|
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Got mine today. :cool:
WOW :eek:
all I can say
WOW :eek: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Hmmm... sounds like a worthwhile investment? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | My daughter works for EMI in London so I'm hoping she remembers her "Dear Old Dad" when she come home for a visit in four weeks.
AJ :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Interesting review in Newsweek. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | Was there a noticeable difference? I remember when the Past Masters came out, I heard things that I hadn't heard. Was it like that, or just different takes? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | So, Who's getting the Beatles Rock Band edition?
(c'mon, 'fess up!)
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2008
Posts: 747
| Some of it was surprisingly well written:
"...the feeling, however ephemeral, that our ever-expanding world has shrunk to its old, comforting size. In an uncertain age, that sense of shared culture is worth at least a few bucks at the record store."
I was never much interested in the Beatles but I like their early sixties stuff because it reminds me of growing up in the UK at that time - those songs were in black&white as well as mono..lol
I suppose if I was going to buy a boxed set this would have to be it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Here's a different take than Newsweek ... it's from Bob Lefsetz. Love him or hate him, he's been around ... Lefsetz Letter - The Mono Remasters
I don't think I'll be buying Rock Band though ... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Andrew Romano writes in Newsweek;
"The single has replaced the album as pop music's basic unit of measure, reclaiming its pre-Beatles primacy."
And I was still lamenting that Cassette Tapes & CD's destroyed an art form... Album Cover Art.
But like the man sez, this might be a last chance to enjoy the time when Album Tracks were often laid-out in a particular order... The order that the Artists thought that they should be listened in.
Good Article. But I won't be shelling-out the price of a guitar for the two boxed sets.
(I don't have a stereo system worth playing good music through... My CD player is my computer, which kinda defeats the whole point, eh?) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2008
Posts: 747
| Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
I don't have a stereo system worth playing good music through... My CD player is my computer, which kinda defeats the whole point, eh?) Yeah, I miss the album cover art such as it was.
I still think vinyl has a warmer sound and doesn't hurt your ears as much.
I won't be buying the Beatles Box either.
My best friend from high school still uses a cheap boom box to play recorded music and he can play note for note the lead solos from any Jethro Tull or Joe Walsh record plus the keyboard, drums, acoustic and flute parts as well.
One thing he can't do is write his own music whereas I can make up songs on the spot about busted windshields and broken motors or a baroque sort of instrumental piece on guitar etc...lol So over the years we've played a lot of music and sometimes spent like 8 hours non stop on one song only to never play it again ever. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | What's the best source for the remastered mono set, Amazon for $229? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Brad, I got mine from Barnes & Noble (with the member discount) along with a 30% off anything coupon so it came to like $185+shipping....almost a hundred off of retail.
Crimson..if you loved the Beatles and have a good sound/stereo system it is definitely worth getting. Granted that I am sitting and actually listening...but I am hearing new details on songs that I have never heard before....even though I have played/heard some of these songs thousands of times.
If you have the boom box or low end unit then you should probably save your money.
Having said that...the mono set sounds totally fresh and reminds me (as another reviewer put it) of riding in the car listening to the songs for the first time. This is THE DEFINITIVE set to get. Any other Beatle reissue's won't even get my attention. I just can't imagine it being any better....at least for me...YMMV.
Tonight I will finish listening to the rest of the mono set (Pepper onward). Since I have never (to my knowledge) really heard these later albums as mono except on a transistor radio, I am expecting it to be a real treat.
I am actually thinking of picking up the stereo set which originally I was going to pass on.
Expensive, yes....but what price do you put on memories and putting a big smile on one's face! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | O.k., thanks Stephen. Just ordered the mono set, but delivery is a month away. Guess they've received a few orders today. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Actually from what I read, the original pressing of the mono sets sold out but since demand was so great they decided to do a 2nd run....hence the 30 day lead time.
Wonder if it will be identical or have a few changes? Regardless, I know you will enjoy it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | So... When y'all gonna start making copies? :p |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | Well, I pre-ordered the mono set (just as you guys recommended) - but Amazon did not deliver today. I was waiting for the truck - no paket for me!
And I can't await to get it.
Stephen, enjoy it! I hope, mine will arrive tomorrow.
Best regards,
Kurt |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | hiccup |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Kurt, for any Beatle fan it will be worth the wait. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | Got it! The mono box was the right decision - thanks again, guys!
Funny to see that one day after the official release date no mono box is available anymore.
