Songs sound different on the radio?

Question

I've always wondered why when I listen to Kiss FM on the radio, the music sounds faster on there. Like if I buy a song on iTunes and Kiss FM is playing it, it sounds sped up on the radio than the version from iTunes. Maybe you play more songs? I dunno.

Answer 1

Here's the old theory (not in use very often nowdays). Some programmers think that if you hear a song slightly faster on their station it will make the competing station(s) sound slow and not as crisp and exciting when they play the same song.

It's not necessarily done to get more music or commercials played as the increase is minimal - done correctly, you shouldn't be able to hear the difference. The fact that you've noticed, leads me to believe you are listening to a station whose program director is taking the practice a bit too far (but who am I try criticize the mighty KISS-FM).

We used to record 45s at about 46-46.5 RPM to get this effect. Did it work? Who knows, we used to do lots of things to s***w with the competition - still do ;<)

-a guy named duh