Greatest mastered song?

[piratemonkey]

I need a song (or a couple preferably) that are very well mastered to use as a reference for listening (adjusting headphone EQ, seeing how good a pair of cans are etc.). I would prefer the songs to be rap, pop and rock though any genre will ultimately do. Thanks

[Spindel]

Ulver - Wolf and Fear

 

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

Ok ok the suggestion was a joke . But it is a true test to the quality of your audio equipment because of the way it is produced it's really unforgiving to crap audio equipment.

 

[LAwLz]

Hotel California by Eagles from the "Heel Freezes Over" album if you want a song you probably know very well.

 

But it really depends on what you want to test. 

[The Torrent]

I have just found this:

 

 

 

 

 

[Radium_Angel]

10 hours ago, piratemonkey said:

I need a song (or a couple preferably) that are very well mastered to use as a reference for listening (adjusting headphone EQ, seeing how good a pair of cans are etc.). I would prefer the songs to be rap, pop and rock though any genre will ultimately do. Thanks

Anything classical. If you can hear the individual instruments, then your system is well sorted.

[Mateyyy]

- Safe From Harm (Just a Groove Dub) from the album Blue Lines - The Remixes, by Massive Attack

- Lazarus from the album Blackstar, by David Bowie

- HUMBLE. from the album DAMN., by Kendrick Lamar

- I Don't Care Anymore from the album Hello, I Must Be Going!, by Phil Collins

 

They're all up on Spotify; I'd assume they're available on Tidal too.

[Tan3l6]

1) Eyes In Axis Diaphonic Interference Mix by The Hint  -  

 

 

2) Edit, actually another "DJ Shadow song"

 

or some other DJ Shadow "remix"

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

Caution ear-rape at around 10 seconds. 

These two come to mind, but in all honestly I would stick to what you know. That way you already have a rough idea as to what it is supposed to sound like (hopefully).  

[piratemonkey]

36 minutes ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

These two come to mind, but in all honestly I would stick to what you know. That way you already have a rough idea as to what it is supposed to sound like (hopefully).  

I do try to stick to what I know (I know how some songs should sound), but it's always nice to have well mastered songs so I know the song isn't "bottlenecking" my equipment (a certain part sounding bad due to production, as opposed to my headphones)

[Guest]

I think the mastering and production in a lot of Steely Dan's stuff was particularly good but maybe that's just me, I don't listen to a huge variety of music

[wall03]

Crab Rave (by Noisestorm)

Car Radio (By 21 Pilots)

Ping! (by Exyl)

 

80's music you say? Well....

I'm never gunna give you up

^/s

 

 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

I'll just also add:

It's important you get the EQ right for this song, especially since it's now December /s

[TetraSky]

Huh, come on guys, we all know Darude Sandstorm is the greatest. 

 

 

 

I typically use Take On Me, since I know what it should sound like

 

[JZStudios]

15 hours ago, LAwLz said:

Hotel California by Eagles from the "Heel Freezes Over" album if you want a song you probably know very well.

Damn, I hate cold heels. That's why I prefer carpet over tile.

 

 

Spotify isn't the highest quality, nor does it have the greatest dynamic range, but unless you're testing studio equipment it's pretty moot.

I've got a playlist with some of my favorite audio tracks across genres. Typically more around audio clarity or specific frequencies.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2eK04HWqNnAaoTutmxHpRx

The first 2 tracks have super clear male vocals and minor instrumentation.

Feeling Good has excellent male vocals with more instrumentation and brass. Good for the high end.

Dream On for the Aerosmith. Really an excellent produced song.

Ave Maria has smooth female vocals.

Break of Reality GOT cello cover and Spectrum of the sky for an orchestral style test.

Journey of the Sorcerer and Mr. Blue Sky are well produced classic rock/70's songs best played loud.

Kusanagi and It's Only have excellent bass that's deep, clear, and consistent. If you get any low end buzz or muddiness, it's the speakers.

The list goes on.

[Rocketdog2112]

Any of the early Rush albums such as Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, A farewell to Kings or 2112. Two of my favorites...