Uriah Heep reissues 2015/6

Thanks for your thoughts. Does it have mastering credits anywhere?

 

Nope.

 

That's generally not a good sign.

 

Having made the mistake of buying Earmarks at one time, I must pass on these. My US originals will do.

 

Based on this,
http://www.discogs.com/Uriah-Heep-Very-Eavy-Very-Umble/release/7564777
http://www.discogs.com/Uriah-Heep-Look-At-Yourself/release/7564790
they were mastered by KR at Optimal Media GmbH.

 

Optimal Media explains the nice quiet pressing.

 

I purchased Demons and Wizards as well as The Magicians Birthday LPs, and my copies are US pressings. Pressed at United Record Pressing, yet both are nice and quiet pressings.

These are cut by WG/NRP... And I also have the Wax Cathedral pressings of both titles, and I like the newer BMG Sanctuary preessings better.

As others have mentioned neither title is a sonic marvel, but they are "passable". The only issue I have is side 2 of Magicians Birthday is cut slightly off center.

 

I agree with you. I have a wax cathedral pressing and that is one crapola mastering job.

 

I had to get rid of my Demons And Wizards (US pressing) because of the sonic problems. Could not stand the unnatural sound. The vinyl was quiet though.

 

So, the UK versions are pressed at Optimal and cut by KR and the US versions are pressed at United and cut by WG/NRP....does that make sense, and who are these people?

 

That's all I've got:
http://www.discogs.com/artist/2383975-KR-3
http://nashvillerecordproductionsinc.com/?page_id=161

 

Sure it makes sense. The US pressing can avoid shipping costs over seas and maybe cheaper per unit. Not to mention how easy it is to send a 16/44.1 file of the mastering used for this title.

I just checked the deadwax on my copy, it has the WG/nrp. Anyway, the pressing quality is quite good for my copy. The source and the mastering leave a bit to be desired.

 

Well, now I wonder which sounds better?

 

I am sure the digital files used to cut these records are identical. Again, my NRP pressing was flat and quiet.

 

Files are the same but the master disc cutting process (i.e mastering) should be different, anyway. It is based on a mastering/cutting engineer's tastes and skills. Plus, the equipment, tools & materials being used.

 

Not nessasarily, the record could be cut from a file with all of the mastering moves included in the file. The cutter would simply cut the record without any additional mastering moves. Your scenario would mean that BMG/Uriah Heep would have to pay and approve two different masters, not just two different cuts.

I do agree that equipment used and cutting skills can affect the sound. My contentions are source used and eq choices. Sourced used seems to limit these reissues mostly.

 

Unfortunately the industry is not always interested in doing the right thing by re-mastering these recordings. Just getting a product out there. On the other hand, these tapes are old and must be suffering, if they did indeed use the original masters. An original vinyl release is most certainly going to sound better than a modern day re-master.

 

Well it could be done different ways, but normally cutting engineer is responsible for his own mastering which most likely depends on the methods and materials used by him in the mastering process. Based on that, he could (or could not) change/adjust the signals characteristics sent to the lathe. And that could make a great difference as a result.

 

Did anybody ever mention original masters being used? Just curious.

 

I can only guess they had access to the original masters, since Ken Hensley is involved and they mentioned extra tracks.

 

Not necessarily. See Ziggy Stardust and The Beatles new mono releases. It can be done, at least to apples and oranges.

 

So I guess someone needs to buy both cuts and compare. So far, those with the nrp cuts have chimed in, but the German reviewer must have had the optimal cut and his takes on the sonics were average at best.

 

Any suggestions on Look at Yourself on CD? It's an album I've always wanted to add to my digital library. Great album

 

SHM-SACD is the best IMO

 

The early Japanese "Metalmania" series issue is very good. I recommend it.