Trouble in Paradise! Recent LP Reissue Disasters from Sade, Duran Duran, Soundgarden & Pearl Jam...
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- In response to viewer requests, today I'm talking about a selection of recent new LP purchases of albums reissued within the last year or so that have failed to reach what I'd consider the minimum standard for an LP, that it sounds better than the CD.
First up in this video I'll be discussing the 2023 release of Sade's studio catalogue: 'This Far'. I purchased this boxed set on release last year, but now the individual albums are going on sale. So, before you head out to buy what really should be a sublime example of the recorded music art, do make sure you watch this video!
Next up are the 2024 Duran Duran remasters. As with the Sade, these ought to be spectacular: half-speed mastered at Abbey Road, once upon a time a name synominous with impeccable quality. But can we still say the same today?
And rounding off this batch of disappointment are a brace of Grunge classics, whilst not as monumentally awful as the above mentioned abominations, they are still way behind what I consider they ought to be.
You are preaching my gospel. FACT: The music industry is EXPLOITING consumers, especially the newcomers to this hobby. Instead of using original analog masters, many re-issues are compressed digital files, resulting in flat, inferior sound. Cheap pressings have unwanted noise from low quality materials and dirty environment. I just received brand new "The Wall" reissue by E.G. Records and it has crackle and pop that can't be removed. We used VPI record cleaner twice. No effect on removing it. Where is QUALITY CONTROL at these pressing plants? They're literally robbing consumers. I'm tempted to reveal The Wall LP on my channel. If I had the money, I'd create website for public to document and expose terrible re-issues. Carry on.
Thanks for the comments! Sadly, I have to agree...
I have been saying this for a few years now. I don’t want an analog copy of a digital file.
@@rubenp8750 Whilst I'm inclined to agree with you; consider digital recordings made in the 90s, before digital mixing was a thing. Those are analogue masters, made from digital files... Dire Strats - Brothers in Arms is a perfect example - perfect unless you hate the music ;-)
Not sure if you saw my video on the Linkin Park, now there's a digital recording, mixed in analogue, to tape, that's then been digitised to 24/192, and cut to vinyl (and pressed using the One-Step process). It sounds far better than the original CD (in my opinion).
Of course I'd much rather avoid any digitisation, but it doesn't always spell disaster, and if the recording is digital it's either don't listen to it, or find the best version, which is my way of thinking.
The Sade box set is cut from digital transfers so it predictably sounds processed. You can pick up sealed original 1988 pressings of Stronger than Pride for about $80 USD and NM used original pressings for about $40 that sound amazing. Same range for Promise and Diamond Life.
I didn't know for sure that the Sade box was cut from digital, but it does sound like it...
I assume that most artists don't have any control over later re - releases quality or content ?
@@andrewbrazier9664I honestly don’t know on that one Andrew.
@@andrewbrazier9664 I don't know about Sade, but pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Right Act termination provisions, several artists or their estates or other personal representatives have reclaimed the rights to their master recordings and now control the master tapes.
@@jbsaudio An artist can claim his master tapes after 52 years. It's a long time to wait.
Yeah if you look at the deadwax on the Soundgarden reissue the deadwax is far smaller, meaning the grooves are wider. 6db would do it. They lose headroom/dynamics that way. I've got an OG pressing of VS and it's great.
Thanks for the info Mike. I have in fact picked up an original Vs since doing this video, and can concur: it sounds phenomenal, and blows away the reissue.
So annoying how the wall of sound louder mastering makes you turn down the volume because it's simply very tiring to listen to. For background music in a noisy environment the compression sounds brilliant. But if you actually want to LISTEN to a record (and with vinyl that's probably the case unless you're using a Crossley) it's SO annoying. Thanks for the warnings!
I agree. It's made me think about this whole loudness, and cutting 'hot' thing...
Thanks for your feedback.
Great to hear your input on these releases. Personally, I’ve had bad luck with Dokken’s “Under Lock and Key” on the Friday Music label and Queensrÿche’s “Empire” on the Back On Black label.
Dokken was dull and lifeless while Queensrÿche’s sound was attenuated WAY too much. I had to really turn up the volume to get some decent sound out of it. Never again will I make a purchase of either label.
On the flip side, my UHQR’s of Steely Dan’s “Aja” & “Gaucho” were the chef’s kiss. 🤘🏼
Thanks for the feedback: I didn't used to buy reissues much at all, until trying some of the Analogue Productions releases. I find most of them very worthwhile, and Blue Note Tone Poets and Classic Series are awesome, especially for the money.
I bought the new reissues of the first 3 Sade albums (individual records instead of the box). To me they sound good, the records are flawless, completely flat, heavy and silent. The jackets are also nice, especially considering the price (around 18 USD).
Glad you’re happy with the reissues.
Thanks for sharing!
Just subscribed due to this video, thanks for the info. Like 284 from me.
Best wishes to all, from Scotland.
Jim🏴🙂
Cheers Jim. Thanks for subscribing.
@@DaveDenyer you're welcome my friend.
Hi Dave - another disappointment is I have had to send back 2 out 10 purchases of new vinyl this year because the vinyl was warped. This ratio is too high, are you experiencing the same?
Not that bad to be honest, but I do get more warped discs than I feel I used to - worst culprit is actually the MOFI One Steps pressed at RTI.
Excellent review & ty for sparing us all the Duran Duran RE pain...subscribed!
Thanks for the feedback, and thanks for subscribing!
I have the 1st UK press of Sade Love Delux it sounds stunning, rich deep, spacious yet minimal at the same time. The bass is tight, crisp and punchy. Totally agree the box set reissues are dead, one level lifeless monotone.
Thanks for letting me know. I’m gonna have to hunt down an original.
I'm not surprised. The CD was an audiophile's delight.
I had to return my reissue of Tori Amos UG as it had non fill on one side, which produced ripping sounds on various tracks when played. I have the original LP which is OK, but could be better.
