SH Spotlight I'm asked stuff: Favorite mastering engineer, best BOSTON CD, best TRAVELING WILBURYS CD, etc..

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Steve Hoffman, Oct 3, 2018.

  1. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    I get a lot of PM's. Hundreds. People ask me stuff and I'm happy to answer if I know the answer. Usually I have them start threads so we can all share information but sometimes they are too shy to or whatever, so I'll answer some questions right here and right now. Please note, my opinion is just that, an opinion.

    Best sounding Boston 1 CD?

    That's easy, this one. EK 34188, DIDP 20006. I think this is the original issue. This is the version that sounds most like the master tape, with no treble boost and all dynamics intact. When I feel like hearing this album, this is what I play.

    Best sounding Traveling Wilburys CD?

    Also easy, the original issue mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc Systems. 25796-2. Warner Bros. press, with AAD on back. Beautiful sounding (compared to what came after) with nice vocal tones and plenty of headroom for dynamic peaks.

    I've been asked who my favorite living mastering engineer is. Well, I have two. The above-mentioned STEVE HALL and my buddy STEPHEN MARSH. Both dudes are analog guys living in a digital world. They know what good sound is and how not to kill it when mastering. KEVIN GRAY as well!

    Hope this helps, shy guys! traveling w two.jpg boston.jpg
     
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  2. BIGGER Dave

    BIGGER Dave Forum Resident

  3. carrolls

    carrolls Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dublin
    Good idea. Whats your favorite band?
    And have you ever mastered stuff by artists you don't like?
     
  4. BIGGER Dave

    BIGGER Dave Forum Resident

    Steve, regarding Boston, should the matrix be DIDP-020006 ? I’m not finding DIDP 2006.
     
  5. thxphotog

    thxphotog Camera Nerd Cycling Nerd Guitar Nerd Dietary Nerd

    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Allow me to answer for him:

    1) The Beatles
    2) Of course
     
  6. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    So I missed a zero.. Old age.
     
  7. @Steve Hoffman Why wasn't The Soft Parade done as part of the DCC series?

    Also, what's the biggest myth in the audiophile universe?
     
  8. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    Danny had problems with us. He told Elektra that we could have all of the Doors albums for Gold CD's and 180 vinyl LP's IF and only IF we released them in order of original release. Sadly, Elektra didn't relay that information to us. So, we didn't do them in order. D. got mad and cut us off.

    Years later we came to an understanding but it was too late for the original series.
     
  9. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    Thanks!
     
  10. MedozK

    MedozK Forum Resident

    Location:
    Murfreesboro, TN
  11. wavethatflag

    wavethatflag God is love, but get it in writing.

    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    After I finish this Dead show, I'm gonna fire up my Boston CD and revel in its Steve-approved glory.

    Edit: OH CRAP! I bought the original CD issue in college but got rid of it after I bought the remaster in 2006 or so, before I got hip to mastering issues, and when I assumed the remaster must be "new and improved." :nauga:
     
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  12. AlmanacZinger

    AlmanacZinger Zingin'

    Location:
    The Land of Zaat
    That sucks. Is The Soft Parade the only casualty of this?

    EDIT: meaning no later edition/release was done well either.
     
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  13. @Steve Hoffman Also, what's the biggest myth in the audiophile universe?
     
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  14. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter


    Biggest myth?

    The more money you spend on a system the better it will sound.
     
  15. SOONERFAN

    SOONERFAN Forum Resident

    Location:
    Norman, Oklahoma
    There is a repordedly unreleased DCC gold mastering "out there".
     
  16. George P

    George P Notable Member

    Location:
    NYC
    Thanks for sharing that.

    Wow, what a shame! :shake:
     
  17. ssmith3046

    ssmith3046 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Arizona desert
    How true.
     
  18. DennisF

    DennisF Forum Resident

    Is the version of I Call Your Name on the stereo LP of The Beatles Second Album the same as the UK version but with much more reverb, or a different take?
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2018
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  19. Dillydipper

    Dillydipper Space-Age luddite

    Location:
    Central PA
    You've said on occasion, you were not interested in doing any Quad remasters for AF; any quad albums you did appreciate for the multichannel presentation?
     
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  20. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    Haven’t played that LP in 40 years.
     
  21. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    Not really. None are true to the original versions.
     
  22. George P

    George P Notable Member

    Location:
    NYC
    So @Steve Hoffman, now that AF is no more, what is next for you? Any rock/pop titles? I'd love to get more rock titles with your mastering. I was just enjoying the James Taylor AF titles recently.
     
  23. With AF quieted, any new labels/projects looming? Any vinyl mastering forthcoming with any new projects?
     
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  24. DennisF

    DennisF Forum Resident

    Please let us know if you do, or the CD from The Capitol Versions box.
     
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  25. Chemguy

    Chemguy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Western Canada
    The original Boston is your go-to for cd...do you think the lp has its pluses for this one, though?
     
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