Stereo vs Mono: The "White" Album

Good point - the stereo mixes make the Fender VI stick out more, whereas the mono mixes blend it in a bit better. The stereo mixes also make extra overdubs a lot more obvious, like the band's habit of overdubbing a snare to bring out the beat in certain sections. When these are panned away from the drum kit, it sounds a bit ridiculous. I can't recall specific examples at the moment, but I always tire of it when listening the stereo WA.

 

Mono all the way through!

 

Mono for sentimental reasons. I grew up with the mono version in the States; thanks to my generous grandparents in the UK. Years later I finally heard the stereo mix and it sounded pretty good.

 

No fake stereo, but the mono Revolution 9 is a fold-down, isn't it? As if it makes much of a difference

 

Occasionally the Beatles stereo mixes were odd. Here most are OK. About the only thing I'm annoyed with is the jet plane noises in USSR. I prefer the track in mono. But it would have been better with airplanes at just the beginning and end. Love has a shorter version, less airplane.

 

I know what you mean about that, but I sort of like that quality about it. They had such a signature bass sound before '68, and they started mixing it up at this point and beyond. Similar with the Gibson and Strat tones that started sneaking in around Rubber Soul and after.

 

It is a fold but funnily enough the dialogue at the beginning about the bottle of claret is clearer on the mono.

 

Nice links, but none seem to cover a track by track stereo vs mono analysis that the the op is looking for.

 

Hmm . . . this might take some time . . .

 

It's only on the songs McCartney doesn't play bass on. I am so glad they ditched it for Abbey Road as we have seen pictures of George with a right hand Fender Bass (with 4 strings).

 

If we take this as legitimate, don't you feel sorry for someone who needs to ask the internet what sounds good to him? Is this person so internet dependent/crippled that he can't listen to two mixes of the same song and decide for himself which one he prefers?

 

Mono -TT rig.
Stereo- Cans

Win win.

 

IMO, track-by-track:

1/3 mono
1/3 stereo
1/3 - either (both are equally great)

 

He may have a hard time listening to the two and knowing which you prefer for each track, hence the thread...

 

The vocals are only stereo because of the ADT delay effect applied to them. It is a simulated stereo effect, like it or not.

 

A Poll to choose all the individual songs mono or stereo (that would include posts like yours!)...

 

No, I don't feel sorry for him. I imagine that he was just looking for some pointers as to the primary differences between the two mixes. As someone who only really got to know the mono versions more recently myself, I'm still formulating my opinions on exactly where I prefer mono and stereo with the Beatles--it's mono for me overall, but by 1968, the stereo mixes were becoming more assured. Often it can vary considerably from song to song. So I think we have these kinds of discussions to hash out the differences and make some sense of it all together, though I'm sure these same discussions have been broached here before.

 

By listening or by asking the internet to tell you what you prefer?

 

By hearing a range of different viewpoints from people who have studied the different mixes more closely. I have no idea how this amounts to trolling on the OP's part, though you seem to be dipping your toe into those waters. . .

 

Assuming your own hearing and musical audio training are perfect, the OP's might not be, thus he/she asking for some lights from more experienced (and/or better equipped) listeners, fans, etc. (And I sure as hell benefit from these too.) Which is I'm certain one of the main reasons for the existence of discussion forums such as this one in the very first place...

 

Just playing USSR in mono. Fine piece. No problem with airplane noises. I just don't want the panning all over the place.

 

I listen to both versions, but I do prefer the mono version.

 

I would buy the mono if it were available separately. Having to buy the entire box set when all I want are 2 of them (the other one is Peppers) I believe was a bad business decision on Apple's part.

I listened to the samples of "Martha My Dear" on "Beatle Drops", the rhythm guitar is too loud on the stereo mix.

 

Vinyl. My preference~White/Mono'UK top loader(low serial number).

 

Is there a big difference with the remastered mono vinyl version? In what aspect? (I have heard neither of those two BTW.)