We have recently added several current selections. one way to listen to an mp3 is to download it or record it from one of the free mp3 methods on Billboard's charts. They rotate which songs are downloadable for free and provide a player that pops up.
Mpe player is a consortium of record companies. Mediabase 24/7 is another. Both use downloads from record companies to provide the music to radio station at no cost. They both have passwords. If you are with a radio station you can register for the mpe player.
http://plaympe.com/v4/faq/faq_player.php It took an hour when i forgot my last password. You can select genre when you register.
One song that I note with issues is Kelly Clarkson's Stronger. The high points of the chorus are the parts where I note the problem. My new speakers with some apparent dynamic range and listening in the studio are the reference. Once it hits the air chain it seems squished into submission in a way that is less objectionable. Listening is not through the air chain but into what appear to be an excellent set of speakers. These are roughly 6 inches tall, 4inches wide,and 4 inches deep. The room is such that it is acoustically good for listening.
My reference to equalization and perceived issues has to do with older songs especially. When I compare the wav files of REO Speedwagon's Keep On Lovin You 1981, Fleetwood Mac Hold Me 1982, Supremes Love Child 1968, Hendrix Hey Joe 1967 to current music in mp3 form as opposed to wav files I hear what I note as a perception of high end to the point it is annoying.
Leaving equalization for another day because the underlying problem isn't the high end. It is distortion that affects all the music and makes the high end more distorted, adding to my perception. I note this more easily on mp3 product. Not all are notable, but many, most, seem to be.
I don't normally spend time listening to music. Through an outreach we are doing with station A our Christian group is now playing lots of current music (and someone has to make sure the words that don't fit what we do are edited out). I have gotten closer to the music that I have in years. Noting that any setting on the computer out into the console is very touchy before distortion appears, only on the newer mp3 music, I started looking for the reason.
When I pull any older song up in adobe audition I note a similar wav pattern to the current music. I don't see a great change between wav and mp3 in a stereo view. Some of the mp3's are near the top of the rail as if they were recorded too hot. Does this mean the companies distribute the music this way? Listening on mpe player would be an indication, then using the download feature.
On the Clarkson song Stronger I even went in and reduced the level as it was near the rail. This did nothing to improve the sound. It was still hashed but at a lower level. The dynamic range in the studio and instruments are seemingly gone.
I have never had a problem squishing the music at processing but normally I like to hear a good signal going in.
My perception of a cleaner sound is even on phil spector wall of sound recordings compared to current top 10 music. Stronger is the one that I first noticed this on. I am listening to all files on a standard computer with internal sound card fed through a Dynamax analog console to a small amplifier then to speakers.
announce that you are from Missouri, and challenge with: "Show me!!!"