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Audible watermarks degrading sound on Spotify premium

Audible watermarks degrading sound on Spotify premium

I'm a Spotify premium subscriber.

 

I was listening to this track (in highest quality streaming):

 

https://open.spotify.com/track/4JO5eK1uiI6MvJIrtBrhI3

 

It's a beautiful recording rendered unlistenable due to the fluttering sound of the digital watermark Decca (Universal) is using.

 

I have removed the entire album from my music (a shame) and I realize there are other performances of the same work available, but can't understand why they would ruin a recording like this for the people who are paying for the premium service in order to hear high quality recordings!  How much do we have to pay to hear the original unaltered recording?  I am afraid to even buy the CD or download now because it may have the same watermark applied.

 

I would hope Spotify will refuse to stream recordings like this, at least for premium subscribers.

 

 

 

 

Reply
81 Replies

I also noticed audio watermarking on the song “Abandon” by French Kicks (2008), even though it was released by Vagrant Records, owned by BMG Rights Management and distributed by Warner Music Group. Unclear it if still had audio watermarking  or was reuploaded on Apple Music/iTunes Match or YouTube Music.

 

https://open.spotify.com/track/3vqvUyRP7PPqvgaw7qVAf4?si=N4uhgSQFSyGIEzw8WSFTzw

That’s interesting as we don’t usually expect to hear the UMG-style watermark on Warner releases. I can certainly hear it on most tracks on that record

I found this recording from the same label apparently released at the same time but doesn’t appear to be watermarked https://open.spotify.com/track/6BbLqagnzIdIUxxAPO9nHt?si=cz8PY23cQqC83cn1nzJSKQ

I’d be interested to hear the French Kicks CD to see if it’s a production mess-up.

Cheers.

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