FOR THE AUDIOPHILES: Best Lossless versions of tracks that have multiple versions, based on Dynamic Range and NO CLIPPING (CD Sources only)

[GregReid]

DISCLAIMER: This is in NO way me trying to boast about my CD collection, I'm sure there are many of you with way more than what I got I have only listed everything at the bottom so it's coherent with my results and for future reference when I want to update it etc.  

Spoiler

so please don't come for me, I love you guys  and the last thing we need on here is negativity and hatred with everything that's going on in the world right? 

This is a bit of a random post but... I've been re-ripping my Britney collection onto my hard drive, obviously so I don't have to be streaming and feeding the pockets of Team Con, as well as wanting the best possible quality for my life 

All of my sources are CDs. I am yet to buy anything in 24 bit format because I read something about record labels using 'audible watermarks' for copyright reasons and that stresses me out.   In my humble opinion, especially for Britney's earlier work, CDs WERE the market , therefore when making the music, they absolutely had that in mind when in the recording studio, as that is the way the majority of people would be listening right?  That's my way of thinking anyway. FYI: The albums currently available in 24 Bit are Blackout, Circus, Femme Fatale, Britney Jean and Glory so far, correct me if I'm wrong 

ANYWAY I DO RAMBLE.... get to the point boy! 

I have a Mac, therefore I rip my CDs using 'XLD'  (rather than EAC which is probably the best free software for Windows platforms) and I do this with the best possible settings, to ensure my collection is LOSSLESS DARLING! 

I downloaded a Dynamic Range software called 'DROffline' that determines the Dynamic Range of a file. Here's a quick definition for 'Dynamic Range' in music, COURTESY of Google of course, because I'm not the best with my words and describing things 

Quote

In music, dynamic range describes the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of an instrument, part or piece of music. In modern recording, this range is often limited through dynamic range compression, which allows for louder volume, but can make the recording sound less exciting or live.

This means (if you care of course) that 'technically' the higher the DR rating, the more 'dynamic' the song is, therefore the more 'exciting' it is to listen to, because it is filled with more range and differences, compared to a piece of music that might all be at one level .

Dynamic Range Scale (https://dr.loudness-war.info): 

I have also relayed information on the tracks that 'clip.' Here is another google definition for that matter 

Quote

In the simplest sense, audio clipping is a form of waveform distortion. When an amplifier is pushed beyond its maximum limit, it goes into overdrive. The overdriven signal causes the amplifier to attempt to produce an output voltage beyond its capability, which is when clipping occurs. Just as when a loudspeaker is pushed beyond its physical limitations, a digital system can be overloaded at the input stage to the point of clipping. When a signal reaches 0 dBFS (full-scale) on a meter, we’ve run out of headroom and potentially into digital clipping issues. This is because our system has run out of 1s and 0s to accurately convert our signal into digital information. Any excess data is disregarded, which can result in digital clipping–a sine wave hitting its ceiling and becoming a square wave.

Clipping can technically cause distortion because the waveforms have been pushed to the maximum capacity.  (these are my simpler words haha)

Results

I've found that there isn't really much difference in Britney's music, considering it is pop, which means compression galore, BUT out of my whole collection, I have compiled a list for myself, because I am an absolute GEEK  and I thought I would share it with you guys just incase ANYONE was interested. 

My collection is stuff I have compiled over YEARS, and I am very aware I don't have EVERYTHING at all. I don't have many physical versions of her singles, but more recently I have been buying them in bits (through eBay mostly, don't worry no lining of Jamie's pockets to fund him and his greedy lawyers ) and I do want my collection to grow and eventually have all of the single versions, just so I can compare! 

Surprisingly, a lot of single versions show different results compared with the same song on an album and vice versa. I presume this would be down to different people who master the track for single vs albums vs compliation etc. A lot of people may not notice a difference and sometimes it is really hard to tell, especially If you're not listening on good headphones/speakers. I was shocked to see how much some of the songs on The Singles Collection Album differ to the same songs on The Singles Collection Box Set  

Some of the results really aren't that different, but I've been super accurate down to the last 0.0000001% of things.  I have only listed songs that appear on multiple versions. This excludes Mixes/Remixes, I haven't got that far yet. 

Again, the results bellow are based purely on the DR rating, rather than my honest opinion from listening. It's always subjective right

P.s let me know if you're like   if something doesn't make sense  OR if you think I've missed something.

P.p.s some people may suggest that later remasters/versions have clipping on the vocals, but all results are from a technical point and what the software is saying, which I am pretty happy with right now for this post 

p.p.p.s I have included some detail explaining the difference in some of the results but only where I felt it was important to say so. If you want more information then just let me know and I'll update it ☺️

p.p.p.p.s if there are other lossless files that aren't in my collection that you might have and would like to see here, then just let me know and we can arrange that somehow 

HERE IT GOES.... 

