Elvis Costello Early CD Masterings

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by strippies, Mar 30, 2019.

  1. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    foobar2000 1.3.15 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
    log date: 2019-04-04 18:38:12

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Analyzed: Elvis Costello / My Aim Is True

    CK 35037 DIDP 20091 41A1
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Duration Track
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR12 -2.41 dB -15.91 dB 1:23 01-Welcome To The Working Week
    DR11 -1.75 dB -14.43 dB 3:25 02-Miracle Man
    DR12 -2.22 dB -15.94 dB 2:39 03-No Dancing
    DR12 -2.50 dB -15.98 dB 2:50 04-Blame It On Cain
    DR12 -2.26 dB -16.41 dB 3:20 05-Alison
    DR11 -2.87 dB -15.84 dB 2:08 06-Sneaky Feelings
    DR11 -3.73 dB -16.30 dB 3:42 07-Watching The Detectives
    DR12 -2.25 dB -16.00 dB 2:48 08-(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
    DR12 -3.05 dB -17.32 dB 3:11 09-Less Than Zero
    DR11 -2.94 dB -16.16 dB 1:38 10-Mystery Dance
    DR11 -2.30 dB -15.48 dB 2:35 11-Pay It Back
    DR13 -1.43 dB -16.42 dB 2:58 12-I'm Not Angry
    DR11 -3.25 dB -16.56 dB 3:20 13-Waiting For The End Of The World
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Number of tracks: 13
    Official DR value: DR11

    Samplerate: 44100 Hz
    Channels: 2
    Bits per sample: 16
    Bitrate: 1411 kbps
    Codec: PCM
    ================================================================================
     
    strippies likes this.
  2. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    foobar2000 1.3.15 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
    log date: 2019-04-04 19:21:44

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Analyzed: Elvis Costello & the Attractions / The Best of Elvis Costello & the Attractions

    CK 40101 DIDP 020240
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Duration Track
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR12 -0.43 dB -15.51 dB 3:22 01-Alison
    DR11 -1.10 dB -14.92 dB 3:41 02-Watching the Detectives
    DR11 -2.42 dB -15.08 dB 3:31 03-(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?
    DR12 -1.46 dB -15.28 dB 2:59 04-Oliver's Army
    DR12 -2.34 dB -16.57 dB 2:46 05-(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
    DR13 0.00 dB -14.12 dB 3:17 06-Pump It Up
    DR13 -0.25 dB -15.69 dB 3:01 07-Accidents Will Happen
    DR13 0.00 dB -14.47 dB 3:06 08-Radio, Radio
    DR13 0.00 dB -14.46 dB 2:06 09-I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down
    DR13 0.00 dB -16.27 dB 3:07 10-A Good Year for the Roses
    DR12 -4.23 dB -20.57 dB 2:47 11-Almost Blue
    DR12 -0.28 dB -14.80 dB 2:33 12-Beyond Belief
    DR12 -2.20 dB -15.92 dB 5:28 13-Man out of Time
    DR11 -1.17 dB -14.46 dB 3:42 14-Clubland
    DR12 -2.43 dB -15.97 dB 2:58 15-Watch Your Step
    DR13 -1.82 dB -17.84 dB 4:49 16-Shipbuilding
    DR12 -1.86 dB -16.39 dB 3:50 17-I Wanna Be Loved
    DR13 -0.90 dB -16.56 dB 3:47 18-Everyday I Write the Book
    DR10 -3.79 dB -15.78 dB 3:33 19-The Only Flame In Town
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Number of tracks: 19
    Official DR value: DR12

    Samplerate: 44100 Hz
    Channels: 2
    Bits per sample: 16
    Bitrate: 1411 kbps
    Codec: PCM
    ================================================================================
     
    strippies likes this.
  3. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    foobar2000 1.3.15 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
    log date: 2019-04-04 19:33:29

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Analyzed: Elvis Costello & The Attractions / The Best Of Elvis Costello & The Attractions

