DM's Beatles forums

Beatles forums => Albums => Remasters => Topic started by: nimrod on July 21, 2011, 11:43:55 PM

Title: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: nimrod on July 21, 2011, 11:43:55 PM
I was discussing remasters with a mate the other day, he is dead set against remasters as he says he prefers the 'warmth' and 'familiarity' of the original recordings, rm's (in his words) sound too false etc etc

He said what annoys him also is that when you now want to buy and old album (not just Beatles) you have to buy the remaster as that is now the de-fault version that shops have on their racks, Id never thought about that before and I suppose I can see how that would annoy some people (not me as I love remastered everything)  ha2ha

Where do you stand on that ?
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Beatlesrlove on July 22, 2011, 12:07:28 AM
I was discussing remasters with a mate the other day, he is dead set against remasters as he says he prefers the 'warmth' and 'familiarity' of the original recordings, rm's (in his words) sound too false etc etc

He said what annoys him also is that when you now want to buy and old album (not just Beatles) you have to buy the remaster as that is now the de-fault version that shops have on their racks, Id never thought about that before and I suppose I can see how that would annoy some people (not me as I love remastered everything)  ha2ha

Where do you stand on that ?
Well I do like the originals, because sometimes in the remasters for some reason in they add some things that was not there before. But what i like about the remasters is that its clearer. So I can't side on either.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: tkitna on July 22, 2011, 01:22:44 AM
So far, i'm less than impressed with the remasters. Some things are fixed, some things got messed up. Its not a fair trade off in my opinion.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on July 22, 2011, 03:36:23 AM
I've listened to some of the remasters but didn't buy them. I still have the original 1987 versions. I feel more or less like your friend, because beyond sound quality the remasters "fixed" some things that were on the original versions, like the abrupt interruption of the lead guitar at the end of "Strawberry Fields Forever", or the sound of lips at the end of "In My Life"; little things that make music more human.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on July 22, 2011, 03:41:37 AM
I have just about every Beatles LP, all the original CDs and the mono and stereo remastered box sets.

I'm covered!   ;D


The LPs have the warmest sound.  The original CDs sound great, but a little sterile in comparison to the LPs.  I prefer the original CDs over the stereo remastered box set. 

But I like my mono remastered box set the best!  Perhaps the engineers devoted most of their time to its production.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on July 22, 2011, 03:50:26 AM
Hey Kevin, the best sound is my Country Gentleman plugged into the AC30!  ;)
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: nimrod on July 22, 2011, 01:11:36 PM
Maybe I didnt explain that very well but I wasnt really asking what people prefered but rather do you think its right that shops sell remasters as the default version
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: tkitna on July 22, 2011, 01:20:44 PM
Are the originals even avaliable anymore? I would think that the stereo remasters would be the default CD at this point. Kind of silly for a company to remaster a catalog and offer both versions (not talking about mono here).
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on July 22, 2011, 01:39:26 PM
Well, it's logic for them have the remasters as the default CDs now. Why would they still produce the old versions? Happily I bought my beloved original versions several years before the remasters.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: peterbell1 on July 22, 2011, 01:46:29 PM
I suppose even though the new remastered CDs are now the default product being sold by record shops, the old 1987 CDs, as well as vinyl, tape cassettes, 8-tracks, reel-to-reel tapes or whatever will always be available if a listener wants to go back and find out how things sounded BEFORE the remastering happened.
You could probably go on eBay and buy a copy of every Beatles album on vinyl (the cheaper 1970s reissues which still contain the same 60s mixes) AND a turntable to play it all on, for the same price as a new remastered box set.

It would be great if record companies did the remastering job and packaged the new versions alongside the old ones, so that both versions are still available. With some Beatles albums you could fit both versions of an album on a single CD, so it wouldn't even cost the record company any more to do it!!
But they don't like doing it - they like to shove the new product down your throat so you think you are getting something new and exciting for the large sums of money you are paying out.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: peterbell1 on July 22, 2011, 01:49:05 PM
Are the originals even avaliable anymore? I would think that the stereo remasters would be the default CD at this point. Kind of silly for a company to remaster a catalog and offer both versions (not talking about mono here).

