What is the best CD version of the Wall by Pink Floyd

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by thehole, Jul 24, 2011.

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  1. James Freeman

    James Freeman Well-Known Member

    Location:
    The World
    @Mbe
    So you remixed track-by-track to resemble the 1st Harvest peaks?
     
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  2. notgoblin

    notgoblin Habitual Linestepper - not dancer

    Oh By The Way box set has the nicest version I've heard.
     
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  3. Mbe

    Mbe Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    Compare and compile
    I was attempting to compare cd with some vinyl copies of The Wall however this was a totally fruitless exercise due to the much higher volume levels of the cd’s.
    Then reading and appreciating the comments about how getting the balance right between track levels is an essential element of the first edition cd’s
    as well as the EQ meant that just simply lowering the cd’s overall levels just wouldn’t cut it for comparisons (Yes I know you all knew that). :)

    Volume Levels only compared
    Using the first edition levels as a template worked very well against an early Canadian Vinyl import although from 'Mother'
    onwards would require a little more on a track by track basis, but sounding very good overall (very positive).

    Then for an early U.K vinyl, and that is where it all breaks down with notably higher volume allied with much more punch and clarity = Option to try again with a needle-drop template this time,
    or just enjoy the music and accept the variations between formats being sometimes favourable to one or the other.

    This day I realise sometimes hate doing comparisons.
     
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  4. The_Windmill

    The_Windmill Forum Resident

    Location:
    Italy
    Not sure I understand exactly your process, so sorry if you know this already, but leveling tracks based on their peak level is not far comparison: shelved peaks and different EQ change the waveform therefore the apparent peak. The only fair comparison is to level match loudness of the tracks, using either a loudness meter or your ear (switching between each other, you don't perceive one of the two as louder or quieter). Otherwise, a track that is just accidentally higher in loudness than another would (could) sound "better" even if it's not.

    Again, ignore me if know that already :)
     
  5. Mbe

    Mbe Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    Hi The_Windmill,
    The level reduced cd was just used as an A/B comparison against vinyl, listening to overall volume levels, that is to say if tracks 1 – 3 / 5 - 9 are identical
    but track 4 on cd has less / more volume (relative) then it could be adjusted to return to a perception or an interpretation of what was original.

    Once this is known and measured across the whole of the album it can then be translated to CD at higher volume with less headroom as you questioned.

    The question was raised and I wanted to check if the flow of the original album had been altered over the years since it’s release.
    I may have been totally misguided by myself as to what could be achieved here but that is / was the goal.
     
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  6. pinkchris1967

    pinkchris1967 Exalted and Revered Member

    Location:
    Avondale, Az.
    What are brown frequencies?
     
  7. Jelloza

    Jelloza My hard drive is full of vinyl

    Location:
    New York City
    I just started listening to the MFSL version, and my plan was to see if it sounded ok or not, and now I'm just sitting here, comfortably numb, listening to it from beginning to end. A lot of bass, yes, but soooo analogue-sounding and smooth. This is why I listen to music, not to tear it apart or analyze the particulars, but to sit back and enjoy. If a disc accomplishes that, then I'm sold.
     
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  8. kaztor

    kaztor Music is the Best

    I think my silver-face UK Harvest cd sounds amazing!
     
  9. Lucidae

    Lucidae AAD

    Location:
    Australia
    What he said.
     
  10. *Zod*

    *Zod* Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    [​IMG]
     
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  11. vinylman

    vinylman Senior Member

    Location:
    Leeds, U.K.


    I do like that one (particularly 'One Of My Tunes'!!), but the '94 remaster is also very decent. But the silver face just edges it for me.
     
  12. ricks

    ricks Senior Member

    Location:
    127.0.0.1:443
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  13. Mbe

    Mbe Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    A very minor form of patriotism in 1987 meant I was not going to concede to purchase an imported CD of The Wall, it had to be Made in the UK.

