BlakePetty said:

Regardless of what we all can guess is happening with the remasters, for me the most shocking thing are those two recent photos of Prince standing in front of the gigantic posters of the old album artwork, Controversy and Parade. What is the purpose!? Is that just for his personal photo collection?! I mean, it's not everyday someone has a 10 foot tall poster of the Parade inner sleeve and Prince just happens to stand in front of it.

think u have a valid point here. Prince is good @giving signs.This is a big sign that he is working on a remastered launch. That will blow r mines. A lot of people missed this sign and u figured it out. Kudos 2 U. Prince has been pulling out classics in his Welcum 2 America tour 4 a reason...Why would he have 10 foot tall posters made 4 nothing 2 stand in front of...hmmm

electricberet said:

TheFreakerFantastic said:

The vinyl remasters are probably just remastered versions of the original master, ie. not going back to all the multi track recordings and improving them one by one.. This is a quicker way of doing it but not the proper way.

Remember they did this with Prince Ultimate in 2006 - the sound quality was good but they were just remastered masters not a proper remastering which involves reworking the sound on all the individual multi-audio tracks.

When you talk about going back to original multi-track recordings, that's remixing, not remastering. See here:

http://blog.davewalkermusic.com/?p=479

and here:

http://www.hometheaterhif...ffman.html

Bernie did exactly what we would want him to do for a vinyl remaster. He didn't remix the albums. He also didn't remaster the vinyl from a digital source, which would have been bad. Remixes might be interesting at some point but we need remasters first. If we get remixes, we will get Prince's new vision of the albums, and you can imagine what that might be.

Remixing is almost as bad as re-recording. The result may be interesting, but it won't scratch that remastering itch.

Whatever the case, or whatever you want to call it, these new vinyl releases sound amazing. Call it what you want, i'm happy with the end result

blackbob said:

well with the confirmation that some of prince's 80s albums have been released on vinyl in remastered sound quality...

.

.

The vinyls DON'T need to be remastered (or rather re-pressed with new masters).

It's all CDs prior to "Love Symbol" that suck, oh and how much.

NouveauDance said:

funkyhead said:

if it does you know he will find some way fo fucking it up. I struggle to see how given his religious beliefs, he could sanction remasters of his classic albums unless the lyrics were changed.

I actually don't think he would do this. Maybe in 98/99 when the cult thing was in white heat, but not now.

For me, the bigger concern is a) remastering it well and not just "TURN EVERYTHING UP TO ELEVEN!!!!1!" b) they include unreleased tracks, 7/12" versions, b-sides etc. Look at those sorry fucking Madonna remasters from years back, 2 mixes on each disc, seriously?... That would be terrible, because god only knows how long it would take for them to trot them out for re-release again.

Hear ! Hear !

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

BlakePetty said:

Regardless of what we all can guess is happening with the remasters, for me the most shocking thing are those two recent photos of Prince standing in front of the gigantic posters of the old album artwork, Controversy and Parade. What is the purpose!? Is that just for his personal photo collection?! I mean, it's not everyday someone has a 10 foot tall poster of the Parade inner sleeve and Prince just happens to stand in front of it.

think u have a valid point here. Prince is good @giving signs.This is a big sign that he is working on a remastered launch. That will blow r mines. A lot of people missed this sign and u figured it out. Kudos 2 U. Prince has been pulling out classics in his Welcum 2 America tour 4 a reason...Why would he have 10 foot tall posters made 4 nothing 2 stand in front of...hmmm

I really do think those photos are a sign in the right direction. I first saw the poster for sale of Prince standing in front of the huge Controversy album cover at the MSG W2A shows in December. And my first thoughts were of complete outrage, "Uh, why do that? WHY sell this? What is the purpose of this!!!" Ok, more like medium outrage. But it got me thinking, of all photo sessions to possibly have in 2010, why this one? Why have a massive print of Controversy made, and then pose in front of it with what looks like a Strat from that era?

Also, all the associated artist videos he's been playing before The Forum shows is remarkable. I don't think Prince has ever done something like that before. To me it's a sign he's a lot more comfortable with his past and his legacy than he has been in a long time. This is a far cry from the One Night Alone era, that's for sure. I mean, when's the last time Prince has even THOUGHT about T.C. Ellis?

Timmy84 said:

IamFunkay7 said:

Waiting for Prince's remasters is like waiting for the big one in California buts theres one thing you know, its coming

I wouldn't compare a music release to a castatrophe man...