I don't think it's silly to have both versions available when the "remastering" has also involved some tinkering with the original mixes.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Gary910 on July 22, 2011, 01:52:00 PM
I personally am glad that the 1987 CDs are out of print, and thus you can't buy them. They sound like crap. They sound like you have a blanket on your speakers.

I do like the new remasters. I do think they are mastered a little loud though. If you want to hear The Beatles really well, get a MFSL box. Yes, it is vinyl. Very warm, clear and they sound good. Or on CD, get a 1984 Japanese "Abbey Road", it too sounds really good. The Dr Ebbetts needle drops are good.

The record companies, and bands move on. They are always looking to make money.

I like what McCartney is doing with his catalog. I like the Hi-Res versions, and that they are offered in two formats (Un-Limited and Limited).

I think if you are stuck defending the 1987 CDs, you don't know what you are listening for. If you think the original mixes (not the 1987 vinyl (digital) mixes) on vinyl should still be available, I agree.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on July 22, 2011, 02:43:06 PM
I think if you are stuck defending the 1987 CDs, you don't know what you are listening for. If you think the original mixes (not the 1987 vinyl (digital) mixes) on vinyl should still be available, I agree.

Personally I think that the 1987 CDs sound good enough for me. The remasters may have a better quality, a more clean sound, but somehow I find that music lost some of its magic with them. I always tend to prefer what was done before, the classic stuff.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Gary910 on July 22, 2011, 05:19:29 PM
Personally I think that the 1987 CDs sound good enough for me. The remasters may have a better quality, a more clean sound, but somehow I find that music lost some of its magic with them. I always tend to prefer what was done before, the classic stuff.

Your post proves that listening to music is probably one of the most subjective things we, as humans, do. That, in turn, proving my point that there is no such thing as "The Best... (song, album, Beatle, etc.)."
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on July 22, 2011, 06:02:08 PM
Your post proves that listening to music is probably one of the most subjective things we, as humans, do. That, in turn, proving my point that there is no such thing as "The Best... (song, album, Beatle, etc.)."

Of course it's all subjective. And I'm not against the remasters, they may mean an improvement, but I've heard them and I just don't think they deserve to replace my old CDs, which sound good enough in the equipment I use. I love the Beatles as much or more than any fan, but I don't spend my money on anything with them on the label.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Gary910 on July 22, 2011, 06:31:07 PM
I love the Beatles as much or more than any fan, but I don't spend my money on anything with them on the label.

You are probably smarter than I am. I am a sucker for any, well almost, product. I buy the Kool-Aide. Hence, why I have 5 versions of 'Band On The Run', three versions of 'McCartney', etc.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on July 22, 2011, 06:52:21 PM
You are probably smarter than I am. I am a sucker for any, well almost, product. I buy the Kool-Aide. Hence, why I have 5 versions of 'Band On The Run', three versions of 'McCartney', etc.

No, you're surely a more devote fan than I am, I don't even care too much about the solo careers. But that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy the Beatles as much as you do. :)
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: nimrod on July 22, 2011, 10:58:48 PM
I personally absolutely love the remasters, I waited for them for many years, I downloaded the Ebbets ones and the De-noizer ones but the official ones are better imo, Ive spent quite a bit of time messing with recording gear and its indoctrinated in me that clearer and cleaner is always better, the albums sound fresh and wonderful for me, I can hear more what theyre doing and it is a fact that my ears are not as good as they used to be due to standing in front of drummers for years so less muddy suits me.
I have stereo & mono sets and love them both.

