New topic
Printable
|
Just ordered 1999 and Purple Rain. Excited, hope they sound well (I still have the vinyls and never bothered buying these on CD... and I don't have the Ultimate CD...)
Can't wait to blast Lady Cab Driver at full volume through my speakers (I got quite a good stereo equipment, so hopefully I will like the sound). Or Computer Blue Anticipation building up  |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
Oh Yes, listened to that one as well yesterday (LCD). You can almost hear them F**K in your room!  [Edited 7/23/09 21:30pm] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
cinnamonboy said: Oh Yes, listened to that one as well yesterday (LCD). You can almost hear them F**K in your room!
[Edited 7/23/09 21:30pm] NICE! How about "DMSR"? "He's a musician's musician..." |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
cinnamonboy said: I'm gonna check for you now.....just a few minutes, please.....
Phew, a hard one this: Ultimate was remastered, wasn't it? Ultimate is just a few notches harder in sound, that's for sure. When I compare the sparse produced songs (best way for me to compare clearness) f.e. Controversy and Delirious, I get the same feeling: the sound comes to me (out of the boxes) and it sounds warm(er) & clear(er). They both (SHM + Ultimate) definitely sound way harder than the original cd's and much more bass & drums which are also more distinctive. But I'm not sure about which one sounds better between Ultimate and SHM, maybe because I'm just fooled about the little volume-difference between the two. I'll do some more tests and maybe a friend of mine can listen in as well (also Prince-fan). I'm now listening to Lovesexy (indeed, 1 track) and I'm sitting in the next room (behind my PC), but it still sounds great especially because of the super-ass-sounding bass. The Day After: Today's another listening-party. Will take my SHM-collection to a friend with even better stereo than me. We'll be comparing the old releases to the SHM-ones. Real curious to find out what he thinks/hears.....I'll keep everyone updated in this thread. [Edited 7/24/09 1:37am] Thank U again... Sounds like we have some WB CDs worth getting! "He's a musician's musician..." |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
cinnamonboy said: I'm gonna check for you now.....just a few minutes, please.....
Phew, a hard one this: Ultimate was remastered, wasn't it? Ultimate is just a few notches harder in sound, that's for sure. When I compare the sparse produced songs (best way for me to compare clearness) f.e. Controversy and Delirious, I get the same feeling: the sound comes to me (out of the boxes) and it sounds warm(er) & clear(er). They both (SHM + Ultimate) definitely sound way harder than the original cd's and much more bass & drums which are also more distinctive. But I'm not sure about which one sounds better between Ultimate and SHM, maybe because I'm just fooled about the little volume-difference between the two. I'll do some more tests and maybe a friend of mine can listen in as well (also Prince-fan). I'm now listening to Lovesexy (indeed, 1 track) and I'm sitting in the next room (behind my PC), but it still sounds great especially because of the super-ass-sounding bass. The Day After: Today's another listening-party. Will take my SHM-collection to a friend with even better stereo than me. We'll be comparing the old releases to the SHM-ones. Real curious to find out what he thinks/hears.....I'll keep everyone updated in this thread. [Edited 7/24/09 1:37am] very interesting. i'll do a wave form check once i get my cds early next week... |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
christobole said: cinnamonboy said: I'm gonna check for you now.....just a few minutes, please.....