He's had a few that actually do compare...

dandeeland said:

It ain't happening. My best friend is a high up at WB. He says no way. Its different with vinyl. He says no chance on the cds. Prince won't let it happen

And also maybe because a vinyl rip is about as good as a cassette copy. Perhaps Prince wants to get his stufff out and remastered but in a format that can't be perfectly duplicated and won't last eternally like 1s and 0s. Dig? I've never heard a vinyl rip that sounds pristine.

sms130 said:

databank said:

STOP THE PRESS!!!

CMIIW but if I understand it well:

1) Last autumn: Prince claims he got the masters from the first 3 albums back because it's 30 years and not 35, therefore this includes Dirty Mind.

2) Last autumn: Prince claims he's already remastered the first 6 albums.

3) January: Bernie Grundman claims he's remastered the original masters for albums 3, 4 and 5.

4) Now: WB is rereleasing albums 3, 4 and 5.

There's something wrong:

1) Prince claimed to have remastered his albums BEFORE january and Bernie says he's remastered the original masters, which is different than a proper remastering of the origional multi-tracks. Besides, releasing real remasters without promoting them as being so makes no sense: WB would try to take advantage of the possible promo such a thing would allow.

CONCLUSION: These vinyl are NOT the long awaited remasters, NOR are they the remasters Prince claims to have done by himself, they're only an enhenced version of the original masters: no big deal.

2) Prince said he gets his masters back after 20 years, so WB shouldn't be able to rerelease Dirty Mind in 2011, unless they negociated a special arrangement with Prince.

CONCLUSION: Prince might be lying abou the 30 years.

Whatcha guys think?

PS: for whoever mentioned it earlier, no Prince album was technically released on Paisley Park, as said by Alan Leeds, so weither an album carried the PP logo or not doesn't make a difference legally speaking.

Now, this could be true.

None of it is true. Mastering is unique to each format. You cannot have an album remastered and use the same source for vinyl, cassette and CD. Vinyl mastering is TOTALLY different. BG did the remastering for the vinyl because it's a specialized process that fewer and fewer people can do anymore. Prince may have remastered his first 6 albums, but BG did the vinly ONLY.

olb99 said:

databank said:

There's something wrong:

1) Prince claimed to have remastered his albums BEFORE january and Bernie says he's remastered the original masters, which is different than a proper remastering of the origional multi-tracks. Besides, releasing real remasters without promoting them as being so makes no sense: WB would try to take advantage of the possible promo such a thing would allow.

CONCLUSION: These vinyl are NOT the long awaited remasters, NOR are they the remasters Prince claims to have done by himself, they're only an enhenced version of the original masters: no big deal.

Repeat after me: remastering is not (necessarily) remixing.

When we're talking about remasters of Prince albums, I absolutely don't expect remixes, but "basic" remasters and I'm absolutely fine with that. Remixing is a tricky business. <milesmode>The Mark Wilder remix of "Bitches Brew" (1998) is completely messed up, for example (missing sound effects, etc.). As far as I'm concerned, the definitive version of "Bitches Brew" is the Japanese remaster from the 90s, not the remix.</milesmode>

[Edited 5/27/11 1:56am]

Remixing is NEVER remastering. Remixing is remixing. Remastering is taking the original mixes and mastering them again. Remixing is taking the mutli-track tapes and remixing them. Hope this clears things up. Of course you can remix and then remaster, but the two are totally different things unrerlated to one another. KTHNXBAI

steakfinger said:

olb99 said:

Repeat after me: remastering is not (necessarily) remixing.

When we're talking about remasters of Prince albums, I absolutely don't expect remixes, but "basic" remasters and I'm absolutely fine with that. Remixing is a tricky business. <milesmode>The Mark Wilder remix of "Bitches Brew" (1998) is completely messed up, for example (missing sound effects, etc.). As far as I'm concerned, the definitive version of "Bitches Brew" is the Japanese remaster from the 90s, not the remix.</milesmode>

[Edited 5/27/11 1:56am]

Remixing is NEVER remastering. Remixing is remixing. Remastering is taking the original mixes and mastering them again. Remixing is taking the mutli-track tapes and remixing them. Hope this clears things up. Of course you can remix and then remaster, but the two are totally different things unrerlated to one another. KTHNXBAI

weird. I would have thought that remixing would always include a mastering step.

one thing we all should keep in mind that there are many ways to 'remaster' something. Not all of them include any improvements.