I think the 87 CD's sounded worse than the vinyl (UK pressing vinyl that is) I have some Oz pressing LP's that were done (as in most countries) from 2nd generation master tapes and there is a clear difference in the original UK ones
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on July 22, 2011, 11:25:31 PM
At least in the 1987 version of Sgt. Pepper's the line "it was 20 years ago today" is true. ;D
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: tkitna on July 23, 2011, 01:00:54 AM
In all fairness to the remasters, I havent listened to them on a big stereo yet to really soak them in. I've only done the ear phones from the computer deal during the reviews. Honestly, when thats over, they'll probably sit in the box. My originals are tore up to hell and back, but they are already down by the stereo in the basement and thats what i'll listen to. I know its silly, but I really dont listen to the Beatles very often anymore.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on July 23, 2011, 02:40:10 AM
At least in the 1987 version of Sgt. Pepper's the line "it was 20 years ago today" is true. ;D


Yes!


(http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JyEjUvr2wt4/0.jpg)


Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on July 23, 2011, 04:21:19 AM
Yes!

Am I wrong or that CD was realeased on June 1, 1987, exactly 20 years after?
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on July 23, 2011, 04:26:38 AM
Yes, the CD was released exactly 20 years after the LP.

June 1, 1967 and June 1, 1987.  It was the very first CD I bought.  I bought a Sony Discman that day too.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on July 23, 2011, 03:40:06 PM
I have a 1987 CD of Sgt. Pepper's made in U.S.A., with a square booklet that fits in the jewel case. I know there's another version with a bigger rectangle booklet, that is separated from the jewel case. I guess that my version is the original one released in June 1, 1987.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on July 23, 2011, 06:06:48 PM
I have a 1987 CD of Sgt. Pepper's made in U.S.A., with a square booklet that fits in the jewel case. I know there's another version with a bigger rectangle booklet, that is separated from the jewel case. I guess that my version is the original one released in June 1, 1987.

Yes it is.  My USA CD is like yours with the booklet inside the jewel case.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Gary910 on July 23, 2011, 07:38:32 PM
That was my very first CD too. I couldn't afford a CD player until a month or two later, so I couldn't even play it. I had another place to play it, and at the time I thought it was awesome. I think my ears have matured, and I listen differently now.

I personally absolutely love the remasters, I waited for them for many years, I downloaded the Ebbets ones and the De-noizer ones but the official ones are better imo, Ive spent quite a bit of time messing with recording gear and its indoctrinated in me that clearer and cleaner is always better, the albums sound fresh and wonderful for me, I can hear more what theyre doing and it is a fact that my ears are not as good as they used to be
I have stereo & mono sets and love them both.

I think the 87 CD's sounded worse than the vinyl (UK pressing vinyl that is)

I agree. I edited out of your post, nimrod, what applies to you and left what I can agree with.

As I said in an earlier post, I like what McCartney is doing with his catalog. I am getting the Hi-Res versions and making CDs from the Un-Limited versions. They sound really good.

I like the way the new remasters sound. If I had a complaint it would be that they are just a touch loud. I think when they were remastered they were very cautious, and were very light-handed. I don't know that the remasters are perfect, but I think they did a good job. I won't complain.

Todd, you should give the remasters a good chance. Listen to them on some nice equipment. I think you would be pleased.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: tkitna on July 23, 2011, 11:43:35 PM
Todd, you should give the remasters a good chance. Listen to them on some nice equipment. I think you would be pleased.

I'm sure your right. I just need to make time.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Brynjar on December 10, 2011, 10:53:14 PM
Yes, the CD was released exactly 20 years after the LP.

June 1, 1967 and June 1, 1987.  It was the very first CD I bought.  I bought a Sony Discman that day too.

What did you think of it at first? Did you think it was an improvement, sound wise?
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on December 10, 2011, 11:13:23 PM
What did you think of it at first? Did you think it was an improvement, sound wise?

Not at first because I used the earphones that came with it.  But when I bought RCA cables and hooked it up to my stereo I noticed the improvement in clarity.  There were no pops and crackles and I was amazed by that.  But I soon realized that a lot of the warmth of vinyl was missing.

