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Topic: Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30) (Read 63483 times) previous topic - next topic
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Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #50 –
I thought the troll was obvious from the first post already, interesting how he's been fed for so long already.
 

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #51 –
It's been long enough and the evidence is mounting that offering less expensive, DRM-less media makes people buy it. iTunes, Amazon, and even for video, the recent Louis CK special (read the couple of posts there). I would have never bought a $20 DVD, and I never do, I always rent, but for $5 I did buy the thing, and I can view it anywhere I want. On the other side of the coin, I know of no one who can play blu-ray easily on their spanking new blu-ray "capable" PC, without buying tools to break the DRM, and even that includes some level of knowledge that the average consumer doesn't bother with.

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #52 –
Note: some other albums you can clearly hear this audible watermarking effect on:

1. Krystian Zimerman, Chopin Ballades, Deutsche Grammophon -- right there from the first note
2. Elliott Carter, Clarinet Concerto, BBC Symphony - quite audible in the clarinet in the 2nd movement
3. Verdi - Great Operas from La Scala, Deutsche Grammophon - should be renamed Warbly Recording of Great Operas from La Scala
4. John Dowland - The Collected Works, L'Oiseau-Lyre - quite noticeable on any solo vocal or lute tracks.
5. Bernstein Collector's Edition - Stravinsky, Deutsche Grammophon
6. Mahler - The Symphonies, Leonard Bernstein, conductor - Deutsche Grammophon
7. Solti - Wagner - The Operas - Decca

I've looked around the internet and it sounds like UMG's audible watermarking is far more pervasive than the above list, and may extend to CDs as well as digital streamed or downloaded files (mine are all from iTunes purchases).

I am ceasing all further purchase of UMG downloads - or, indeed, CDs or any other media format - until I see an official acknowledgment from the company that this technology has been removed forever more, and that all downloads available from the iTunes Apple Store published by UMG have been replaced with versions without this horrible, audible watermarking.

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #53 –
Today i got me an old classic at Qobuz and when i was at it i got me a High Bitrate version since they have it at offer for 12€
Frank Sinatras "Strangers In The Night" by Universal: Link to Qobuz
On first listen it becomes clear it is far from a good sounding album but while i listened on i always had a very confusing feeling in my ears i may have related to some worn tape but different.
After a simple google i did hit Hydrogenaudio and the exclusive Universal Watermark tremolo may be it
Is this a victim of that Watermark crap? I really can't imagine someone sells something as Studio Master with that in.
In the DR database is the same album provided by Prostudiomasters and the Peak Numbers are somehow different. Is this a sign of added WM?
Could be interesting to have someone with the Prostudiomasters version to compare.

Code: [Select]
Qobuz:
DR         Peak         RMS     Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR10      -0.50 dB   -13.40 dB      2:36 01-Strangers In The Night (Album Version)
DR12      -0.35 dB   -14.66 dB      2:54 02-Summer Wind
DR12      -0.35 dB   -15.18 dB      3:57 03-All Or Nothing At All (Album Version)
DR12      -0.35 dB   -15.84 dB      2:46 04-Call Me (Album Version)
DR12      -0.50 dB   -15.55 dB      2:16 05-You’re Driving Me Crazy! (Album Version)
DR13      -0.49 dB   -16.78 dB      3:18 06-On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) (Album Version)
DR12      -0.35 dB   -15.15 dB      2:31 07-My Baby Just Cares For Me (Album Version)
DR12      -0.35 dB   -13.44 dB      2:10 08-Downtown (Album Version)
DR13      -0.35 dB   -14.80 dB      2:09 09-Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (Album Version)
DR12      -0.78 dB   -14.59 dB      2:26 10-The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Album Version)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prostudiomasters:
DR         Peak         RMS     Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR10      -0.42 dB   -13.40 dB      2:36 01-Strangers In The Night (Album Version)
DR12       0.00 dB   -14.66 dB      2:54 02-Summer Wind
DR12      -0.28 dB   -15.18 dB      3:57 03-All Or Nothing At All (Album Version)
DR12      -0.37 dB   -15.84 dB      2:46 04-Call Me (Album Version)
DR12      -0.55 dB   -15.55 dB      2:16 05-You’re Driving Me Crazy! (Album Version)
DR13      -0.51 dB   -16.78 dB      3:18 06-On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) (Album Version)
DR12      -0.17 dB   -15.15 dB      2:31 07-My Baby Just Cares For Me (Album Version)
DR12      -0.15 dB   -13.44 dB      2:10 08-Downtown (Album Version)
DR13      -0.02 dB   -14.79 dB      2:09 09-Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (Album Version)
DR12      -0.56 dB   -14.59 dB      2:26 10-The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Album Version)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somehow i can't upload a 14sec, 5MB sample in the Uploads forum "413 Request Entity Too Large"
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #54 –
Upload still doesn't work. Temporarily here: http://www62.zippyshare.com/v/DDv8G3En/file.html
Edit: Most prominent on seconds 3-5
Did i read correctly that this Watermark is different for every reseller?
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #55 –
Qübuz support answered and claims no watermarking is used. Still 2 questions left. Why are the files different at Prostudiomasters against Qobuz and why does it sound so bad to me. Anyone did a listen? Moderators may remove the link i gave abvove.
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #57 –
Quote from: Wombat on
Moderators may remove the link i gave abvove.

I don't see why if it's under 30 seconds.

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #58 –
Quote from: Porcus on
How do they know?

I don't trust anyone from these resellers anymore also. I have a really high amount of reclamations cause of lack of QC.
Even if someone knows i doubt they will admit it. From the links i did read Universal uses different watermarks for every reseller
to have some kind of control and didn't offer to stop this procedure.

Quote from: greynol on
I don't see why if it's under 30 seconds.

Ok, i just feel uncomfortable to have anything at such a hoster. I really want to know why i couldn't upload it here. I tried with Edge and firefox but the same error.
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #60 –
Quote from: Wombat on
Somehow i can't upload a 14sec, 5MB sample in the Uploads forum "413 Request Entity Too Large"


Quote from: greynol on
You should be able to upload here:
https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showforum=35

Where do you think i tried before? Still the same error...
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #61 –
Wombat, there are two versions of Downtown on iTunes: "Strangers in the Night" and "Strangers in the Night (Expanded Edition)".

I listened to the 30 second previews, and the "Expanded edition" one has a significantly different EQ than your clip, but the other version sounds close to yours. Maybe it's worth ABXing the iTunes sample against your copy.

I don't hear anything wrong with your clip but I'm not really sure what to listen for.

Universal MG embed an audible watermark in downloads (article@post#30)

Reply #62 –
Like others before descriped it something like a vibrato added. In this case we have an old tape that is far from perfect so the problem may be already embedded and not something additional so i may be completely wrong.
I have no other version and the best would really be to have the Prostudio version to compare.
I find it strange they have different peak values against Qobuz.
There is a page with a clear sample to try: http://www.mattmontag.com/music/universals-audible-watermark
Is troll-adiposity coming from feederism?
With 24bit music you can listen to silence much louder!