The Distortion of Sound is a short film that spotlights the loss of sound quality in the post-Compact Disc era.
There’s a big disconnect between the time, effort, and technology today’s artists put into making musical recordings, and the low-quality file formats and devices people use to listen to them.
From the film website:
The last two decades have seen a striking decline in the quality of sound and listening experience. Compressed music, MP3s and streaming, have diminished the quality and flattened the emotion. Marketing gimmicks and convenience now take the place of excellence. The Distortion of Sound is an eye-opening exposé of the current state of sound starring Linkin Park, Slash, Quincy Jones and more. This documentary will open your ears and inspire you to reach for richer, more soul-stirring musical experiences.
As a consumer who frequently listens to YouTube music played on so-so computer speakers, I’m part of the lossy masses. It’s easy (I can listen while working at the computer), convenient (search for a song title and play), and cheap (free). But it comes at the cost of stripped-away musical texture.
Occasionally I should break out my dust-covered CDs (or even cassette tapes!) to resuscitate my inner audiophile.