The limited edition Blu Ray is the only way to get the least compressed version, including the extra tracks, with Atmos.
Thanks for the feedback Nick. I shall certainly be revisiting this album in a forthcoming video.
@@DaveDenyer Tori is not pro active enohgh to protect her fans.
On Steve Hoffman's forum there's been quite a lot of chat about one of the truly great albums - Nina Simone's "Little Girl Blue", originally recorded for Bethlehem in 1957. After several pages of posts, the most recommended edition for the greatest sound was Charly's first CD issue from 1993 - in mono. So I did as told and bought one for £2.70. I have the album on vinyl, I also have Charly's 1999 issue, but the consensus was correct, the first UK CD sounds the best - it sounds wonderful!
Loudness Wars - the biggest disaster ever to affect CDs - now it affects vinyl! How's that for stunning stupidity?
I’ve heard an original Bethlehem of that album on a sympathetic mono system it sounded divine.
Thanks for your feedback Peter.
I can't find a 93 charly UK mono CD on discogs.
Got a link?
@@DaveDenyer I can well imagine. The Steve Hoffman thread started off as a discussion about the various vinyl and CD remasters of recent years - with varying opinions of what sounded best.
Just received my 1-Step of Meteora, listening to it now. Oh yeah... I can see what you meant about the Hybrid Theory sounding so good. Honestly, I would have never guessed a pressing taking from a Hi-Res file could possibly sound this good. I must say Levi at Black Belt Mastering apparently knows his stuff! (Wake up Abbey Road, for Goodness sake!)
Now, my system does not have the resolution to show up the differences between the standard pressing and the 1-Step anywhere NEAR what yours would. But, the differences are definitely stark enough to appreciate. Most assuredly more dynamic, more precise without sounding 'Processed' Although, I've always felt more electronically sourced (sampled) albums can get away with processing more so than say SADE or something more naturally organic in nature.
The lows are a lot cleaner and there is definitely more naturally sounding separation. I do NOT buy expensive records like this lightly or very often at all, but I'm glad I bought this one, also admittedly due to its limited nature. You are gonna love it! 😁
Don't get me wrong, they did a bloody JAW DROPPING stunning job on the standard pressing (somehow!) which would be perfectly fine in and of itself. But, since I happen to like the album so much, I am very happy to have the 1-Step!
Good to hear! Mine is still en-route… can’t wait…
'Appalling Records'... 😀 Appreciate the mention, thanks! And YES! Meteora is bloody fantastic, you'll love it!
Interesting, the way you describe the 1st album in the Sade Box Set sounds EXACTLY like the recent No Name vinyl from Jack White. Frigg'n GREAT songs, no doubt. But, just like you said, flat as a bloody pancake, absolutely NO dynamics whatsoever, everything is at the same loud volume, which is truly a shame. I couldn't return it fast enough, the FLAC album sounds way better (which is extremely rare for me to say unless the vinyl is pretty bad) Same thing with his last one, Fear of the Dawn. Flat, no dimension... I sure don't know WHAT the hell is going on with Jack's sound 'quality', but it sure ain't there.
Turgid, flat, processed... Good choice of words.
HAH! When you said Abbey Road Studios (probably their 'lovely' 1/2 speed digital pressing) I though in the words of Monty Python, 'SAY NO MORE!'... On my tube driven tall open baffle mult-driver dipole line arrays with 13 drivers a side + biamped 2-15" dipole woofers which is specifically designed to reveal image and soundstage, the 'depth' and dimension are TOTALLY flat, and their last few 1/2 speed releases have sounded that way. I will NOT buy any more of theirs unless I hear stellar things from multiple sources about one of their pressings (BTW, FWIW, their earlier mono Disraeli Gears is actually quite fantastic and although not normally a big mono guy, completely blows away the standard stereo version)
Ah... I do have a 1st US pressing of VS, and YES! it does sound bloody amazing! (Don't have 10 though, but I had a 1st of Vitalogy and didn't really like it so sold it on the SHF, and I have 2 or 3 other originals of theirs)
Yes, please, by all means continue with the lousy records to save us little people with far less means of wasting our money. Thank you very much sir for this most helpful video!
Haha, glad you enjoyed this one. And most importantly, thanks for confirming the OG of 'Vs.' is worth getting. It's not cheap and hence it is good to know before shelling out big money.
ps. The other Linkin Parks are still en-route. Really looking forward to them.
@@DaveDenyer Oh yes! Like most of my albums, I hadn't listened to it many years, so I took it out and played it. I was SO impressed with the sound quality I was actually moved to write a thread about it on the SHF. The material is VERY strong too in my lowly and wretched opinion.
@@latheofheaven "lowly"? I don't know what your speakers are but they don't sound that that lowly.... ;-) Thanks again for your ongoing support
@@DaveDenyer 😁
The real art is in the mastering. But brick walling and bad remixing in some circles, is still prevalent. Kevin Gray and Bernie Grundman have been highly critical of half speed mastering. There are some great interviews where the two explain it's inherent weaknesses.
I'm in agreement with BG and KG on that one!
The original Rio sounds so good and not hard to find thankfully
Indeed. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks Dave, you just saved me that trouble. I was looking to buy Sade Love Delux that will be available on 20th of september. To be honest, such a shame that Sade work dont get better mastering threatment. And, when you release such box, why not include nice booklet or something extra nice with it, its beyond me.
Agreed!
I would not be surprised if these were NOT AAA for these reissues. That could be a factor, plus some mastering engineers who are primarily digital in their experience don’t have the craft skills of the old vinyl mastering engineer legends.
I'm starting to wonder if they actually intend for this kind of flat, mega compressed sound... Hope not but it does feel like that might be the case...
The UK original pressing of Rio sounds phenomenal. The production of the album is already very glossy. Very easy to overcook it.
