| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 8/26/2009 1:21:00 PM | | I'm curious on opinions for the mix, should it be balanced or the original separated stereo? Do people find the separation in 60's recordings annoying when wearing headphones? | |
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late™
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Joined: 1/9/2005
Msg: 27 | |
| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 8/26/2009 1:44:38 PM |
I'm curious on opinions for the mix, should it be balanced or the original separated stereo
I do believe there are going to be two mixes released for the early albums. For now I'm only interested in the White Album, I don't know for sure, but I think that later albums were mixed only in stereo.
Do people find the separation in 60's recordings annoying when wearing headphones?
I find headphones annoying anyway, I'm more a fan of the "sweet spot". | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 8/27/2009 12:45:14 PM | "There are some ears that won't be able to discern any difference between a low resolution MP3 and an actual master recording.
This won't make a difference to them. But for any Beatles aficionado who can appreciate quality audio, ...it's going to be like Christmas."
-ummm... aren't the Beatles cd's that one can currently buy...made from the actual master recordings??? Remastering something that was recorded 45 years ago...and digitally altering it...takes away any integrity of the music. This mentality is like saying Sean Paul is not happy with what he just put out in the past month...because in 40 years technology "may" make it sound better...(to some discerning ears, of course...). Somethings are best left the way they are. | |
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late™
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Joined: 1/9/2005
Msg: 29 | |
| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 8/27/2009 2:12:21 PM |
-ummm... aren't the Beatles cd's that one can currently buy...made from the actual master recordings? Yes, the actual EMI masters that George Martin and the Beatles fought against in the first place because the mastering engineers at EMI were not up to industry standards of the time.
Remastering something that was recorded 45 years ago...and digitally altering it...takes away any integrity of the music. You are conflating two separate issues, which specific alterations are you talking bout. The Apple Corps/EMI press releases are pretty clear about "not altering", is there something you know that they don't?
This mentality is like saying Sean Paul is not happy with what he just put out in the past month...because in 40 years technology "may" make it sound better...(to some discerning ears, of course...)
Not at all, you keep ignoring the significance of technological progress with regards to the conversion process, a more accurate analogy is:
Do you want an exact as possible copy of an original colour photo from the '60s using technology available now, or a barely recognizable black and white photocopy circa 1985?
Somethings are best left the way they are.
And it's also true that the phrase "ignorance is bliss" can hold a lot of truth for some. You have built a straw man and torn it down, congratulations, but will you address any of the actual reasons and factual information listed in the press release?
Hmmm? | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 8/27/2009 11:42:22 PM | "From the onset, considerable thought was given to what audio restorative processes were going to be allowed.It was agreed that electrical clicks, microphone vocal pops, excessive sibilance and bad edits should be improved where possible, so long as it didn't impact on the original integrity of the songs."
--- and who decides this??? or, more importantly...why even bother? Even if it is in minute quantity...it is still altering the way it all went down. I'll stick to enjoying listening to my current Beatles cds in the classic original format they are already in... as I am most certain you will enjoy the new ones in a super high tech digital format that comes out in a few weeks time, officially bringing the Beatles to the 21st century. | |
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late™
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Joined: 1/9/2005
Msg: 31 | |
| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 8/27/2009 11:58:15 PM | You forgot this: "Eventually, less than five of the 525 minutes of Beatles music was subjected to this process."
and who decides this?
Experts at Abby Rd Studios under the auspices of Apple Corps/EMI who are the only ones with access to the masters.
or, more importantly...why even bother?
So as to hear what Sir George Martin and the Fab Four intended us to hear.
Even if it is in minute quantity...it is still altering the way it all went down.
So was the original mastering to vinyl, which Sir George and the Mop Tops argued against as not being faithful to the mix.
the new ones in a super high tech digital format that comes out in a few weeks time
Sadly, no news yet on releases on "new" formats, same old format - CD, it's the source material that benefits from modern more accurate tools. The original CD was likely remastered @16/44.1, using DAT, as hard disk mastering didn't even show up until the 90s
...even your computer probably has better digital audio resolution on its sound card than this. | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 8/28/2009 7:31:57 AM | No, I did not forget the "less than 5 minutes of 525 minutes..." you mention. Re-read my last entry... this is the minute quantities I spoke of... almost 2 whole songs worth of unwarranted (in my opinion) altering of a historical musical document. A true removal of integrity if there ever was.
