Today, I’d like to introduce you to an independent musician whose work stands out for the meticulous care he brings to every stage of the audio production process. Jaff, both a musician and a sound engineer, handles the entire creative chain himself, from recording to mixing and final mastering.
What makes his album TRAVELLING particularly noteworthy is the original approach he has taken by offering two distinct digital versions: a CD master, moderately compressed (DR9), and a vinyl master, with a much more dynamic DR13. It’s a rare initiative these days, one that gives listeners the freedom to choose the sonic experience that best suits their preferences. A strong statement at a time when the so-called “loudness war” continues to flatten music, often at the expense of richness and nuance.
Jaff created this album in his own studio, La Cabane à Sons, where he also works with other independent artists, applying his technical skills and artistic standards to a wide range of projects.
Very active on YouTube, Jaff regularly shares practical tips on mixing and mastering, and also documents the entire creative process behind TRAVELLING. His philosophy is clear: to bring back the joy of listening as a central focus in music. For him, there’s no need to chase maximum volume or excessive saturation,what truly matters is preserving a balance between energy and dynamics, using a subtle combination of digital and, above all, analog processing.
In that same spirit, he offers his album as a download with two separate masters (CD and vinyl), as well as a physical vinyl edition. But you won’t find TRAVELLING on streaming platforms: like many independent artists, Jaff has found that those services offer very little compensation for creators. Instead, he favors direct sales, which also allow him to build a more genuine connection with his audience.
You can explore his work and order the album on his website: jaff.fr.
For Jaff, at the heart of it all, one thing remains constant: making music out of passion, and sharing it in the best possible conditions.
For this review, you will find 3 versions tested:
Below you will find the description of the different editions, as well as the measurements of each edition in the following chapters.
The album is composed of 8 tracks:
- Nostlagie d’une époque
- L’Animal
- Travelling
- Comme un shot
- Perdu
- Lobotomie
- J’avance encore
- A l’envers
Summary, scoring and Samples
Ed 1: Master CD files – 2024
Presentation
The Master CD version is part of the package of versions supplied with the digital purchase of the album. This package includes : – Travelling Master CD in CD quality (itune format, mp3 and Wav 44.1Khz -16 Bits) and high resolution quality (itune format, Wav 48 Khz -24 Bits) – Travelling Master Vinyl in CD quality (itune format, mp3 and Wav 44.1Khz -16 Bits) and high resolution quality (itune format, Wav 48 Khz -24 Bits) – A 10-page booklet with lyrics accompanies the album.
| Label | JAFF |
| Reference | TRAVELLING |
| State | CD Files |
| Type | PCM 16 bits 44,1 kHz and PCM 24 bits 48 kHz |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | Jaff |
| Original recording | PCM 24 bits 48 kHz |
| State | Made in France |
| Year original | 2024 |
| Year production | 2024 |
Waveform and Spectrum: DR9
The waveform of the Master CD files – 2024 version shows a low dynamic range confirmed with DR9.
The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 22 kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above this frequency (white arrow) due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency.
The graph below compares the spectrum of the Master Vinyl – 2025 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Master CD – 2025 (blue curve).The two spectra overlap perfectly between 200 Hz and 2000 Hz. Below 200 Hz (green zone), the vinyl master exhibits a gradual attenuation, reaching more than 5 dB at 40 Hz. Above 2 kHz (yellow zone), a slight attenuation of 1 to 2 dB can also be observed on the vinyl master.
Synthesis and listening
This CD master version is clearly the loudest of the bunch, with reduced dynamics — but far from crushed. It maintains a DR9 (-10.5 LUFS integrated), which is a far cry from heavily compressed productions like Something Beautiful by Miley Cyrus, which sits at DR4 (-5.5 LUFS integrated), and you can hear the difference.
It’s worth noting that Jaff isn’t a fan of excessive compression. As a result, this version sounds more powerful than the vinyl master (DR13, -15 LUFS integrated), with more prominent low-end, while still offering a fairly balanced and pleasant listening experience.
Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●ooo (2.5)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
- Restitution: ●●●oo (3)
Sample : Nostalgie d’une époque 24 bits 48 kHz:
Ed 2: Master Vinyl files – 2024
Presentation
The Master vinyl version is part of the package of versions supplied with the purchase of the digital album. This package includes : – Travelling Master CD in CD quality (itune format, mp3 and Wav 44.1Khz -16 Bits) and high resolution quality (itune format, Wav 48 Khz -24 Bits) – Travelling Master Vinyl in CD quality (itune format, mp3 and Wav 44.1Khz -16 Bits) and high resolution quality (itune format, Wav 48 Khz -24 Bits). A 10-page booklet with lyrics accompanies the album.
| Label | JAFF |
| Reference | TRAVELLING |
| State | HighRes Files |
| Type | PCM 24 bits 48 kHz |
| Master | Digital |
| Mastering/Pressing | JAFF |
| Original recording | PCM 24 bits 48 kHz |
| State | Made in France |
| Year original | 2024 |
| Year production | 2024 |
Waveform and Spectrum: DR13
The waveform of the Master Vinyl files- 2025 shows a high range confirmed with DR13.
The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 24 kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above this frequency (white arrow) due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency.
The graph below compares the spectrum of the Master Vinyl – 2025 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Master CD – 2025 (blue curve).The two spectra overlap perfectly between 200 Hz and 2000 Hz. Below 200 Hz (green zone), the vinyl master exhibits a gradual attenuation, reaching more than 5 dB at 40 Hz. Above 2 kHz (yellow zone), a slight attenuation of 1 to 2 dB can also be observed on the vinyl master.
Synthesis and listening
The vinyl master version preserves the full dynamic range of the album while slightly reducing the extreme low end, without compromising the overall balance of the mix. Less punchy in the bass compared to the CD version (We would have preferred a lower attenuation between 60 and 100 Hz if it were possible with the cutting constraints.), due to reduced dynamic compression,it nonetheless offers a more open, nuanced, and natural sound, free from the typical “loudness” effect.
Making this version available in digital format is an excellent initiative, as it allows listeners to choose the experience that best suits their preferences.
It’s an exemplary approach that deserves to be more widely adopted.
Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
- Restitution: ●●●●o (4)
Sample : Nostalgie d’une époque 24 bits 48 kHz:
Ed 3: Colored Vinyl – 2025
Presentation
The colored 33.33 rpm vinyl record contains the entire album, made from the master vinyl (Ed2). It’s also an opportunity to compare a master with the corresponding vinyl version.
| Label | JAFF |
| Reference | TRAVELLING |
| State | Vinyl record |
| Type | LP 33.33 rpm |
| Master | Jaff |
| Mastering/Pressing | Jaff/B Side Factory |
| Original recording | Digital |
| State | France |
| Year original | 2024 |
| Year production | 2025 |
Waveform and Spectrum: DR13
The waveform of the Colored Vinyl – 2025 shows a high range confirmed with DR13.
The spectrogram shows that the signal rises above 20 kHz (yellow arrow) with signal above this frequency (white arrow) containing musical information and distortion due to the vinyl record’s operating principle.
The graph below compares the spectrum of the Colored Vinyl – 2025 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Master Vinyl – 2025 (blue curve). The two spectra overlap almost perfectly between 35 Hz and 18 kHz, illustrating a high-quality cut that faithfully preserves the original master. This level of quality is something we would hope to see consistently across all vinyl productions. The yellow arrow highlights the typical artifacts of the analog medium, notably surface noise and distortion, in comparison to the digital version, whose bandwidth is limited to 24 kHz.
Synthesis and listening
In terms of tonal balance, the result remains very close to that of the original vinyl master, while offering a more pronounced sense of spatialization.
This impression of openness and sonic depth stems from the unique characteristics of the vinyl format, which naturally introduces subtle phase variations and slight harmonic distortion.
Paradoxically, these technical imperfections—often seen as limitations of the medium—actually contribute to a sound that feels remarkably natural and vibrant. The quality of the pressing is also worth noting, as it adds to the overall finesse and coherence of the listening experience.