The 'WINNER' will be marked with ✨&✅ 

Others ranked HIGHEST to LOWEST based on DR of both LEFT and RiGHT channels.

(I didn't want to bore you with too many numbers and decimals  )

 

…Baby One More Time:

 ✨Original Single: DR 9 ✅ 

Others: ...Baby One More Time Album: DR 8 | Oops! I Did It Again: The Best of : DR 8 | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7 | The Singles Collection CD: DR 7 | The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 | Playlist: The Very Best of Britney Spears: DR 6

 

Autumn Goodbye:

✨Original BOMT Single: DR 9 ✅ 

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: 7

 

Sometimes (Radio Edit):

✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7 ✅

Others: The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 | Original Single: DR 7 (with clipping)

 

Sometimes (Album Version):

✨...Baby One More Time Album: DR 7 ✅ 

Others: Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7

 

I'm So Curious:

 ✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 8 ✅ 

Others: Original Sometimes Single: DR 8

 

(You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop Remix!)

✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7 ✅ (tested 0.03 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 | Original Single: DR 7 | Playlist: The Very Best of Britney Spears: DR 6 | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 5 | The Singles Collection CD: DR 6 (with clipping)

 

I’ll Never Stop Loving You

✨The Singles Collection Box Set : DR 8 ✅ 

Others: (You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop Remix!) Original Single: DR 7

 

Born To Make You Happy (Radio Edit)

✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 8 ✅

Others: The Singles Collection CD: DR 8 | Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of : DR 6 | Original Single: DR 6

 

Born To Make You Happy (Album Version)

✨Baby One More Time Album: DR 8 ✅

Others: Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7

 

From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart (Radio Edit)

✨The Essential Britney Spears: DR 9 ✅ (0.01 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set:  DR 9 | Original Single: DR 8 

 

Thinkin’ About You

✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 8 ✅

Others: ...Baby One More Time Album: DR 7 | From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart Original Single: DR 7

 

Oops!… I Did It Again!

✨The Singles Collection CD: DR 8✅

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 8 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 8 | Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears: DR 7 | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7 | Oops!... I Did It Again Album: DR 7 | Oops!... I Did It Again Original Single: DR 7 | Oops!... I Did It Again: (Remixes): DR 7 | Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of: DR 7

 

Deep In My Heart

✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 8✅

Other: ...Baby One More Time Album: DR 7 | Oops!... I Did It Again Original Single: DR 7

 

Lucky

✨Lucky Original Single: DR 8 (tested 0.02 higher DR in the RIGHT Channel) ✅

Others: Oops I Did It Again Album: DR 8 | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7 | The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7

 

Heart

✨Lucky Original single: DR 10. (Literally by 0.01+ in the RIGHT channel, see how tight some of these results can be)  ✅

Others: Oops I Did It Again Album or The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 10 (same results) ✅ 

 

Stronger

✨Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears: DR 6 ✅ (0.15 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 6 | Oops! I Did It Again Album: DR 6 or Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 6 (same results) | Stronger Original Single: DR 6 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 6 | The Singles Collection CD: DR 5

 

Walk On By

✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7 ✅ 

Other: Stronger Original Single: DR 7

 

Don’t Let Me Be The Last To Know

✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7 ✅

Others:  Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7 | Original Limited Edition Single: DR 7 | Oops!... I Did It Again Album: DR 7 (Highest score but ruined by clipping )

 

One Kiss From You 

✨Oops! I Did It Again - The Best Of: DR 8 ✅ (tested 0.06 higher in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: Oops! I Did It Again Album: DR 8

 

You Got It All

 ✨Oops!... I Did It Again Album or Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of : DR 8 (same results) ✅

 

I’m A Slave 4 U

✨Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of: DR 9 ✅

Others: I'm A Slave 4 U Original Single: DR 8 | Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears: DR 7 | The Singes Collection CD or Box Set: DR 7 (same results) | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 | Britney Album: DR 7 |

 

Intimidated

✨ I'm a Slave 4 U Original Single: DR 8 ✅

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 5 (I am aware that they are slightly different mixes, especially after the bridge)

 

Overprotected 

✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 6✅ 

Others: Overprotected Original Single: DR 5 | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 5 | Britney Album: DR 5

 

Overprotected (The Darkchild Remix) 

✨The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7✅ 

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7

 

I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman

✨I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman Original Single: DR 8 ✅ (tested higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels) - THIS WAS REALLY CLOSE, 0.001 between the top 5.

