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Thread started 11/16/18 4:31pm

soladeo1

Princes 1978-1988 catalog is in need of some SERIOUS....

...re-mastering. In my ride with a booming system, full volume, the whole Controversy album sounds like it has a bunch of pillows strapped to the speakers...
[Edited 11/16/18 16:31pm]
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Reply #1 posted 11/16/18 9:38pm

HatrinaHaterwi
tz

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Release of full-length concert video footage. hammer

I knew from the start that I loved you with all my heart.
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Reply #2 posted 11/16/18 9:40pm

onlyforaminute

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Agreed.
Time keeps on slipping into the future...


This moment is all there is...
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Reply #3 posted 11/16/18 10:26pm

steakfinger

You could have gone ahead and put the word remastering in the threa title.

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Reply #4 posted 11/17/18 7:17am

djThunderfunk

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Really? Because Purple Rain remastered sounds so horrible I only played it once and will NEVER listen to it again. I'll take the original masters over that kind of brickwalled crap any day.

Liberty > Authority
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Reply #5 posted 11/17/18 1:47pm

bonatoc

avatar

It has been discussed.
Look for the FLAC files from the 2007 (or 2003? I can never remember) Rhino vinyl remasters.
They're the shit. The only "Dirty Mind" I listen to is the "Homemade Deluxe Edition" one.
It's like adding (good) 3D and color (deeper blacks, shiny whites) when compared with the WB CD.
Same for "Controversy", an A/B test will reveal the butchering.

Hopefully these will serve as a sonic basis for the future. Let's elevate the level, it's not like P&M has been a demonstration
on how the analog sources are going to be mastered. Even Bernie was mad at what they did to "Wonderful Ass" (under his brand!)
and its rough grating hi-hat on PR Deluxe. Some bootlegs sound much, much better.
It's a curvy, round and full ass, not an edgy skinny one. Those riffs must walk and squirt.

On a good source of "Dirty Mind", you really hear the two very distinct kicks. Without a clic, man...
The Tele twangs like the mattress springs behind him: it's a skinny hungry leopard.
The synths sweat spunk all throughout. It takes no prisoners. It's "Uptown" ou la mort.
It's a sonic masterpiece. An autobiographical (and graphics it has) DIY fever ejaculated on an 8 track recorder. Quick as fuck.
Slow Love it ain't. It's the horny teens, Suga: no one lasts for long the very first time.

Yeah, go for them: it's like rediscovering the first emotions the album gave you.
It's that different. Those homemade masterings can handle 11. The official CDs simply can't.

The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
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Reply #6 posted 11/17/18 1:54pm

rdhull

avatar

Gee, you don’t say.
"Climb in my fur."
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Reply #7 posted 11/18/18 10:56am

databank

avatar

djThunderfunk said:

Really? Because Purple Rain remastered sounds so horrible I only played it once and will NEVER listen to it again. I'll take the original masters over that kind of brickwalled crap any day.

Yeah? IDK I compared it to the HD Tracks version I had and decided that I could hear more details on the PR Deluxe remaster, so I kept that one. Now I don't have a proper stereo and only my laptop's sound card, so even if I have remarkably good computer speakers I guess what sounds better on my shit may not on a proper CD player and stereo.

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #8 posted 11/18/18 11:42am

luvsexy4all

bonatoc said:

It has been discussed.
Look for the FLAC files from the 2007 (or 2003? I can never remember) Rhino vinyl remasters.
They're the shit. The only "Dirty Mind" I listen to is the "Homemade Deluxe Edition" one.
It's like adding (good) 3D and color (deeper blacks, shiny whites) when compared with the WB CD.
Same for "Controversy", an A/B test will reveal the butchering.

Hopefully these will serve as a sonic basis for the future. Let's elevate the level, it's not like P&M has been a demonstration
on how the analog sources are going to be mastered. Even Bernie was mad at what they did to "Wonderful Ass" (under his brand!)
and its rough grating hi-hat on PR Deluxe. Some bootlegs sound much, much better.
It's a curvy, round and full ass, not an edgy skinny one. Those riffs must walk and squirt.

On a good source of "Dirty Mind", you really hear the two very distinct kicks. Without a clic, man...
The Tele twangs like the mattress springs behind him: it's a skinny hungry leopard.
The synths sweat spunk all throughout. It takes no prisoners. It's "Uptown" ou la mort.
It's a sonic masterpiece. An autobiographical (and graphics it has) DIY fever ejaculated on an 8 track recorder. Quick as fuck.
Slow Love it ain't. It's the horny teens, Suga: no one lasts for long the very first time.