Agreed, although I'd not say that the 1980s was the golden era of vinyl production.
@@DaveDenyer Oh no, that one is definitely a highlight in a lot of dubious 80s pressings I have.
I think Sade is great, but everytime I hear Smooth Operator I always think of Lathe Operator from a Lenny Henry sketch from about 30 years ago. :D ...actually it could be more like 40 years.
LOL I’ll have to look that up! 😂
Yeah, I won’t buy any more Abbey Road half-speed mastered records. I remember buying Pete Townsend albums, half speed (so digital) from the original analogue tapes. Terrible. Flat (compressed? Same mastering as the CD?).
The thing is, I have a version of Songbird by Eva Cassidy, Abbey Road and it is stunning. So, they have the ability but, maybe marketing, they are pushing this half speed thing and I was burned several times. I don’t know what they are doing but, worse still, it seems they don’t know what they are doing… 😂
Agreed. I have some recent Abbey Rd successes. But not many compared to the failures. Surely they listen to the test pressings….
Thank you, useful & illuminating, perhaps the new releases are being re-mixed & mastered for crosley players? 🤣😂🤣😂
LOL, Crosleys and earbuds!
I am with @BigCraig on this as well. My box set beats the pants off of her first 2 original LP’s and CD’s that I own; however, do not own any other formats of Soldier of Love or Lovers Rock. No complaints on any of them from me, and I am usually very critical of sound or pressing quality.
My equipment is “middle of the road”, but I do have a micro-lined stylus that may contribute to my copies sounding anything but “flat” as described by Dave.
This is very interesting. I can't imagine mine, and so many other viewers' copies are faulty, and frankly it is so many modern reissues that are affected like this. Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I do appreciate differing opinions...
Do you find the new ones have more bass? If there was one single trait I'd say it was that, and less brightness...
Very informative, thank you -- if you happen to get your hands on the recent, individual Sade reissues it would be interesting to hear you thoughts on those
I’m assuming (but don’t know for sure) that they’re the same… I will look into that.
Almost certain they will be the same as the boxed versions. Why would they bother to remaster (money) them again?
@@DaveDenyer You're probably right -- if it was a different remaster it probably would've been marketed as such. But thanks either way
I also own the Sound Garden (One of my al time favorite albums). Mine is from a few years back that was apparently remastered, but its sounds pretty muffled and flat; The sound is dampened. I still haven't listened to the Pearl Jam or the Sade box set yet (I do own them). But, good to know your opinion on these and continue these videos because there is always going to be some negativity in any hobby. Why not share those thought also?
Thanks for the feedback!
If it’s done by Abbey Road Studios - run
Everything lack air and ambience
@Audiotomb - seems to be the case...
I have the Sade box set and the main problem I have with it is the actual condition of the vinyl. Scratches on them like you wouldn't believe.
Blimey, that's not good. Mine is in perfect condition, it sounds sounds awful.
@@DaveDenyer will have to hunt down an original after your thoughts and praise.👍
This is a worrying trend. Have you watched Darren Lock review of the new Queen remix of the first album.
Hi Stephen, no, I haven’t seen that, but I will do.
I bought Diamond LIfe when it first came out and I thought BACK THEN that it sounded horrible. Not sure if there was a UK release of the album because D.L. came out at the height of the British New Wave movement, and everything I was buying at that time HAD to be a UK import because to me, they just sounded better. Regardless, the release I bought was the American pressing on Epic Records. Oh my God, simply awful. It was so sibilant and muddy sounding that even trying to EQ it to cassette didn’t help. Tried on several different turntables with a variety of cartridges and the results were basically the same.
My original Diamond Life is the UK release, and it sounds great to me.
Hi Dave who remastered the Sade box. Abbey rd.
Ah I stayed around for Duran Duran. Abbey rd. not that great.
Hi George, yep Abbey Road…
@@DaveDenyer exactly
Glad to find that I'm not alone with Rio by Duran Duran. I played the reissue once and thought that's the last time I'll play that..............truly awful.
I don’t think I actually got through the whole album. It’s awful.
Indeed Dave, there is absolutely no accounting for taste. I reckon (imo) that many of the contributory comments on the Hoffman pages are simply that of a nature of self-aggrandisement. Geezers have spent a few too many bucks on a record and by jove they're gonna make sure everyone knows they bought a diamond. The same thing is all over Discogs, too, concerning recent reissue vinyl pressings. It's pretty clear there's also no accounting for integrity and honesty.
Thanks for the feedback. 👍
I don't think it's a lack of integrity. On their own, a lot of these reissues sound good. They only start to fall apart when u compare to originals which a lot of Discog commenters don't have.
@@arize84 And compared to originals which very probably a lot of Hoffman commenters don't have either. Which was exactly my point on integrity. If you don't own the original, therefore, just what are they comparing it to? I don't see Dave here ever doing that. It's absolutely about integrity.
The CD of Sade's Love Deluxe sounds amazing - others agree with me. So does the CD Soldier of Love. Sorry!
Whether CD or LP, it's the quality of mastering to disc which matters - whether the guys who did it had any idea what they were doing.
Talking about quality, the more the industry cashes in with the vinyl revival, the worse this problem will get. They're getting greedy.
I live in Essex, I have connections to Helen... she's a couple of years younger than me.
I walked past her in the street in Stroud a few years ago.
I’m not arguing with that! My favorite version of Love Deluxe has been, and is, the CD.
I would to hear the original LP though…
I suppose a question comes to mind. You have the originals, which you say on all occasions sound amazing. What were you hoping the repress's would reveal? Surely they would either be there equal ...or worse?. Btw I agree, Ive been buying vinyl for 45 years, the first thing I noticed about represses around post 2015 was the lack of dynamics....wel that and surface noice...& of course poorly rendered sleeves on many occasions.
Ever the optimist, I’m hoping they can do better. I do think the Atlantic 75s have been successes. Some of original LPs are very expensive, especially of 90s albums.