That's why I took good care of my turntable and LPs over the years.  When I want to experience an album the way I first heard it, I listen to the LP. 

The 1987 Sgt Pepper stereo CD was great by 1980s standards.  The 2009 MONO remaster is a significant improvement.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on December 11, 2011, 12:02:05 AM
Oh!  And on the 2009 MONO Sgt Pepper Remaster you can tell it was definitely Paul!   ;)
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Mairi on December 11, 2011, 12:52:01 AM
Um well the remasters are way better than the sh*tty 1987 CDs I listened to when I was first getting into the Beatles and I'm glad that they exist for young people who are just getting into the Beatles and don't have access to the original recordings for whatever reason.
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: walrusgumboot on December 11, 2011, 04:28:15 PM
Just in case anyone is interested of an oldies wiewpoint ( 62 next)..here's an article I wrote for Ear Candy in September 2009....


Quote

A Review of The Beatles'
2009 mono and stereo Remasters
By Walrus Gumboot



Having read comments on various forums about rips, tears and even missing CDs, it appears that my decision to order the Boxed Sets from Beatles.com might have been the correct one.

It only cost £20 more than from places like Amazon. They arrived this morning in two sturdy cardboard boxes fastened with that tough brown parcel tape. Inside were the boxes wrapped in four layers of bubble-wrap? The boxes themselves were shrink- wrapped and made of laminated tough cardboard including the sleeve for the Stereo Box.

I opened the Mono Box first…each CD was in a re-sealable plastic sleeve and the covers themselves were again made of cardboard and included a facsimile of the original vinyl album sleeve and another semi transparent sleeve to protect from scratching. All round a superb job. The Stereo came next and is in itself a work of art. A tall box in a sleeve which opens to reveal 2 compartments separated by a plastic divider, holding the albums, each one shrink-wrapped. The sleeves are the same quality as the Mono set.

To criticize the way in which this has been put together smacks of nit picking, but personally there are a few things that I would have liked to seen done differently. Firstly…why couldn't the Mono box have had the same design as the Stereo…after all this is the set aimed at the collectors? Why couldn't the Stereo set have had the same re-sealable plastic covers as the Mono and also included the inner sleeves etc? Minor points I know and of course it's a personal opinion, and maybe others are entirely happy with them the way they are.

My sets (CDs) were manufactured in the EU...exact country not known, but the packaging was all made and printed in the UK. Despite what a lot of us were hoping for, the sets do not appear to be numbered, not even the White Albums. And of course there are no bonus tracks, unless you count the original stereo mixes of Help and Rubber Soul which are actually on the Mono Discs. Many had been prophesying that we would at the very least have a snippet of Carnival of Light....

So what about the sound? Now this is where any review becomes entirely subjective…after all we are all different ages and hear things (even the same natural sounds) differently. As one becomes older the first thing to go is the lower register which affects your ability to hear bass and deep sounds…maybe that's why the 1987 CDs sounded so harsh and brittle after George Martin had "digitally remastered" them. My system will be different from  anyone else’s and Speaker Placement, size of room and any one of a number of things can and do affect what comes out of the woofers and tweeters for your aural enjoyment.



So... how do they compare with first of all the 1987 CDs? This is a no contest...the Remasters win on all fronts. It's like the difference between a black and white TV, and my Panasonic 42" plasma.

Some have said, elsewhere that they prefer the vinyl and that it is still better. ( I still LOVE my vinyl)r...they are certainly different from the original LPs. For a start the warmth that you get from vinyl is missing, but they make up for that in their own way…no snap crackle or pop for example...on the minus side however purists will notice that one or two things have been sacrificed for the sake of aural clarity including the " chair" sound at the end of A Day In The Life.

