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

@Steve Hoffman - question: what are some of the mastering projects you'd like to get a chance to do this year if you got to pick?
Maybe a proper master of Californication like you did Stadium Arcadium?

 

Have you checked out the Chris Bellman LP remaster yet? That's my go-to version.

 

I've heard it, but I don't think it's that much of an improvement, honestly. I've been using the custom "pre-master" that's floating around out there as my go-to*

*Don't know what you're talking about, there's nothing out there

 

I just saw a brand new unopened DCC Ram for about $530 on Ebay! I'm still trying to catch my breath.

 

Asking and getting are always a big difference.

 

The closest things to a CD version without as much tampering is the 1985 CD version of the Unforgettable Glenn Miller RCA comp and also a EU PD compilation from the 1980s called The Glenn Miller Story.

The Original Glenn Miller & His Orchestra* - The Glenn Miller Story

 

@Steve Hoffman when you say you use a layer of tubes in mastering, what exactly does that mean? What percentage of your masterings would you say you use tubes on?

 

Did you do it more in the DCC days (compared to the AF days)?

 

Good to know, thanks.

 

So there typically is no gain associated with the tube layer? It’s just a simple passive in and out?

 

@Steve Hoffman, what is your favorite version of All Things Must Pass (on vinyl, CD or digital files)? I'm looking for a nice copy, I only have the Capitol CD (CDP 7 46688 3).
Thanks a lot!!!

 

@stevehoffmanfan Steve, were you ever presented original master tapes that were in such poor condition that you asked for back up or other copies?

 

Thanks!

 

Steve, do you feel one needs to be a musician to be a mastering engineer? Have you run across many non-musician engineers or producers?

 

Best Boston I have heard on cd is the Sony 2006 epic legacy recording. It sounds super with the heavy bass coming through beautifully on Foreplay/long time
What an album.

 

FYI, your ears have been tricked by dynamic range compression. According to the Dynamic Range Database, the 2006 re-master of Bostons is the most dynamically version available.
Album list - Dynamic Range Database

I can tolerate dynamically compressed music, it's par for the course for some of the 90s music that I love. I'm looking at you Richard Ashcroft and his old band The Verve;
Album list - Dynamic Range Database
Album list - Dynamic Range Database

If you like the way it sounds that's all that matters. If you want to give it a shot, look for a cheap DADC hubbed or Denon Japan master of Bostons self titled debut and give them a listen. If you prefer the remaster, you'll only be out $20 and those orginal issues can be sold in the classified section.

Happy listening, Michael

 

I've never heard a Boston CD that was good, just the best we got and it isn't very good imo.

 

The Boston sacd sounds vvg. Does anyone know which master is used on this version?
I found it very difficult to get the 2006 version and finally had to import from Japan.
I had the original vinyl release that was excellent sound quality.

 

Sorry to bother you with this question Steve, but most of the old threads on the subject seem to have been lost in the forum migration. You've said in the past that (and I paraphrase) you usually try to make your mastering reflect the original intention of the production/artistic team as closely as possible, but in the case of the Vintage Music CDs, you went with how YOU thought they should sound, and later regretted that choice. I'm wondering which way you went with "Changin' Times."