Others: Britney Album: DR 8 | The Singles Collection CD or Box Set: DR 8 (same results)| Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 8 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 8

 

I Run Away

✨The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 9 ✅

Others: I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman Original Single: DR 8

 

I Love Rock ’N’ Roll

✨Britney Album: DR 5 ✅ (tested 0.02 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 5 | Original Limited Edition Single: DR 5 | The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 5

 

Boys (The Co-Ed Remix featuring Pharrell Williams)

✨ Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7 ✅ (tested 0.02 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: Boys Original Single: DR 7 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 | The Singles Collection CD: DR 7 | The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7

 

Boys (Album Version)

✨ Britney Album: DR 7 ✅ (tested 0.03 higher DR in LEFT channel)

Others: Boys Original Single: DR 7 | The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 6

 

Anticipating

✨ Oops! I Did It Again - The Best Of: DR 7 ✅

Others: Britney Album: DR 7

 

Cinderella

✨ Oops!: I Did It Again: The Best Of: DR 6 ✅

Others: Britney Album: DR 6

 

That's Where You Take Me

✨Oops! I Did It Again:The Best Of: DR 7 ✅ (tested slightly higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: Britney Album: DR 7

 

What It's Like To Be Me

✨Britney Album: DR 7 ✅

Others: Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of: DR 7 

 

Me Against The Music

✨The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 ✅

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 6 | The Singles Collection CD: DR 6 | In The Zone: DR 6 | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 6 | Original Single: DR 6 (but with lots of clipping.)

 

Toxic

✨The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 ✅ (tested 0.01 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: Playlist: The Very Best of Britney Spears: DR 7 | The Singles Collection CD: DR 7 | The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7 | Toxic Original Single: DR 7 | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7 | In The Zone: DR 7

 

Everytime 

✨ The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 10 ✅ 

Others: The Singles Collection CD: DR 10 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 9 | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 9 | In The Zone: DR 9 | Original Single: 9

 

Outrageous

✨Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 7 ✅ 

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set:  DR 6 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 6 | In The Zone: DR 7 (Highest score but ruined by clipping  #loudnesswarproblems/ also has different outro that fades into 'Touch Of My Hand') | Japan Maxi Single: DR 7 (with clipping) 

 

Showdown

✨Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of: DR 7 ✅

Others: In The Zone: DR 7 (same results but volume is closer to clipping)

 

The Hook Up 

✨ Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of: DR 5 ✅

Others: In The Zone: DR 5 (with clipping)

 

Don't Hang Up 

✨ Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of: DR 8 with clipping ✅ (tested 0.02 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: In The Zone: DR 5 and clipping  so they both clip, WOO 

 

Brave New Girl 

✨ In The Zone: DR 5 ✅ (tested 0.01 DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of: DR 5

 

My Prerogative

✨ Original Single: DR 6 (tested 0.01 higher in RIGHT channel)  ✅

Others: Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 6 | The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 6 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 6

 

Do Somethin

✨ The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 ✅ (tested slightly higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels combined)

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7 | Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 6 | Original Single: DR 7 (HIGHEST but ruined with clipping )

 

(I've Just Begun) Having My Fun

✨ Greatest Hits: My Prerogative: DR 6 ✅ (tested 0.01 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: In The Zone DVD (Bonus CD): DR 6

 

Someday (I Will Understand)

✨ The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 8 ✅

Others: Japan EP: DR 8 | Britney & Kevin: Chaotic... The DVD & More (Bonus CD) DR 8

 

Someday (I Will Understand) (Hi-Bias Radio Remix)

✨ Britney & Kevin: Chaotic... The DVD & More (Bonus CD)/Someday (I Will Understand) Japanese Maxi Single/EP: DR 6 ✅ (same results - tested 0.02 higher in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: B In The Mix: The Remixes: DR 6

 

Chaotic

✨ Someday (I Will Understand) Japanese Maxi Single/EP: DR 7 ✅ (tested 0.08 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: Britney & Kevin: Chaotic... The DVD & More (Bonus CD) DR 7

 

Mona Lisa

✨ The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 8 ✅

Others: Britney & Kevin: Chaotic... The DVD & More (Bonus CD): DR 8 | Someday (I Will Understand) Japanese Maxi Single/EP: DR 8 (with clipping)

 

Gimme More

✨ The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 5 ✅ (tested slightly higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears/The Singles Collection CD: DR 5 (same DR number overall, 'Playlist' slightly more equal in both channels) | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 5 | Blackout: DR 5

 

Piece Of Me

✨ Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears: DR 5 ✅ (tested 0.01 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 5 | Blackout or The Singles Collection CD: DR 5 (same results) | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 5 

 

Break The Ice

✨ The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 5 ✅ (tested 0.01 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: Blackout: DR 5 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 5

 

Hot As Ice

✨ The Essential Britney Spears: DR 6 ✅

Others: Blackout: DR 6

 

Everybody

✨Blackout (Japan Edition)/The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 6 (same results) ✅

 

Womanizer

 ✨ Circus Album: DR 6✅ (tested 0.02 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 6 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 6 | The Singles Collection CD: DR: 6 | Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears: DR 6

 

Circus

 ✨The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 ✅

Others: Circus: DR 7 | The Singles Collection CD: DR 7 | The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7

 

