Sinatra / Reprise Sound Quality: "Sinatra and Strings" (rec. 1961) - incl. NAB/AME EQ, etc.*

By the way, regarding the "recent" stereo releases of S&S, does anyone have strong preferences regarding:

the Suitcase CD versus the EOTC CD versus the MoFi vinyl?

Just curious.

 

The EOTC is not that good. I havent really played the suitcase track much but my guess is they are better. The MOFI is very good, and I would say the best in my collection. It smooths over the rough edges nicely.

 

Thanks aoxo! John

 

It is confirmed that Decca used AME in 1962 sessions. Have no idea when they would be back to NAB.

 

I was just cleaning my R-1004 and noticed something different in the dead wax. You'll notice the top photo has the usual writing. But the bottom photo shows that at the top of the dead wax the letters "REP" are written at a 90 degree angle. I have checked all my early R and R9 copies and it appears on this copy only.

Thoughts????

 

Did DECCA UK use NAB rather than CCIR*?

[*Comité Consultatif International des Radiocommunications]

 

What caught my eye is the way the letters are directed...vertically????

Ok. Thanks for the info.

 

When I initially got my first copy of this album (same cuttings as the one you just got), the slap echo turned me off, but I listened through! I still wish they used a different type of echo/reverb on Frank's voice in this mix (and also the mono), but I prefer this mix to the others. It's got the best "feel" to it for me, and in this mastering is very nice sounding album to my ears. My 1B/1A copy is also in beautiful shape, and is my favorite release of the album. I have two other Columbia mastered copies of this mix, and they're nice too.

BTW - In trying to solve which cuts have this mix, and which have the mix without the slap (but are more echoey), between my copies and Arkoffs', the last side one that has the "slap" mix (that I otherwise prefer) is an 1F. For side two, that mix went through at least the 1D. I haven't heard a 1E yet to confirm what mix is on that, but the mix changed on side two on the 1F.

For all I know, these mixes were done at the same time, and one sat in the box. I have no idea which of these two mixes was made first. However, re actual releases, the "slap" mix was even on the R9 A1/B2 copy I have...

 

Yeah, except the "slap" version on RING-A-DING DING! was released second.

The mix wasn't changed out on SINATRA AND STRINGS from what I can tell until at least the later 60's. A friend has an early 70's copy that has both sides changed (1H/1H). I have late-60's copies that have the "slap" mix on both sides. I don't remember off-hand what era Arkoffs' copy is from that has the other mix. Even then, it doesn't mean lacquers weren't cut and put into production while the metalwork from the "slap" mix was still in use, though I haven't seen any evidence of it yet.

 

Good info here. I need to find a nice pressing of this album. I noted recently that one of the session dates is the day I was born.

 

Decca in the UK was most likely IEC all the way. Unless a recording was US originated, which would most likely be NAB. NAB EQ (National Association of Broadcasters or NARTB as it was called early on) was the US standard tape recording equalization curve. IEC or CCIR/DIN is the European standard for tape recording equalization. AME was Ampex Master Equalization which was a short lived curve. Steve's explanation of it is the best I have read:

 

I'll have to dig it out tomorrow, Matt - it's not filed with the other copies I have when I looked quickly. It was a w7 label copy, I *think* 1F/1D though I'll verify when I find it.

I was able to verify, with the help of Bob (Arkoffs) that the 1F lacquer was the last side one that was cut from the 1st stereo mix released. He also put up part of a 1F side two, and that had the second released mix on it. 1D has the first mix issued, and I've never been able to verify a 1E.

I know someone with a 1H - I can see if he has it transferred and easily accessible, for a reference on what I'll call the "2nd mix" - the one also on the expanded Japanese LP from the 80's, the MoFi, the original CD, later Columbia mastered cuts, and (I'd guess) all later reissues (ones pressed by Capitol, etc.).

Now, I've been told by someone who should know that *both* of the stereo mixes noted above are old/vintage to the early 60's. I never got any date information, though the "2nd mix" supposedly wasn't something done many years later, even if it took many years for that mix to be used. Unless that information is faulty (I don't have much reason to believe it is), that's pretty interesting re this stuff.

Also, the EOTC CD is a remix made for it, from what I remember.

I have a really nice 1B/1A stereo copy - it's what I always return to.

 

Mayhaps this should not be discussed here but I will throw it in for possible discussion purposes... The copies of the session tapes that have floated underground for all these decades once again show how really GOOD the original tapes were before getting mixed and mashed. IMHO, the tapes from this album have the finest sound of all the session recordings out there. Even better than RADD! Just sayin'....

 

Matt, I can provide a needle drop of the MFSL if you need that one.

 

I have the ETOC if you need it. I will check the vinyl stash later but I think you have that covered.

 

With whatever flaws the first released stereo mix has, it also has the feel and a presence on Frank that really is more engaging to me than anything else. The original R9 copy I haven't isn't that well mastered, while the Columbia masterings of the mix I've heard are nicely done and sympathetic. Interesting how both the R9 cuts and the Columbia ones of the first mix are all cut kinda low, making it even more important to find a really nice copy of it.