Additionally, the colored vinyl not only enhances the visual appeal but also complements the sensory experience as a whole.
Rating:
- Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
- Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
- Surface noise: ●●●●o (4)
- Restitution: ●●●●o (4)
Sample : Nostalgie d’une époque 24 bits 96 kHz:
Independent musician and sound engineer, Jaff delivers outstanding work with his latest rock album, TRAVELLING. Jaff takes an exemplary approach by producing two distinct masters: one intended for digital distribution, featuring moderate dynamic compression, and another specifically tailored for vinyl pressing, fully embracing the album’s dynamic range.
While this method represents the state of the art in audio production, it is becoming increasingly rare in modern releases, even among major productions such as Purple Rain or Born in the U.S.A.
The high quality of the vinyl cut is also worth noting, reflecting the care and attention given to the physical production of the record.
Adding to this, a brilliant initiative: the vinyl master is also made available in digital format and included in the package when purchasing the digital album.
A great example to follow, even for the major labels.
Dynamic Range measurements are shown below.
Subscribe to MagicVinylDigital
If you like this review, please subscribe. You’ll receive information on new articles directly in your inbox.
Measurements
Dynamic Range comparaisons
Dynamic represents the ability to reproduce a wide range of sounds from the softest to the loudest. The target is to compare the dynamics of the music and not of the media (CD, digital files or vinyl).
For our 3 editions reviewed have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :
| Master CD files – 2024 | Master Vinyl files – 2024 | Colored Vinyl – 2025 | |
| Global | DR9 | DR13 | DR13 |
| Min | DR8 | DR12 | DR12 |
| Max | DR9 | DR14 | DR14 |
| Nostlagie d’une époque | DR9 | DR13 | DR13 |
| L’Animal | DR9 | DR12 | DR13 |
| Travelling | DR9 | DR14 | DR14 |
| Comme un shot | DR9 | DR13 | DR14 |
| Perdu | DR9 | DR13 | DR13 |
| Lobotomie | DR9 | DR13 | DR13 |
| J’avance encore | DR8 | DR12 | DR12 |
| A l’envers | DR9 | DR13 | DR14 |
As a reminder, the scale goes from 0 to more 20, but the dynamics are considered good from 12, quite good between 10 and 11, and deteriorate below 10.
Detail of the ratings :
- Dynamic :
- Significant dynamic compression, DR less than 7
- Compression of the present dynamics, DR between 7 and 9.
- Correct piece DR >=10
- No dynamic compression (DR >12), dynamic rendering
- No dynamic compression, high DR and very dynamic sound rendering
- Spectrum :
- Spectrum cut and less than 15 khz
- Spectrum cut at 15 khz
- Spectrum not conforming to the original and cut (not HD) or original but limited bandwidth (but less than 20 kHz)
- Spectrum conforming to the original (but not HD)
- Spectrum conforming to the original with HD resolution (higher than 24kHz)
- Surface noise (only for vinyl):
- Continuous audible noise
- Audible surface noise except on passages with a high level of noise
- Reduced surface noise, barely audible on low level crossings
- Low surface noise, very good quality
- Very low surface noise, no defects, almost inaudible on the quiet passages (exceptional disc)
- Spatialization :
- Between 0 and 5 for 5.1 or 7.1 channels configuration
- Between 0 and 10 for Atmos configuration (7.1.4)
- For more information on spatialization, you can read the article describing this parameter here.
- Restitution :
- Low quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
- Average quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
- Quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Good record.
- High quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Very high level disc.
- Maximum quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Exceptional disc.
Why not have the CD just as dynamic as the vinyl? Why penalize CD buyers?
I asked Jaff about his decision to make the CD sound louder than the vinyl. He explained that nowadays, most CDs are mastered at very high volumes. Releasing a quieter CD often means being overlooked. Since he’s not well-known enough yet to impose a different artistic choice, he chose to partially conform. He decided to make the CD sound more powerful than the vinyl, while staying reasonable to avoid excessive saturation. According to him, it’s hard to completely escape the loudness war.