If U Seek Amy

 ✨ Circus Album: DR 8 ✅

Others: Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears: DR 7 | The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 7 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 7 | The Singles Collection CD: DR 7 (with clipping) 

 

Out From Under:

✨ Circus Album: DR 9 ✅

Others: The Essential Britney Spears: DR 9

 

Radar

 ✨ The Essential Britney Spears: DR 8 ✅ (tested 0.01 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 8 | Circus Album or The Singles Collection CD: DR 8 (same results) | Blackout: DR 6

 

My Baby:

✨ Circus Album: DR 9 ✅

Others: Oops! I Did It Again: The Best Of: DR 8 (with clipping)

 

3

 ✨ The Singles Collection Album: DR 6 ✅

Others: The Singles Collection Box Set: DR 4 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 4

 

Hold It Against Me:

✨ Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears: DR 5 ✅ (tested 0.01 DR higher in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: Single: DR 5 | Femme Fatale (Premium Fan Edition) I have the deluxe edition too and the results are exactly the same): DR: 5 | The Essential Britney Spears: DR 4

 

Till The World Ends:

✨ Femme Fatale/Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears/Single: DR 6 ✅ (same DR results, in order of most evenly distributed between channels)

Others: The Essential Britney Spears: DR 6

 

I Wanna Go:

✨ The Essential Britney Spears: DR 4 ✅ (tested 0.02 higher DR in LEFT and RIGHT channels)

Others: Femme Fatale or I Wanna Go Single: DR 4 (same results) | Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears: DR 4

 

Criminal (Album Version):

✨ The Essential Britney Spears: DR 6 ✅

Others: Femme Fatale: DR 6

 

My Collection

Spoiler

 

Singles:

…Baby One More Time: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Baby-One-More-Time/release/1862731

Sometimes: https://www.discogs.com/artist/15687-Britney-Spears

(You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop Remix!): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-You-Drive-Me-Crazy-The-Stop-Remix/release/1061735

Born to Make You Happy: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Born-To-Make-You-Happy/release/1154966

From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-From-The-Bottom-Of-My-Broken-Heart/release/1549540

Oops!... I Did It Again: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-OopsI-Did-It-Again/release/382923

Oops!... I Did It Again (Remixes): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Oops-I-Did-It-Again-Remixes/release/15572783

Lucky: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Lucky/release/384814

Stronger: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Stronger/release/1374329

Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know - Enhanced CD Limited Edition: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Dont-Let-Me-Be-The-Last-To-Know/release/1932987

I'm a Slave 4 U: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Im-A-Slave-4-U/release/1129124

Overprotected: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Overprotected/release/1555697

I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Im-Not-A-Girl-Not-Yet-A-Woman/release/1437768

I Love Rock 'N' Roll - Limited Edition: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-I-Love-Rock-N-Roll/release/1616988

Boys: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Featuring-Pharrell-Williams-Of-NERD-Boys-Co-Ed-Remix/release/757448

Me Against The Music: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Featuring-Madonna-Me-Against-The-Music/release/710028

Toxic: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Toxic/release/235571

Everytime: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Everytime/release/311255

Outrageous: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Outrageous/release/435084

My Prerogative: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-My-Prerogative/release/432955

Do Somethin': https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Do-Somethin/release/1549499

Someday (I Will Understand): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Someday-I-Will-Understand/release/1653182

Hold It Against Me: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Hold-It-Against-Me/master/311998

Till The World Ends: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Till-The-World-Ends/master/341527

I Wanna Go: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-I-Wanna-Go/master/366768

 

Studio Albums:

…Baby One More Time (First European Pressing): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Baby-One-More-Time/release/9093920

Oops! (Special UK Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-OopsI-Did-It-Again-Special-UK-Edition/release/1308818

Britney (UK Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Britney/release/14137306

In The Zone: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-In-The-Zone/release/681087

Blackout: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Blackout/release/1145586

Blackout (Japanese Release): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Blackout/release/2045618

Circus (UK Deluxe Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Circus/release/1554179

Femme Fatale (Premium Fan Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Femme-Fatale/release/2979169

Britney Jean (Deluxe Edition) : https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Britney-Jean/release/5048754

Glory (Deluxe Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Glory/release/8956107

 

Compilations:

Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (Limited Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Greatest-Hits-My-Prerogative/release/1137749

B In The Mix - The Remixes: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-B-In-The-Mix-The-Remixes/release/569903

The Singles Collection: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-The-Singles-Collection/release/2029929

The Singles Collection Box Set: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-The-Singles-Collection/release/2601636

B In The Mix, The Remixes Vol 2: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-B-In-The-Mix-The-Remixes-Vol-2/master/374146

Oops! I Did It Again - The Best Of: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Oops-I-Did-It-Again-The-Best-Of/release/3772985

Playlist: The Very Best Of Britney Spears: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Playlist-The-Very-Best-Of-Britney-Spears/master/922345

The Essential Britney Spears: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-The-Essential-Britney-Spears/release/6677126

 

EP’s:

Britney & Kevin: Chaotic (Bonus CD): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Britney-Kevin-Chaotic/release/8144949

In The Zone DVD (Bonus CD): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-In-The-Zone/release/1647723

 

 

I will constantly update this as I gather more single versions. 

