Live albums

“Live” is what the band actually sounds like.

Each concert will sound a little different so each one carries its own special energy. When it’s live, it’s authentic because it’s happening right here, right now. No post.

It comes at the cost of sound quality. It’s not as clear or as loud as recording each instrument individually and then mixing them in a studio.

Open-air venues come with reverb, so it’s easy for songs to sound muddy or echoey. Instruments are loud so it’s important not to overload the sound system while also not picking up on the audience too much. It takes special equipment to get a high quality sound from live concerts.

Bands often try to marry the best experiences of each by dubbing instruments over a live album. Talking Heads caused some controversy with their live albums, Stop Making Sense and Naked, which used studio dubbing. David Byrne addressed it as a way for better control over the sound while capturing the experience of hearing them play live.

Most people listen to studio albums, the live ones don’t sound as good. Studio albums are their own feat. More people are involved in the same vision. Different equipment is needed to manipulate details to create the cleanest possible recording.

There’s a loss of personality in studio albums. You don’t get to hear the artist interacting with the audience, the excitement or passion in their voice, or even some mistakes. Those nuances are more true to the artist’s sound.

Live albums are limited edition. It’s great to have the regular, polished one, but it’s more interesting to have something unique.