Depeche Mode on CD...

Unfortunately both versions have exactly the same barcode

 

Yes,they are different masterings(as confirmed in post 43).

 

I fully agree. I would definitely describe my Mute 88 (bonus track) CD as not so "tone-ably ear friendly" and yeah, I do prefer the 846.801 for it's warmer presentation and better dynamics, but I wish it had a little more detail that the 88 has. Also, missing out 'I sometimes wish I was dead' is just bizarre, worse imo than not including the bonus tracks, hence my interest in the sound of the SACD (although I don't hold much hope).

 

Oops. I had forgotten about that. Thanks again

 

Yeah, me too, but how about the sound differences? Only the emphasis applied?

 

I have Construction Time Again cd Germany 1993 reissue of the old cd from 1983 , my cd has different INT than the one with the pre-emphasis but still it's a reissue so I wonder if my cd also has the same pre-emphasis.
my INT : 836.807

The one with the pre-emphasis INT: 846.807


This is the cd I have

 

I need to compare both again when i have the time. I just did a quick comparison using "Love In Itself" and the 1984 CD sounds significantly brighter than the 1986.

 

I guess only the first edition of INT 846.807 has it. If memory serves from 1986 onwards(second INT 846.807 and the later 836.807 copies all share the same EAC peaks and therefore should be free of pre-emphasis).

 

Thanks Marc.

I also have 2 Speak and Spell cds
the old german cd with the blue face INT 846.844 /// 16 tracks
and the Europe 2004 reissue / 5016025600052 / 16 tracks.
I found out that they have the same peak levels and the same DR.

 

My Construction Time Again 1993 Germany cd has the same DR as your 1986 Germany cd

 

Yes,they used the same mastering for Speak & Spell for the 16 track versions from the late eighties until they were replaced by the 2006 Remaster. The earlier west german 11 track INT 846.801 CDs had a very different mastering and sounded warmer and darker but less detailed.

 

That's interesting.

so I have the more brighter Speak & Spell cds.
Which mastering do you like the most?
the more detailed and brighter or the darker?

 

Hard to say which i prefer. I usually listen with my Beyerdynamic Custom Studio headphones and you can really crank the old 846.801 CDs and i like their warmness but some might consider them a little bit muddy sounding. The 16 track versions are not bad at all IMO,as i said more detailed but probably too bright for some. Both have their merits so i enjoy both.

 

Sounds exactly like the differences between The Broken Frame original cd 1987 and The 1989 Digital remastered Broken Frame cd,
I like them both but I like more the 1989 Digital remastered.

 

Are you referring to the Intercord CDs? I guess they all share the same mastering. Of course there exist other masterings that sound different and brighter compared to the rather muddy west german 'ABF' CDs.

 

1987 CD Sire records 75992375122
1989 remastered MUTE 5016025610099

sorry,
I had to be clear about the labels,
I meant that one has darker sound ( sire)
and one is more detailed and brighter (mute)
like the sound differences between the Intercord cds.

There is another difference,
The sire has Leave in Silence 6:28 version
and the Mute has the 4:48 Leave in Silence version.

The sire has 11 tracks and the Mute 10.
The extra sire track , track 8: Further Excerpts from: MY SECRET GARDEN

 

Okay,i see. Noomi,could you post EAC peak values for the 5016025610099 CD ?

 

Yes , of course
I will check and I will update in the next few minutes.

 

I really like my german 80s Depeche Mode CDs. They all sound good and right to these ears.

 

Broken Frame 1989 remastered : Mute 5016025610099 CD :

1. 100.0 %
2. 93.4 %
3. 97.7 %
4. 93.0 %
5. 97.7 %
6. 77.1 %
7. 97.7 %
8. 97.7 %
9. 93.1 %
10. 94.4 %

 

Broken Frame Sire cd original 1987 :

1. 75.9 %
2. 55.1 %
3. 62.3 %
4. 57.2 %
5. 73.3 %
6. 45.1 %
7. 65.3 %
8. 69.3 % The extra sire track , track 8: Further Excerpts from: MY SECRET GARDEN.
9. 66.3 %
10. 48.2 %
11. 59.9 %

 

How many different masterings are there of Broken Frame? So far we've got at least three: INT 836.806, INT 846.804, and Sire.

 

Okay,thanks. These values are identical with the INT 836.806 CD. Looks like this is basically the same mastering as the old INT 846.804 CD just slightly level shifted.

A Broken Frame (INT 846.804)-Metallic blue stripe/Light blue stripe

Leave In Silence.wav
100.0 %

My Secret Garden.wav
93.4 %

Monument.wav
100.0 %

Nothing To Fear.wav
95.1 %

See You.wav
100.0 %

Satellite.wav
78.9 %

The Meaning Of Love.wav
100.0 %

A Photograph Of You.wav
100.0 %

Shouldn't Have Done That.wav
95.3 %

The Sun & The Rainfall.wav
96.6 %

I guess your CD states "Digitally mastered" not "Digitally remastered",right?

I need to give the 1987 Sire CD another spin to see how it compares with the others. They also used the "Longer" Mix for Leave in Silence in North America. And there exist some other masterings for ABF. The 1989 Japan CD(18P2-2676) and the french CDV 30040 for example. It can get quite confusing sometimes...

 

This is interesting! I never knew there are so many different "early", i.e., non-remastered, masterings of this album. Are there as many different masterings for other DM albums? And is there some good web site, where these are listed and described in more detail?

 

I got a headache
so many different mastering for the Early cds! longer tracks , Extra track , Muddy vs bright
I am sure tomorrow we will find Early Broken frame cd from Planet Neptune with different mastering

and yes , it's Digitally mastered.