Big Star SACD

Just what the name says.
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Crummy Old Label Avatar
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Postby Crummy Old Label Avatar » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:05 pm

Xenu wrote:Following on your note, I wonder (if irrationally) if I'm hearing the same thing, especially in the Stones remasters. I think there it's just EQ, though.

Oh, DSD...


Do you know what I mean, though? I do notice this (to my ears) artificial smoothness and laid back high end that, well, the more I hear it, the more repellent it sounds to me. I have no idea if if this really is a DSD artifact, but why do I hear this on all of these DSD-sourced discs? Odd.

Anyone who prefers this sound is NUTS.
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lukpac
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Postby lukpac » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:47 pm

Some of the Stones discs are a bit rolled off on the high end, but I'm fairly certain that's just EQ.

FWIW, the last time I compared them, I couldn't hear a lick of difference between the original (pre-DSD) Keep Moving On and the tracks from it found on Portrait of a Legend.
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MK
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Postby MK » Sat Feb 18, 2006 11:24 am

MK wrote:Tate: I did a quickie, 10-minute cheap-o mastering job on [#1 Record]. I took out about 6 dB at 12k (maybe 10k or 8k, I can’t remember…) [and it was] still bright so I did a few other top end tweaks and ran the whole thing to CD. Much easier (and smoother) sounding now. Could still use more work but it’s better than the SACD at least. Youch! That’s bright!

Steve: I did a one minute quickie on it and tried taking some out at the usual ‘pressure points’ of 10k, 8k, 5k, 3k and added something at like 500 cycles, 250 cycles, 80 cycles and 40 cycles. Didn’t really put much of a dent in it. Amazingly screechy mix. I don’t know what engineer john Fry was using as mix monitors but I bet the tweeters were disconnected or something. Urggh…I have a Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers Lp that he mixed and it has the same screech. I think that –8 at 10k would be a good start for ANY Ardent mix around that time period.


Shit, they weren't kidding. Steve's right, -8 at 10k is needed at the very least. It's still sharp and pretty bright, but this shit would be headache inducing without it. The bass is pretty light, so try adding 2 dB at 100 cycles.

BTW, I'm talking about the SACD. Supposedly the top end was left alone for it, at least for #1 Record. Radio City may have a small boost.

As for Radio City, it's easier on the ears. It's still toppy, but again, you don't want to compromise it too much 'cause that's part of the album's charm so I'd take out 3, maybe 4 at 10k.

Actually, let me amend that. On Radio City, it varies a bit. Taking out 3 or 4 at 10k for "I'm In Love With A Girl" works just fine. It's not nearly as harsh, possibly because it's a soft, acoustic song and they didn't feel the need to jack up the highs, but "Back Of A Car" and "September Gurls," you'll probably need a whole lot more...try -6 at 10k.
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Re: Big Star SACD

Postby Rspaight » Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:23 am

If anyone's out there, how's the box set?
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