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Thread started 10/26/09 12:04pm

berniejobs

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Dirty Mind Question

So I just got Dirty Mind (again) and I didn't notice this with my previous copy, but it seems like the album is mixed predominantely in the LEFT speaker. There is music in the right speaker, but it's lower, and certain cymbal crashes and backup vocals go to the right speaker... but still the majority of the music is in the left.

It doesn't really sound right. Is this just the way the album was made, or do I have a lemon?
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Reply #1 posted 10/26/09 12:07pm

JarviusLovesex
y

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Same with me,I listen to "Uptown" in my headphones,and I hear more on the left side.
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Reply #2 posted 10/26/09 12:17pm

ernestsewell

Different sounds being in different speakers is just a stereo thing.

But to address the overall level, remember that it IS a demo type thing, so anything is possible. I'm listening right now, and I don't notice any difference like you mention. In fact, I think "Partyup" is greatly mixed in the L and R channels, with different percussion in different ears.

I really dug when Prince mixed Wendy and Sheila in one ear, and Lisa and Susannah in the other ear on one of the Parade songs. (Might be "Anotherloverholenyohead", but I forget off hand.)

The Beatles REALLY have some separation like that in their music. You can turn to the left and hear NO voice, and just certain instruments, whereas the other ear has the vocals, and heavier percussion. It's really distracting in some ways.
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Reply #3 posted 10/26/09 12:26pm

berniejobs

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I understand the stereo separation thing, but this sounds like it's predominantely in the left.

Especially when I am listening to Dirty Mind and then quickly switch over to another album. I notice the difference immediately.

Hopefully I didn't just get a bum copy.
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Reply #4 posted 10/26/09 12:33pm

ernestsewell

berniejobs said:

I understand the stereo separation thing, but this sounds like it's predominantely in the left.

Especially when I am listening to Dirty Mind and then quickly switch over to another album. I notice the difference immediately.

Hopefully I didn't just get a bum copy.

I'd doubt there are bum copies. Disks are usually copied from a master copy made for the purpose of duplication and distribution. I really don't hear any different like that. And oddly, I can hear much better out of my left hear than my right one, and I still usually hear things evenly with headphones on. (I found the best pair of Sony headphones at Target for $20 that I just LOVE for general listening.)

It is a weird situation though.
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Reply #5 posted 10/26/09 12:40pm

shonenjoe

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Oh hell yeah. The mixing's pretty exclusive on this album.

What sucks is that I am half deaf in my left ear, and listening to Dirty Mind on my headphones is a frustrating experience. Guitar is almost exclusively mixed to the right. Interesting to have someone else point this out.

Also, almost all of my Prince mp3 material is at a lower volume level than the rest of my music. Anybody else have this problem?

Remasters plz
[Edited 10/26/09 12:44pm]
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Reply #6 posted 10/26/09 12:42pm

JarviusLovesex
y

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shonenjoe said:

Oh hell yeah. The mixing's pretty exclusive on this album.

What sucks is that I am half deaf in my left ear, and listening to Dirty Mind on my headphones is a odd experience. Guitar is almost exclusively mixed to the right. Interesting to have someone else point this out.

Also, almost all of my Prince mp3 material is at a lower volume level than the rest of my music. Anybody else have this problem?

Remasters plz



Do Me Baby,left side is higher
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Reply #7 posted 10/26/09 12:44pm

ernestsewell

JarviusLovesexy said:

Do Me Baby,left side is higher

...which is on a different album.
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Reply #8 posted 10/26/09 12:46pm

shonenjoe

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ernestsewell said:

JarviusLovesexy said:

Do Me Baby,left side is higher

...which is on a different album.


yeah.
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Reply #9 posted 10/26/09 12:50pm

ernestsewell

shonenjoe said:

Also, almost all of my Prince mp3 material is at a lower volume level than the rest of my music. Anybody else have this problem?


MP3s are shit, that's why. There are far better formats out there than MP3.

As far as Prince remasters. Pfffftt. WB is purposely NOT doing it because Prince was such a brat. Prince is purposely not doing it because God forbid he acknowledge his past beyond the same 15 or 18 hits he plays over and over. When he's taking shit like "Erotic City" off ULTIMATE, you can be damn sure he isn't going to revisit stuff like Dirty Mind, or Controversy, not without fucking it to high heaven. The WB should piss off Prince and just DO it. They own those masters, just do it. As far as unreleased stuff, all they can do it ask. But isn't there a clause that Prince has final say over any future WB releases of his music? If that counts toward remasters, there's your answer.