    CK 40101 DIDP 20240 31A4
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Duration Track
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR12 -0.43 dB -15.51 dB 3:22 01-Alison
    DR11 -1.10 dB -14.92 dB 3:41 02-Watching The Detectives
    DR11 -2.42 dB -15.08 dB 3:31 03-(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?
    DR12 -1.46 dB -15.28 dB 2:59 04-Oliver's Army
    DR12 -2.34 dB -16.57 dB 2:46 05-(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
    DR13 0.00 dB -14.12 dB 3:17 06-Pump It Up
    DR13 -0.25 dB -15.69 dB 3:01 07-Accidents Will Happen
    DR13 0.00 dB -14.47 dB 3:06 08-Radio, Radio
    DR13 0.00 dB -14.46 dB 2:06 09-I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
    DR13 0.00 dB -16.27 dB 3:07 10-A Good Year For The Roses
    DR12 -4.23 dB -20.57 dB 2:47 11-Almost Blue
    DR12 -0.28 dB -14.80 dB 2:33 12-Beyond Belief
    DR12 -2.20 dB -15.92 dB 5:28 13-Man Out Of Time
    DR11 -1.17 dB -14.46 dB 3:42 14-Clubland
    DR12 -2.43 dB -15.97 dB 2:58 15-Watch Your Step
    DR13 -1.82 dB -17.84 dB 4:49 16-Shipbuilding
    DR12 -1.86 dB -16.39 dB 3:50 17-I Wanna Be Loved
    DR13 -0.90 dB -16.56 dB 3:47 18-Everyday I Write The Book
    DR10 -3.79 dB -15.78 dB 3:33 19-The Only Flame In Town
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Number of tracks: 19
    Official DR value: DR12

    Samplerate: 44100 Hz
    Channels: 2
    Bits per sample: 16
    Bitrate: 1411 kbps
    Codec: PCM
    ================================================================================
     
    strippies likes this.
  4. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Thanks again T. This must be the first US pressed disc. It has a completely different mastering. My fourth US pressings in the list above have the "Now Made in the U.S.A." blurb on the back-inlays. I suppose yours doesn't?
    Notice that this pressing is quite a bit shorter than the fourth. Question is whether the songs fade out earlier or have a shorter pause between them.

    Now we're still missing the two earlier Japan pressed discs...
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2019
  5. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    The back inlay actually does have the Now Made In The USA running up the left hand side....then at the bottom of the inlay it says that the disc was made in Japan....
     
    bataclan2002 likes this.
  6. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    So from the outside you can't distinguish between the two. In those days CBS/Columbia always fooled around with legacy texts.
     
  7. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
  8. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Inlay is a carbon copy of the fourth. The mastering is quite different though. I've downloaded a low bitrate mp3 version, admittedly not very good for comparison, and the third overall seems to have more bass. 'Detectives' is a different mix and 'Mystery Dance' ends with a fade-out. The 4th has it end with a cold stop and reverb on the word 'satisfied'.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2019
  9. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    foobar2000 1.3.15 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
    log date: 2019-04-07 11:44:54

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Analyzed: Elvis Costello & The Attractions / Trust

    CK 37051 DIDP 70208
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Duration Track
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR11 -2.54 dB -15.20 dB 3:43 01-Clubland
    DR11 -1.97 dB -15.24 dB 2:19 02-Lovers Walk
    DR12 -1.85 dB -16.45 dB 2:58 03-You'll Never Be A Man
    DR11 -2.61 dB -15.58 dB 3:12 04-Pretty Words
    DR12 -2.01 dB -15.80 dB 2:42 05-Strict Time
    DR10 -2.42 dB -14.06 dB 2:29 06-Luxembourg
    DR12 -3.00 dB -17.23 dB 3:02 07-Watch Your Step
    DR12 -4.00 dB -18.17 dB 3:48 08-New Lace Sleeves
    DR11 -3.19 dB -15.29 dB 2:57 09-From A Whisper To A Scream
    DR13 -3.17 dB -17.32 dB 1:59 10-Different Finger
    DR11 -3.04 dB -15.78 dB 3:50 11-White Knuckles
    DR12 -3.36 dB -18.85 dB 3:34 12-Shot With His Own Gun
    DR12 -2.21 dB -15.79 dB 2:59 13-Fish 'N' Chip Paper
    DR11 -4.77 dB -17.71 dB 2:11 14-Big Sister's Clothes
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Number of tracks: 14
    Official DR value: DR11

    Samplerate: 44100 Hz
    Channels: 2
    Bits per sample: 16
    Bitrate: 1411 kbps
    Codec: PCM
    ================================================================================
     
    strippies likes this.
  10. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    foobar2000 1.3.15 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
    log date: 2019-04-09 17:30:22