 

 

[dancewithme]

17 minutes ago, GregReid said:

DISCLAIMER: This is in NO way me trying to boast about my CD collection, I'm sure there are many of you with way more than what I got I have just listed everything at the bottom so it's coherent with my results and for future reference when I want to update it etc.  

  Hide contents

so please don't come for me, I love you guys  and the last thing we need on here is more negativity and hatred right?

This is a bit of a random post but... I've been re-ripping my Britney collection onto my hard drive, obviously so I don't have to be streaming and feeding the pockets of Team Con, as well as wanting the best possible quality for my life 

All of my sources are CD. I am yet to buy anything in 24 bit format because I read something about record labels using 'audible watermarks' for copyright reasons and that stresses me out.   In my humble opinion, especially for Britney's earlier work, CDs WERE the market , therefore when making the music, they absolutely had that in mind when in the recording studio, as that is the way the majority of people would be listening right?  That's my way of thinking. FYI: The ones currently available in 24 Bit are Blackout, Circus, Femme Fatale, Britney Jean and Glory so far, correct me if I'm wrong 

ANYWAY I DO RAMBLE.... get to the point boy! 

I have a Mac therefore I rip my CDs using 'XLD'  (rather than EAC which is probably the best free software for Windows platforms) and I do this with the best possible settings, to ensure my collection is LOSSLESS DARLING! 

I downloaded a Dynamic Range software called 'DROffline' that determines the Dynamic Range of a file. Here's a quick definition for 'Dynamic Range' in music, COURTESY of Google of course, cause I'm not the best with my words and describing things 

This means (if you care of course) that 'technically' the higher the DR rating, the more 'dynamic' the song is. 

I've found that there isn't actually much difference in Britney's music, considering it is pop, which means compression galore, BUT out of my whole collection, I have compiled a list just for myself, because I am an absolute GEEK  and I thought I would share with you, just incase ANYONE was interested. 

My collection is stuff I have compiled over YEARS, and I am very aware I don't have EVERYTHING at all. I don't have many physical versions of CD singles, but more recently I have been buying them in bits (through eBay mostly, don't worry no lining of Jamie's pockets) and I do want it to grow and eventually have all of the single versions, just so I can compare! 

Surprisingly, a lot of single versions show different results compared with the same song on an album version and vice versa. I presume this would be down to different people who master the track for single vs albums etc. A lot of people may not notice a difference and sometimes it is really hard to tell, especially If you're not listening on good headphones/speakers. I was shocked to see how much The Singles Collection Album differs to the same songs on The Singles Collection Box Set  

Some of the results really aren't that different, but I've been super accurate down to the last 0.0000001% of things.  I have only listed songs that appear on multiple versions. This excludes Mixes/Remixes, I haven't got that far yet. 

P.s let me know if you're like   if something doesn't make sense  OR if you think I've missed something.

P.p.s some people may suggest that later remasters/versions have clipping on the vocals, but all results are from a technical point and what the software is saying, which I am pretty happy with right now 

HERE IT GOES....

…Baby One More Time: Original Single

Autumn Goodbye: Original Baby One More Time Single

Sometimes (Radio Edit): The Singles Collection Box Set

Sometimes (Album Version): Baby One More Time Album

(You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop Remix!): The Singles Collection Box Set

I’ll Never Stop Loving You: The Singles Collection Box Set

Born To Make You Happy (Radio Edit): The Singles Collection Box Set

Born To Make You Happy (Album Version): BOMT Album

From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart (Radio Edit): The Essential Britney Spears

Thinking’ About You: The Singles Collection Box Set

Oops!… I Did It Again!: The Singles Collection Album

Deep In My Heart: The Singles Collection Box Set

Lucky: Oops I Did It Again Album

Heart: Oops I Did It Again Album or The Singles Collection Box Set (same results)

Stronger: The Singles Collection Box Set

Walk On By: The Singles Collection Box Set

Don’t Let Me Be The Last To Know: Oops I Did It Again Album 

I’m A Slave 4 U: The Singles Collection Box Set or Album (same results)

