Wow, I totally missed this. I think I assumed it was just another generic reissue. Thanks for filling in the blanks. Goes to look for forum thread about it
It is what it is when you have to pay for a vault search, locate missing multi-track tapes, remix them, master demos, create packaging, write liner notes, get CDs and Blu's authored, order a pressing run and get 'em distributed. Meanwhile, I have all the albums, 12" singles and 7" singles to enjoy while I await a new package. I'm a patient man.
For some weird reason, all the other pages mention flat transfers, but that one doesn't. The packaging does, though.
That's good to see. While the new regular CD edition has a nice little blurb about masters and what not, it does not mention that at all in the booklet or in the new liner under the disc. It sounds so good, what a really well recorded and mixed album. No "mastering" needed!
I think it means that John Dent at least transferred the tapes flat for the CD, but the vinyl was mastered by him.
I'd say John Dent doesn't strike me as someone regularly doing flat transfers vs what he thinks a remaster needs, and I've never run across any comment that the new English Settlement CD was flat; but regardless it's a great remastering and as enjoyable as any other XTC I own. As a 2.0 guy, if that album never gets remixed I don't think I'm going to lose any sleep over it.
But the photo that says "flat transfer" shows the LP packaging! Mysterious. Not to mention all the other demands on Steven Wilson's time. Between his many other remixing projects and his own thriving musical career, he can't really make XTC reissues his full-time gig.
There's no mystery, that part of the LP packaging houses the CD copy. Why would they print "flat transfer" on the CD part of the packaging if it wasn't referring to what the card is holding?
Oh I didn't know they provided a CD with the vinyl. Is there any chance however small that vinyl package CD is different than the standalone CD; probably not I guess.
Ah, I don't have the LP so I didn't know that. Thanks for the clarification. Looking closer at the posted photo, I now see that's a CD in the middle, not an LP label. If that CD is a flat transfer, then the standalone CD probably is too - why go to the trouble and expense of preparing two different discs?
Review of Black Sea remix by Roland Orzabal. Yes, that's right: A. Partridge and the Black Sea: Roland Orzabal reviews XTC’s latest reissue | superdeluxeedition
DR numbers for the 2016 standalone English Settlement CD if anyone wants to compare: foobar2000 1.3.15 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1 log date: 2017-12-02 10:21:48 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed: XTC / English Settlement {2016 Remaster} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 -0.02 dB -13.31 dB 4:34 01-Runaways DR12 -0.09 dB -13.74 dB 4:31 02-Ball and Chain DR12 -0.05 dB -13.80 dB 4:50 03-Senses Working Overtime DR11 -0.07 dB -12.62 dB 6:09 04-Jason and the Argonauts DR12 -0.07 dB -13.37 dB 5:10 05-No Thugs in Our House DR13 -0.07 dB -14.16 dB 3:56 06-Yacht Dance DR11 -0.07 dB -12.42 dB 5:23 07-All of a Sudden (It's Too Late) DR13 -0.08 dB -15.23 dB 6:34 08-Melt the Guns DR12 -0.09 dB -14.02 dB 5:01 09-Leisure DR12 -0.09 dB -13.16 dB 3:55 10-It's Nearly Africa DR12 -0.10 dB -13.35 dB 4:31 11-Knuckle Down DR12 -0.09 dB -13.56 dB 3:18 12-Fly on the Wall DR12 -0.09 dB -13.53 dB 5:27 13-Down in the Cockpit DR12 -0.08 dB -13.75 dB 3:59 14-English Roundabout DR13 -0.09 dB -14.49 dB 4:59 15-Snowman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 15 Official DR value: DR12 Samplerate: 44100 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 16 Bitrate: 927 kbps Codec: FLAC ================================================================================
I didn't expect Wilson to give up his career for XTC . Just stated that it seems too slow to me. I think everyone would prefer to get them sooner than later but it is what it is. I also thinl everyone realizes that Wilson has another career.
I pre-ordered from Burning Shed, and it shipped, without tracking, on 11/20. Still haven't received my copy yet. Anyone else in the US that purchased from Burning Shed not received their copy yet?
I know, it's the dissonance between understanding why it takes so long vs. wanting to have the dag nab thing already. My superego sits serenely on the mountaintop, counseling patience, while my greedy little id is trying to jimmy open the trunk of Steven Wilson's car where, surely, he keeps advance copies of the next ten years of planned releases. No sign of my copy yet. I'm wondering which signature variation will be on my postcard. Full name in black, plus initials in silver?
You'd think that, right? That would certainly be the reasonable answer. But the CD included with the vinyl box says "flat transfer" on the disc itself. The different artwork doesn't necessarily mean it's a different mastering of course, but given the way the industry handles things, I'm not prepared to assume. I'm off to rip and compare. Will report back.
Just got mine in today's mail, sig required. The 'tracking' might as well not have been there at all. It was tracked from England to JFK, NY, then it curiously went to Alabama. And from there it seemed to come up the coast by tugboat to Virginia, with no ability to 'track' it accurately, despite a tracking number provided originally by Royal Mail (and then handed off to their US carrier). So here's hoping the tugboat steams into your towns very soon.
Thanks for checking that! I was browsing the dedicated English Settlement thread for the info, but there was nothing.