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Analyzed: Elvis Costello / This Year's Model
    DIDP 20325 11A6
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Duration Track
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR10 -2.61 dB -14.99 dB 2:02 01-No Action
    DR13 -1.69 dB -16.79 dB 3:23 02-This Year's Girl
    DR12 -3.07 dB -19.41 dB 3:49 03-The Beat
    DR12 -1.00 dB -15.78 dB 3:18 04-Pump It Up
    DR14 -1.43 dB -19.00 dB 2:44 05-Little Triggers
    DR15 -1.12 dB -18.73 dB 2:22 06-You Belong To Me
    DR13 -1.49 dB -17.71 dB 2:35 07-Hand In Hand
    DR12 -2.80 dB -16.98 dB 2:40 08-Lip Service
    DR13 -1.75 dB -18.07 dB 3:48 09-Living In Paradise
    DR12 -3.11 dB -17.76 dB 3:36 10-Lipstick Vogue
    DR12 -1.67 dB -17.13 dB 3:06 11-Radio, Radio
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Number of tracks: 11
    Official DR value: DR13

    Samplerate: 44100 Hz
    Channels: 2
    Bits per sample: 16
    Bitrate: 1411 kbps
    Codec: PCM
    ================================================================================
     
    strippies likes this.
  11. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    So we now have 2 Columbia masterings for Aim, Model, Forces and Trust.

    There is a chance that there are even more Columbia masterings of some titles. Columbia Canada is known for sometimes doing their own, pressed by Cinram. Some of these have a different, ugly back inlay.
     
  12. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    Thanks for starting this thread I need to mention. :righton: I am out of ways to help at this point but if I come across something else to share I certainly will!
     
  13. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    I just received by post from a Discogs seller what was advertised as the second Japanese pressing of 'My Aim is true'. Unfortunately it turned out to be another fourth Pitman press. Bummer...
     
  14. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    That is a bummer! Well I went by a store today and they had gotten a used MAIT cd in so I took a look at it and then bought it as it was cheap....Made In Japan....CK 35037 DIDP 20091 11

    foobar2000 1.3.15 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
    log date: 2019-04-16 20:03:20

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Analyzed: Elvis Costello / My Aim Is True
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Duration Track
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR12 -1.60 dB -15.33 dB 1:23 01-Welcome To The Working Week
    DR11 -1.53 dB -13.93 dB 3:32 02-Miracle Man
    DR12 -1.52 dB -15.28 dB 2:42 03-No Dancing
    DR12 -1.86 dB -16.00 dB 2:53 04-Blame It On Cain
    DR11 -0.72 dB -15.46 dB 3:24 05-Alison
    DR11 -1.25 dB -14.57 dB 2:10 06-Sneaky Feelings
    DR11 -2.43 dB -15.41 dB 3:47 07-Watching The Detectives
    DR12 0.00 dB -13.93 dB 2:50 08-(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
    DR12 -0.72 dB -15.55 dB 3:18 09-Less Than Zero
    DR10 -1.14 dB -14.39 dB 1:39 10-Mystery Dance
    DR11 -0.31 dB -13.53 dB 2:34 11-Pay It Back
    DR13 0.00 dB -14.31 dB 3:02 12-I'm Not Angry
    DR11 0.00 dB -13.10 dB 3:23 13-Waiting For The End Of The World
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Number of tracks: 13
    Official DR value: DR11

    Samplerate: 44100 Hz
    Channels: 2
    Bits per sample: 16
    Bitrate: 1411 kbps
    Codec: PCM
    ================================================================================
     
    strippies likes this.
  15. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    The back tray inlay is identical to the one I posted a few posts back without the Now Made In The US blurb...its just blank white next to the UPC bar code.
     
    strippies likes this.
  16. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Congratulations!! You have just found the first cd pressing, probably from 1984, of MAIT. This one should be quite rare because it was quickly replaced by the second Japanese pressing, supposedly because customers complained about the horrible, bright and hissy sound.

    Did it come in its original smooth sided jewel case? And please report when you have compared the sound with your third press...
     
  17. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    I gave it a quick listen in my car yesterday and its no sonic marvel to be sure! I noticed that the UPC code on the booklet itself had been cut out....I take it that you had to send that in or something to get a replacement??
    ...and yes it has the smooth sided jewel case.
     