I've said it over and over. It will take Prince dying before remasters, box sets, or the Vault is taken care of properly.
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Reply #10 posted 10/26/09 7:00pm

guarinigirl200
0

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I never noticed that.

But that being said, I usually kind of zome out during Do Me Baby anyway.
I love a Man who:
Wears More Make Up Than Me.
Wears Four Inch Stilleto Boots.
Changes His Name To An Unpronouncable Symbol.
Who Changes His Name Back From An Unpronouncable Symbol.
Oh And Most Importantly, Who Is Sexy Little Drop Of Butterscotch
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Reply #11 posted 10/27/09 2:21am

woogiebear

ernestsewell said:

shonenjoe said:

Also, almost all of my Prince mp3 material is at a lower volume level than the rest of my music. Anybody else have this problem?


MP3s are shit, that's why. There are far better formats out there than MP3.

As far as Prince remasters. Pfffftt. WB is purposely NOT doing it because Prince was such a brat. Prince is purposely not doing it because God forbid he acknowledge his past beyond the same 15 or 18 hits he plays over and over. When he's taking shit like "Erotic City" off ULTIMATE, you can be damn sure he isn't going to revisit stuff like Dirty Mind, or Controversy, not without fucking it to high heaven. The WB should piss off Prince and just DO it. They own those masters, just do it. As far as unreleased stuff, all they can do it ask. But isn't there a clause that Prince has final say over any future WB releases of his music? If that counts toward remasters, there's your answer.

I've said it over and over. It will take Prince dying before remasters, box sets, or the Vault is taken care of properly.



.....and WE THE FANS will 4ever pay the price bcause he went 4 ARTISTIC CONTROL ONLY and not TOTAL CONTROL.
Notice that wherever AEROSMITH, VAN MORRISON and THE ROLLING STONES go, ALL THEIR MUSIC (save for the Stones' ABKCO stuff) gets RE-RELEASED and RE-MASTERED!!!!!
cool cool cool
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Reply #12 posted 10/27/09 3:09am

Huggiebear

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I think also it might be that Dirty Mind was recorded on rawer and more basic equipment, maybe the left ear feel is because of its 'garage' feel. I actually like it, as its rawness adds to the experience. Everytime I listen to it, I discover something new, like the line "She took a whip to me" in Sister for instance. My copy is an old ass CD I bought second hand in 1995 (And I know its 80s as theres those old ass notes about handling CDs and the new CD playing technology), and believe me that shit sounds raw, but its quality has never diminished.
So what are u going 2 do? R u just gonna sit there and watch? I'm not gonna stop until the war is over. Its gonna take a long time
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Reply #13 posted 10/27/09 3:37am

toots

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ernestsewell said:

Different sounds being in different speakers is just a stereo thing.

But to address the overall level, remember that it IS a demo type thing, so anything is possible. I'm listening right now, and I don't notice any difference like you mention. In fact, I think "Partyup" is greatly mixed in the L and R channels, with different percussion in different ears.

I really dug when Prince mixed Wendy and Sheila in one ear, and Lisa and Susannah in the other ear on one of the Parade songs. (Might be "Anotherloverholenyohead", but I forget off hand.)

The Beatles REALLY have some separation like that in their music. You can turn to the left and hear NO voice, and just certain instruments, whereas the other ear has the vocals, and heavier percussion. It's really distracting in some ways.

Wasn't it Life Can Be So Nice on the Parade album I noticed it on that too
Smurf theme song-seriously how many fucking "La Las" can u fit into a dam song wall
Proud Wendy and Lisa Fancy Lesbian asskisser thumbs up!
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Reply #14 posted 10/27/09 3:59am

jcurley

ernestsewell said:

shonenjoe said:

Also, almost all of my Prince mp3 material is at a lower volume level than the rest of my music. Anybody else have this problem?


MP3s are shit, that's why. There are far better formats out there than MP3.

As far as Prince remasters. Pfffftt. WB is purposely NOT doing it because Prince was such a brat. Prince is purposely not doing it because God forbid he acknowledge his past beyond the same 15 or 18 hits he plays over and over. When he's taking shit like "Erotic City" off ULTIMATE, you can be damn sure he isn't going to revisit stuff like Dirty Mind, or Controversy, not without fucking it to high heaven. The WB should piss off Prince and just DO it. They own those masters, just do it. As far as unreleased stuff, all they can do it ask. But isn't there a clause that Prince has final say over any future WB releases of his music? If that counts toward remasters, there's your answer.