And from what Prince said (according to the pod cast): all he did was use a computer to make some improvements by use of filters and sound leveling. NOT a full remaster.

BlakePetty said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

think u have a valid point here. Prince is good @giving signs.This is a big sign that he is working on a remastered launch. That will blow r mines. A lot of people missed this sign and u figured it out. Kudos 2 U. Prince has been pulling out classics in his Welcum 2 America tour 4 a reason...Why would he have 10 foot tall posters made 4 nothing 2 stand in front of...hmmm

I really do think those photos are a sign in the right direction. I first saw the poster for sale of Prince standing in front of the huge Controversy album cover at the MSG W2A shows in December. And my first thoughts were of complete outrage, "Uh, why do that? WHY sell this? What is the purpose of this!!!" Ok, more like medium outrage. But it got me thinking, of all photo sessions to possibly have in 2010, why this one? Why have a massive print of Controversy made, and then pose in front of it with what looks like a Strat from that era?

Also, all the associated artist videos he's been playing before The Forum shows is remarkable. I don't think Prince has ever done something like that before. To me it's a sign he's a lot more comfortable with his past and his legacy than he has been in a long time. This is a far cry from the One Night Alone era, that's for sure. I mean, when's the last time Prince has even THOUGHT about T.C. Ellis?

think Prince is @ a stage in his life, where he finally wants credit 4 all the masterpieces he wrote 4 other artist. The casual fan has no idea how prolific he is. wish he would have done this years ago. Prince never does things when U want him 2.

His legacy with The Time & The Family & the fight over using those names is proof of that. Those names he created along with the music is all his. so is his right 2 stop them 4rm using them.

BlakePetty said:

Yes, I think we should stay optimistic about this. It could totally happen.

Way back in early 2004, I used to work for a delivery company that would deliver film and digital masters to and from major studios and post-houses. One day I was on my way to Warners and decided to look in the boxes. And there it was: original reels of Purple Rain, UTCM and Grafitti Bridge, along with digital transfers and a massive box of all those eras' music videos. It totally blew my mind.

Of course I posted my discovery on Housequake and everyone thought I was full of shit! Haha. But anyhow, fingers pretty much permanently crossed at this point re: remasters.

Thanx for your input & your information....i hope that u will be able to bring back some good news for us in the future!

Thanx a lot in advance

If those albums were remixed, don't u think Prince would release it himself since it's not the exactly like the original and he would own it as oppose to Warner Bros? Prince mentioned back in that press conference in 2000. It sucks that the full press conference is not back up and only the second part is. Anyway, he mentioned that he does have the mastertapes in his possession and he don't own the rights to them. He also mention that he could (of course) re-record his Warner Bros back catalogue and own the new masters of them. Also, he states that if he wanted to he just simply remix his entire Warner's back catalogue and own the new masters like that also. His thing was, should he even have to do all that or go thru that to own his art? Notice no other new master version of the back catalogue was release after 1999 (new master) was released and fail going against the original. I think that's why that kind of stuff remains in the vault now because he know that the rights will revert back to him and those recordings are his. Why go against urself, you don't need to. Now look at him, he's begin to regain ownership of those albums as well as some of those proteges/side projects. With this all said, I think those vinyl releases are just enhanced sounding and not remastered. If they are remastered, they're only released on vinyl because vinyl was one of the original formats that album was released originally I bet.

[Edited 5/29/11 9:52am]

My CD's sound good.. I'm listening to Sometimes it Snows in April and it sounds like Prince is singing in my ear right now

InternationalLover82 said:

My CD's sound good.. I'm listening to Sometimes it Snows in April and it sounds like Prince is singing in my ear right now

all his cds were poorly mastered up to lovesexy gabbi....try putting a recent cd into your player then put sign o the times in...you will notice how quiet sign is and how flat it sounds...a remaster of all his first 8 albums would improve the sound quality a lot...not to say you cant enjoy them has they are but you would notice a big difference if they were remastered properly.....the beatles had their entire back catalogue remastered last year and they sound amazing compared to the old cds...thats what i want for the old prince albums.....

blackbob said:

InternationalLover82 said:

My CD's sound good.. I'm listening to Sometimes it Snows in April and it sounds like Prince is singing in my ear right now

all his cds were poorly mastered up to lovesexy gabbi....try putting a recent cd into your player then put sign o the times in...you will notice how quiet sign is and how flat it sounds...a remaster of all his first 8 albums would improve the sound quality a lot...not to say you cant enjoy them has they are but you would notice a big difference if they were remastered properly.....the beatles had their entire back catalogue remastered last year and they sound amazing compared to the old cds...thats what i want for the old prince albums.....

