Why does iPlayer radio sound so much better than my iPod?

[MitchT]

Listening to BBC radio on iPlayer it struck me how much more zingy, vibrant and 'wide', for lack of a better expression, the music sounds than it does when I listen on my iPod. Is this because what's broadcast over the radio is the music as it is actually supposed to sound, as opposed to on an iPod where it's at a relatively low sample rate to facilitate a smaller file size, or do radio stations put their broadcast through some sort of effect to make it sound really alive?

[GCH]

MitchT said:

do radio stations put their broadcast through some sort of effect to make it sound really alive?

Compression. For the BBC, Optimod.

[MitchT]

Interesting. Will they use one setting for everything then? I'm guessing it's not feasible to have a bespoke setting for every track they play.

[davepoth]

I believe each station will have their own setting - Radio 3 doesn't use much compression which is why it's so bloody quiet.

Compression has its place but it's overused these days. It removes all of the dynamic range from music - the quiet bits are as loud as the loud bits. If you compare a copy of one of Led Zeppelin's albums from back in the day to one of the remasters you'll find it firstly sounds a lot brighter, but secondly that the quiet bits in Stairway to Heaven now sound exactly as loud as the loud bits. It's a shame, but in the modern market where music is something that happens in the background not having to adjust the volume is important it seems.



Compressed signals at the top, uncompressed one below.