iTunes offers some ability to fix the issues with 311's latest album Universal Pulse. If you've downloaded the CD, you may notice a flat EQ when you press play. So you're going to have to go to all 8 songs in iTunes, right-click on the songs, go to "Get Info," Go to the "Options" tab.

Do a Volume adjustment, and place the equalizer to the "Rock" preset.

You'll notice a significant change in the delivery of the music.

Now, I think this CD is A LOT stronger than I previously had thought.

6/25/2013 12:31:14 PM

Prepare to get shit on by people that don't like 311.

6/25/2013 12:39:48 PM

"K" is the 11th letter of the alphabet

3 x "K" = KKK

[Edited on June 25, 2013 at 1:40 PM. Reason : themoreyouknow]

6/25/2013 1:40:32 PM

Couldn't you just select all the songs at once in iTunes and change them at the same time?

6/25/2013 1:40:33 PM

OMFG RACIST BAND

6/25/2013 3:42:52 PM

Why don't they re-upload a properly mastered version, instead of having people apply some stock EQ curve that's not tailored to the actual music?

6/25/2013 3:53:18 PM

Quote :

"Now, I think this CD is A LOT stronger than I previously had thought"

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

6/25/2013 3:54:06 PM

people that admit to liking 311 in 2013 are pretty much opening themselves up to ridicule

6/25/2013 3:59:54 PM

OPEN'd

6/25/2013 10:36:15 PM

stevedude, you can do that... That's faster, but wanted to simplify instruction. You'd be amazed at how many people get caught up in the "highlight these 8" part of the instructions, so I went with the instruction that would foster the most amount of success at the first try.

quagmire02, I first heard that a long time ago. I was really disappointed and went back to look at their lyrics which was totally opposite to any platform KKK supports. I know you're probably joking (or trolling), but to this day I still get that thrown at me. 311 has been great for me with such a diverse set of flavorful sounds. Still, I'd love to hear them throw down the way they used to with some new songs. I think the next album is rumored to be a return to their "Self Titled"/"Transistor" days which I honestly loved.

Vinylbandit, I'm with you on that one. It does lack a lot of punch on this one. It's Chad Sexton's debut with this mix. They had Bob Rock for these past two albums, but honestly, I like Scotch Ralston's mixes much better.

6/26/2013 12:12:42 AM

You can't be serious in this thread. Are you forreal a married adult with a child who listens to 311 in 2013?

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

[Edited on June 26, 2013 at 12:21 AM. Reason : I must be high as fuck]

6/26/2013 12:21:06 AM

Proudly, Krallum... Proudly...

6/26/2013 12:23:56 AM

I got dragged to a 311 concert over a year ago. It was fucking sad. Balding, slightly overweight men attempting to jump around stage like they're still in their 20s. Still can't believe I got talked into that.

6/26/2013 9:45:03 AM

amber is the color of your energy

6/26/2013 9:58:59 AM

why did they release an improperly mastered version in the first place?

i saw them at the Horde festival back in the mid to late 90s. that's about the last time i listened to them.

6/26/2013 10:18:49 AM

I guess it's not for everyone.

But for those who would like to listen to Universal Pulse with a little more pulse and punch, there's a tip at the top.

BTTT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4lGHfIb1b4

[Edited on June 27, 2013 at 1:55 AM. Reason : For the News]

6/27/2013 1:51:55 AM

Wait.

I'm confused.

Are you saying there isn't a mastering error, but you wanted it to be louder and more scooped, and you think every listener would think the album is significantly better if they applied a generic preset EQ curve?

6/27/2013 2:17:35 AM

Chad Sexton "it's more like an attitude, way of life. we have events like Halloween Show, 311 day"

so basically 311 and Insane Clown Posse are the same band

6/27/2013 10:07:02 AM

fuck's sake, just let the dude enjoy what he enjoys

[Edited on June 27, 2013 at 11:13 AM. Reason : .]

6/27/2013 11:13:25 AM

What's the point of having refined taste in music if you can't tell people how shitty their preferences are? That's half the fun.

For instance, I like chocolate chip cookies, but I don't really care for oatmeal raisin cookies. If I see someone else eating oatmeal raisin cookies, they have to understand how much I prefer chocolate chip cookies, but more importantly, how wrong their sense of taste is.

6/27/2013 11:41:02 AM

anyone who eats oatmeal raisin cookies is a piece of shit for real, though.

6/27/2013 11:49:05 AM

tommywiseau, not exactly their brightest moment...

vinylbandit, I think it's a mastering error. If I didn't think so, I wouldn't have tried to fix it. Or it could be someone's first stab at something and it didn't pan out... either way, it was an error.

6/28/2013 6:17:30 AM

Universal Pulse was mastered by Joe Gastwirt, whose 1,500+ mastering credits include more than a dozen 311 releases.