I agree!

blackbob said:

InternationalLover82 said:

My CD's sound good.. I'm listening to Sometimes it Snows in April and it sounds like Prince is singing in my ear right now

all his cds were poorly mastered up to lovesexy gabbi....try putting a recent cd into your player then put sign o the times in...you will notice how quiet sign is and how flat it sounds...a remaster of all his first 8 albums would improve the sound quality a lot...not to say you cant enjoy them has they are but you would notice a big difference if they were remastered properly.....the beatles had their entire back catalogue remastered last year and they sound amazing compared to the old cds...thats what i want for the old prince albums.....

Something Big is coming....something Big is coming...my Friends...2011 is the Year!!

blackbob said:

InternationalLover82 said:

My CD's sound good.. I'm listening to Sometimes it Snows in April and it sounds like Prince is singing in my ear right now

all his cds were poorly mastered up to lovesexy gabbi....try putting a recent cd into your player then put sign o the times in...you will notice how quiet sign is and how flat it sounds...a remaster of all his first 8 albums would improve the sound quality a lot...not to say you cant enjoy them has they are but you would notice a big difference if they were remastered properly.....the beatles had their entire back catalogue remastered last year and they sound amazing compared to the old cds...thats what i want for the old prince albums.....

Or even better, compare the VINYL of SOTT to the CD, then what's lacking becomes very evident.

love2thenines2003 said:

Something Big is coming....something Big is coming...my Friends...2011 is the Year!!

JudasLChrist said:

blackbob said:

all his cds were poorly mastered up to lovesexy gabbi....try putting a recent cd into your player then put sign o the times in...you will notice how quiet sign is and how flat it sounds...a remaster of all his first 8 albums would improve the sound quality a lot...not to say you cant enjoy them has they are but you would notice a big difference if they were remastered properly.....the beatles had their entire back catalogue remastered last year and they sound amazing compared to the old cds...thats what i want for the old prince albums.....

Or even better, compare the VINYL of SOTT to the CD, then what's lacking becomes very evident.

Right. A lot of recent CDs are much too loud. The fact that Prince's original CDs are quiet is not a problem; you just turn up the volume. One concern that I have about digital remasters is that they may be overly compressed.

[Edited 5/29/11 19:15pm]

dandeeland said:

It ain't happening. My best friend is a high up at WB. He says no way. Its different with vinyl. He says no chance on the cds. Prince won't let it happen

That sounds about right

They should remaster all the outtakes I want to hear so many of them crystal clear, like She's Just A Baby

[Edited 5/30/11 16:22pm]

BlakePetty said:

Regardless of what we all can guess is happening with the remasters, for me the most shocking thing are those two recent photos of Prince standing in front of the gigantic posters of the old album artwork, Controversy and Parade. What is the purpose!? Is that just for his personal photo collection?! I mean, it's not everyday someone has a 10 foot tall poster of the Parade inner sleeve and Prince just happens to stand in front of it.

Would you happen to have a link to those two photos mentioned in bold?

Considering the sad fact that less than 50% of remasters are actually an improvement in fidelity over previous releases and just as often ruin the music by brick-walling (i.e. removing dynamics), why even think about it until they're here?

IdentityCrisis said:

BlakePetty said:

Regardless of what we all can guess is happening with the remasters, for me the most shocking thing are those two recent photos of Prince standing in front of the gigantic posters of the old album artwork, Controversy and Parade. What is the purpose!? Is that just for his personal photo collection?! I mean, it's not everyday someone has a 10 foot tall poster of the Parade inner sleeve and Prince just happens to stand in front of it.

Would you happen to have a link to those two photos mentioned in bold?

http://www.shelleywade.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Prince-now-then.jpg

http://www.drfunkenberry.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/MG_0601-grain.jpg

BlakePetty said:

IdentityCrisis said:

Would you happen to have a link to those two photos mentioned in bold?

http://www.shelleywade.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Prince-now-then.jpg

http://www.drfunkenberry.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/MG_0601-grain.jpg

Awesome, thanks!

BlakePetty said:

http://www.drfunkenberry.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/MG_0601-grain.jpg

That one in particular convinces me that something's going down. It's one thing to stand in front of a big picture of yourself in the old days, but quite another to stand in front of a giant picture of your old band. Plus he's touching it, to call more attention to it...