Overprotected: The Singles Collection Box Set

Overprotected (The Darkchild Remix): The Essential Britney Spears

I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman: Original Single

I Run Away: The Singles Collection Box Set

I Love Rock ’N’ Roll: Britney Album

Boys (Album Version): Britney Album

Boys (Single Version): Greatest Hits: My Prerogative

Me Against The Music: The Essential Britney Spears

Toxic: The Essential Britney Spears

Everytime: The Singles Collection Box Set

Outrageous: Greatest Hits: My Prerogative

My Prerogative: Greatest Hits: My Prerogative

Do Somethin’: The Essential Britney Spears

Someday (I Will Understand): The Singles Collection Box Set

Mona Lisa: The Singles Collection Box Set

Gimme More: The Singles Collection Box Set

Piece Of Me: The Singles Collection Box Set

Break The Ice: The Singles Collection Box Set

Hot As Ice: The Essential Britney Spears

Womanizer: Circus Album

Circus: The Essential Britney Spears

If U Seek Amy: Circus Album

Out From Under: Circus Album

Radar: The Essential Britney Spears

3: The Singles Collection Album

Hold It Against Me: Single

Till The World Ends: Femme Fatale/Single (same results)

I Wanna Go: The Essential Britney Spears

Criminal (Album Version): The Essential Britney Spears

My Collection

  Hide contents

 

Singles:

…Baby One More Time: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Baby-One-More-Time/release/1862731

(You Drive Me) Crazy: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-You-Drive-Me-Crazy-The-Stop-Remix/release/1061735

Stronger: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Stronger/release/1374329

I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Im-Not-A-Girl-Not-Yet-A-Woman/release/1437768

Boys: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Featuring-Pharrell-Williams-Of-NERD-Boys-Co-Ed-Remix/release/757448

Hold It Against Me: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Hold-It-Against-Me/master/311998

Till The World Ends: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Till-The-World-Ends/master/341527

I Wanna Go: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-I-Wanna-Go/master/366768

Studio Albums:

…Baby One More Time (First European Pressing): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Baby-One-More-Time/release/9093920

Oops! (Special UK Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-OopsI-Did-It-Again-Special-UK-Edition/release/1308818

Britney (UK Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Britney/release/14137306

In The Zone: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-In-The-Zone/release/681087

Blackout: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Blackout/release/1145586

Circus (UK Deluxe Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Circus/release/1554179

Femme Fatale (Premium Fan Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Femme-Fatale/release/2979169

Britney Jean: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Britney-Jean/release/5048754

Glory: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Glory/release/8956107

Compilations:

Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (Limited Edition): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Greatest-Hits-My-Prerogative/release/1137749

B In The Mix - The Remixes: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-B-In-The-Mix-The-Remixes/release/569903

The Singles Collection: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-The-Singles-Collection/release/2029929

The Singles Collection Box Set: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-The-Singles-Collection/release/2601636

B In The Mix, The Remixes Vol 2: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-B-In-The-Mix-The-Remixes-Vol-2/master/374146

The Essential Britney Spears: https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-The-Essential-Britney-Spears/release/6677126

 

EP’s:

Britney & Kevin: Chaotic (Bonus CD): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-Britney-Kevin-Chaotic/release/8144949

In The Zone DVD (Bonus CD): https://www.discogs.com/Britney-Spears-In-The-Zone/release/1647723

 

 

I will constantly update this as I gather more single versions. 

I'm on discogs as well and collecting cds. Nice collection

[GregReid]

5 hours ago, dancewithme said:

I'm on discogs as well and collecting cds. Nice collection

Ah it's great for finding out which versions of CDs/vinyls you have! 

Thank you sweet! It's certainly an addiction 

[Dream Within a Dream]

I LOVE YOU AND I LOVE THIS. 
 

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ALL THIS EFFORT. 
 

i heard about an 82 khz (or 96 khz) version of in the zone that is ripped from the DVD special. I saw it on a shady chinese website, not sure if it’s just upsampled CD as the whole thing was shady af. 
 

also are you willing to share the winners of your collection (the rip) with some other audiophile fans like me 

(Don’t put any links here Jordan might be upset about it). 

[GregReid]

14 minutes ago, Dream Within a Dream said:

I LOVE YOU AND I LOVE THIS. 
 

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ALL THIS EFFORT. 
 

i heard about an 82 khz (or 96 khz) version of in the zone that is ripped from the DVD special. I saw it on a shady chinese website, not sure if it’s just upsampled CD as the whole thing was shady af. 
 

also are you willing to share the winners of your collection (the rip) with some other audiophile fans like me 

(Don’t put any links here Jordan might be upset about it). 

Awww love you more sweet! Don't be silly, the geek in me gets enjoyment out of it! 

HAHA I see things like that all the time and I'm like  is it gonna be a virus though? Imagine all of her music in that quality  

Of course I can share, but the questions is which tracks would you like and where shall we do this dodgy dealing?  

(p.s what are your opinions on the 24 Bit versions you can download? Maybe I'm just being super sensitive about the watermark situation, might not even be a fact but I'm like, if it's from a CD I know it's pure, do you know what I mean?  )

[Dream Within a Dream]

4 minutes ago, GregReid said:

Awww love you more sweet! Don't be silly, the geek in me gets enjoyment out of it! 

HAHA I see things like that all the time and I'm like  is it gonna be a virus though? Imagine all of her music in that quality  

Of course I can share, but the questions is which tracks would you like and where shall we do this dodgy dealing?  

(p.s what are your opinions on the 24 Bit versions you can download? Maybe I'm just being super sensitive about the watermark situation, might not even be a fact but I'm like, if it's from a CD I know it's pure, do you know what I mean?  )

The tracks should be very clean on the Qobuz store. But i’m not sure if this is the best time to buy them lol. 
 

I will message you the link for the shady website for the in the zone if curiosity gets the better of you lol. 
 

Regarding the first question, since i have only Glory in CD format. It would be nice to have the winners from all ‘The britney essentials’ singles. 
 

just PM me a link here on breathheavy that should be fine i guess. 

[Tetris]

Wait...but like, what are some examples of the same song having different qualities in its various formats?
 

For instance, can you just share your rundown for, like, “Toxic”...so from CD single, ITZ album, GH:MP, Singles Collection, etc. Which CD provided the best quality/highest DR rating file?

I am not a audiophile, and do not personally give a hoot about having a lossless version. But I am interested in seeing some data points after you said there were surprising differences in quality from CD to CD. 
 

I am super OCD though and love nerding out over details and keeping an immaculate iTunes. My favorite Britney music pastime is trolling YouTube for the best remixes/alternate mixes - particularly ones reimagined from stems and not just vocals thrown over a generic dance beat. I have, like, 7 alternate versions of Breathe On Me, not evening counting the official remixes. 

[CripplerCrossface]

2 hours ago, Dream Within a Dream said:

I LOVE YOU AND I LOVE THIS. 
 

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ALL THIS EFFORT. 
 

i heard about an 82 khz (or 96 khz) version of in the zone that is ripped from the DVD special. I saw it on a shady chinese website, not sure if it’s just upsampled CD as the whole thing was shady af. 
 

also are you willing to share the winners of your collection (the rip) with some other audiophile fans like me 

(Don’t put any links here Jordan might be upset about it). 

There is a legit 24 bit 88.2 kHz of In The Zone from a DVD.

 

[CripplerCrossface]

Yeah, like you said every record had a different mastered process, there was one from late 90s to late 2000s, other in 2009, other in 2010 and from 2011 there's other which is very well done by now. So, the version of, for example, BOMT in the 1999 album wouldn't be same as in The Singles Collection and both wouldn't be the same as in The Essential.

And normally the singles CDs were mastered for radio that's why they sound different. With the new process of mastering since 2011 the dynamic range problem was fixed without losing volume, so is loud but with dynamics

And yeah, Blackout, Circus, Femme Fatale, Britney Jean (Standard) and Glory (even the 2020 version) are the only available in 24 bits and a rip of a DVD of ITZ is around on forums. I could send you links if you wanted

[Dream Within a Dream]

6 hours ago, CripplerCrossface said:

There is a legit 24 bit 88.2 kHz of In The Zone from a DVD.

 

okay this explains everything lol.

[faded_fudge]

Oh wow! That's amazing! That's u so much

[GregReid]

20 hours ago, Tetris said:

Wait...but like, what are some examples of the same song having different qualities in its various formats?
 

For instance, can you just share your rundown for, like, “Toxic”...so from CD single, ITZ album, GH:MP, Singles Collection, etc. Which CD provided the best quality/highest DR rating file?

I am not a audiophile, and do not personally give a hoot about having a lossless version. But I am interested in seeing some data points after you said there were surprising differences in quality from CD to CD. 
 

I am super OCD though and love nerding out over details and keeping an immaculate iTunes. My favorite Britney music pastime is trolling YouTube for the best remixes/alternate mixes - particularly ones reimagined from stems and not just vocals thrown over a generic dance beat. I have, like, 7 alternate versions of Breathe On Me, not evening counting the official remixes. 

Sorry! I didn't include any more information because I thought it was a lot already and I didn't want to bore people  this is exhale after all!  I didn't want to be too much  but thanks for having interest and asking for more information! 

I'll edit the top post soon. The differences between the tracks were the numbers from the dynamic range readings really, for example:

Here are screenshot comparisons between two versions of  '...Baby One More Time',

from 'The Singles Collection CD on the left, and the Original Single on the right

One that shocked me was the difference between '3' on The Singles Collection CD and The Box Set because it was released exactly the same date and is the same song for releases under the SAME NAME for the same thing, but they had different ratings! I don't understand why they wouldn't use the same file you know?  but whatever 

CD on the left Box Set on the right.

The wonders of the music industry eh 

[GregReid]

20 hours ago, CripplerCrossface said:

Yeah, like you said every record had a different mastered process, there was one from late 90s to late 2000s, other in 2009, other in 2010 and from 2011 there's other which is very well done by now. So, the version of, for example, BOMT in the 1999 album wouldn't be same as in The Singles Collection and both wouldn't be the same as in The Essential.

