I have a friend that says these two versions are like night and day. Is this true? What song is this the most prevalent on and what should I be paying attention to? Thanks!
I like the moving stereo and the end of Intersteller Overdrive. It to me creates the impression of a helicopter propeller whirling.
Yes there are many mixing differences between the two. Astronomy and The Gnome are most obvious. I prefer Interstellar in Mono but that’s because the panning that is liked by many leaves me distracted.
I have always thought that the stereo mix was a lot more shrill in the high end. I haven’t played it in a while, but the mono version seems to be more “even”.
depends upon my mood... love both, though... grew up with the stereo and used to trip to it a lot, especially Interstellar - that outro panning was outrageous under the influence! The mono is punchier and they sound more like a rock band than a twee psych band...
the mono mix ❨on original vinyl❩ has far more power and sonic punch than any stereo mix, regardless of whichever mix one may prefer
The stereo is too bright. Maybe bright's the wrong word, but it's top-end heavy in a way that isn't all that pleasant. That being said, I vastly prefer it to the little I've heard of the mono, but that's justbecause I'm a stereo kind of guy. Flaming is a good example of how damn different the mixes are. The drums are too loud and the Richard Wright is much more prominent on the mono. The stereo one feels much more spacious, sparse and, well, psychedelic, in its own way. The mono typically sounds fuller and more focused. They're both great for different reasons.
I prefer psychedelia in stereo. I recently was able to compare UK one vs two box issues and felt the later had some added reverb. Surprised me. I now own the one box.
I think one needs both mixes as there is no denying that the mono is more inyerface and has a power that the stereo doesn't... it was the mix the band worked on plus there are odd little elements that are missing from the stereo. The stereo mix is sometimes clumsy and has questionable mixing but given the weirdness and complexity of the music, it does come to life. Only one track is a complete dud in mono for my liking - Bike. It's so off the wall it can only work in stereo for me!
Both, of course. Better in mono Lucifer Sam Matilda Mother Pow R. Toc H. Take Up Thy Stethoscope And Walk The Gnome Chapter 24 The Scarecrow Better in stereo Astronomy Domine Flaming Bike Tie Interstellar Overdrive (stereo gets off to a better start, better balance, but falls apart at the end) Generally speaking, the mono mixes are drier, with better balance between the rhythm section and vocals. The three stereo tracks I cite are preferred because they omit some bad phasing attempts that spoil the mono versions. The stereo mix has its charms, though. My biggest complaint is the overuse of smeary reverb over most of it.
Stereo - me from the first time I heard it (around the age of 7 when it hooked me) until I was around 25 and heard... Mono - which has become my go to for nearly two decades since. Love everything about it. Neither answer is wrong, though: the record really is so perfect that I change it up on a whim and don’t feel like I’m missing out. I’m still listening to Piper! (I am way more stodgy about mono/stereo battles elsewhere, but this is friggin’ PATGOD, so... any port in a storm, right?)
Stereo but this could be debated on a song to song bases. I seem to remember “Flaming” sounding better on the mono... not sure why. True, the stereo allows the album to fully fill the soundscape, and it appears this was the intention.
Wrong. All the greatest psychedelic rock albums have highly prized mono mixes. Mono ruled the psychedelic era, stereo ruled the 70's. Personally I like both mixes of Piper but the mono mix is preferable, especially for Astronomy Domine, Lucifer Sam, Flaming and Interstellar Overdrive (that panning at the end of the stereo mix is pure cheese).
