{I've touched on this before, but now I've felt a need to go slightly deeper* }

I am strongly convinced that Prince's problem lies within his mixing & mastering techniques of recent [2000 beyond]. Everything he's done after WB has pretty much had these problems [it really started with TRC, imo]. Prince has been trying to go with a less compressed, more "live"/"organic" sound. But, it's not working, imo.


20TEN & MPLSound are prime examples of this. There is no texture to any of the songs on either [20TEN or MPLSound], due to very bland mixing & mastering. 'Lotusflow3r' would be WAY better with a little compression, & a little less murky-ness. Same with TRC [probably even more so than 'Lotus' ]. Everything Prince has released in the '00's has had this problem. People can say it's his lack of good lyrics nowadays [among other things ], but I really think a proper "re-mixing & re-mastering" of ALL of his 00' albums would have us feeling a bit different about how much we don't like them. While I rather miss Prince's extravagant production of the 80's, I wouldn't have as much of a problem with the newer stuff, if the mixes weren't so muffled, & amateur-ish.


I was listening to 'Black Sweat' not too long ago, & I noticed that there's actually tape hiss & ground noise on the song [not to mention how muffled & quiet Prince's vocals actually are on the track]. Think about how clean 'Kiss" is compared to it, & how much longer ago the song was recorded.....[we all know 'Kiss' is a better song too ]. I'm just saying, I wish Prince would hire real help with that aspect, instead of doing it ALL himself.

Tittypants said:

{I've touched on this before, but now I've felt a need to go slightly deeper* }

I am strongly convinced that Prince's problem lies within his mixing & mastering techniques of recent [2000 beyond]. Everything he's done after WB has pretty much had these problems [it really started with TRC, imo]. Prince has been trying to go with a less compressed, more "live"/"organic" sound. But, it's not working, imo.


20TEN & MPLSound are prime examples of this. There is no texture to any of the songs on either [20TEN or MPLSound], due to very bland mixing & mastering. 'Lotusflow3r' would be WAY better with a little compression, & a little less murky-ness. Same with TRC [probably even more so than 'Lotus' ]. Everything Prince has released in the '00's has had this problem. People can say it's his lack of good lyrics nowadays [among other things ], but I really think a proper "re-mixing & re-mastering" of ALL of his 00' albums would have us feeling a bit different about how much we don't like them. While I rather miss Prince's extravagant production of the 80's, I wouldn't have as much of a problem with the newer stuff, if the mixes weren't so muffled, & amateur-ish.


I was listening to 'Black Sweat' not too long ago, & I noticed that there's actually tape hiss & ground noise on the song [not to mention how muffled & quiet Prince's vocals actually are on the track]. Think about how clean 'Kiss" is compared to it, & how much longer ago the song was recorded.....[we all know 'Kiss' is a better song too ]. I'm just saying, I wish Prince would hire real help with that aspect, instead of doing it ALL himself.

thought I was the ONLY ONE who heard the tape hiss in Black Sweat. Thought that was from actually using a real Linn machine...possibly a re-established drum track from the vault idk

paisleypark4 said:

Tittypants said:

{I've touched on this before, but now I've felt a need to go slightly deeper* }

I am strongly convinced that Prince's problem lies within his mixing & mastering techniques of recent [2000 beyond]. Everything he's done after WB has pretty much had these problems [it really started with TRC, imo]. Prince has been trying to go with a less compressed, more "live"/"organic" sound. But, it's not working, imo.


20TEN & MPLSound are prime examples of this. There is no texture to any of the songs on either [20TEN or MPLSound], due to very bland mixing & mastering. 'Lotusflow3r' would be WAY better with a little compression, & a little less murky-ness. Same with TRC [probably even more so than 'Lotus' ]. Everything Prince has released in the '00's has had this problem. People can say it's his lack of good lyrics nowadays [among other things ], but I really think a proper "re-mixing & re-mastering" of ALL of his 00' albums would have us feeling a bit different about how much we don't like them. While I rather miss Prince's extravagant production of the 80's, I wouldn't have as much of a problem with the newer stuff, if the mixes weren't so muffled, & amateur-ish.


I was listening to 'Black Sweat' not too long ago, & I noticed that there's actually tape hiss & ground noise on the song [not to mention how muffled & quiet Prince's vocals actually are on the track]. Think about how clean 'Kiss" is compared to it, & how much longer ago the song was recorded.....[we all know 'Kiss' is a better song too ]. I'm just saying, I wish Prince would hire real help with that aspect, instead of doing it ALL himself.

thought I was the ONLY ONE who heard the tape hiss in Black Sweat. Thought that was from actually using a real Linn machine...possibly a re-established drum track from the vault idk

He used the linn all of the time back in the day, & I rarely ever heard tape hiss @ all...if any. I believe you about the "re-established drum track from the vault" theory. Haven't really heard Prince get truly busy with drum sequencing in quite some time. His drums are so bland now days.

On 3121 Love is my fav song, BUT I hate the "vinyl" sound underlying the whole track.

The cracks / pops / hiss.

Was he going for the Analog / Viny sound for this album / CD.

To me you can not add it to a digital mix.

Who engineered the tracks on later albums?

This would be the first point of "failure" in recording of the tracks.

Yes, the older albums have faults here and there but the songs are not degraded because of it.

He should hire a good engineer and a good producer, and get to work. Prince's music has become stale because he doesn't work with true professionals anymore, but with amateur sycophants. He needs a good technician who can make his recordings sound the best they can, and a good producer to help him find interesting new ways of writing/arranging/producing his music.

