Fading Out vs. Stopping Straight - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

macmanmike6100 · 06-21-2009, 06:50 PM

A phenomenon that I've noticed for a while but only recently thought to ask the community about is that which happens when ending a song or video. When I'm stopping a song on iTunes, for example, I come out feeling better or more at ease when I slowly fade the song out with the volume slider before I actually stop the song, rather than when I just stop the song outright.

Does this happen to you? And regardless, do you have some theories on it? My theory is that biologically & evolutionarily we're more alert to sudden change (akin to the boiling frog theory) so when met with a gradual change we are less disrupted by it.

genuinegirly · 06-21-2009, 07:23 PM

I've never noticed the exact scenario you mention, but I prefer when a television show fades out before a commercial rather than the commercial butting in loudly. I don't enjoy feeling jarred into reality. I recall from my childhood - when my father would fall asleep in front of a documentary, he would wake up startled at each commercial break.

snowy · 06-21-2009, 07:28 PM

I totally fade out songs before switching them, especially if I'm switching midsong on something that's audible to other people. If I'm just listening to my iPod with earbuds, I skip and stop at will.

Martian · 06-21-2009, 07:44 PM

I don't know about itunes specifically, but most media players offer fade-out/cross-fade functionality, so that you don't have to mess with the volume every time.

Couldn't tell you about the science of it, but fades are as a rule considered to be a gentler way to transition in any given situation.

Xerxys · 06-21-2009, 07:45 PM

I prefer to fade it out too ... it takes me further away from curt cobain, meaning I might never shoot myself!!

squeeeb · 06-21-2009, 08:00 PM

i kinda like the abrupt ending. i like a definite "its over" as opposed to the long drawn out ending, waiting for it to be over, waiting for the next song to start. along similar lines, i wanna die abruptly, not slowly fade out.

macmanmike6100 · 06-22-2009, 06:54 PM

haha good to know i'm not the only one who notices. yes, good call martian -- iTunes does fade but a lot of the time I want to skip a song, and think "I wish this would fade to the next song"

and squeeeb, you took it in a totally different direction...didn't think about the possibly existential meaning of the fade and death. i never really wanted to slowly fade out but for a long time i lived my life like that; i'm changing that as a gift to myself and my happiness.

Martian · 06-22-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmanmike6100

haha good to know i'm not the only one who notices. yes, good call martian -- iTunes does fade but a lot of the time I want to skip a song, and think "I wish this would fade to the next song".

Look for a 'cross-fade' option. That's the fancy term for 'one song fading into the next.'

06-21-2009, 06:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
macmanmike6100 High Honorary Junkie Location: Tri-state.	Fading Out vs. Stopping Straight A phenomenon that I've noticed for a while but only recently thought to ask the community about is that which happens when ending a song or video. When I'm stopping a song on iTunes, for example, I come out feeling better or more at ease when I slowly fade the song out with the volume slider before I actually stop the song, rather than when I just stop the song outright. Does this happen to you? And regardless, do you have some theories on it? My theory is that biologically & evolutionarily we're more alert to sudden change (akin to the boiling frog theory) so when met with a gradual change we are less disrupted by it.

06-21-2009, 07:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	I've never noticed the exact scenario you mention, but I prefer when a television show fades out before a commercial rather than the commercial butting in loudly. I don't enjoy feeling jarred into reality. I recall from my childhood - when my father would fall asleep in front of a documentary, he would wake up startled at each commercial break. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

06-21-2009, 07:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I totally fade out songs before switching them, especially if I'm switching midsong on something that's audible to other people. If I'm just listening to my iPod with earbuds, I skip and stop at will. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

06-21-2009, 07:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	I don't know about itunes specifically, but most media players offer fade-out/cross-fade functionality, so that you don't have to mess with the volume every time. Couldn't tell you about the science of it, but fades are as a rule considered to be a gentler way to transition in any given situation. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

06-21-2009, 08:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
squeeeb part of the problem Location: hic et ubique	i kinda like the abrupt ending. i like a definite "its over" as opposed to the long drawn out ending, waiting for it to be over, waiting for the next song to start. along similar lines, i wanna die abruptly, not slowly fade out. __________________ onward to mayhem!

06-21-2009, 07:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	I prefer to fade it out too ... it takes me further away from curt cobain, meaning I might never shoot myself!!

06-22-2009, 06:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
macmanmike6100 High Honorary Junkie Location: Tri-state.	haha good to know i'm not the only one who notices. yes, good call martian -- iTunes does fade but a lot of the time I want to skip a song, and think "I wish this would fade to the next song" and squeeeb, you took it in a totally different direction...didn't think about the possibly existential meaning of the fade and death. i never really wanted to slowly fade out but for a long time i lived my life like that; i'm changing that as a gift to myself and my happiness.