bass and Treble?  I thought they were the same thing."
 
Audiophile.  I don't think it means what you think it means...