@@DaveDenyer Thats a fair comment. As someone who loves vinyl over all other formats but has a limited budget my rule has always been 'Once you have a sound you are happy with...stop!' Ive applied it to Vinyl & audio equipment..its not a bad rule actually...certainly saved me a lot of money over the years...and arguments about the benefits of certain speaker cables! 🤣
@@Harrispilton22 I've worked in the hifi industry since the 1980s so evaluating sound quality has been core to what I do for eons.
I'm fully aware there is a lot of rubbish out there, but there are also some real gems.
@@DaveDenyer Definately Dave..and I am aware of who you are 🙂. I suppose i consider it good advise for people who have been buying vinyl a few years,have a nice set up..& suddenly they are making these expensive incremental upgrades., its often seems the law of diminishing returns & money they could be spending on records. Ive got a record collection gathered over 35 years worth about £75k and i've got an Onkyo A-9010 amp £200.00, its sounds wonderful to me..thats where i'll stop..well untill it stops working!
@@Harrispilton22 by the way. I was a bit envious of you meeting Mazzy. I’ve been a fan of his channel for ages.
999 out of 1000 remasters are garbage. Poorly remastered and/or pressed. The first 3 Sade albums as well as the early Duran Duran studio albums all sound excellent.
A few years ago I bought the 2009 2LP remaster of Rio, which had a remaster of the original on one disc and remixes of some hits from that album on the second. The 2009 remaster of Rio has been reused several times since then, but all are the same poor or perhaps even worse in sound quality. At some point, following a post on Discogs, I bought an original 1982 version of Rio and I was blown away.What a difference.
And yet there are those idiots who continue to insist that recent remasters sound better than original albums. Even so-called audiophile experts. Idiots.
To be fair, many of my videos are about 'audiophile' reissues. I have started buying them because the originals are out of reach, financially. However, they are certainly not all good. There are some great reissue labels (Analogue Productions, Blue Note Tone Poet) which have a very high success rate - success being the album is as good as, or at least close to, an original. But there are many others who just 'change' the mastering, and not for the better.
Thanks for your feedback.
Interested in Tori Amos comparison
Thanks for the feedback
Maybe an equalizer might help with the sound.
😅
perhaps "bought a dog" series
LOL, love it!
I think dave this needs to be spoken of way more often , digital remasters are terrible. And we're being ripped off.
Pretty much, I’d have to agree.
Your descriptions are internally inconsistent and frequently meaningless.
Don't be so damned rude
Are his descriptions consistent on the outside tho?
🤓 i do my best
@blindlemon Are you one of those todays recordplant engineers? 😅
Shocking you don’t have 100K followers. Keep going 🙏🏼
Thanks Jeremy. That’s such a nice thing to hear!
Ditto.
@@apollomemories7399 thanks!
I was surprised at your negative experience with the Sade box set. I've had it for over a year now, and have listened to it many times. I find that the mix is solid with a wide soundstage, high dynamics, and a warmth that the CD's lack. I don't have an explanation as to why my experience with this version is the opposite of yours. It could be a difference of equipment, or simply a difference in taste. Regardless, all the best to you.
Interesting. Thanks for the feedback Craig.
Craig,
do you have originals of the same recordings in the Sade box set? If so, don't the originals far exceed the the recordings in the box set?
@@ClearOutSamskaras I have original vinyl of the first two LP's, and CD's of the rest. Going back and listening to a bit of comparison again, it looks like my good impression of the box came from the difference between the CD's of the last three LP's and the box set copies. The box set got rid of the CD compression and really opens up the soundstage. Comparing the vinyl of the first two original pressings that I own with the box set, I can hear what you're talking about...the original LP's have a fuller sound. It looks like it's a case of differences between the individual albums. Because of the better mix with the box set's last three albums, I still say this is a very good box set.
Same here, my boxset sounds beautiful and detailed
Same here-no complaints with my box. Better than CD and OG copies I have.
Every so often you should do one of these "Recent Disaster" or "Past Disasters" video's, it was very interesting and informative. I believe lots of people will find it so and will turn out to be one of your higher watched efforts.
You're right there!
To be honest I shot this video on Saturday morning and then felt quite anxious all day as I just don't like slagging off people. It's not in my nature. But I have to say the response has blown me away, this is already one of the most-watched videos I've ever done!
I will make this a regular feature. As I work though my 'in pile'.
Thanks for the feedback.
RIO is horrible sounding! i have it from 1983! and it sounds terrible.
Thanks for the feedback!
Pearl Jam is usually really good about their catalog, so that is a shock it is a dud.
You hit the nail right on the head with the last comment & yes unfortunately records now are mixed for headphone use appealing to the mass markets ...☹️
Sad if true 😢
Hi a new subscriber and great reviews.
Ive collected vinyl since 1979 and i personally wouldnt buy a remastered reissue for the exact same reasons you said, especially about Sade and Duran Duran.
Nothing beats the sound of the originals imo.
I know the originals are older and have crackles etc, but thats the attraction of them.
I always revert back to The Smiths lyrics of Paint A Vulgar Picture and how right was Morrissey way back in the 80s 👌
Hi, thanks for subscribing and yes, I generally consider the original the definitive reference. On occasion it can be bettered though. Or a very good reissue can be had for less money than an original.
Bro... that HAS to be one of the funniest screen names ever! 😃
So true. Starting 10 years ago to rebuild a record lp collection, I have gone thru a lot of learning. Buying mostly at media type outlets and on the internet those mass releases. I learned about the missing qualities of e.g. AR halfspeed masterings, GZ pressings etc.
Most of those releases I have already gotten rid of and never buy those categories again. If one wants to truly enjoy the music on vinyl lp playing hobby despite the higher cost and effort of playing lp vs. digital media, one needs to take record buying seriously and be upfront more knowledgeable and selective. Quality rules quantity!
Channels like yours tremendously help in that buying process. Thank you for that.
Thank you Thomas.
Very useful video. No need to buy these reissues then, right? By the way, I want to recommend 2 vinyl releases to you. Medieval Death LP and free DVD and the Mordicus “Rights ‘n Trials” LP. If you want to know more Google [Medieval Death LP and free DVD + Mordicus “Rights ‘n Trials” LP], then check audio, videos etc. \m/
Just watched ‘Moments of Silence’ Not quite my thing: but thanks for the suggestion. 😎
@@DaveDenyer Thanks for giving it a try !
It has become difficult to get good re-issue records. I wait until there are a few reviews on Discogs before pulling the trigger. However I am enjoying sourcing OG presses of things or upgrading to better OG presses. By the way, that might be the most miserable t-shirt I've ever seen. Good work.
Buying OGs certainly has been my aim over the passed 45 years or so.
Thanks for the feedback. The t-shirt seemed appropriate for today's discussion! ;-)
Depeche Mode reissues of Some Great Reward and Violator are really disappointing. Flat and lifeless. The cds are better.
Not played them in ages, but I also have dome DM reissues, and some originals… if memory serves me well, the reissues were disappointing. I need to revisit those.
Sad... but true. I had a similar experience once in a while. But when it comes to re-issues, I also bought some good ones. Not all of them are terrible. Anyway, it's an interesting debate and a highly useful video. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for watching, and for sharing your feelings Matthias.
Its a fact that sone reissues are dire beyond belief. I picked up Black Sabbaths debut album and it was flat and garbage. I bought an earlier pressing and was very happy.
Hi Marky, indeed. I’ve finally found an original Love Deluxe. Cost way more than the reissue but had to be done, if you love the music.
I am lucky in as much as I found Black Sabbath before they became famous (I am 71) and have an A1-B1 pressing of the debut album. My nephew bought a resissue of it and you can hardlly believe it is the same album. It sounds muffled, thought it was his hi-fi but no it is the re-issue. Record companies just cashing in.
Unfortunately, it`s the same issue with CD reissues, at least for 25 years. I want the music, not just the deep tones!
I certainly witnessed this with Tori Amos - Scarlett’s Walk. I always now look for “original” CD releases of those records where the vinyl isn’t great.
Recently bought the latest Scorpions LP on vinyl the mastering is awful. I thought there was something wrong with my stylus
Thanks for the feedback Paul.
Jeezuz! £32 for a single album, did I fall asleep & wake up a hundred years later?
They were around £3.99 - £4.49 when I started buying them. And a pint of beer cost 40p! 😂
100% agreed on the Sade Box. The Bass especially was annoying me! I ended up searching out the originals. Thank you for saving me the purchase on the new Rio. Great channel you have-Thank you Cheers!
Glad to be of service. I’m also looking for the remaining Sade originals that I didn’t already have.
Thanks for commenting Steve.
I’m lucky I still have my original copies. And some 12” extended versions.
WHY are these reissues sounding bad? Are they remastering them incorrectly or are they using CD masters, or what?
That really is THE QUESTION...
I honestly don't know. Abbey Road's Half Speed mastering is a digital process. But why use that? I don't know... Abbey Road's reputation, the 'badge' in terms of marketing? It is such a shame...
Hi Dave, I have the Sade box set but i only bough it because it's her, only played love deluxe because it's my favourite Sade Album, and I have an original UK pressing. There is no comparison between them. The original is dynamic. The reissue isn't, its that simple. Such a dissapointing release. I wont sell the box set though its just memorabilia now Why oh why are the record companies ruining everything they reissue on vinyl A couple of exception Talk Talk The colour of Spring. The reissue is brilliant. George Michael - Older really good. It's not difficult to get the reissues right, its just a decision compress or not ? It needs to stop and its important that reviews like yours get out there, hopefully minds will be changed if we keep rejecting the rubbish and keep letting people know, its rubbish and why.
Thanks for the feedback. Totally agree about Older. I have got, yet not yet played a Colour of Spring reissue. The original of ghat is stunning though. Not sure why I bought the reissue but give it a play now you mention it.
If you're willing to take one for the team 😃 , I'd love it if you could do a couple of Francoise Hardy (may she rest in peace) comparisons of originals to reissues. I have been away from music for many years now and recently I have decided to "come back". I can see that there is something rotten going on with reissues.
Please stop saying that a video such as this is "negative", it isn't.
I do actually have a few original Francoise Hardy albums. I'm not too sure if I have any reissues though. I seem to recall seeing one at a recent Record Store Day. I'll have a look and if I do, then I'll certainly include in a video.
What I do remember about those originals is that they sound wonderful. Really wonderful.
Thanks for the support.
I have a 12" single of Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" - now that is a great sounding piece of vinyl.
Mid 80s if I'm correct.
I remember the song. I bet it sounds good! If I stumble across a copy in my local used record store I'll certainly pick it up. Thanks for the tip Peter.
On the flip side, the original vinyl edition of Soundgarden’s Superunknown is not great. It’s a straight copy from the original CD. The 2014 reissue on 200gr vinyl is superior. Not as good as the 2004 reissue mastered by Willem Makee though, which commands top dollar.
Not altogether sure which cut of Superunknown I have. It's not an original, that I do know for sure.
Are artists like Sade and Duran Duran actually aware of their music getting shat on by the record company? And do they even care?
That is a really good point. I honestly don’t know but would love to find out.
Although “do they care”? I would imagine so.
Hello Dave, I had a Japanese copy of Duran Duran Rio and it was good and very punchy and a high bright end full range ..It was the only copy of Rio I had so I cannot compare it and I sold it a long time ago ..Japanese vinyl can be hit or miss by the way they are known to cut the bass way down on their music media because of their living style of being so compact ..Are you interested in the recent Analog Productions reissue of Joe Walsh The Player You Get The Smoker You Drink/ 45 rpm ? .
