Traffic mastering thread...

I bought the Island Masters releases of Mr Fantasy and John Barleycorn Must Die, a few weeks ago - as I first had the no-noised UK remasters of these. I'm happy I did. Everything else I have is either a US import or early Island Master CD, so that's good for me so far. But no doubt I'll get the deluxe John Barleycorn soon too.

I thought it worth keeping my first copy of Mr Fantasy, with the original US incarnation of the album on there (as 'bonus' tracks, starting with Paper Sun) and titled Heaven Is in Your Mind. I've been looking at the Sundazed CD release of this, wondering if that would be worth my while as I like the sound of these tracks on my disc... they strike me as sounding almost like AM radio, oddly - I'd guess they're still no-noised but that seems far less noticeable on them than it does on the stereo tracks.

I totally agree with what RickJ says above about this being an essential mix (post #247.) And I love the fact the Giving To You has that nuts intro in stereo and far more conventional in the mono. I was just wondering if there is an obvious difference with the Sundazed?

 

Does anyone have any particulars on "USA for Japan" CDs. i.e. "a Japanese release with a USA made CD"? Such as UICY number and/or Release Year?
I'm looking for the first two; Fantasy and Traffic S.T.
Thanks in advance!

 

I just got the 2001 US remaster of JBMD and will post the DR values soon.

I MUCH prefer the DR values to the EAC peaks because....not only do you get the peak value..but it will show if it's OVER or just peaking at 0.00db. PLUS..you get the RMS, or at least I list that as well....so you can 'see' the "meat" of the volume not just peaks. An EAC peak of 100% does NOT tell you if it's clipped or not like the 'OVER' designation of the DR values....AND....something can be 100% with a very high volume of the RMS 'meat' value OR a lower volume that would designate MORE dynamic range....ala

track 01 DR 11 (peak) 0.00db (RMS) -14.44db

track 01 DR 7 (peak) 0.00db (RMS) -9.21db

Each of the above shows a 0.00db, or as in EAC 100%, but the RMS in each is so different that, of course, the second listing is MUCH LOUDER.

A value of say...

track 01 DR 10 (peak) OVER (RMS) 12.33

would only be listed from someone posting an EAC as 'peak level' 100%. And it would show how 'loud' the track truly is because of no RMS value posted with it. Oh..that 'OVER' may or may not be a significant clipping...it could be slight or much more. Only a wavform will 'show' it..besides of course, what you hear with your ears.

I'm big proponent of the DR values for better mastering comparisons and more information on what you're hearing..as far as peak and overall volume.

Those DRs for JBMD US 2001 version will be coming from me soon.

 

All well and good, but no one uses EAC peaks to evaluate masterings (at least they shouldn't). EAC peaks are merely a shorthand way to see if two CDs have the same mastering. (Obviously it won't work if all peaks are 100%, but that is rarely the case with the older CDs we typically discuss here.)

 

Oh I know....but giving BOTH the peak and RMS give a much more accurate affirmation of exact masterings or not...plus as I'd said...show the 'meat' of the volume overall with a given tune as the RMS value...the peak doesn't inform one of a relatively LOUD track or not. The full DR (peak/RMS) does. A much better comparative tool in my book. And a 100% peak on EAC doesn't tell if it's OVER or not. Could still be a different mastering even if all peaks aren't shown as 100%.

Oh and here are the DR values of the JBMD USA 2001 Jeff Willens (sp?) mastering. This includes the 2 extra tracks,


Analyzed folder: F:\TrafficJBMD2001USAmaster\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR Peak RMS Filename
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR9 -3.00 dB -14.32 dB Track No01.wav
DR9 -0.17 dB -12.07 dB Track No02.wav
DR10 -1.45 dB -14.09 dB Track No03.wav
DR12 -0.03 dB -14.50 dB Track No04.wav
DR10 -0.93 dB -12.62 dB Track No05.wav
DR11 -0.03 dB -15.26 dB Track No06.wav
DR10 -0.80 dB -12.89 dB Track No07.wav
DR11 -0.51 dB -14.07 dB Track No08.wav
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of files: 8
Official DR value: DR10

And also if one's notices....the DR peaks correlate with the EAC peaks. Track 4 and 6 have a peak of 99.7 in EAC. The same tracks in DR are -0.03. Look at the other numbers, compare, and you can see their likeness as well.

 

Make sure you get the 2001 US remasters, avoid any of the UK counterparts.

 

Pretty close to my preferences as well.

Mr. Fantasy - Island CID 9061
Traffic - Island CID 9081
Last Exit - Island CID 9097
John Barleycorn Must Die - Island CID 9116
The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys - Island CID 9180
Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory - MFSL UDCD 669
When The Eagle Flies - Island CID 9273

 

Dave, no MFSL for Low Spark?

 

Why do the MFSL and the old Island CD of Low Spark have the incorrect running order?

 

Low Spark CID – 9180 (Made in USA) Plays in this order;


Never realised all these years that the CID’s were made in the USA, although Shoot Out does not specify on the disc.

 

I have seen the theory floated that they were made from the 8-track master, but I do not recall if that was ever proven. (I don't personally know if the 8-track ran in that order either.)

 

Ah,the 8T entry on Discogs;
https://www.discogs.com/Traffic-The-Low-Spark-Of-High-Heeled-Boys/release/5426956

 

Well that running order doesn't match the CDs. I must be misremembering. . .

 

The currently available CD track listing;


Don’t worry I shall now leave you in peace, whatever the outcome

 

Same track listing on the MoFi CD and the cassette.
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys [CASSETTE]: Amazon.co.uk: Music »

No comparing, I love the smooth sound of the MFSL

 

Thanks, I guess the MFSL and Island CD didn't use the original master. I think Bill L. stated the the US remaster was the first time the original master was used for a digital release. It is slightly compressed though. I wish Audio Fidelity would do the Traffic catalog.

 

Yes I totally agree with you on Audio Fidelity doing their catalog!

 

No, the CID CD was definitely better.

 

Agree on AF doing Traffic catalog. I would rebuy entire catalog I'd they were to do it.

Damn they would sound great if they would only do it.

 

I had to bump this just for this comment..

I've noticed this too.. but it sounds to me like a guide vocal that didn't get totally erased.. perhaps another track/mic picked it up? It's ghostly. I like it.

 

Of course, now after reading this thread again, I wanna hear the Island Masters versions of these albums, plus the SHM-CD of Barleycorn.

I used to have the US Island Barleycorn, which I mostly liked, except that I hated the low end distortion at the end of Empty Pages. The remasters don't have that, but now I am wondering if the UK Island Masters CD is different from the original US Island? Someone upthread either suggested or implied that this might be the case.

I really like the MFSL Mr Fantasy and Traffic albums, but .... maybe they're not the best ones either?! AAAGH !!

 

The John Barleycorn shm-cd appears to be the 1999 US remastering http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-20025 The shm-sacd is a 2010 remastering from a Japanese tape http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UIGY-9049

 

Thanks! Looking back, I think I meant to say SHM-SACD.

 

So which one is the best on the sound quality? 1999 or 2010? Might have to send Audio Fidelity a Traffic request.

 

I would love it if Steve or Kevin got to do some Traffic!

Based on other thoughts in this thread, at least one person highly recommends the 2010 SHM SACD over the 1999.