You are right about the Help!/ RS remixes, and we have the same issue in the UK remasters (even the original 87 CDs). That's one of the blunders in the box, I agree. As for Y&T, it includes all the unique mono mixes, and the unique stereo mixes of Day Tripper/WCWIO. The missing unique mixes are the stereo Dr. Robert and I'm Only Sleeping. Apparently, AYBCS stereo mix was made specially for the US, but it's identical to the UK one. Since the original album had duophonics for the three Revolver tracks, it's possible they just applied the box approach (replace duophonics with the real stereo versions) without realising later editions had unique mixes.
The US Albums set clearly was not aimed at "us." (Those of us who populate this forum and even know there are differences between mono and stereo, let alone Duophonic and that there were 16 different mixes -- or however many -- of "I'm Only Sleeping" with backwards guitar in different places.) Outside of our "bubble," the average "target demographic consumer" probably saw it and said, "Yeah! It has MEET THE BEATLES!"
That's not part of the song. The unique mix is there, it just fades before the studio chatter (one second or two) is heard.
I guess it depends on how much it means to you. I don't think one second or two of almost inaudible talk is really important, but I understand it can be for someone else.
Can anyone tell me if the masters on the US Albums box generally are a significant sonic improvement over the Capitol Albums sets from 2006? I am aware that many tracks on the early lp's have been substituted with UK mixes, etc but was wondering in general if the 2014 box is an overall improvement.
When I had the 1993 MCA CD of Hendrix's Electric Ladyland, I noticed that "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" faded out about a second early, so I didn't hear the little guitar shuffle at the end like I did on the LP. The EH CD may be compressed, but it has that shuffle in the fade out. Didn't realize I'd miss it until I didn't have it. To some, it matters.
The UK versions do leave something to be desired in many cases. AHDN is great, however. PPM. And the White Album is quite excellent.
As I said, I can understand that. However, I would also say a guitar sound, however brief, is music, so it's not the same as an almost inaudible word of studio chatter which probably the technicians didn't notice it was there. In fact, I only know it was there because I read about it. The first time I heard Y&T I didn't notice it.
I'm seeing a lot of copies on eBay etc for around £52. Amazon UK have one for the same price but it is from a secondary seller. I'm just not so sure that these are legit for this price, considering Universal/Beatles store have them for sale at £145.
Which is exactly what makes the product so despicable. The very same consumer, by the way, is apt to pick up the new "Sgt. Pepper" and be completely oblivious that it's not the original, either.
It's clearly stated in the stickers that the new Pepper is a new remix. If one consumer doesn't know this, it's his/her fault. As for the US box, there's also information in the booklet for those who want to know.
Of course, this is entirely subjective. But considering that (for instance) there is no "fake stereo" on it, I would say yes, it's an improvement, sonically. The issues many have with the set is exactly that: it sounds better than the 1960s US masters, therefore it is not true to the US masters. I can see the point. They already released a set of remasters in 2009. If you want the "Capitol experience," crappy sound kinda goes along with it.
And not only does it sound better because of the absence of fake stereo (even fake stereo folded down in mono...), the source for the common mixes is much better, 1st generation from the master tapes (while in the Capitol boxes, those came from the Capitol tapes, 2 or 3 generations away from the masters).
There is copy protection on the Japanese Volume 1 CDs, with "Copy Control CD" on the label, but I believe this is circumvented on most modern computers and operating systems. The ripped audio will be identical to the non copy protected discs.
Yes: If the box has an SK1 sticker, then it contains the corrected versions. If the box is unopened and has a non-SK1 sticker, then it probably contains the mono fold-downs. If the box is opened and has a non-SK1 sticker, then - depending on whether the original purchaser elected to have the faulty CDs replaced by Capitol at no charge - it may or may not contain the corrected versions. If the box is opened and the sticker has been thrown away, you're on your own.