I believe that would be the easiest way to get another kickass record out of Prince. Someone needs to guide him through the Purple Rain...

Great post O.P! I totally agree. Whilst I still feel that some of the songs in the past decade are not up to par, I think the major issue his the mix - most of his output has lost that spark and dynamic that I loved that made songs sparkle. The last stuff he did that I felt soared sonically was the stuff he did with Chronic Freeze and Static.

Just personal opinion, and others will no doubt disagree, but after spending a number of years studying Audio Production at college, I think I can safely say I stand by my assertion.

[Edited 12/29/13 8:15am]

I agree, it's part of the problem - but 20Ten and MPLSound have way bigger problems to tackle first.

I don't know thing about this kind of stuff, but his last albums sounds pretty terrible.

Just stopped listening to it, there is no warmth, no debth.

For me it's mostly in the drums, the batman album also suffered a lot from that. they sound cold and just cheap. Listen to "the ballad of DP" and than to a MPLSound track.

I think it's easy to mix up reverb effects that he used extensively in the 80's for depth in the mastering or less impressive beats (or vocals). He has really moved away from extensive reverb, to a completely clean up front sound that is more simple in tone (or plastic to many ears).

Also, TRC was mixed (not mastered) completely differently than any of his other albums because Femi Jeyi pushed for it. It was mixed with more variety of levels on the different instrument and vocal tracks. Musicology moved right back to his usual style.

ufoclub said:

I think it's easy to mix up reverb effects that he used extensively in the 80's for depth in the mastering or less impressive beats (or vocals). He has really moved away from extensive reverb, to a completely clean up front sound that is more simple in tone (or plastic to many ears).

Also, TRC was mixed (not mastered) completely differently than any of his other albums because Femi Jeyi pushed for it. It was mixed with more variety of levels on the different instrument and vocal tracks. Musicology moved right back to his usual style.

yes, i think that is what i miss in the beats

ufoclub said:

I think it's easy to mix up reverb effects that he used extensively in the 80's for depth in the mastering or less impressive beats (or vocals). He has really moved away from extensive reverb, to a completely clean up front sound that is more simple in tone (or plastic to many ears).

Also, TRC was mixed (not mastered) completely differently than any of his other albums because Femi Jeyi pushed for it. It was mixed with more variety of levels on the different instrument and vocal tracks. Musicology moved right back to his usual style.

Reverb is actually something I meant to touch on as well [just forgot to ]. But I agree with that also. Imo, Emancipation didn't rely on reverb as much, but the mix wasn't terrible throughout the album. Reverb definitely helps his production, though.



TRC is almost un-listenable to me. It sounds so murky.

^Totally disagree, TRC is one of his better sounding albums!

[Edited 12/30/13 14:32pm]

NouveauDance said:

I agree, it's part of the problem - but 20Ten and MPLSound have way bigger problems to tackle first.

Right, it's only one of many other problems!

funkomatic said:

NouveauDance said:

I agree, it's part of the problem - but 20Ten and MPLSound have way bigger problems to tackle first.

Right, it's only one of many other problems!

When it comes to the songs themselves, I see you. But sonically, they would @ least be better with a better mix, & some reverb.

funkomatic said:

^Totally disagree, TRC is one of his better sounding albums!

[Edited 12/30/13 14:32pm]

That "God" voice alone prevents further listening from me. .....I can't even front.

You guys all sound far more knowledgeable than I am around production techniques etc - so a question from me and my untrained ears...

Is there any connection to the move from analogue to digital studio equipment?

I certainly know that listening to (unscratched) vinyl has a far warmer and more organic sound (to me) and the move to CD reduced this. Downloads have taken it even further (I am aware there is a smaller range of sound frequencies).

Just wonder whether digital equipment actually takes away the need and ability to be more experimental compared to older analogue studio techniques?

jaypotton said:

You guys all sound far more knowledgeable than I am around production techniques etc - so a question from me and my untrained ears...

Is there any connection to the move from analogue to digital studio equipment?

I certainly know that listening to (unscratched) vinyl has a far warmer and more organic sound (to me) and the move to CD reduced this. Downloads have taken it even further (I am aware there is a smaller range of sound frequencies).

Just wonder whether digital equipment actually takes away the need and ability to be more experimental compared to older analogue studio techniques?

Instead of the actual drum machines he used back then it sounds like he was using Linn samples todays..the oomph ..punch...recording technique is a bit off. His power in his song structure is a bit off as well....not on all songs ...has power and energy live that I would like to hear in the studio

funkomatic said:

^Totally disagree, TRC is one of his better sounding albums!

[Edited 12/30/13 14:32pm]

I think the mix is great on TRC, much better than any of his other albums in the last 20 years (N.E.W.S. is an exception too), but the mastering is awful! You can actually hear distortion.

Paisley4u said:

I totaly agree with you!I've been saying for more than a decade that I miss the 'power' and 'energy' in hissound! I mean, Electric chair and Gett off would sound dull if he mut it on record these days.3121 and maybe PE have some better moments but still....And this for a man who's production work was praised in the 80's!Listen to the little part he did on Janelle, beautiful!Get Rick Rubin or Pharrell, Daft Punk or whoever...his next album would sound 'alive!'

Totally agree with you here, I would love an external producer to take care of Prince's production!

the only CD with problems i think is emancipation

luvsexy4all said:

the only CD with problems i think is emancipation

& you would be wrong.