Yeah, go for them: it's like rediscovering the first emotions the album gave you.
It's that different. Those homemade masterings can handle 11. The official CDs simply can't.

r those vinyl remasterings online or on cd?

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Reply #9 posted 11/18/18 12:55pm

djThunderfunk

avatar

databank said:

djThunderfunk said:

Really? Because Purple Rain remastered sounds so horrible I only played it once and will NEVER listen to it again. I'll take the original masters over that kind of brickwalled crap any day.

Yeah? IDK I compared it to the HD Tracks version I had and decided that I could hear more details on the PR Deluxe remaster, so I kept that one. Now I don't have a proper stereo and only my laptop's sound card, so even if I have remarkably good computer speakers I guess what sounds better on my shit may not on a proper CD player and stereo.


Well, it does sound like it was mastered for laptops and phones, so that makes sense.

Liberty > Authority
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Reply #10 posted 11/18/18 4:28pm

bonatoc

avatar

djThunderfunk said:

databank said:

Yeah? IDK I compared it to the HD Tracks version I had and decided that I could hear more details on the PR Deluxe remaster, so I kept that one. Now I don't have a proper stereo and only my laptop's sound card, so even if I have remarkably good computer speakers I guess what sounds better on my shit may not on a proper CD player and stereo.


Well, it does sound like it was mastered for laptops and phones, so that makes sense.


This.
For the casual Bluetooth listening while taking a shower, it does the job.

Beware: what we consider "good" audio is most of the time audio that is made flattering by the manufacturer.
It takes quite a benchmarks articles reading to find proper equipment (linear response is expensive,
but there are some flattering devices that manage to enhance the sound properly) at the right price.

Example: TGE is already 'Woah' on a cheap system.
On a high-end system, it's massive.

The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
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Reply #11 posted 11/19/18 7:51am

Genesia

avatar

rdhull said:

Gee, you don’t say.


lol

The original vinyl sounds as great as it ever did, though.

We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
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Reply #12 posted 11/19/18 9:59am

databank

avatar

bonatoc said:

djThunderfunk said:


Well, it does sound like it was mastered for laptops and phones, so that makes sense.


This.
For the casual Bluetooth listening while taking a shower, it does the job.

Beware: what we consider "good" audio is most of the time audio that is made flattering by the manufacturer.
It takes quite a benchmarks articles reading to find proper equipment (linear response is expensive,
but there are some flattering devices that manage to enhance the sound properly) at the right price.

Example: TGE is already 'Woah' on a cheap system.
On a high-end system, it's massive.

Thx guys for the explaination biggrin

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #13 posted 11/19/18 1:52pm

bonatoc

avatar

Genesia said:

rdhull said:

Gee, you don’t say.


lol

The original vinyl sounds as great as it ever did, though.


True. But they'd better be have taken care of.
At Grundman, they were killers when it came to the analog mastering of Prince.
The family JBLs couldn't be happier, with all those transients.


Speaking of HiFi, I just came across this (somewhat costly) app (10 days free trial),
it's coming for phones too. I must say I'm impressed,
it beats my own 30 band settings I use to compensate for my headphones curve
(there is no such thing as "flat response" headphones, even in 2018.
The physics involved aren't the same, you're too close to the inner ear:
therefore you cannot really achieve a flat response without it feeling weird.
Engineers compensate to restore the feeling you would get from a monitor).
Musicians may set a lower Age Adjust, or the high frequencies boost will be tiring over time.

Really, day and night even on the official videos.
I am in no way affiliated with these folks, but it is one hell of a product
if your headphones model is covered (272 models supported).

Now my 1MORE Triple Driver pair finally delivers (almost) like studio monitors.
The problem with Prince working and living in the studio, is that his recent works
need a friggin' high end studio with a Crown Amp and Genelecs.
That was his stereo. he pushed it to the limits (those sub-basses!).

If someone can give it a try and tell me I'm not dreaming.
Play with the Personalization settings. Turn down the Adjust Bass,
beware the flattering artefacts. Adjust the "Age" cursor for more or less brilliance.
The more volume you put, the younger you want to get, otherwise those highs will hiss.
It's a bit difficult on intra-auriculars, because the sound gets so good it makes you want so smile,
and then the headphones slide a little out of your ears.
It will make you want to pump up the volume, but beware, audio fatigue comes fast.
Resist the urge, start loud and go down a bit, Prince compresses his digital masters like a maniac anyways.
He always pushed the needles in the red, "The Breakdown" is not the first.

