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

I love Rudy Van Gelder's recordings, very distinct instruments and warm tone. Dear Mr. Hoffman, what do you think of him? Are there any other engineers of the same vein?

 

Steve, which songs (if any) do you prefer in Stereo on "Rubber Soul"?

The Stereo mix on that album is probably the wonkiest mix (IMO) of any Beatles album!

Thanks.

 

Whew, I can breath easier now! Thanks!

 

Mr. Hoffman:

I have a recollection of watching “The Tonight Show” in the late 80s or early 90s when Ray Charles was the guest. While introducing his guest, Johnny Carson mentioned that his greatest hits were now out on compact disc and held up two CD’s. Were these the discs you had worked on with Brother Ray?

I don’t recall whether Ray discussed the discs with Carson or which songs he performed that night. The only other thing I recall is that Carson asked him whether he liked the set’s new carpeting.

 

My favorite post in the thread!

 

I think at this stage of the game, this is my holy grail release.

 

It's my favorite also!

 

Here is the clip

 

Agreed with all others - great thread!

My question, concerning Vince Guaraldi, Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus.

I know you've said that you used the correct tapes for some issue of this, but for the likes of me I can't find where you said it.

I'd like a vinyl version, and I'm assuming the 45 RPM Analogue Productions is the correct one - is it? And there are no other vinyl versions that used the "correct" tapes? If not is there a close second on vinyl?

 

Thanks Steve for this great thread! I'm sure many of us agree, your work is top of the profession with the legends. I look forward to every new project and hope for improved versions of my favorite albums featuring your mastering touch.

With everything you know and have experienced in the business, do you see a book in your future? Not a buyer's guide but more about what makes a great sounding recording, pressings. Some of the great stories behind the projects. Kinda like the spirit of this forum.

Of course a section with your favorite albums and the best sounding editions would be a nice chapter...

 

just put "Beatles" in the book title and watch it fly

"Chasing The Beatles and other mastering adventures" - there you go, I'll bill you later

 

Q - Who has to be paid off so we could buy flac downloads of DCC CD masters?
This could be crowdfunded!

 

There’s no drums on the mono Think For Yourself for some weird reason. I don’t get it.

 

Someone should hire this guy!

Awesome thread. Thank You, Steve!

 

Back when you were doing lots of AF and other masterings, were you simply told, "We just got this album to do, so here you go," or did you have input?

You mentioned how you came close to doing the Chicago catalogue, but they insisted it be from the newer digital masterings. If you personally had agreed to that, would you have gotten the okay to go ahead?

 

Steve, with the recent passing of Marty Balin, I’m wondering how an engineer approaches recording an act with two powerful voices and another or two not as stentorian. Ditto Nash v. Crosby. Is it a physical thing - step back from the microphone; use different mics on different singers, or is it done on the recording console? Thanks for looking!!