Over compression – Californication – RHCP

It’s finally happened. I’ve found a record I will never be able to enjoy completely as a listener again.

Here is ‘Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Californication’. having listened to this growing up, and having enjoyed it thoroughly without hindrance previously, it’s a great shame to now be able to distinguish the problems with the master.

The track suffers from serious over compression and over limiting. Listening to it with trained ears now, it’s clear to hear how the compressor squashes the attack transients of nearly all the elements in the mix. The guitars and vocals suffer greatly, and in the chorus have a serious ‘pumping’ effect on them as a result of the over compression. You can also hear hints of digital distortion creeping into the mix as a result of over limiting.

This is a great shame, as it is a great record. One could argue that the record enjoyed immense success, despite it’s problems. So maybe it’s just engineers who care… anywho, It would be interesting to hear a remastered version, if such a version does exist.