Just noticed that the pre-orders for the .wav versions are showing that they're 44.1khz and 24bit, which is an improvement on CD being 44.1khz and 16 bit. This is good news if it's accurate.

I guess this is the version I'll be getting if they don't do a 96 or 192khz version.

http://prince.warnerartists.net/en/featured-21/wav-bundles/art-official-age-digital-wav.html

http://prince.warnerartists.net/en/featured-21/wav-bundles/plectrum-electrum-digital-album-wav.html

.

[Edited 8/31/14 2:43am]

Wav version of clouds showing as PCM S24 in VLC but strangely shows 32 bits per sample. iTunes also confirms 24 bit.

Haven't listened to Clouds yet but Breakdown still has the same shitty mastering with too much clipping.

After a bit of doubting about it I have pre-ordered the vinyl versions of the two new albums today instead of the high res audio downloads. I have basically quit buying CD's years ago and listen to most of my music using my laptop and a high end audio card, if possible using HR 24 bit audio files.

-

But, in the case of Prince: I have all of his releases in physical form (either CD or vinyl, or both), and I want to have these two albums in physical form too, for the proper "new Prince album" experience. Listening to the new music with the album cover in my hand, and hopefully some lyric sheets!

funkaholic1972 said:

After a bit of doubting about it I have pre-ordered the vinyl versions of the two new albums today instead of the high res audio downloads. I have basically quit buying CD's years ago and listen to most of my music using my laptop and a high end audio card, if possible using HR 24 bit audio files.

-

But, in the case of Prince: I have all of his releases in physical form (either CD or vinyl, or both), and I want to have these two albums in physical form too, for the proper "new Prince album" experience. Listening to the new music with the album cover in my hand, and hopefully some lyric sheets!

I have all the previous albums on physical and I'll most likely end up getting the CD's at some point but for now I'llgo with the digital ones to start with. All my media is ripped anyway with the originals in the loft so not having the physical won't bother me much anyway.

Don't you automatically get the digital version when you order the CD on Amazon anyway?

[Edited 8/29/14 12:06pm]

Farfunknugin said:

Don't you automatically get the digital version when you order the CD on Amazon anyway?

[Edited 8/29/14 12:06pm]

320k mp3

Farfunknugin said:

Don't you automatically get the digital version when you order the CD on Amazon anyway?

[Edited 8/29/14 12:06pm]

Yeah I think that is usually the case at Amazon. However, I just checked on the French Amazon where I ordered both the new albums and it says nothing about getting the free mp3s. Oh well, there are ways to get them without having to pay again anyway, so I am not that bothered about it.

funkaholic1972 said:

Farfunknugin said:

Don't you automatically get the digital version when you order the CD on Amazon anyway?

[Edited 8/29/14 12:06pm]

Yeah I think that is usually the case at Amazon. However, I just checked on the French Amazon where I ordered both the new albums and it says nothing about getting the free mp3s. Oh well, there are ways to get them without having to pay again anyway, so I am not that bothered about it.

Yeah, I imageine we'll all have a leak of it a week or so before it hits the street anyway.

Will they fix "Breakdown" for the cd release? Poor mastering. Poor. Who worked the power tools on that one?

banishedones666 said:

Will they fix "Breakdown" for the cd release? Poor mastering. Poor. Who worked the power tools on that one?

Nope.

The wav download has the same issues. Too much volume, with the same clipping.

TheEnglishGent said:

Haven't listened to Clouds yet but Breakdown still has the same shitty mastering with too much clipping.

I think he pre released the "Sh*tty" version on purpose. I heard "the breakdown" at one of the Paisley Park parties and it sounded different. It was much more polished and beautifully produced.

It definetly wasn't the same version that we've heard thus far.

Farfunknugin said:

Don't you automatically get the digital version when you order the CD on Amazon anyway?

[Edited 8/29/14 12:06pm]

not every album has autorip

TheEnglishGent said:

banishedones666 said:

Will they fix "Breakdown" for the cd release? Poor mastering. Poor. Who worked the power tools on that one?

Nope.

The wav download has the same issues. Too much volume, with the same clipping.

le sigh.

jobyjayy said:

TheEnglishGent said:

Haven't listened to Clouds yet but Breakdown still has the same shitty mastering with too much clipping.

I think he pre released the "Sh*tty" version on purpose. I heard "the breakdown" at one of the Paisley Park parties and it sounded different. It was much more polished and beautifully produced.

It definetly wasn't the same version that we've heard thus far.

You might have just heard it on a good system there at a loud volume. That makes most stuff sound good.

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I hope someone at PP/WB took notice of the complaints about the mastering and made sure stuff will be fixed for the album. A reasonably loud master is nice, but clipping/distortion is unacceptable.

funkaholic1972 said:

KingSausage said: