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Post by Stu Venable on Aug 26, 2017 18:49:08 GMT -8
A note on this episode: I've had a bit of feedback that the show could use some compression (not data compression, but audio compression). So far, I've done two shows this way: the latest Tomorrow Legion and this episode. It has a higher apparent loudness as a result. Feedback on this is welcome.
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Post by chronovore on Aug 26, 2017 22:45:48 GMT -8
"Apparent loudness"? Is this some kind of psychoacoustic trickery?
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Post by Stu Venable on Aug 26, 2017 23:29:57 GMT -8
Exactly. No digital audio can be louder than 0dBFS, but through compression and limiting, you can bring the quieter parts of the audio closer to that limit, making an incessantly loud product.
In music mixing and mastering, there was (and some would argue still is) a "loudness war," whereby studios (and artists) demand a higher apparent loudness through limiting and compression. It crushes all of the dynamic range out of the recorded music. Depending on the material, this can be horrible. Crushing the dynamic range out of a classical recording would be considered tantamount to heresy for most listeners. Velvet Revolver's Contraband was considered by many to be the last straw in the loudness war, as the album is rife with digital distortion (which happens when you cross the 0dBFS limit -- it's an ugly sound), because of the misapplication of compression. One of the audio engineers on the project even denounced it after receiving criticism, saying he was forced to mix it that way.
(interesting side note: Contraband was also one of the first (maybe the first) CD to include a fucking Macromedia rootkit to prevent unauthorized digital copying. This was discovered after hackers discovered and exploited flaws in Macromedia's code, allowing root access to any PCs on which the CD had been played. I myself had to clean up my recording computer -- which was attached to my studio monitors -- after I listened to Contraband on my studio speakers. Sony are fuckers.)
In spoken word material, dynamics usually isn't that important (especially on RPG podcasts, by the way), so I can limit and compress the shit out of it to compensate for the varying levels of the hosts, as they move around, and generally don't engage in good mic technique (this is a battle I've fought unsuccessfully for almost a decade by the way).
Because many listeners consume the show in loud environments (ie. cars), I've always hit the show pretty hard with limiters and avoided compressors. I'm now adding a compressor to the chain (I've avoided this because compressors tend to cause a "pumping" effect when the material is quiet). In the latest show, you can hear the AC getting louder during the few breaks when people aren't talking. If I can find a way in Reaper to sidechain a compressor with EQ, I might be able to bring up the voice frequencies without the exterior noise.
There. That's more information that you ever wanted about digital audio dynamics! ;-)
And Sony are fuckers.
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Post by chronovore on Aug 27, 2017 5:52:03 GMT -8
Sony are absolutely fuckers! I have your back there, 100%. Also, I worked audio on video games for four years out of the 20 that I made them, so this is not more than I care to know! Actually I find this kind of conversation absolutely chummy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2017 14:00:16 GMT -8
I'll find a way to make do, as long as it isn't part of Cuba's sonic attacks that have been on the news lately. #WeirdScience
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Post by weaselcreature on Aug 28, 2017 6:57:58 GMT -8
For the first email about players leaving or character death, you missed the part about "what do you do about hanging plot points?"
For me, as a GM I figure out how the NPCs involved would react. If it's something that wouldn't really affect the rest of the party (eg: it was a side thing the character was involved in, but the party wasn't really) I'd just drop it. If it's something that does affect the party, positive or negative, let it happen and let it come up when it should. It gives more meaning to that characters death/departure.
"Shit...Skully was responsible for making sure the Nosferacrew were well behaved and following the rules. Their nest has grown out of control!" Or something like that.
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HJRP20-03
Aug 28, 2017 8:04:08 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by uncommonman on Aug 28, 2017 8:04:08 GMT -8
This episode was much easier to listen to at work than episode 19-19.
At least for me.
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Post by OFTHEHILLPEOPLE on Aug 28, 2017 11:21:45 GMT -8
I know Stu said "Horus Heresy" but I heard "Horse Heresy" and now I want a 40k My Little Pony con game using MLP figures. Someone get Karl Keesler on it!
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HJRP20-03
Aug 28, 2017 11:24:29 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by uncommonman on Aug 28, 2017 11:24:29 GMT -8
I know Stu said "Horus Heresy" but I heard "Horse Heresy" and now I want a 40k My Little Pony con game using MLP figures. Someone get Karl Keesler on it! Adeptus Astar-steers
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Post by vyrrk on Aug 28, 2017 13:27:19 GMT -8
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tomes
Supporter
Hello madness
Posts: 1,438
Currently Running: Dungeon World, hippie games, Fallout Shelter RPG hack
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Post by tomes on Aug 28, 2017 14:06:59 GMT -8
Closest thing I found on the net to Deadpool cosplaying as Gandalf...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2017 14:33:19 GMT -8
I know Stu said "Horus Heresy" but I heard "Horse Heresy" and now I want a 40k My Little Pony con game using MLP figures. Someone get Karl Keesler on it! In a similar vein, one Gencon I went to had a action figure battle royale for charity. You paid, got one of those full sized superhero action figures (I think they're like 10 dollars in the store? They're like the old He-man sized...). They had a styrofoam cityscape we were fighting in. Not sure who I punted, but I was Age of Apocalypse Sabertooth... super critted the opponent so the judge let me knock the guy through the wall for damage. But with the amount I did, he let me spike this other player's figure onto the table. Went through three floors of a scraper, across the street and into the next building. I'd call that a successful crit.
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HJRP20-03
Aug 28, 2017 18:16:33 GMT -8
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Post by ericfromnj on Aug 28, 2017 18:16:33 GMT -8
My sympathies to all the con runners on the loss of your friend Tim.
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HJRP20-03
Aug 29, 2017 10:05:08 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by uncommonman on Aug 29, 2017 10:05:08 GMT -8
Speaking of Warhammer:
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Post by vyrrk on Aug 29, 2017 11:04:31 GMT -8
I really liked the "louder" podcast. My car doesn't have AC so I listen with headphones on while driving with my windows down. I can use all the sound I can get. That being said, when I got to work I noticed a buzz in the background that might annoy other people.
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