Prog5000 said:

TheEnglishGent said:

Maybe there wasn't anything that could be done? Maybe any flaws are just there in the master? People's frustration is from there not being any answers or information.

I thought the same. Maybe they should have dropped the problematic tracks and tacked them on as bonuses with a disclaimer?

I haven't even noticed the clicks, so I'm happy with the album sequenced as it is. Whatever is there isn't breaking the music for me. But I understand that something could be annyoing for those who know if it and can't unhear it.

Superstition said:

I’m listening to iTunes downloads with the Apple Digital mastering and I’ve heard no glitches or even subpar quality. I’m no audiophile but I certainly hear plenty of mistakes in many tracks from numerous other albums and artists, and I hear no such thing here. I wonder if there was a production issue? If there are digital masters (not from Prince, but after the songs were mastered for release) and Apple’s copies are clean, then it must be an issue somewhere else down the line.

I've saved the album from Apple Music and the glitches are definitely there.

I also listened to the sample of "Stand Up and B Strong" on iTunes and again, it has glitches. Sounds like a scratched CD is playing.

Polo1026 said:

mrmaxwell said:

A few points: - The distorted sound issue is defiantly present. Whether or not you can hear it depends on many issues such as equipment used, hearing sensitivity, etc. I’ve sampled the release over various models of headphones and speakers and the issue is present on all listening sessions - As always any music we receive as fans is a blessing post 2016, however if the Estate / Sony Legacy are going to continue charging premium pricing along with forced bundling then they need to ensure top sonic quality! There is no reason SOTT from 1987 should sound better than W2A from 2010 - If the Estate offered W2A as a free download as an offering during the pandemic then it would be a great gesture and sound quality would not be so important It is not ideal to spend US$189 for various collectible release with audible sound issues

Very well put.

The whole album sounds great to me, to say the sound quality is sub par is just wrong. There may be some clicks on a track, which I fortunately haven't heard but to read some of the comments makes this sounds like some sub par bootleg.

I do understand that anyone who hears the clicks would be disapointed and it would be nice to get some comment from the estate on this matter.

But let's not pretend that everything was perfect when Prince was around. I don't understand the expectation that everything would be perfect now that he's gone.

TheEnglishGent said:

fredmagnus said:

TheEnglishGent said:

The whole album sounds great to me, to say the sound quality is sub par is just wrong. There may be some clicks on a track, which I fortunately haven't heard but to read some of the comments makes this sounds like some sub par bootleg.

I do understand that anyone who hears the clicks would be disapointed and it would be nice to get some comment from the estate on this matter.

But let's not pretend that everything was perfect when Prince was around. I don't understand the expectation that everything would be perfect now that he's gone.

In fact, to be fair, the clicks that can be heard on Same Page Different Book can also be heard on the file shared by Prince back in early 2013. This proves those issues are not due to a bad mastering or something that would be the Estate's fault. The issues or whatever happened were already there on the source recording.

That's the end of the discussion then isn't it? The estate can't fix what's inherent in the original recordings.

I haven't heard the clicks in SPDB either. I wonder how much is due to how people are listening, rather than what they're listening with? I rarely sit and just listen to music, I'm always doing something else, so the music isn't getting 100% focus.

TheEnglishGent said:

fredmagnus said:

TheEnglishGent said: In fact, to be fair, the clicks that can be heard on Same Page Different Book can also be heard on the file shared by Prince back in early 2013. This proves those issues are not due to a bad mastering or something that would be the Estate's fault. The issues or whatever happened were already there on the source recording.

That's the end of the discussion then isn't it? The estate can't fix what's inherent in the original recordings.

They'd have the multitracks.

bluegangsta said:

TheEnglishGent said:

That's the end of the discussion then isn't it? The estate can't fix what's inherent in the original recordings.

They'd have the multitracks.

If the clicks exist in Prince's original release of same page, wouldn't that suggest that the multi tracks have the clicks? Why is the assumption always something the estate have done wrong, rather than it being an inherent problem in the original recordings?