Hi, I’ve found the same with Japanese imports. Some are great, some too bass-light for my taste.
Not so familiar with the Joe Walsh album so gonna pass on that one.
@@DaveDenyer .It is very diverse album with a great production .. There is a good upload of it on Ytube so give it a try bro..
None of these are Porky Prime Cuts I guess?
Sadly not!
I'm talking about Duran Duran which are my favorite bands I think the new release is terrible because the 80s engineers and producers are all are gone they're all dead so I think that's what it is and it could also be the record label company
I suspect it's the record company... But who knows for sure? Thanks for commenting Carlos.
@@DaveDenyer absolutely
Damn. 32 quids for a crappy press of a record that used to be in 1£ bins, is that where we at now?! Anyway, thanks Dave for trying this type of content!
I love Rio but still need to get an OG LP though. No sweat, i'm pretty sure i'll find one in the wild someday.
For those who look for it: EU is the way to go as the 'original' version ('1st edition' in the US) has seen its price creeping up lately on the other side of the pond but can be found around 7-15€ here.
As for your inquiry about Badmotorfinger: i have the 2003 EU '320' press. It sounds good to my ears (low volume because of the length). Don't take my word for it as i don't have an OG to compare but you can check Discogs and you'll see this is the version people seem to praise univocably (funny enough, not many people praise the OGs, but it's probably because not many have them!).
Thanks for the feedback, I am generally happy to settle for EU originals of albums of this period as the US originals are (in the UK) hard to find and ridiculously expensive.
Top of my want list right now are originals of: Sade - Love Deluxe, Temple of the Dog, and Pearl Jam - Vs.
@@DaveDenyer Living in France, I agree. The prices of US originals can be bonkers. And, sometimes you can find EU reissues (like those amazing '320') which can equal or even beat the OG (Superunknown for example).
As for Sade, I only have an OG of the 1st album. Thanks to your video, it forced me to listen to 'Love Deluxe' and now you've put me on the hunt too!
I purchased a re released copy of the wall on vinyl to replace a fairly noisy and worn copy . It was and is awful. Sounds like a poor copy from a CD. Flat , lifeless and a waste of money. I still play my original copy , which has been cleaned making it better and listenable. I think record companies are taking the urine.
I don't blame you (still playing your original). I'm planning another video on record cleaning, for this very reason...
"Get them up against the wall".
Hi Dave, I bought the Duran Duran Rio out of curiosity. Not a patch on my original pressing. All of the Duran Duran albums pressed at EMI are fantastic sounding records. If you want to hear what Duran Duran should sound like then get a 12inch of Rio part 2. Play it loud and be amazed at the mastering achieved back in the 1980’s also worth a mention is the 12 inch of save a prayer, it’s sublime it really is.
Thanks for the info. I’ll look out for those 12inches.
@@DaveDenyer just to add that the original pressing of Notorious is a DMM pressing, the fidelity is out of this world.
@@dl4162Agreed on Notorious, it’s one of those gems that’s hiding in plain sight- incredible sound quality on the OG pressings
Thank you so much Dave, you saved us a lot of disappointment. Keep up the great work sir!🙏🏻🎧
My pleasure! Thanks for the feedback.
The 45rpm PJ vs. sounds fantastic.. Cheap and easy to find too. Highly recommended.
I've since ordered an original Vs, and look forward to listening to see if it is even better...
I have the 2014 reissue of RIO and it’s considered on forums to be a good remaster. I’ve kept my original 1982 UK copy though!
Thanks for the feedback! I'm gonna have to track that down and have a listen.
It's not always possible to equate 're-issue' with improvement - especially if you have an original issue that you know, and have enjoyed, for many years. It will almost certainly sound 'different' in some respect, which you may or may not like. It can be an expensive decision to 'upgrade'. As a slightly off-topic aside in the Sade debate, I have recently acquired (largely out of curiosity as I have the original UK LP) a Japanese CD reissue of 'Promise' from 1997. And very lovely it sounds to me, with admittedly elderly ears and 'hi-fi'...for a very modest investment. As the Japanese tend to do this sort of thing rather well perhaps this may be a possible stop-gap for those waiting for that great analogue leap forward on vinyl?
Thanks for the heads-up. Fortunately, in the case of Sade, and Duran Duran. Originals aren’t hard to find at sensible prices.
I bought this box set, the Sade one, specifically because to buy Lovers Rock and Love Deluxe by themselves would have cost more than getting the box itself. While I do love the box, I definitely agree. I have a promo copy of “stronger than pride“ And my test track is “turn my back on you“ it has an extremely heavy base and very detailed sound on the original pressing, but this re-issue, it does sound good, but nowhere near as detailed. In fact, all of my original Sade albums sound much better.
I think that’s the thing: it sounds ok if you don’t know the originals…
Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks Dave, you've saved me wasting a stack of money on the Sade box set. Like you I have the first albums on vinyl from back in the day and then a CD comp for the rest. Maybe sounds like I have all I need! Now I can usefully use those funds for something else...
Glad to be of service Ian.
@@DaveDenyer Ha ha, youre much more than that Dave. It's like an online Care in Community Prorgamme!!!
I have the Sade box set. It is actually brilliant. I have the original editions as well. I can understand people prefer one over the other, that’s fine. But to say the box is a rip-off is just going a bit too far in my opinion. I have heard far worse remasters. There is a batch of bad pressings though, I had to return the first box.
@@jmtennapel interesting you say there was batch of bad pressings. Mine are, flat, clean-sounding, I just don't like the mastering choices. At least, I'm guessing it's the mastering choices, it seems to be a common trait across the vast majority of Abbey Road Half Speed mastered LPs.