Phew, a hard one this: Ultimate was remastered, wasn't it? Ultimate is just a few notches harder in sound, that's for sure. When I compare the sparse produced songs (best way for me to compare clearness) f.e. Controversy and Delirious, I get the same feeling: the sound comes to me (out of the boxes) and it sounds warm(er) & clear(er). They both (SHM + Ultimate) definitely sound way harder than the original cd's and much more bass & drums which are also more distinctive. But I'm not sure about which one sounds better between Ultimate and SHM, maybe because I'm just fooled about the little volume-difference between the two. I'll do some more tests and maybe a friend of mine can listen in as well (also Prince-fan). I'm now listening to Lovesexy (indeed, 1 track) and I'm sitting in the next room (behind my PC), but it still sounds great especially because of the super-ass-sounding bass. The Day After: Today's another listening-party. Will take my SHM-collection to a friend with even better stereo than me. We'll be comparing the old releases to the SHM-ones. Real curious to find out what he thinks/hears.....I'll keep everyone updated in this thread. [Edited 7/24/09 1:37am] very interesting. i'll do a wave form check once i get my cds early next week... Ahhh... ORGers working together! I like this! "He's a musician's musician..." |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
REVIEW II
So, here's an update: a second listening party at a friend's house - completely different stereo and thus another possibilty to check and make sure what these SHM's are about (and hopefully that my initial investigation at home was right). This time, we were fortunate enough to have two very good cd-players at hand, so they could run simultanously: one running the SHM and the other with the original release. We could easily switch between the two instantly, giving us the best possibility to check immediately and point out any differences. We started out with Lovesexy (his favourite) and immediately, we heard that the SHM-one is much more refined, clearer, distinctive, MORE DETAIL - f.e. in 'Eye No' we could easily hear the background crowd all the way through the track, while on the original, you can bearily hear them or not at all. Also tracks like Glam Slam, Anna Stesia and Lovesexy really come alive on the SHM. Needless to explain, that if one release could tell us a difference, it would be Lovesexy: splattered with sounds and effects all the way through the cd. So, this was a winner. Next up: Sign O' The Times. Immediately (again) we heard a beautiful echo in Prince's voice on the title-track, much more 'alive' than on its 80's counterpart. Bass-parts & drums are much more prominent, also on tracks like Housequake and It especially; actually on all the tracks. Second winner! We tried nearly all cd's but the same thing all over (Around The World, Purple Rain, Controversy, Dirty Mind).....except.....funnily enough, 1999 fell through a bit. I'm sorry, I have to be honest here as I'm convinced that's what you want me to be. Don't blame the messenger - it's one of my favourites too. Same kind of analyzing here: we had 2 cd-players running and we switched constantly between the two. But this time, we kept switching as we could bearily hear any difference. The SHM is slightly clearer and a bit more distinctive in terms of bass/drums, but the difference with its original was not as straight-forward as with all the other SHM-releases. Sure, a few tracks stick out a bit more (Let's Pretend We're Married, Lady Cab Driver), but to be honest, the surprise here is of a lesser kind. Which could mean that f.e. the original cd from the 80's already had a good mastering and needn't that much upgrading? Or I got a SHM-copy of 1999 which they forgot to upgrade.....? Well, I'm just guessing, naturally I'm not sure. Anyway, with all the other releases doing great and the fantastic packages, I can safely say: if you're looking for an upgrade on your Prince-catalogue, buy these. 
Please, keep in mind the following: now that I've checked 3 different cd-players at 2 different locations with completely different sort of stereo-equipment, it can give you an insight as to whether to buy these SHM-releases. However, it's still open for discussion. I mean, I can safely say I absolutely love the warm & clear sound on SHM. All the Prince SHM are showing a higher treble, clearer sound with more prominent basslines + drums and everything's more distinctive = MORE DETAIL. So, there's actually still something to be discovered in the music. But it's something I myself particularly like to hear when playing music: high treble, clear sound, etc. You should however consider the fact if you yourself like it as well. I mean, we all 'hear' differently, we all listen to music in a different way and each of us has one's own preference as to which way one likes to hear it (f.e. high treble or maybe more bass, etc.). Furthermore, we tested these SHM's on (I think) excellent equipment (I have Bose myself) and needless to point out: it all starts with good equipment. I mean, I suppose you won't hear that much difference on a mini-set for on the kitchentable, bought under $50,- at Tesco's (no offence meant). That said: I honestly think it's an absolute fine upgrade to get these cd's into your collection. If anyone has any ?, please mail me or let me know through this thread. [Edited 7/24/09 23:22pm] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
cinnamonboy said: So, here's an update: a second listening party at a friend's house - completely different stereo and thus another possibilty to check and make sure what these SHM's are about (and hopefully that my initial investigation at home was right). This time, we were fortunate enough to have two very good cd-players at hand, so they could run simultanously: one running the SHM and the other with the original release. We could easily switch between the two instantly, giving us the best possibility to check immediately and point out any differences.