I've said it over and over. It will take Prince dying before remasters, box sets, or the Vault is taken care of properly.



I kind of agree with this but how does it work financially if WB go straight ahead and do it, who wins-obviously Prince long term but would Warners genuinely gain,
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Reply #15 posted 10/27/09 6:28am

dothejump

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toots said:

ernestsewell said:

Different sounds being in different speakers is just a stereo thing.

But to address the overall level, remember that it IS a demo type thing, so anything is possible. I'm listening right now, and I don't notice any difference like you mention. In fact, I think "Partyup" is greatly mixed in the L and R channels, with different percussion in different ears.

I really dug when Prince mixed Wendy and Sheila in one ear, and Lisa and Susannah in the other ear on one of the Parade songs. (Might be "Anotherloverholenyohead", but I forget off hand.)

The Beatles REALLY have some separation like that in their music. You can turn to the left and hear NO voice, and just certain instruments, whereas the other ear has the vocals, and heavier percussion. It's really distracting in some ways.

Wasn't it Life Can Be So Nice on the Parade album I noticed it on that too


Nope. It was Girls & Boys smile
Formerly known as Parade @ HQ and formerly proud owner of www.paradetour.com
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Reply #16 posted 10/27/09 7:23am

toots

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dothejump said:

toots said:


Wasn't it Life Can Be So Nice on the Parade album I noticed it on that too


Nope. It was Girls & Boys smile

ahhhhh ty much for the correction nod
Smurf theme song-seriously how many fucking "La Las" can u fit into a dam song wall
Proud Wendy and Lisa Fancy Lesbian asskisser thumbs up!
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Reply #17 posted 10/27/09 8:54am

djThunderfunk

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ernestsewell said:

shonenjoe said:

Also, almost all of my Prince mp3 material is at a lower volume level than the rest of my music. Anybody else have this problem?


MP3s are shit, that's why. There are far better formats out there than MP3.


Not to disagree with your opinions on mp3 at all, but they are not the reason for lower volume level. I used to load up 18 Prince CDs in my Pioneer CD Changer and had the same problems between older & newer albums.
The reason for the volume difference is due to the changes in industry mastering standards between the 80's and now. Then, in the 80's, when the digital format was new, the standards for volume were too low. Now they are waaaay to high.... the standard has become to crank everything up, beyond clipping, then compress it back. The result removes the art of Peaks and Valleys (look it up) in music and makes recordings sound noisy and harsh.
They had it right around the mid-90's. not too quiet, not too loud... but then they just went too far... In my not-so-humble professional opinion. biggrin
Don't hate your neighbors. Hate the media that tells you to hate your neighbors.
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Reply #18 posted 10/27/09 10:48am

ernestsewell

djThunderfunk said:

Not to disagree with your opinions on mp3 at all, but they are not the reason for lower volume level. I used to load up 18 Prince CDs in my Pioneer CD Changer and had the same problems between older & newer albums.
The reason for the volume difference is due to the changes in industry mastering standards between the 80's and now. Then, in the 80's, when the digital format was new, the standards for volume were too low. Now they are waaaay to high.... the standard has become to crank everything up, beyond clipping, then compress it back. The result removes the art of Peaks and Valleys (look it up) in music and makes recordings sound noisy and harsh.
They had it right around the mid-90's. not too quiet, not too loud... but then they just went too far... In my not-so-humble professional opinion. biggrin

No, I know. I get that.

I just don't hear the level problems on the DM album as noted. I do hear regular stereo separation. That's it, for me.
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Reply #19 posted 10/27/09 10:42pm

djThunderfunk

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ernestsewell said:


No, I know. I get that.

I just don't hear the level problems on the DM album as noted. I do hear regular stereo separation. That's it, for me.

Same here. I also hear regular stereo separation on all my copies: LP, cassette, CD & MP3...
Don't hate your neighbors. Hate the media that tells you to hate your neighbors.
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Reply #20 posted 10/29/09 12:13pm

shonenjoe

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djThunderfunk said:

ernestsewell said:



MP3s are shit, that's why. There are far better formats out there than MP3.


Not to disagree with your opinions on mp3 at all, but they are not the reason for lower volume level. I used to load up 18 Prince CDs in my Pioneer CD Changer and had the same problems between older & newer albums.
The reason for the volume difference is due to the changes in industry mastering standards between the 80's and now. Then, in the 80's, when the digital format was new, the standards for volume were too low. Now they are waaaay to high.... the standard has become to crank everything up, beyond clipping, then compress it back. The result removes the art of Peaks and Valleys (look it up) in music and makes recordings sound noisy and harsh.
They had it right around the mid-90's. not too quiet, not too loud... but then they just went too far... In my not-so-humble professional opinion. biggrin



I know MP3s are inferior quality in comparison to other formats, of course.