@@DaveDenyer the bad batch is very distinct, because there’s a lot of surface noise. As nearly all vinyl remasters (and remasters in general): the midrange is emphasized, dynamics are most of the time squeezed together and the loudness level is elevated (bass and highs). The Sade box, compared to the original pressings, on my system sound like that, except for the dynamics. The soundstage is so much bigger on the boxset, compared to original masters, at least in my system. But the clarity in the mids is probably a love it or hate it characteristic. Which is fine. But a disaster? No. The preparation of the box and the remasters is too careful to call it disaster in my opinion.
I’m 52 years old, never owned a record player in my youth, started with compact cassettes and was an early adopter of CD’s. I’ve now matured and have finally started getting into vinyl and am finding the same issues and dissatisfaction with the quality of, or lack there of, of modern reissued/remastered(?) releases. Not only in the quality of the audio but in the condition of the vinyl itself.
Now don’t shoot me for citing this example but it’s now taken me 7 purchase attempts to get a flat and good quality ABBA GOLD release. I’d originally purchased numerous copies of the 30th Anniversary release, all of which had dish-bowl warped records in the set. All of them returned for a refund. After further research, I eventually picked up a near mint copy of the 2017 (25th Anniversary) release from Discogs as I was able to question the seller and verify that both records were perfectly flat and play-tested without issue. Also of note, this was the gold coloured vinyl, which when compared to the newer versions, is far more convincing and superior in colour - looks like a gold effect, rather than a brown mustard colour!
Moral of the story - do your research before buying. Not everything released as a reissue/remaster is of good quality or consistency, even with other recent releases!
52 / 25th anniversary, 30th anniversary... 2017 : 7 attempts. The interconnectedness of this is unmistakable ;-)
Thanks for the feedback Dirk! ;-)
This is why you need a mastering engineer to get the most out of vinyl. And if you can get the analog masters.
Obviously Abbey Road's 'Half-Speed' mastering / cutting is exclusively for vinyl. I am just not at all sure it's any good...
Thanks for the review, Dave, and your description of the Sade is so on point and speaks to a general problem with inherent flaws with digital when done poorly. I also appreciate your side comment about the CD being more fun. Analog is almost always my preference but I’m not dogmatic and still enjoy CD’s, particularly early masterings. Example: I find the Rush titles on CD manufactured in w. Germany mid 80’s with their flat frequency transfer sound more natural than the later brick-walled remasters. That said, my first vinyl pressing of Signals far exceeds any CD version. Might be interesting to talk about CD’s too ? In the right context, ie, the Sade comparison. Thanks for your channel -
Glad you enjoyed the review.
To be honest, I think as more music is remastered for streaming, many compact discs might start to become ‘audiophile collectables’.
A lot of people would agree with you SAGNIO.
Thank-you for taking the time to review these records. I stopped buying records for some time because it seemed like 1 out of 10 were good.
I’m going to purchase the Linkin Park because of your review. 🤟
Thanks for the feedback. I hope you enjoy the Linkin Park.
I am fine with negative and positive reviews, as long as they are honest.
Cool, thanks for the feedback.
Yep. I'm not an audiophile but it's the cover art that often puts me off with reissues - they often look photocopied. Also something about the way the sleeves are constructed - they're kind of baggy? And maybe thinner card? Not sure what it is but they feel different.
I think a lot of the market for these are people that just want the music on vinyl but don't care about the quality that vinyl can offer
I'm worried that these new vinyl buyers will get bored given the poor quality of many of the reissues being sold nowadays. Thanks for your comments.
Good topic and good PSA. For me, I'm often on a Duran Duran forum, so I've been made aware of how bad some of the "remasters" can be; therefore, I tend to wait and read others first thoughts before purchasing vinyl. While I "like" vinyl, I'm not religious about it and really I just like my music to sound good and be accessible whereever I am. For this reason, I tend to purchase from the CD warehouse (used CD store) more than anywhere else, and rip music to my player. Vinyl is a treat for me, but more spendy, so I definitely want to hear others thoughts on new reissues like this.
For albums of the 80s / 90s and onward I tend to compare against the original CD release. Whichever sounds the best, that's my reference copy.
@@DaveDenyer Duran has been lax since they got their own lineup back.
Yes Do the Tori! I just ordered a copy and am hoping it sounds OK. Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback Peter. I'll buy a copy locally today.
You are spot on as regards the Sade box set Dave. Like you I have UK originals of the first 3 albums on vinyl, but only had Love Deluxe on CD so decided to splash out on the box. The problem with these sort of things is that unless you have an OG pressing to compare these re-issues to, then you might be happy with the box set.
I have only played the first 3 albums in the box set once & will probably never play them again. IMO, the originals sound exceptional & I would rate them as 9/10 whereas the box set pressings are at best 4/10. I was thinking about buying the Duran Duran Rio re-issue, but after listening to your review will keep a lookout for a clean original.
Love these sorts of reviews & I can’t help but wonder whether the record companies actually compare these latest pressings with the originals to make sure they are at least on a par with them, or preferably better? From my experience, unless they are one of the good “Audiophile” re-issuing labels, I very much doubt they do.
Sadly, I very much doubt they compare against originals. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I've never been into re-issues. I once came across the debut album of René & Angela which I always wanted to have... then I saw it was a re-issue and didn't take it with me. Same with that very hard to find album of Karin Jones - "Under the influence of love". No re-issues for me... not in the 80's, 90's, 00's, not nowadays... originals or nothing at all. 😊
Hi Andrew. I still generally find the original is the best, but some reissue labels do do a very good job.
I totally agree. Flat, death, hollow... Such a waste of money, but especially disappointment after disappointment 😞 €€€£££$$$$ 🤨
Yep, thanks for the feedback!
I made the mistake of selling an OG Love Deluxe, in favour of the box set. Had OGs of the first three as well, and I agree, they're dynamically flat and not very exciting. Especially the Love Deluxe is disappointing, as it's now worth a small fortune and it does sound a lot better.
Good feedback. Thanks, except I’m also going to have to find an original Love Deluxe.
Agree 100%. I am recently just back into vinyl since the 80's. Jumped right in by buying modern reissues of some of my favorites. To say the least, I was disappointed. In particular, I got a modern AC/DC Back in Black. I sat down to listen to it and was totally let down. It didn't excite me AT ALL. I assumed that it was me... and not the record. Maybe I was just older and my hearing was not as good or maybe it was just that the album meant something different back in my youth. But then, I picked up an original pressing, just out of curiosity. I had zero expectations. Wow...as soon as the first track kicked in...I got goosebumps... literally. It all came rushing back to me. The sound took me straight back. And it was incredible. There is something to all this and it is real.
The difference really really is that great isn’t it?
Thanks for sharing your story John.
Hi Dave, a very worthwhile video. Nothing wrong with a negative review as long as you can back up the reasons for not liking it, which of course you have done. It also troubles me that many new releases or re-issues fall short of originals or fall short of expectations . Im not sure why that is either. The half-speeds are of course cut from a digital file which is 100% true. I have nothing against digital cut vinyl. So it must be due to what the record companies offer up as the "raw" source digital file. If im not mistaken the Duran cuts are based upon early 2000 (2004?) remasters that were used for the CD re-issue campaign (and im not saying the new vinyl was cut from a CD) and those have a terrible reputation of being overly loud and compressed. My gut feeling is that if the source file has already been in a way mastered with eq and compression then when its being cut the cutting engineer also adds maybe a small dose of extra eq and subtle or not so subtle compression that when things go wrong but you would think someone has to sign these projects off. They must sit and listen to test pressings?
RE Sade. I was tempted to get the box last year but found the first 2 albums on original pressings and they sound glorious. As you say an absolute joy to listen to. I do need to upgrade my Stronger Than Pride as mine is a touch too crackly. IF you can't find an original Love Deluxe i would try the Music On Vinyl 2010 vinyl. I have a copy. Its on pretty good vinyl. I have nothing to compare it to but it does not sound congested. It's full resolution. The bass is deep and tight but not over bearing.
The other thing i got shot down for saying on another channel was a lot (not all) of vinyl is actually cut with too low a signal so you do have to crank the volume up which if the pressing is not upto much then reveals all the imperfections of the pressing. Why do they do that? Im sure they are worried that customers playing these back on budget systems will have problems tracking the record but that was never the case back in the day...
Anyway maybe all a load of bs... but my thoughts anyway... Thanks Ross
Thanks for your feedback Ross. I’m not convinced the sound we are presented with is not by (very bad) choice.
I bought the Van Halen vinyl boxset, 1978 to 1983 and sent it back. Sound lacked openness like it was boxed in. I prefer the cd boxset
I do return albums when they are faulty (warps, skips etc.), but not just because I don’t like the mastering. Could’ve saved myself thousands over the decades…
I buy a lot of new records and find that, with some exceptions, the mastering is terrible. No dynamic range with heavy EQ flattening the record and sound. There seem to be few decent, everyday, mastering engineers out there now, Linus Anderson, James Plotkin and John McBain are exceptions that I look out for. Many thanks for another interesting and informative video.
Thank you for the feedback Ron: 3 more names to look out for.
Great vid as per usual, Dave. But I wonder if yourself or anyone here in the comments has heard the Abbey Road half speed remaster of Japan's 'Exorcising Ghosts'? Because to my ears it sounds fantastic.
Glad you enjoyed the video. No, haven’t heard Exorcizing Ghosts but will look it up.
I completely understand what you try to say.... I have this even when I listen to Stevie Ray Vaughn on AP. They suck the life out of it. It's too tidy, not realistic.
The latest disaster is David Gilmour "Luck and Strange". From such a musician you may expect so much more.
Thanks for your comments Paul. To be fair, I think AP are one of, if not the best (Blue Note deserve commendation too) of the reissue labels.
@@DaveDenyer Hello Dave, AP is one of the best, Indeed. But with Stevie's editions I really miss the singing of the guitar. If you have the possibility to listen to the VMP "Couldn't Stand The Weather" then take the opportunity.... Excellent sound, without killing the emotion.
I appreciate your comments a lot and value them.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
Musical regards, Paul
Really informative. I didnt know modern pressings could be so bad.
Not all of them, fortunately.
Thanks for your comment Craig.
Was thinking of purchasing the Sade box off Amazon as the price was pretty good! After watching this video I am rethinking buying this Maybe will buy 1 and see how it sounds!!! Thanks for doing the reviews If something is bad it needs to be said
Glad to be of service Dave.
i agree one 100 percent. thats why i passed this box set. the old vinyls sound so better. diamond life on cd. first release. sonds so good on my good cd player great video cheers s
Glad you found it useful Gerard. Thanks for commenting.
The Japanese pressing of Rio is highly sought after. Have you taken a listen to it?
No I haven't, but I will try and find a copy to check it out. Thanks for the feedback.
scored an original pressing of RIO 6 years ago at a used records store in Utah.
Nice!
The Rio remaster is so high in the treble, it's horrible.
Thanks for the feedback Jedi71!
Buying vinyl doesn't seem like a good investment. Been there, done that. Sticking to the "unpopular" cd and saving tons of cash and space.
You surely must mean 'bluying reissues is not a good investment' . Yes,with some exceptions definitely not a good investment at all
But buying great original pressings of good music , IN GOOD CONDITION is definitely a good investment not just in terms of the physical value but the joy it can bring into your life . A great investment, Especially when it comes to the more sought-after , less common acts.
Fair point. I honestly think the used CD market is going to blossom very soon, because even the 'normal man' has started to realise that even 'high res' streaming doesn't sound as good as playing the original CD. However, if I was to sell off some of my treasured vinyl from the 50s / 60s / 70s. I could make good money.