Amazon ist taking no orders anymore - and the market place prices are getting higher and higher from minute to minute.
Best regards,
Kurt |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Look forward to your review after you have had a listen or two. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I received order confirmation from Amazon yesterday, but now we'll see how that goes. They're known for selling stuff they don't have. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 288
Location: New Hampshire, USA | No fear - they'll make more as long as there are buyers.
I'll end up getting the mono set.
For stereo, I'll wait until they reMIX and remaster. If they never do that, then I'll wait for the 5.1 mixes. And if they never do that, I'll be happy with the fan-made 5.1 mixes that I already have, :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2009
Posts: 124
Location: London, UK | Stone the crows! How d'ye make a 5.1 mix from a 2-track original??? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 288
Location: New Hampshire, USA | Oh sorry I wasn't clear. They weren't done by me, but by some other very clever people who know the tricks to extracting certain instruments sounds from a stereo track. One of the "companies" that puts these out is called TOUP (Two Of Us Productions), and I like their 5.1 work the best.
If you torrent, search for BEATLES 5.1 and you'll see a bunch of them. They are iso images that you burn to create DTS DVD's that you can play in your DVD player if it has a digital out going to your DTS-capable receiver. Basically a surround sound movie without the video.
The quality of these 5.1 DTS DVDs is quite high for not having access to the original multi-track tapes. I can only imagine what it could sound like if done by Apple with the original tapes. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Hmmmmm..... So that's why there's wall-to-wall Beatles stuff on British TV at the moment. I got into the Beatles at about age 11 when my uncle gave us his record player and some of his unwanted records including the red and blue double compilation albums. Hugely nostalgic though I was just being born when they split up. Listening to Sgt Peppers now... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2008
Posts: 90
Location: los angeles | Has anyone compared the new releases to the original vinyl releases or the half-speed masters on vinyl? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I am pretty sure that the new releases would beat the original vinyls.
half speed vinyl masters....interesting. I would need to listen to them side by side and I don't know of anybody that owns them. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by scooterboy:
The quality of these 5.1 DTS DVDs is quite high for not having access to the original multi-track tapes. I can only imagine what it could sound like if done by Apple with the original tapes. If you want a sneak peek (or should I say listen), get a copy of the Beatles Love CD, the one with the DVD audio disc. George Martin, along with his very talented son Giles, used the original master tapes AND mastered out to 5.1 DTS as a bonus. Put the DVD into your player and crank the sound. There's no video, just the 5.1 DTS soundtrack. Sort of like Seven Bridges Road at the end of Hell Freezes Over. In addition to just being a cool new way to listen to the Beatles, it is stunning to hear the Beatles totally surrounding you. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | +1 to Bobbo.
I had totally forgotten how blown away by that CD I was when I first got it. Like you mentioned, a stunning example of the Beatles in surround. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 288
Location: New Hampshire, USA | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
If you want a sneak peek (or should I say listen), get a copy of the Beatles Love CD, the one with the DVD audio disc. Definitely - I had that the day it was released. They did a terrific job.
I hope they do the entire catalog that way sometime before I die. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Anyone else out there still have Beatles 45's?
I've got Daytripper, We Can Work It Out, etc. on 45 that my older sister was gonna throw out. A bit scratchy, I'm sure.
(sorry, this has nothing to do with this thread, just curious) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I still have lots of 45s gathering dust....Elvis, Beatles, Ricky Nelson, Pat Boone....
I even have some of the mini-Eps (mainly Elvis) that had 2-3 songs per side.
Very cool stuff if I ever felt like dragging them out to play.....cd's are just so much damn easier. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Yup ... I have an original I Want To Hold Your Hand/I Saw Her Standing There. Also Help/I'm Down and Ticket To Ride/Yes It Is. And yes, they are all mono. :-)
But I think my prized one is my original Magical Mystery Tour EP ... the one with the two 45s and the whole comic book and pictures. It's an EMI/Parlophone, Made in England release I bought in 1967 with some birthday money I got and have kept it to this day. It's still in pretty good shape too because my dad bought us the US album version right about then and that's the one that got played all the time.
Stephen, they're worth dragging out. Especially with that rig you've got. I know CDs have gotten real good, but there's just something "warm" about vinyl that isn't there in digital. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | I was looking through this collection and there's Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, Doors, Animals....very cool stuff |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 1320
Location: Round Rock, TX | When the CD's came out in the 80's I was very excited to be able to replace my very well worn vinyl with a format that wouldn't wear out. That excitement lasted for as long as it took me to listen to one track. Since then I have been anxiously awaiting a remaster. The Yellow Submarine Songtrack and the Love CD's sounded so good, but only served to make me even more frustrated that the entire catalog didn't receive the same treatment. I have now received and listened to the box sets. It may not be the vinyl I originally fell in love with, but it'll definitely do.
I was able to play several of the mono's for my 20 year old son, who had only ever heard the original CD's, which he had heard his whole life. He said, "Is this what they were supposed to sound like?" I nodded. He said, "It's like I've never heard them before now." For me, it's like I am finally getting to hear them again. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
.
Stephen, they're worth dragging out. Especially with that rig you've got. I know CDs have gotten real good, but there's just something "warm" about vinyl that isn't there in digital. When I was at my mom's last month clearing out a lot of the old stuff I came across a ton of my old albums and some of my dad's also. Stuff by Ace Cannon, Boots, Ventures, etc and also a bunch of 78's that are about a 1/4" thick. Most of the 78's looked kinda scratched but I seem to remember that the extra thickness made them almost indestructible compared to the 33 1/3 albums and the scratches weren't that noticeable
when playing them.
Unfortunately my turntable does not have the high speed so not sure what I am going to do. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2008
Posts: 90
Location: los angeles | OK, I bought a couple of the new cds and ordered the mono box. The cds I have played are Sgt. Pepper (stereo) and Help (stereo).
Compared with the Mobile Fideity 1/2 speed master LPs. Verdict: The vinyl contains almost all of the detail of the new cds and is way more natural sounding, especially on cymbals and tambourine which on the cds are harsh and digital-sounding.
But. . . Here's the kicker. The cds are way punchier and just plain more fun to listen to. The music is in your face, and I find myself way more involved in listening to the "music", the voices, the guitar, and particularly the bass, and having fun - nothing analytical to get in the way. The LPs sound much more laid back and distant.
Really looking forward to the mono. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Ahhh the old CD vs Vinyl debate..
The problem with the debate is that there are two many variables and no rules.
Most/Many times an Album is just essentially "copied" to CD. In this case, the CD has little chance of being good for obvious reasons... the main being it's a 2nd generation copy, there's ways to compensate, but lets not go there... lets not even talk about these..
Remasters on the other hand... hopefully, are "REMASTERED". That means taking the ORIGINAL master used to make the vinyl and eq-ing, compressing, expanding, etc.. for digital.
While this is the best method, it's also up to the mastering engineer to decide what it sounds like. Those "cymbals and tambourine which on the cds are harsh and digital-sounding" don't have to sound that way... it was someone's choice for better or worse. It was NOT the digital act of making the CD, it was the HUMAN act of mastering.
Now that all likely makes sense, but here's the real kicker... What makes Vinyl "sound" warmer? It relates to an old engineering trick, even used today in the digital world. Noise. Sometimes to pull a mix together, we inject hiss or just ambient sound. I have clips of ambient room sound I use when I create voice-overs for training. You don't actually hear it unless you are listening for it in an isolated room with headphones, but on normal playback, that noise changes the recording from "cold voice" to "pleasant". Vinyl has a built in hiss generator. It's called a needle. Even on the best machines, there is enough there to make a difference. It's in general why Vinyl sounds warm. Can one make a CD sound warm in the same manner... yes... For the most part, what a CD sounds like, is a human choice, not a technological imperative.
The best way to make YOUR choice is to compare the CD to the Vinyl and choose the one you like. Some times it will be the Vinyl, sometimes it will be the CD. Not real practical, but we all hear things differently, and that is made more dramatic by CD. There are CD's that I think sound much better than the Vinyl while others find the Vinyl better on those.. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2008
Posts: 90
Location: los angeles | Very informative Miles. I agree to a point, but the point where I diverge is that I understand that the cd technology is limited by the number of bits available, and that the analog has a lot more room. Also, analog tape does not have the needle factor but it also has a lot more room. In the end though, I am still finding the new Beatles cds a lot more enjoyable the way they did it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Does anyone know how many of these box sets are made? I bought both the MONO and STEREO sets. The mono box set says it's limited to 10,000. and each box is numbered. But I can't find anything about the number of stereo box sets. I'm guessing based in the price that the stereo box set is much less "limited".
Both boxes are home waiting for me (I'm in europe right now). I'm thinking of not opening the mono box and see what it might be worth in the years ahead, but I'm also curious as hell to see how it sounds. I have most (I think 6) of the mono LPs and they sound wonderful. That's how they were originally intended and by comparison the re-edited stero versions just soud way too artificial. I'm sure the stereo box set fixes that, based on what I've read, but none the less there is real magic in the mono versions which is no doubt why the mono box is priced as it is.
Btw, for comparison here in Holland the Mono Box and Stereo box are available right on the shelf of local shops but they are about 20% more expensive than in the US. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 288
Location: New Hampshire, USA | I believe I read that the decision to only produce 10,000 has already been reversed and they're making more.
So tear into that shrink wrap when you get home... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Cool, something to look forward to ... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | The mono was supposed limited to 10,000 "numbered" sets...like the original white album's embossed numbers. It is my understanding that the 2nd batch will not be numbered.....again like the original white album.
The stereo set was never limited and individual CD's of each album in stereo are available for purchase. Supposedly the Stereo Box set CD's also had some extra DVD content. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Billboard is reporting that 626,000 Beatles CDs sold last week, including 89,000 of Abbey Road. The Stereo Set will be #15 on the Top 200 Chart and the Mono will enter at #40. If they counted the sets as 16 and 12 CDs, the Stereo would probably be #1 and Mono in the Top 10. The Beatles will occupy 9 of the Top 10 slots on the Pop Catalogue Chart. Here is one more amazing stat. The Beatles have a chance to become the Number One selling artist of this decade, 40 years after the release of Abbey Road! They are in second at this time (behind Eminem) but with all the sales this week the gap is closing. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | These are stunning sets. I bought both of them (Stereo and Mono).
Ironically I just realized that I also have the first release Parlaphone CDs which were released in Japan and the UK in 1991 (mfg in Germany). THESE ARE MONO !!! I might box up those original Parlaphones and stick them on ebay. Need to A/B them to the new Mono set first. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | The Beatles are so yesterday. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1456
Location: Texas | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
The Beatles are so yesterday. Yes, but Yesterday is so The Beatles… ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Ovation siting! (crappy sound, though) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I think I'm gonna pick up Abbey Road.
I'm not really much of an audiophile. With that said, should I get the mono or stereo?
Have you every been in a restaurant or store playing background music? And if it was Beatle songs, have you heard just one side of stereo being played?
Those old mixes really divide and seperate the vocals and instruments. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Easy decision. Stereo. Abbey Road is only available in stereo. That's the way it was originally mastered and released. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | You can always set your HiFi playback to MONO. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | In the day I really loved them. They were it!
Now it's interesting to hear them from time to time but I've heard it before.
This ties in with the "window opening" for me discussion.
I would rather listen to something new that allows me to keep going is some direction. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I bought Abbey Road. I was pleased with the price of $12.99. I thought I'd pay more of a premium.
I am not much of an audiophile but even I can hear a difference.
In brief, it's like an audio version of Blu-Ray. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Yes, these are very nicely done. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Looks like Amazon has received its new supply. Just received confirmation that an order placed last month has now been shipped. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2009
Posts: 180
Location: michigan | Thought I would push this one back to the top. I know they just decided to make more box sets both mono and stereo. In December 2009, EMI(Apple) released the USB Version of the Stereo Box set. It is a small steel Apple USB with the Green logo. The cool thing about it is than what is on the CDs). I had to load WINAMP off the web to play the FLAC versions, but WOW. Better than the 1/2 speed remastered vinyl (and I have a pretty good vinyl set up). You also get the MP3 versions of all the songs which are better (because the source was better than CD quality). Type in Beatles Box set USB to see/hear about it and read reviews. It is a little pricy at 299, howevear, they are only going to make 30,000 of these.
AMAZON.CA has them ( for $219) best price.
If you have been waiting, this is one to get. it didn't come out until Dec of 2009 and it is getting harder to come by. Enjoy |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Cute idea. At least they did it in FLAC.
Amazon's out. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I got one of them there green apple thingyes.
They are cute and the USB Flacs do sound great.
Waskel, Amazon.CA has them but I got mine a while back from Music Direct. I think they still have a few in stock if you are really interested. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Not interested (already have them), but I checked right after rhoadsscholar's post and it said they had sold out of their allotment.
Oops, just reread your post. No, I didn't check .ca.
You're right, they still have them. |
|
| |
Beatles Remastered Box Sets