6/28/2013 2:42:52 PM

It's one hell of an album. Not really any low spots in my opinion. I definitely don't detect any of those audio issues you're referencing.

1. Time Bomb (4.5/5): this is an old-school shout out to the hardcore 311 fans, mixing sounds within the song like 311 is known to do.
SONG WILL REMIND YOU OF: Dancehall, Homebrew

2. Wild Nights (5/5): this is a song about maturing. Taking the experiences in your prior times and turning them into wisdom. Featuring an adrenaline-invoking solo from none other than miT Mahoney and a high energy rap from SA, this song is what 311 fans have waited on.

3. Sunset In July (4/5): a "feel-good" summer jam. A slow groove from Chad on the drums, a nice guitar harmony from Nick and miT, and a modest yet thumping bassline from P-Nut hold the pace while Nick and SA sing about the joys of seeing their fans having fun at the shows...
SONG WILL REMIND YOU OF: Strong All Along

4. Trouble (4.5/5): A slow, funky groove explaining past troubles of Nick's life. This song has 'I'm a wailers fan' written all over it, without being a rip-off. This song is more aimes towards the 'chill' crowd, while containing just enough edge to make the more high energy fans happy as well.

5. Count Me In (10/5): Easily their best summer jam since 'Strong All Along'. I personally can't get enough of this song. The song just starts on the right foot, a mid-tempo funk jam which turns to fun rock which turns to reggae which turns to rap which turns back into fun rock which turns back to reggae which turns back to funk... only 311 can pull this off, and they're making me remember how their music used to make me feel.

6. Rock On (10/5): This song is the true old school 311. Featuring a heavy guitar riff stacked over a rockin' beat from Chad Sexton and a thick bassline from P-Nut, Nick and SA both rapping on the same track... This song made me stop what I was doing and sit there and listen... which hasn't really happened often in their last few outings. Nick's raps flow so naturally that you could put money on the theory that this song is a leftover from one of their 90's albums (at least lyrically). This song is easily the best "head-nodder" since Sick Tight.

7. Weightless (4/5): This one takes a little while to get into... The first few times you hear it, you kinda don't get sucked into it. It's the throwaway track on the album, but it's still better than anything on Uplifter.

8. And A Ways To Go (4.5/5): Where do I begin... The song starts off slow, sort of recycling the intro from another Transistor tune, and picks up eventually into a rap track from SA, and then repeats until, at the most unexpected moment, the song shifts into a P-Nut tap solo... And then into a fast paced ending that makes your head nod no matter what. This is the trippiest 311 song in years.

6/28/2013 2:55:32 PM

I was a little nervous about this becasue its 28 minutes long and though I am a die hard 311 fan I was afraid that they would hold back for the fan who thought "Don't Tread On Me" and "Uplifter" where sub par. I in fact loved every 311 album in creation (with S.A. Martinez in the lineup of course). This album is a must have for any 311 fan. It has everything that 311 fans would want:Cool time signatures, Bass solo on the last song, Harmonies, Rapping, Crunchy Guitars, Complicated drum patterns, and cool positive lyrics. Please for the love of GOD believe me! If you like 311. Whether your a "Old school" or new fan or a fan who only likes "Music" to "Transistor". Or Only The "Blue Album". Or even if your a dude stopped caring after any point in history because you felt they stopped trying this will not dissapoint you! I own "Music", "Grassroots", "The Blue Album", "Transistor","LIVE", "Soundsystem","From Chaos","Evolver", "Greatest Hits 93-03", "Don't Tread On Me", "Uplifter(The Deluxe Version)", and now The Essential "Universal Pulse". You will love this! If you don't I dare to email me and say "Gedy "Roost" Murphy! YOU ARE A LIAR AND THIS CD SUCKS!!!!!!!" Because you won't. Buy this album and sit in the sun while listening to it. Make love to your girlfreind and listen to it. Put it on and jam to it. Smoke a joint or have a brew and put it on.Its a soundtrack to your life!

It was because of this band that I discovered my love for music and led me to all the other bands I love. If it where not for Chad Sexton, S.A. Martinez, Tim Mahoney, P-NUT, and Nick Hexum I would have killed my self. This has been a rough ten years for me with the economy, no money, and crappy pop polluting the airwaves. 311 has made life a little more tolerable.


I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

6/28/2013 3:36:05 PM

synapse, did you buy the CD or download it in itunes? the issues I'm referring to is the itunes delivery of the music. If you do what I do and just put all 311 songs in a playlist, there's a noticeable delivery problem when compared to other albums. It's significantly muted in comparison, which is why I took steps to figure something out.

Now that I've done as I suggested above, the songs seem to be where they should be.

If you bought the CD, it's probably better that I do the same and then just rip it into itunes instead of downloading.

Totally, and absolutely agree with the tight-wrapped reviews of each of the songs.

6/28/2013 3:40:38 PM