I've gotten my set yesterday but due to work, didnt have a chance to check it out yet.

I've just downloaded the digital files from WeAreVinyl.com and took a quick listen to "Stand up and b strong" on my AirPods and there are clicks all over this track...it's honestly unlistenable!

Welp...this was probably the last time I've preordered anything from the Prince camp...the set itself is very nicely presented but at the end of the day, it's not the packaging but the music which is why we keep buying these releases...bummer.

Haven't yet checked out the Vinyl, but I'd be surprised if they sound any better

bluegangsta said:

olb99 said:

bluegangsta said:

They'd have the multitracks.

But then they’d have to remix the track. Do we really want that? There’s nothing wrong with SPDB, though, is there? The clicks I hear come from the drums. Unless we’re talking about the clicks right at the end?

We're talking about the ones all over the vocals

embmmusic said:

fredmagnus said:

3rdeyebot said:

Polo1026 said:

The Apple Digital master sounds wonderful.

No issues, perfect in headphones and car speakers.

That is not true! You need a trip to the ear doctor, specifically listen to Stand Up And B Strong 1:02 there is a click among many on the song. It sounds okay on Speakers but on headphones it sounds terrible! I’m considering returning my deluxe copy to Amazon for a refund. [Edited 7/30/21 20:05pm]

Maybe lots of people should consider returning this for a refund and force their hand, if enough people do it, they might actually have to make a decision and correct the issue

I do have to say, if you can't hear the audio issues on these tracks, you should get your ears cleaned out.. seriously

.

How anyone could NOT hear it is just unbelievable to me, but then again, if I think about the countless other things that some Prince fans choose to ignore, maybe not so much..

Superstition said:

I definitely hear it now on Stand Up.. must have been doing something else while it was playing the first time and just didn’t pay attention. Listened to the album today properly and the glitches are definitely there. Oh well. I’m not overly bothered by it, although it’s definitely a nuisance. But I do wonder if it was some failed sound effect like a vinyl scratch done purposefully? Sounds asinine, but it doesn’t quite sound like unintended artifacts, but a poorly-placed effect? Just seems odd.. doesn’t sound good, but doesn’t sound so bad as to just sound like unintended artifacts.

No that's definitely digital damage. If you have an old CDR that's started to rot you get the exact same sound.

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

LoveGalore said:

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

Wouldnt be surprised if the masters are on a computer that they dont know how to access or something like that I imagine they only use a CD r when there is no better option But good to remember that the glitching is only on a few tracks, not all. Keep it in perspective. They are just working with what they have most likely. That said I'm sure there is a way to correct these things digitally right? That's what um mot surprised by. But even then, it's not like the whole set is ruined. Keep it in perspective. [Edited 7/31/21 23:54pm]

People keep missing the point that the Estate should be transparent about these issues before charging a premium for the product and the customers bringing it home only to realize it's scuffed.

Exactly. If you look at the Jimi Hendrix releases, they always give detailed information on audio quality when their source is damaged in some way.

TheEnglishGent said:

bluegangsta said:

They'd have the multitracks.

If the clicks exist in Prince's original release of same page, wouldn't that suggest that the multi tracks have the clicks? Why is the assumption always something the estate have done wrong, rather than it being an inherent problem in the original recordings?

It's possible, but unlikely.

If it is on the multitrack, they'd have an easier time declipping the stem where they appear.

Hell, they probably could declip the mixdown too - I'm sure someone will make an attempt (even me, eventually).

olb99 said:

bluegangsta said:

They'd have the multitracks.

But then they’d have to remix the track. Do we really want that?

I'd personally have no problem if the Estate said "This track wasn't releasable in the ste in which we found it, so a remix has been provided".

The problem with the remixes commissioned by the Estate isn't so much that they're remixes, it's the fact that they're done in a way that shows minimal effort to recreate the originals or style of mixing at the time.