We started out with Lovesexy (his favourite) and immediately, we heard that the SHM-one is much more refined, clearer, distinctive - f.e. in 'Eye No' we could easily hear the background crowd all the way through the track, while on the original, you can bearily hear them or not at all. Also tracks like Glam Slam, Anna Stesia and Lovesexy really come alive on the SHM. Needless to explain, that if one release could tell us a difference, it would be Lovesexy: splattered with sounds and effects all the way through the cd. So, this was a winner. Next up: Sign O' The Times. Immediately (again) we heard a beautiful echo in Prince's voice on the title-track, much more 'alive' than on its 80's counterpart. Bass-parts & drums are much more prominent, also on tracks like Housequake and It especially; actually on all the tracks. Second winner! We tried nearly all cd's but the same thing all over (Around The World, Purple Rain, Controversy, Dirty Mind).....except.....funnily enough, 1999 fell through a bit. I'm sorry, I have to be honest here as I'm convinced that's what you want me to be. Don't blame the messenger - it's one of my favourites too. Same kind of analyzing here: we had 2 cd-players running and we switched constantly between the two. But this time, we kept switching as we could bearily hear any difference. The SHM is slightly clearer and a bit more distinctive in terms of bass/drums, but the difference with its original was not as straight-forward as with all the other SHM-releases. Sure, a few tracks stick out a bit more (Let's Pretend We're Married, Lady Cab Driver), but to be honest, the surprise here is of a lesser kind. Which could mean that f.e. the original cd from the 80's already had a good mastering and needn't that much upgrading? Or I got a SHM-copy of 1999 which they forgot to upgrade.....? Well, I'm just guessing, naturally I'm not sure. Anyway, with all the other releases doing great and the fantastic packages, I can safely say: if you're looking for an upgrade on your Prince-catalogue, buy these.
Please, keep in mind the following: now that I've checked 3 different cd-players at 2 different locations with completely different sort of stereo-equipment, it can give you an insight as to whether to buy these SHM-releases. However, it's still open for discussion. I mean, I can safely say I absolutely love the warm & clear sound on SHM. All the Prince SHM are showing a higher treble, clearer sound with more prominent basslines + drums and everything's more distinctive. There's actually still something to discover in the music. But it's something I myself particularly like to hear when playing music: high treble, clear sound, etc. You should however consider the fact if you yourself like it as well. I mean, we all 'hear' differently and we all listen to music in a different way. Furthermore, we tested these SHM's on (I think) excellent equipment (I have Bose myself) and needless to point out: it all starts with good equipment. I mean, I suppose you won't hear that much difference on a set for on the kitchentable, bought under $50,- at Tesco's (no offence meant). That said: I honestly think it's an absolute fine upgrade to get these cd's into your collection. If anyone has any ?, please mail me or let me know through this thread. [Edited 7/24/09 9:04am] [Edited 7/24/09 9:04am] [Edited 7/24/09 9:07am] Great work, and reporting. 2 bad about '1999', but hey... what can U do, right? I guess my main problem with the original issued CDs is their lack of warmth and low output. If these R indeed warmer in the bass frequencies and louder, that alone is fantastic. AGAIN, at home I play only the VINYL originals, which R all big, warm, and beautiful, but having these CDs saves me from having 2 copy the vinyl of every album 2 CD myself. Also, I love the exact replicas of the record labels, sleeves, covers, and extras. "He's a musician's musician..." |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
Can anyone tell how long it takes to receive these joints? They're talking about a few weeks, which I know is bullshucks. I also didn't want to pay those crazy Yens for quick shipping 1980-Present
First album bought: Controversy |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
How does Parade sound? |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
kaine said: Can anyone tell how long it takes to receive these joints? They're talking about a few weeks, which I know is bullshucks. I also didn't want to pay those crazy Yens for quick shipping
have ordered with cdjapan more than a dozen times - on average it takes 6-7 days to arrive (in los angeles) |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
christobole said: kaine said: Can anyone tell how long it takes to receive these joints? They're talking about a few weeks, which I know is bullshucks. I also didn't want to pay those crazy Yens for quick shipping
have ordered with cdjapan more than a dozen times - on average it takes 6-7 days to arrive (in los angeles) - regular shipping that is |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Some answers:
I ordered many times from Japan CD as well and I received the package always within a week (Amsterdam), so that's pretty quick. Excellent company, by the way: fantastic packaging & service. Remember however (and that's a warning to you all) that they usually have to state what's in the package and what it is worth. That means $300 could be mentioned on the package and that means....? Right! It'll stopped by customs and you have to pay importcharges - here in Europe, those charges are outrageous. Please, remember that. That's why I ordered them from somebody at eBay and had him stated on the package that is was a gift, worth only $20. The package was registered and I received it within 6 days with no problem (or extra charge). Parade SHM is also sounding much better: more powerful, more detail. Especially or extra noticeable in bass-driven tracks like Anotherloverholenyohead + Mountains. [Edited 7/24/09 23:16pm] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Please, read my reviews (1+2) over again: I edited them many times. As I'm sure you understand, sometimes you think of a better way/word to describe things afterwards or the following day. F.e. when I say: more distinctive, I mean there's more detail in the tracks to be discovered. This was escpecially very noticeable on the SHM's of Lovesexy + Sign O' The Times.  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
cinnamonboy said: Some answers:
I ordered many times from Japan CD as well and I received the package always within a week (Amsterdam), so that's pretty quick. Excellent company, by the way: fantastic packaging & service. Remember however (and that's a warning to you all) that they usually have to state what's in the package and what it is worth. That means $300 could be mentioned on the package and that means....? Right! It'll stopped by customs and you have to pay importcharges - here in Europe, those charges are outrageous. Please, remember that. That's why I ordered them from somebody at eBay and had him stated on the package that is was a gift, worth only $20. The package was registered and I received it within 6 days with no problem (or extra charge). Parade SHM is also sounding much better: more powerful, more detail. Especially or extra noticeable in bass-driven tracks like Anotherloverholenyohead + Mountains. [Edited 7/24/09 23:16pm] Thanks again! That is sweet> I gotta get these. "He's a musician's musician..." |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I'm amazed I stumbled upon this thread today, seeing as they have just been released. I was a solid Prince fan Dirty Mind -> Lovesexy, with a few singles afterwards also being favourites, so this is pretty perfect. I have been dreaming of the day that the CDs get released in this packaging - I have always wanted it literally exactly as they have done it, it's totally amazing, even down to the CD being printed with the Paisley Park vinyl sticker.
FYI I ordered the ones I wanted from www.hmv.co.jp. Not sure how fast it will be but they have them all in stock. Now does anyone remember the cancelled Japanese CD singles from some years ago? I've no interest in getting the ones I already have (most of you will know he started releasing CD singles from Lovesexy onwards) but everything prior to that, including those on Ultimate for the full length b-sides, would be amazing. Obviously iTunes pushed some out a short while ago but it was really limited and CD quality is always better than download (comments about the quality of Prince CDs understood). How's about the amazing 7 Minutes Mo Quake on CD, or the full length 12" mixes of Anotherlover..., Mountains or America? That would be fabulous! Thanks to all buyers so far for the pictures and sound-quality reviews. I'll be sure to post my own thoughts if I find I have anything worth adding when I get them
Oh, I also know someone who works for Warner Music UK so I'll see what I can find out about any UK or US release. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Could somebody rip a random track to WAV, open it in Audacity and take a screen-grab? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
GirlBrother said: Could somebody rip a random track to WAV, open it in Audacity and take a screen-grab?
I use Soundforge (I have a Mac but run Parallels) and will be doing that anyway to check the sound so if no one else gets around to posting an image, I will do so. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
tigershark said: GirlBrother said: Could somebody rip a random track to WAV, open it in Audacity and take a screen-grab?
I use Soundforge (I have a Mac but run Parallels) and will be doing that anyway to check the sound so if no one else gets around to posting an image, I will do so. ok, just got the cds and did a screenshot of the waveforms using logic. now, can someone explain to me how to simply upload the image (i use a mac)??? |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
christobole said: tigershark said: I use Soundforge (I have a Mac but run Parallels) and will be doing that anyway to check the sound so if no one else gets around to posting an image, I will do so. ok, just got the cds and did a screenshot of the waveforms using logic. now, can someone explain to me how to simply upload the image (i use a mac)??? [img]/Users/christianschmitz/Desktop/Picture 1.png |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
That's a nice one about those 12" that were to be released onto CD in Japan. I remember that very vividly. I went: Oh, my God, finally! And then: coming soon.....and then: DAMN! I was so frustrated, I made them myself. So, what I did was, I made 30 (yes, thirty!) 3-inches with all the 12-inch mixes on them and the B-sides as well (all extended where applicable). All the 12" from Just As Long As We're Together (US promo) up to I Wish U Heaven. Of course, everything starting from Alphabet Street and afterwards is available on CD. but I included the 3 Lovesexy-singles anyway, just for the heck of it.