    DeeThomaz, Dan Steele and strippies like this.
  18. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    Soooooo.....when I posted this for Armed Forces back on the first page of this thread.....

    Analyzed: Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Armed Forces CK 35709, Matrix DIDP-20187
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Duration Track
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DR13 -1.27 dB -16.12 dB 3:01 01-Accidents Will Happen
    DR14 -1.23 dB -17.75 dB 2:18 02-Senior Service
    DR11 -1.19 dB -15.09 dB 3:00 03-Oliver's Army
    DR12 -0.01 dB -15.31 dB 2:57 04-Big Boys
    DR17 -0.38 dB -20.78 dB 2:43 05-Green Shirt
    DR13 -1.17 dB -17.34 dB 3:25 06-Party Girl
    DR12 0.00 dB -15.68 dB 3:15 07-Goon Squad
    DR13 -0.51 dB -17.54 dB 3:35 08-Busy Bodies
    DR13 -1.96 dB -17.77 dB 2:50 09-Moods for Moderns
    DR14 -1.24 dB -17.51 dB 2:57 10-Chemistry Class
    DR15 -0.76 dB -19.22 dB 3:13 11-Two Little Hitlers
    DR11 -1.59 dB -14.66 dB 3:35 12-(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Number of tracks: 12
    Official DR value: DR13

    Samplerate: 44100 Hz
    Channels: 2
    Bits per sample: 16
    Bitrate: 1411 kbps
    Codec: PCM

    ...I failed to do two things...first...the correct matrix for this cd is DIDP-20187 21A15....and second I just realized that although this is
    what is printed on the hub of the cd what is printed on the cd itself on the right side underneath the catalog number CK 35709 is DIDP 020187.
    So I do seem to have a remastered disc so this is perhaps why I dont have the audio deficiencies that others in the past had with the first cd issue.
    I will remain on the lookout for one of those.
     
  19. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    This would mean that there's a third Columbia AF mastering floating around. Good luck finding one...
     
  20. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    I've used Audacity to compare the 1989? US Columbia secret remasters of the first four albums against the 1986 UK IMP Fiends. Conclusion: They're all made from the same digital masters. The waveforms look the same, even when zoomed in to the 1000th of a sec. level. They have all been polarity inverted though. They can't be nulled out, so they're not exact digital clones.
    The Columbia mastering engineer probably loaded the IMP digital tapes in an eighties digital audio workstation and did some editing. For example, he or she digitally removed 2 soft clicks at 0:0:11 in 'Welcome to the working week'. After that boredom probably set in, because the rest of the clicks, which MAIT is riddled with, remain intact. Also, the volume and speed were slightly changed, on average an IMP track ends 0.01 sec. earlier.

    Funnily enough, the digital masters of the 3 tracks, Watching the detectives, Radio radio and Peace love & understanding, that are unique to the US Columbias are sourced from 'Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers' (IMP Fiend CD27).


    BOTTOM LINE: If you're on the lookout for the IMP Fiend masterings and don't mind the US tracklistings, you might just as well pick up the Columbia 1989 secret remasters. If you find a copy with a matrix with DIDP followed by a leading zero or a matrix with the catalog number (Pitman pressing) you're probably good to go.

    Concerning 'Get Happy!!' I actually prefer the Columbia. It has more headroom and track 2 'Opportunity' of the IMP has lots of clipped peaks. The Columbia is completely clip free...
     
    Matty and timebuilder1 like this.
  21. princesskiki

    princesskiki Kiki's Mom

  22. strippies

    strippies Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Netherlands
    Great post. Have you compared more old Costello CDs?
     
  23. princesskiki

    princesskiki Kiki's Mom

    Hi. I have many early CD pressings of his early work but I haven't done comparisons.
     
  24. timebuilder1

    timebuilder1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Illinois
    Wonderful information. Thanks so much.
     
  25. Edmoney

    Edmoney Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Jersey
    Yes, great post. So I guess it isn't safe to assume that the general sonic characteristics/differences that you described about the different CD masterings of My Aim Is True would apply to the corresponding versions of Costello's other early albums (e.g. Demon/IMP-FIEND are flat transfers with similar timbre to UK vinyl but somewhat anemic bass, DADC Columbia CDs have clearer vocals and guitar, better bass and cymbals and bigger sound stage, etc.)?
     
    princesskiki likes this.

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