I'm benchmarking "Time", the age cursor is on 32 years old and I feel fine biggrin .
All that is digital ain't Gold. These compensation algorithms come close enough.
Bravo to the engineers. Their stuff is for pros first, good idea this consumer version.
I'm starting to think the price is fair. Hidden details appear when on and off testing.



[Edited 11/19/18 18:12pm]

The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
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Reply #14 posted 11/19/18 2:00pm

bonatoc

avatar

luvsexy4all said:

bonatoc said:

It has been discussed.
Look for the FLAC files from the 2007 (or 2003? I can never remember) Rhino vinyl remasters.
They're the shit. The only "Dirty Mind" I listen to is the "Homemade Deluxe Edition" one.
It's like adding (good) 3D and color (deeper blacks, shiny whites) when compared with the WB CD.
Same for "Controversy", an A/B test will reveal the butchering.

Hopefully these will serve as a sonic basis for the future. Let's elevate the level, it's not like P&M has been a demonstration
on how the analog sources are going to be mastered. Even Bernie was mad at what they did to "Wonderful Ass" (under his brand!)
and its rough grating hi-hat on PR Deluxe. Some bootlegs sound much, much better.
It's a curvy, round and full ass, not an edgy skinny one. Those riffs must walk and squirt.

On a good source of "Dirty Mind", you really hear the two very distinct kicks. Without a clic, man...
The Tele twangs like the mattress springs behind him: it's a skinny hungry leopard.
The synths sweat spunk all throughout. It takes no prisoners. It's "Uptown" ou la mort.
It's a sonic masterpiece. An autobiographical (and graphics it has) DIY fever ejaculated on an 8 track recorder. Quick as fuck.
Slow Love it ain't. It's the horny teens, Suga: no one lasts for long the very first time.

Yeah, go for them: it's like rediscovering the first emotions the album gave you.
It's that different. Those homemade masterings can handle 11. The official CDs simply can't.

r those vinyl remasterings online or on cd?


Label:
Rhino Records (2) ‎– none, Warner Bros. Records ‎– none
Format:
8 × File, FLAC, Album, Reissue, 192kHz/24bit
Country:
Date:



Here's the vinyl:
https://www.discogs.com/f...se/3559573


Rhino could be trusted: it's Warner's Columbia in some ways.
Legacy mattered to them. I hope it's still the case.
The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
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Reply #15 posted 11/20/18 6:42pm

JoeyCococo

Prince shermer bent on being loud....he does have great sounding albums...Rainbow, One Nite Alone... parts of Phase 2. So, I agree he needs to be remastered but I am not sure how much improvement there can be as I believe his mixes were purposely made to make certain bass and keyboard parts not clear and up front rather, low in the mix (e.g. awesome guitar in When Doves Cry, bass throughout Alphabet St).

Someone mentioned Bernie Grundman not being happy with Wonderful Ass....agreed the high hats stick out like someone tapping you on your forehead all throughout...can shed more light on what Bernie said and where this was heard??

The Black Albin and Sign O The Times are murky as hell.

Btw.. the original poster mentioned controversy as not clear... I always found that one the best of his first 5 albums for sound quality only recently did I learn that Mick Gauzauski was an engineer on that album. He is responsible for Daft Punk's Random access Memories and Janelle Monar's Dirty Computer...two of the very best sounding recent albums.
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Reply #16 posted 11/20/18 7:22pm

TrevorAyer

unfortunately with mp3s and cellphone ear buds being the primary source of music for the deaf .. your modern stereo is likely a pile of shit meant to enhance compressed frequencies designed for ear bud speakers ... you need a stereo designed to playback full spectrum analog audio .. the real shit ... i have tried modern equipment and i agree that it makes older music sound bad ... unfortunately remastering is the worst offender of all ... again .. the remaster tries to compensate for the frequencies not represented by the compressed audio and modern crappy equipment ... i find all remasters tend to detract from the purity of the original sound .. often making it tubby to compensate for earbuds and also overly trebly again due to ear bud speakers ...

i am hoping there is an unmastered movement to restore and reissue all these butchered remasters to their original uncompressed and unfuckwitable glory .. unfortunately the music industry does not want you to hear real music as it should be heard .. they want you on their bubblegum corporate crack music and nothing else ... so they are ruining all the good music ... controversy is an outstanding album to crank up as is on some good speakers ... it pops ... its your stereo ... they add too much bass to those now to make up for the loss of bass in the mp3 ... makes everything sound tubby or covered by pillows

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Reply #17 posted 11/21/18 8:55am

luvsexy4all

london calling is best sounding album ever

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Reply #18 posted 11/21/18 11:10am

TrevorAyer

luvsexy4all said:

london calling is best sounding album ever

then along came strait to hell

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