If not available on CD, they were transferred from vinyl and I upgraded them on the PC with a higher resolution (as if a curtain was opened), more treble and clearer sound. But that's just the way I like to listen to those tracks. I think eventually there was nothing lost on details in the process, but hey that's just my opinion. Also, all pops and cracks were taken out to simulate some sort of CD-quality. I remember, it took me 3 whole weeks to produce them (besides going to work, I mean). Well, make the transfers from vinyl, upgrading all of them (pops/cracks took a real long time!), look up good resolution pictures of the sleeves at the net - I created the original sleeves with inside the tray the original back-side. Lastly, I numbered them from 1 to 30 individually. A very nice collection, but if you were to ask me to do it again: eeeeeh.....no, thank you. I will have a picture made in the next couple of days, so you can see them all. Here's the list (mixes/pictures mentioned also): 1 Just As Long As We're Together (Burgess remix) / Soft & Wet (Burgess remix) 2 I Wanna Be Your Lover (LP) / Just As Long As We're Together (LP mix) (NL pic) 3 Sexy Dancer (long version) / Bambi (used the Belgium 7" pic on this one) 4 Uptown (LP mix) / Crazy You (Holland pic) 5 Controversy (LP mix) / When You Were Mine (Holland pic) 6 Let's Work (long version) / Gotta Stop Messin' About (US-release) 7 Gotta Stop Messin' About / I Wanna Be Your Lover / Head (UK-release) 8 Do Me Baby (edit) / Private Joy (US promo release only) 9 Sexuality (album mix) / Controversy (album mix) (German release) 10 1999 (LP mix) / How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore? / D.M.S.R. (UK release) 11 Little Red Corvette (LP mix) / Horny Toad / Lady Cab Driver (UK magazine pic) 12 Let's Pretend We're Married (LP mix) / Irresistible Bitch 13 When Doves Cry (LP mix) / 17 Days (UK 12" dark glasses pic) 14 Purple Rain (LP mix) / God (vocal) / God (instrumental) 15 Let's Go Crazy (dance remix) / Erotic City (full length) (US pic) 16 I Would Die 4 U (US remix) / Another Lonely Christmas (long version) 17 Paisley Park (LP mix) / She's Always In My Hair (extended) / Paisley Park (remix) 18 Raspberry Beret (extended) / Hello (extended) 19 Pop Life (extended 9 min) / Girl (extended) / Pop Life (fresh dance mix) 20 America (extended 21:40) 21 Kiss (extended) / Love Or Money (extended) 22 Mountains (extended) / Alexa de Paris (extended) 23 Anotherloverholenyohead (extended) / Girls & Boys (LP mix) 24 Sign O' The Times (LP mix) / La La La, He He Hee (extended) 25 If I Was Your Girlfriend (LP mix) / Shockadelica (extended) 26 U Got The Look (long look) / Housequake (7 min Mo'Quake) 27 I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (LP) / Hot Thing (remix) / Hot Thing (dub) 28 Alphabet Street (trip mix) / (album mix) 29 Glam Slam (remix) / Escape (extended) 30 I Wish U Heaven (parts 1-2-3) / Scarlett Pussy (extended) I'm sorry if I upset anyone because I'm talking here of something totally different than the SHM's. Hope you forgive me. [Edited 7/25/09 14:08pm] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
christobole said: tigershark said: I use Soundforge (I have a Mac but run Parallels) and will be doing that anyway to check the sound so if no one else gets around to posting an image, I will do so. ok, just got the cds and did a screenshot of the waveforms using logic. now, can someone explain to me how to simply upload the image (i use a mac)??? see new topic for waveforms: http://prince.org/msg/7/314720 |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Simply awesome.
Makes you wonder why they were not made like this in the first place. Thanks for the heads up with the pics. I just ordered Parade and SOTT. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |