The Beatles - new remasters...

[af0h]

Just completed my collection of the new remasters of all the Beatles albums from Rubber Soul on. Sorry, not a fan of bubblegum pop - only their later stuff.

First thing that is noticable would be the overall volume. Not over-compressed like so many new albums, but slightly louder than most of the earlier CD releases.

The bass is what is the most improved. Actually it is now an appropriate volume level - not subdued like the radio-versions you commonly hear. Nice to actually hear the Bass Guitar so well.

The overall sonic detail is quite nice too. While I didn't really hear any new sounds, the details are much more clear and pronounced than most of the earlier attempts. The biggest differences seem to be with the earlier albums, as quality improved somewhat over the years as did their mixing skills I believe.

While I still prefer to listen to 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' on MFSL 180g Vinyl (I have 2 copies, 1 to listen to and the other to collect), this CD Remaster sounds really good too.

Did I waste my money? Well, being somewhat of an audiophile and wanting the best possible recording of some of my favorite albums, I am not dissatisfied.

What to you guys/gals think about these new releases?

 

[Pablo]

Same here basically. I agree on the bass tracks, way better - more dynamic range. The effects in Abbey Road almost sound new. Listen to your oldest LP Abbey Road and then the remaster.

 

[Pablo]

Just listened to the remastered white Album for the first time...man it's edgy good. All the songs are good. What more can I say about the Beatles? Made something better? I think reMASTER is an appropriate word here. Get them......[censored] you can get them from the library.

Gonna get that boy...

 

[greenaccord02]

I've been listening to them for the past week or so. Really excellent quality. I don't want to say it makes you hear them in a different way, but it brings out nuances you might not have noticed if it weren't for the cleaner sound. Three that stuck out to me most were:

Paperback Writer - the bass line on this sounds awesome now.
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window - The guitar part really rings.
I'll Follow the Sun - this song shows the huge difference between the original and remaster.

In addition, all the fades and effects (think I Am the Walrus) sound trippy now.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I`ve got original vinyl copies of every Beatles US release up to Abbey Road in mono......which imo is the only way to hear their music :^)

 

[greenaccord02]

I'll have to pull out the wax and give it a comparison.

 

[Pablo]

Listening to RM Rubber Soul now. You are really right about the bass, but it was probably not so hard to pull out the overdubbed bass......rumors had it that John did a lot of bass dubs. I can usually tell Paul's style.

But listen to the lyrics in Girl....is that a doobie? 1965? Hmm....

 

[Pablo]

White Album. Helter Skelter sounds like a new song.

They really don't say bits in Hapiness is a Warm Gun.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
White Album. Helter Skelter sounds like a new song.


yeah, they just interviewed Charles Manson after he listened to the remaster; quote: "huh. maybe they weren't speaking to me after all".








j/k

 

[Pablo]

Chuck kinda ruined a good song, didn't he?

 

[greenaccord02]

"I GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!!!"

 

[ARCOgraphite]

i just listened to RM abbey road on 3 different CD machines. Sorry, dont like it. May have been a bad duplicator running on my batch, dunno. I use various studio headphones (spousal requirement) for listening and noticed odd phase rotations and thin timber on vocals as well as a digital glare. I liked the thick, chewy licorice compression and console that GM used in the original mixdown - This sounds almost like a Beatle cover band. I have a Reel to Reel studio tape of abbey road as well as an early release album for comparison. The original first CD release was mastered fine by GM. Now, does John lennon beat box - "shoot me" at the beginning of Come Together?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
"I GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!!!"
"It's getting too cold to play a chord!"

 

[addyguy]

Have you heard about EMI putting the Abbey Road Studio up for sale? Shame to see such a historic place have such an un-certain future.....

Love the Beatles - great stuff!

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I use various studio headphones (spousal requirement) for listening and noticed odd phase rotations and thin timber on vocals as well as a digital glare. I liked the thick, chewy licorice compression and console that GM used in the original mixdown


It was likely the venerable and hideously expensive Fairchild 670 used for mixdowns, if not in addition to lathe pressing for vinyl (it's intended purpose). That one unit - not made in 45 or 50 years and commanding upwards of $25,000USD for a unit in good condition - may very well be responsible for *both* the magic/ mojo and the odd spectral or phase anomalies.