You keep writing about what "Sir George Martin and the Fab Four intended us to hear"... What they intended us to hear, was cut back in the 60's... when the albums were originally releasesed. I'd like to see some actual, credible documentation from the 80's proving this "arguing as not being faithful to the mix"
Now, had the original 1980's Beatles cd mastering (which are still used to this point in time) been of the same quality as the Rolling Stones Aabkco/London from the same time period... I'd agree with you here 100%. However, the Beatles releases one currently can purchase are totally listenable, you are not overwhelmed with tape hiss and other abnomalties (the Stones example shows this). As my original post states... George Martin did an excellent job, and again, in my opinion, I feel the 'new' releases are not out of an audio necessity, rather greed. Sure, you'll get better packaging and nice stories... I think on this topic... we will have to agree to disagree...
Tho, all of these discussions has brought one thing to mind; my 1987 version of Sgt. Pepper's has slight cd rot.... I am going to replace it this afternoon while it still can be done... in the way it truly was intended to be heard. | |
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late™
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Joined: 1/9/2005
Msg: 33 | |
| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 8/28/2009 7:45:42 AM |
What they intended us to hear, was cut back in the 60's..
Exactly! 
"arguing as not being faithful to the mix"
Is not from the '80s, this is concerning the original EMI mastering process, and the EMI mastering staff's not mastering up to the industry standard of the day.
As my original post states... George Martin did an excellent job, and again, in my opinion,
Interesting opinion considering Sir George didn't master any of them.
we will have to agree to disagree...
Most definitely. | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/9/2009 1:31:12 AM | Just bought the remastered "white album" CD. I don't know the technical lingo, but I do know what I hear. I played the old CD on my way to buy the new one. The difference is night and day. There are pianos, acoustic guitars and voices that were previously lost and/or almost lost in the mix.
This is the best I've ever heard this album...And I went through a lot of "white albums" in my days!
the original Apple US stereo release
the original Apple UK stereo release
the original Apple UK mono release
a few different factory cassettes (one US Apple, one UK Apple, One US Capitol)
a German Direct To Metal Master Apple release on white vinyl
a purple Capitol label US reissue
a Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs half speed master made in Japan
the original Capitol CD version
The best sound was on the MFSL half speed version. The new remastered CD reminds me of that version. Yet the new one beats the MFSL version by at least a NOSE!
In my opinion they did justice to this album without tweaking it into something different. They got it right. Hope the rest of the catalog sounds like this! | |
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late™
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Joined: 1/9/2005
Msg: 36 | |
| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/9/2009 1:35:53 AM |
Just bought the remastered "white album" CD. I don't know the technical lingo, but I do know what I hear. I played the old CD on my way to buy the new one. The difference is night and day. There are pianos, acoustic guitars and voices that were previously lost and/or almost lost in the mix.
I am so jealous....
I won't be going "into town" for a while and I'll have to wait.
They got it right. Hope the rest of the catalog sounds like this!
I'll bet it does. | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/9/2009 1:42:00 AM | | I considered getting the stereo box set, but I'll have to be satisfied buying 3 or 4 at a time. At this point I'm not interested in the Mono Box. | |
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late™
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Joined: 1/9/2005
Msg: 38 | |
| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/9/2009 1:54:55 AM |
I considered getting the stereo box set
I definitely want to get the White Album first, no question about that, even if I don't get any others, ...that one's a must have.
At this point I'm not interested in the Mono Box.