And normally the singles CDs were mastered for radio that's why they sound different. With the new process of mastering since 2011 the dynamic range problem was fixed without losing volume, so is loud but with dynamics

And yeah, Blackout, Circus, Femme Fatale, Britney Jean (Standard) and Glory (even the 2020 version) are the only available in 24 bits and a rip of a DVD of ITZ is around on forums. I could send you links if you wanted

Ah yes! I remember talking to you before about the change over in 2011! It's all so fascinating 

I actually managed to get it ITZ off of @DreamWithinADream but thank you love , 

[GregReid]

13 hours ago, faded_fudge said:

Oh wow! That's amazing! That's u so much

You are MORE than welcome 

[Tetris]

As I recall @BoyToySoldier is huge into lossless too. Maybe he’ll have some helpful info to share, or be interested in this thread too. 

[GregReid]

1 hour ago, Tetris said:

As I recall @BoyToySoldier is huge into lossless too. Maybe he’ll have some helpful info to share, or be interested in this thread too. 

Yeah for sure 😍

P.s I've added some numbers and information on a few of the tracks, it's long so will update more later!

[GregReid]

All songs updated with more information as well as a few new sources tested with different tracks 

@Dream Within a Dream @dancewithme @Tetris @CripplerCrossface @faded_fudge @BoyToySoldier

[Tetris]

Just scrolled through all your findings!

 

So you mention that pop music has a bunch of compression happening with all the production layers...so would songs coming through with the highest DR potentially have the least amount of layers happening and therefor less loss of quality from compression?

 

Also, what does “clipping” mean?

 

[GregReid]

16 hours ago, Tetris said:

Just scrolled through all your findings!

 

So you mention that pop music has a bunch of compression happening with all the production layers...so would songs coming through with the highest DR potentially have the least amount of layers happening and therefor less loss of quality from compression?

 

Also, what does “clipping” mean?

 

I would say technically the higher the DR, the less it will sounds compressed yeah. There is a common trend in the music industry (all genres of popular music - pop/rock etc)  where the people mastering the tracks will turn up the volume on all stems of a track, so it's louder as a whole to ensure that it would 'stands out' more against other competition on the market. It is believed that because of this, the sound gets 'squashed' or doesn't sound nearly as dynamic as it was first intended to be, as well as causing distortion.

Britney's music as a whole is pretty loud anyway, due to it being pop music in the 90s/00s/10s it's bound to be, but the tracks with the highest DR in theory will sound fresher and 'less compressed' I guess yeah, due to there being more varied volume in the tracks. Again there isn't always a heck of a big difference between her tracks.

The 'Loudness War' has been going on since the 1940s when everyone was competing on radio. I suppose it makes sense that if a track is 'louder' it stands out more, but at the end of the day we all have volume controls on everything we play. If we want to turn up a track, we will do it ourselves right.

Clipping is where the volume has been pushed up SO much that it creates distortion. (that's my simple terms)

There's a definition from google in the original post, I'l copy and paste.

Quote

In the simplest sense, audio clipping is a form of waveform distortion. When an amplifier is pushed beyond its maximum limit, it goes into overdrive. The overdriven signal causes the amplifier to attempt to produce an output voltage beyond its capability, which is when clipping occurs. Just as when a loudspeaker is pushed beyond its physical limitations, a digital system can be overloaded at the input stage to the point of clipping. When a signal reaches 0 dBFS (full-scale) on a meter, we’ve run out of headroom and potentially into digital clipping issues. This is because our system has run out of 1s and 0s to accurately convert our signal into digital information. Any excess data is disregarded, which can result in digital clipping–a sine wave hitting its ceiling and becoming a square wave.

Hope that helps 

[floopy22]

Don't waste your time on 24-bit audio. There is no use from it for listening purposes. It is used as a marketing gimmick to sell a supposedly "premium" product.
24-bit dynamic range is useful in recording and processing where you need a lot of dynamic range to not introduce noise after several stages of level mixing, processing and effects.

16-bit (which is the standard in CD and other formats) is enough by a good margin to contain the full dynamic range perceptible to humans. Besides, as soon as music is compressed (no, not digital data compression such as mp3), compressed as in the highs and lows of the sound waves are brough closer to each other, you lose a ton of dynamic range. In other words, no music that have been compressed make use of the full dynamic range of 16-bit audio.

Let me tell you, uncompressed music sounds DULL. There is a reason why we compress music. However, there is a thing as taking it too far which is why we have "the loudness wars" debate.

Dynamic range can refer to different things. When we talk about bits we talk about data storage resolution of different loudness levels. Then there is actual dynamic range of sound which is usually measured in RMS dBFS, which is the average loudness over a short period of time. It is measured in negative values, with pop music averaging in the -10 dBFS to -7 dBFS range RMS. As for the "DR" unit mentioned earlier, that is not really a thing. The standard is dB (in its various variants).