The peculiar nature of the Sgt. Pepper 50th anniversary mix and its consequences for The White Album

Never a problem for me, especially in the minor-key piano coda beginning around 2:13. It gives this otherwise fluffy Maccatune a certain resonance & gravitas.

 

I just cannot stand the sound of the bass and drums. Not them being upfront, there’s just a sound to them I hate now.
A few songs are better, a few most certainly are not. When I’m Sixty-Four is perfect, though. Also it’s compressed as all hell.
My main issue with the whole thing is that the unique siund signature of each song is all but gone. Every song sounds the same now. That’s why I don’t like it.

 

The remix could have been far better if Giles had just mixed it straight like the Yellow Submarine Songtrack instead of "stereoizing" mono tracks and bouncing things around, in a vain attempt to make the mixes sound more "sophisticated". Instead it just sounds tacky IMO. But to each his own!

 

Great thread. Super excited for the new White Album remix and hearing it from a different perspective. That's part of the fun with these remixes. Loved the Pepper one. The songs have so much more dimension and guts. It doesn't feel overcompressed to me — louder, definitely, but there's more clarity, etc.

Anyway, can't wait for the next remix/remaster : )

 

I really like the Pepper remix on vinyl. The White Album is a different animal sound wise, so I'm not sure how Giles' approach will work.

 

The Pepper remix is educational and fun, but it could never replace either of the original mixes for me. After living with it for a while, I'm in no rush to spend good money on a White Album remix. I'm much more excited for a potential release of the complete Esher demos as part of the 50th anniversary campaign.

 

I really like the 50th remix of Pepper. I have to ask—where did the speculation of a 50th WA start? Did Apple or Giles or anyone say something about it or is it more of an assumption since the did the Sgt Pepper release?

I hope it’s true!

 

The consequences of the compressed and overly loud Pepper remix are that it is likely to be the same again with the White Album. The "Love" era work of Giles Martin was great but his recent work on Pepper is very poor.

 

It really doesn't suck though. So yeah I am going to keep not being careful in what I wish for lol

 

I sold both my CD copy and 2LP copy. Surprised to double my money on the 2LP copy! So not all was lost.

 

Cool man

 

If I could take a picture of the Gioconda with my iPhone it would look better than that awful thing hanging in the Louvre.

 

The album is lauded for its songwriting and inventiveness, not exactly for its less-than-stellar stereo mix. Actually, for The Beatles Sgt Pepper was the mono album. The 67 stereo doesn't even respect basic choices like the speed in She's Leaving Home.

So no problem with remixing in stereo, the original 67 one was no "Gioconda". And if somebody likes it, I'm sure they have it and still can find plenty of copies.

As for Giles' remix, I have some problems with it, specially the mastering, but overall I like it. And of course, I favour it over the wonky original stereo, with one exception: I really prefer the original stereo A Day in the Life.

Anyway, my favourite Pepper is still the mono.

 

I've been listening to the Pepper remix exclusively for months now, so it's the "new normal" in my head. Last week I put on the old Pepper for the 1st time since and... my God it is not very good. No ones fault, limitations of time, etc. But the new mix is a big improvement over the '67 mix.

 

Mono normally for me on this album too. Then the 67 stereo if I fancy a more laid back presentation.
I'm split 50/50 on the original mono/stereo WA though.

 

You know I too thought the YSS mixes were better until I actually A/B'd them the other day. The reverb on YSS isn't as good. "64" is a good track to compare on each.

 

The YSS remixes have gone down in my estimation too. Initially I liked the extra clarity but find them a bit clinical today. Still quite like the Rubber Soul tracks on it.

 

Much blood has been spilled on this topic. Here is one of the battlefields if the OP would like read some previously stated opinions:

What does Steve Hoffman think of the new Beatles Sgt. Pepper remix?

There are also epic anticipation and release threads that I could not quickly find...

 

It was interesting to listen to it but for me the Mono 2009 remastered gets it right, every time... It’s beyond perfect.

 

I laud and applaud the 50th remix, with caveats about the cd mastering.

But, the White Album? Not sure it can be improved. I’m psyched for the 5.1 and bonus tracks, though!

 

I think the White Album sounds pretty good as is but I'd be interested to hear a remix. I really wish they would remix Rubber Soul instead. Of all the great Beatles albums that is the one that is most in need of a good stereo remix. There are many issues with both of the existing stereo mixes of that album.

 

The White Album really doesn't need the "modern mix" approach, IMO. It's perfect as is.

 

After the brilliant job on the recent Sgt. Pepper remix, I'm ready for a similar take on the White Album.

I do love the White Album as is - especially the original UK numbered stereo, and the '78 UK white vinyl. But I had the same opinion of Pepper before I heard the latest anniversary release.

To each their own. And we all hear things slightly differently to begin with. But I loved what they did with Pepper.

So who knows, it might be even more amazing.

 

I'm good with the mono White Album. The mono vinyl reissue is fantastic. I don't have a 5.1 setup, but I agree about the outtakes. That's what I'm excited for with the White Album reissue. It's also what I liked most about the Pepper anniversary box. The remix/remaster is interesting to hear, and I appreciate the fidelity provided by going back to the pre-bounce down tapes. But it's only part of the package. The mono Pepper is still my go-to.

 

It's a complicated subject. I was basically talking about the mixing/imaging, not necessarily the mastering or the effects used (digiverb, NR).

The problem I have with Giles' remixes is that he went to ridiculous extremes to make the stereo imaging "fancy" instead of showing restraint and good taste.

I also hate the way he uses compression in his mixes. It sounds cheap and unprofessional.