Another forum has had a thread running discussing whether or not the good Doctors needle drops are superior to the remasters...the majority say yes. In my opinion this is nothing more than elitism. I have a number of originals from the Doc so was able to do an AB comparison. As good as they are they do not come anywhere near the standard of the Remasters.

It is not my intention to review each and every track or compare Mono to Stereo - each of us will have their own particular preference - although I will say that, for example, the first two albums have a quaint naivety in stereo, but literally attempt to wreck your speakers in mono.

In this weekend’s newspapers there were a number of reviews varying from the cloth eared to the modern equivalent of William Mann with his "Aeolian cadences". Perhaps the best was from Ken Kessler who is editor of a UK Hi Fi Magazine - his quote that "To appreciate the magnitude of the challenge, think of it as on a par with an art restorer cleaning a begrimed Turner. " probably sums it all up.

Those responsible for these discs have brought out subtle nuances in the vocals, enhanced the background and cleared away the sonic dirt which we knew all along was hiding even more brilliant music.

I believe that in years to come, these new discs, will be seen as the definitive versions.

If you haven't got them, then beg, borrow or steal, but whatever you do, don't let them pass you by.

Walrus Gumboot

Copyright SLG 2009
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: BackBeatle on December 11, 2011, 04:29:33 PM
Yes, the CD was released exactly 20 years after the LP.

June 1, 1967 and June 1, 1987.  It was the very first CD I bought.  I bought a Sony Discman that day too.

I did a pool party DJ gig on June 1, 1987, and opened with Sgt Pepper/A Little Help From My Friends. Don't know if anyone else at the party understood the significance, but I certainly enjoyed the moment! 8)

BB
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Brynjar on December 11, 2011, 04:49:53 PM
Not at first because I used the earphones that came with it.  But when I bought RCA cables and hooked it up to my stereo I noticed the improvement in clarity.  There were no pops and crackles and I was amazed by that.  But I soon realized that a lot of the warmth of vinyl was missing.

That's why I took good care of my turntable and LPs over the years.  When I want to experience an album the way I first heard it, I listen to the LP. 

The 1987 Sgt Pepper stereo CD was great by 1980s standards.  The 2009 MONO remaster is a significant improvement.


Were you disappointed with the packaging? Like.. for example this:

(http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/the-beatles-collectors/images/8/89/Ahdn_cd_can_back.jpg)
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: nimrod on December 11, 2011, 11:07:23 PM
Thanks walrusgumboot for the review etc but when I started this thread it wasnt about comparing the various versions of releases and bootlegs but my question was;

Do you think its right that from now on the default version of Beatle albums (in shops) is the remastered cd's ?

and is it right that (except for second hand ebay etc) you wont be able to buy the original albums and hear them. ?
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Elli on December 12, 2011, 08:49:49 AM
I like the remasters, I think they're ok and it's ok they are available. Perhaps they help new people to get to know the music of the Beatles :). Of course it's amazing and fantastic to listen to the original ones, but unfortunately I don't have all of them...  roll:) ;D
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Brynjar on December 12, 2011, 09:10:47 AM
Do you think its right that from now on the default version of Beatle albums (in shops) is the remastered cd's ?

If not the remastered version, then what? Surely not the 1987 version? That version is not all that bad though (as some make out). It would just seem pointless.

You mean that perhaps people should have a choice between the stereo remasters or mono?
Title: Re: Where do you stand on this ?
Post by: Rocky Raccoon on January 21, 2012, 01:05:13 AM
Well, there is indeed some warmth to the original vinyl LPs, they sound very good. The firsts CDs where actually rubbish, they sounded awful, bass and drums where barely audible. This is why the Dr. ebbets' tracks were around. The 2009 remasters are awesome, the instruments are clearer and very distinguishable, unlike the former Cds and yet they didn't mess up with the mixes, the tracks are still the same, they've got all the original anomalies and other curiosities. In fact they're so clear you can hear the studio echoes of the lead singer voice, specially in the first albums (the ones that were originally mixed as mono).