Dream Theater - Dream Theater (2013) mp3 v0 [HD Downmix from Surround]

What is this?

This is a downmix of Dream Theater's 2013 album from the 5.1 surround sound version on the DVD included with the special edition CD.



Why?

I purchased Dream Theater (2013) and was largely unsatisfied with the mixing of the audio (overpowering guitars, lack of presence in the vocals, totally underpowered drums, lacking in dynamic range). The CD I purchased came with a 5.1 mix of the album which I found sounded MUCH better. I decided I would use this as the source for my digital copy.



I thought that I would share my mix with others so they can enjoy a proper mix of the album like I have been.



How was it done?

A direct stream copy of the 5.1 audio from the DVD in ac3 format. Conversion of this to 6-channel uncompressed .WAV files. Downmixing to stereo using a combination of programs (Avisynth did all the hard work) to 2-channel uncompressed .WAV files. The .WAV files were then compressed to MP3 using the newest version of LAME at the v0 variable bitrate preset and then tagged using MP3tag.



Proof

I'll let the results speak for themselves. Below you'll find the output of the Dynamic Range Meter module for Foobar2000.



FLAC rip direct from the CD

DR Peak RMS Duration Track

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DR8 0.00 dB -8.75 dB 2:42 ?-False Awakening Suite

DR5 0.00 dB -6.12 dB 6:17 ?-The Enemy inside

DR6 0.00 dB -6.86 dB 4:53 ?-The Looking Glass

DR6 0.00 dB -7.32 dB 6:02 ?-Enigma Machine

DR6 0.00 dB -7.33 dB 7:41 ?-The Bigger Picture

DR5 0.00 dB -6.94 dB 6:53 ?-Behind the Veil

DR6 0.00 dB -7.33 dB 6:35 ?-Surrender to Reason

DR6 0.00 dB -8.24 dB 4:45 ?-Along for the Ride

DR6 0.00 dB -8.40 dB 22:18 ?-Illumination Theory

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 9

Official DR value: DR6



Samplerate: 44100 Hz

Channels: 2

Bits per sample: 16

Bitrate: 942 kbps

Codec: FLAC

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Stereo downmix from the 5.1 surround

DR Peak RMS Duration Track

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR13 0.00 dB -14.29 dB 2:41 01-False Awakening Suite

DR11 0.00 dB -11.96 dB 6:16 02-The Enemy Inside

DR12 0.00 dB -13.79 dB 4:52 03-The Looking Glass

DR11 0.00 dB -12.55 dB 6:01 04-Enigma Machine

DR12 0.00 dB -13.38 dB 7:42 05-The Bigger Picture

DR12 0.00 dB -13.62 dB 6:52 06-Behind the Veil

DR13 0.00 dB -14.25 dB 6:33 07-Surrender to Reason

DR12 0.00 dB -14.61 dB 4:43 08-Along for the Ride

DR13 0.00 dB -15.78 dB 22:17 09-Illumination Theory

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Number of tracks: 9

Official DR value: DR12



Samplerate: 44100 Hz

Channels: 2

Bitrate: 262 kbps

Codec: MP3

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In many cases, the songs have nearly DOUBLE the dynamic range of their CD counterparts.



Don't be a casualty of the loudness war. Download this version and enjoy the album the way it was meant to be enjoyed.



And more importantly, BUY THE ALBUM AND SUPPORT THE ARTISTS.



I also have a 5.1 AAC digital version direct from the DVD. It sounds amazing on a surround sound system (where as this stereo downmix was obviously designed for stereo systems). If you want this version then, well, you'll just have to buy the album.



Enjoy!