But thisanswers my question. Other MP3 format music plays at a higher volume level. But if I ever play Prince on my ipod, I have to pump up my stereo.
[Edited 10/29/09 12:14pm]
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Reply #21 posted 10/29/09 12:18pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

ernestsewell said:

Different sounds being in different speakers is just a stereo thing.

But to address the overall level, remember that it IS a demo type thing, so anything is possible. I'm listening right now, and I don't notice any difference like you mention. In fact, I think "Partyup" is greatly mixed in the L and R channels, with different percussion in different ears.

I really dug when Prince mixed Wendy and Sheila in one ear, and Lisa and Susannah in the other ear on one of the Parade songs. (Might be "Anotherloverholenyohead", but I forget off hand.)

The Beatles REALLY have some separation like that in their music. You can turn to the left and hear NO voice, and just certain instruments, whereas the other ear has the vocals, and heavier percussion. It's really distracting in some ways.


Yea your right, I think the song is Girls & Boys
I hear the difference when I listen in my headphones
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Reply #22 posted 10/30/09 12:42am

nurseV

I've been hearing Dirty Mind that way for years too eek I don't believe it's the speakers. Over the years I've played it on several stereos and now on my computer and it still sounds that way.
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Reply #23 posted 10/30/09 3:16am

zaza

djThunderfunk said:

ernestsewell said:



MP3s are shit, that's why. There are far better formats out there than MP3.


Not to disagree with your opinions on mp3 at all, but they are not the reason for lower volume level. I used to load up 18 Prince CDs in my Pioneer CD Changer and had the same problems between older & newer albums.
The reason for the volume difference is due to the changes in industry mastering standards between the 80's and now. Then, in the 80's, when the digital format was new, the standards for volume were too low. Now they are waaaay to high.... the standard has become to crank everything up, beyond clipping, then compress it back. The result removes the art of Peaks and Valleys (look it up) in music and makes recordings sound noisy and harsh.
They had it right around the mid-90's. not too quiet, not too loud... but then they just went too far... In my not-so-humble professional opinion. biggrin

yeahthat
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Reply #24 posted 10/30/09 12:43pm

BorisFishpaw

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jcurley said:

ernestsewell said:



MP3s are shit, that's why. There are far better formats out there than MP3.

As far as Prince remasters. Pfffftt. WB is purposely NOT doing it because Prince was such a brat. Prince is purposely not doing it because God forbid he acknowledge his past beyond the same 15 or 18 hits he plays over and over. When he's taking shit like "Erotic City" off ULTIMATE, you can be damn sure he isn't going to revisit stuff like Dirty Mind, or Controversy, not without fucking it to high heaven. The WB should piss off Prince and just DO it. They own those masters, just do it. As far as unreleased stuff, all they can do it ask. But isn't there a clause that Prince has final say over any future WB releases of his music? If that counts toward remasters, there's your answer.

I've said it over and over. It will take Prince dying before remasters, box sets, or the Vault is taken care of properly.



I kind of agree with this but how does it work financially if WB go straight ahead and do it, who wins-obviously Prince long term but would Warners genuinely gain,


It's not that WB don't want to remaster Prince's back catalogue, it's that
they CAN'T do it without his permission. If they did they'd be in breach of
contract.
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Reply #25 posted 10/30/09 12:55pm

motherfunka

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OldFriends4Sale said:

ernestsewell said:

Different sounds being in different speakers is just a stereo thing.

But to address the overall level, remember that it IS a demo type thing, so anything is possible. I'm listening right now, and I don't notice any difference like you mention. In fact, I think "Partyup" is greatly mixed in the L and R channels, with different percussion in different ears.

I really dug when Prince mixed Wendy and Sheila in one ear, and Lisa and Susannah in the other ear on one of the Parade songs. (Might be "Anotherloverholenyohead", but I forget off hand.)

The Beatles REALLY have some separation like that in their music. You can turn to the left and hear NO voice, and just certain instruments, whereas the other ear has the vocals, and heavier percussion. It's really distracting in some ways.


Yea your right, I think the song is Girls & Boys
I hear the difference when I listen in my headphones


Not to be picky, but it was Lisa and Sheila on the left and Wendy and Susannah on the right. lol
TRUE BLUE
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