Me neither, but it is wise of them to release it. | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/9/2009 9:20:22 AM | | I don't think this remastering was inspired by greed, although it is true that they'll make a few tons of cash on this. This was a neccessity. The sound on the old Beatles CDs, while acceptable, was still below the standard of what technology has to offer today. Those old CDs were made when CD's were a relatively new medium. Beatles fans have been wanting this catalog updated for years, myself included. And I am happy that EMI has finally done this, because they finally got it right. And if anyone is satisfied with the old CDs, no "Magical Mystery Tour" is coming to take them away. You don't have to buy the new versions. And there aren't any bonus tracks to make you feel obligated to buy them. | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/9/2009 11:42:50 AM |
And there aren't any bonus tracks to make you feel obligated to buy them.
I actually can't stand bonus tracks because when it comes down to it...most of them are just alternate versions of the same tunes...
Everything's falling into place for me today, got mine Adrian Belew ticket...now the only thing missing is my Abbey Road disc! | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/10/2009 11:39:34 AM | | Got the lot today! Working my way through 'em slowly. Mostly a big improvement, though it takes some getting used to. So far Taxman is to my ears the most improved, but it's early days yet. | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/10/2009 3:46:28 PM | Update. Still working my way through them. Sgt Pepper's - not a great difference, A day in the life is improved, alot has stayed the same, and It's Getting Better actually sounds worse.
The White Album. OMFG!!! At the risk of being distasteful, if this was released in 1968 Charlie would have killed many more. The difference is incredible. If you only buy one CD for the rest of your life, buy this!!!! It's like having The Beatles in the room with you.
And Rubber Soul is much improved as well.
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/10/2009 9:43:20 PM | Abbey Road sounds tastey! Not quite the night and day difference I was anticipating...I think I'll take it with me to go DVD player browsing....
My ears perked up when I heard that Moog cut through on Here Comes the Sun...
Think I might have to take everyone's word for it and run to get the white album...if I can find it...the display box at Future Shop was pretty f*ckin' bare.... | |
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late™
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Joined: 1/9/2005
Msg: 44 | |
| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/10/2009 9:50:53 PM |
I think I'll take it with me to go DVD player browsing....
Bring both the orig. and remaster CDs if you can.
Think I might have to take everyone's word for it and run to get the white album...if I can find it...the display box at Future Shop was pretty f*ckin' bare....
I've passed on a request to a friend to pick it up for me... | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/12/2009 5:03:15 AM | I lucked out yesterday and managed to get a box set in Mono at Barnes & Noble.
Someone had returned it and I called at the right time, woo hoo! 
So far I can tell you Rubber Soul is much better in mono, the CD include both versions and the hard panning used on this album is terrible.
From what I hear the mono version was a limited run of 10,000 or so but I'm sure they will re-release it again. | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/12/2009 2:42:14 PM | mono..stereo..hi fi..or any other thing.. the beatles will always sound good to me.. | |
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jr,
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Joined: 9/9/2009
Msg: 47 | |
| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/12/2009 3:26:58 PM | | The Beatles-not the latest but still the greatest. | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/13/2009 12:29:12 AM | These new remasters are an addiction. Especially with the deal Target had...Buy 2 @11.99 and get a $5 gift card. I managed to get all the albums from "Rubber Soul" through "Let It Be". I still need "Past Masters" and the first five...
So far I'm very pleased with these. I'm glad I held off replacing my Beatles CDs. | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/13/2009 2:52:37 AM | | The stereo mixes are awesome. You can hear every nuance of the songs, nothing is buried in the mix. I heard the mono mixes are even better, but I'm not shilling out $350 for the boxset which doesn't even include The White Album and Abbey Road, their two best albums in my opinion | |
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| Beatles Re-Mastered
Posted: 9/13/2009 6:26:12 AM | The mono mix was $300 and it does include the white album, there is an additional 2 disks that have mono mixes from various albums.
I bought Abbey Road at Wal-Mart so that rounded out the collection, I'm just missing Let It Be, but I can wait on that.
In any case, after listening more last night, that re-masters are simply amazing. You will hear things that you never heard in the original mixes, and everything in the mix can be picked out. It is really an outstanding job.
I listed to Abbey Road last night..... perfection. | |
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