    The Wall CDS / CDP Made in the U.K (no barcode) Silver Face
    EAC;
    100 / 78.1 / 100 / 100 / 94.1 / 100 / 47.7 / 98.8 / 55.5 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 24
    DR;
    12 / 14 / 13 / 15 / 15 / 18 / 11 / 15 / 13 / 14 / 16 / 14 / 8

    EAC;
    62.7 / 53.9 / 34.4 / 30.1 / 98.2 / 66 / 50.9 / 65.6 / 79.5 / 62.8 / 69.2 / 51.5 / 10.2
    DR;
    14 / 14 / 12 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 13 / 15 / 15 / 13 / 3 / 13 / 12

    The Wall CDS / CDP Made in Japan (no barcode) Black Face
    EAC;
    53 / 39 / 53.5 / 57.2 / 47 / 60.9 / 23.8 / 49.4 / 27.7 / 55.9 / 58.2 / 57.6 / 12
    DR
    12 / 14 / 13 / 16 / 15 / 18 / 11 / 15 / 13 / 14 / 16 / 14 / 9

    EAC;
    42.4 / 36.5 / 23.2 / 20.3 / 66.4 / 44.6 / 35.2 / 45.4 / 55 / 43.5 / 47.9 / 35.6 / 7
    DR;
    14 / 14 / 12 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 13 / 15 / 15 / 13 / 3 / 13 / 12

    Would it be correct to assume the West German equivalent CD1 track waveforms at 97.7% display flat tops?
     
  14. kevin5brown

    kevin5brown Analog or bust.

    Not exactly. The two you have, and the WG Harvest are all the "same" mastering, just level shifted. No flat tops.

    If you're picky, the 97.7 WG Harvest is the "best", because it uses the maximum dynamic range of CD, without the danger of interpeak distortion on playback (100's can do that).
     
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  15. pdenny

    pdenny 22-Year SHTV Participation Trophy Recipient

    Location:
    Hawthorne CA
    I have the Japan black-face Harvest and love it. Not in the car though--can't get it loud enough! :angel:
     
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  16. rjp

    rjp Senior Member

    Location:
    Ohio
    MFSL
     
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  17. Audiophilehi

    Audiophilehi Forum Resident

    How do you make sure your player/software is properly de-emphasizing?

    Thanks!
     
  18. Millstone50

    Millstone50 Forum Resident

  19. sathvyre

    sathvyre formerly known as ABBAmaniac

    Location:
    Europe
    I still enjoy ALL albums on the DISCOVERY box set :)
     
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  20. Majestyk

    Majestyk Rush Resident

    Location:
    Vancouver
    Any CD player will do it. Well, there is the odd one that doesn't. As I recall, the Oppo BDP-83 is one of them.

    As for PC playback, I recommend you find an old program called WaveEmph. It will convert/de-emphasize your wave files with pre-emphasis.

    MFSL (CD) is the bottom of the pack. (Just thought I'd throw that in to stir the pot...but that's my honest opinion). Japan CBS is the only one that sounds close to the vinyl.
     
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  21. pool_of_tears

    pool_of_tears Searching For Simplicity

    Location:
    Midwest
    I like that one, too...though it seems a bit boomy at times. Or maybe it's just me. The 1990's Doug Sax mastered cd works well, too.
     
  22. pool_of_tears

    pool_of_tears Searching For Simplicity

    Location:
    Midwest
    I wish I could snag a legit (not counterfeit) copy. I had a chance to get one but passed on it. Silly me.
     
  23. The_Windmill

    The_Windmill Forum Resident

    Location:
    Italy
    there are Foobar plugins that do it too.
     
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  24. sathvyre

    sathvyre formerly known as ABBAmaniac

    Location:
    Europe
    I bought one for 80 Euro - an original one. Check Discogs and eBay from time to time.
     
  25. HankM

    HankM Senior Member

    Location:
    Upstate NY
    I use to have the mo-fi cd but sold it when I was young & dumb. I now only have the Immersion box set and do enjoy it a lot. Think it sounds great
     
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