Are you aware of any other releases that have the hi-hat on the left? Was it that way on the original vinyl? Actually, I think my Trust is an original F-Beat, but I'm not in the same state as it right now. When I get back I'll check, unless someone else can confirm. Earlier you were trying to figure out how the Columbia "secret remasters" and the Demon CDs sounded so similar but were different speeds. Does anybody know if digital tapes play at different speeds if transferred (even directly to a CD glass master) on different equipment? That could explain it. That and perhaps a marginal EQ difference could potentially account for the shaved peaks of "Opportunity" not being perfectly smooth. You wouldn't think a digital source would change, but there's a lot of odd discrepancies that could be answered if that answer turned out to be yes.
I should say, other releases that have the hi-hat as far left as it is on these two? It's already panned left, but it feels like 50% on most releases I'm aware of as opposed to 80-90% on these CDs.
The Columbia and Demon Fiend of Girls Girls Girls have (almost) the same mastering. The samples stay in sync and the EQ is the same. The differences are some digital volume changes, weirdly enough sometimes stereo channel dependent, see below and some digital dc offset fixes. I must be insane because I've compared multiple masterings of a 1.3 second section at the start of 'New Lace Sleeves' were only the hi-hat is audible in the stereo image. First I RMS level matched the stereo channels of each mastering of the complete track. Then I calculated the RMS level differences of the left and right channels of the 1.3 second segment. Results: Code: Columbia1 86: Whole track RMS right channel 0.05 dB louder than left. Hi-hat segment left channel 1.10 dB louder. Ryko/Demon 94: Whole track RMS right channel 0.14 dB louder than left. Hi-hat segment left channel 4.58 dB louder. Rhino/Edsel 03: Whole track RMS right channel 0.40 dB louder than left. Hi-hat segment left channel 5.40 dB louder. Girls G.G. Demon 89: Whole track RMS right channel 0.22 dB louder than left. Hi-hat segment left channel 7.55 dB louder. Girls G.G. Columbia 89: Whole track RMS right channel 0.26 dB quieter than left. Hi-hat segment left channel 7.56 dB louder. Columbia2 89: Whole track RMS right channel 0.75 dB louder than left. Hi-hat segment left channel 7.71 dB louder. IMP 86: Whole track RMS right channel 0.33 dB quieter than left. Hi-hat segment left channel 7.73 dB louder.
So it seems the Demon-sourced CDs are the only ones with this "left-heavy" version of "New Lace Sleeves" - judging by the numbers, anyway. Shame since the dynamics are compromised on the others. Maybe the dynamic tape source is like that. I don't have access to the files right now - can anyone tell if the stereo image is folded in on the Rhino/Ryko/Col1 CDs?
My mistake, I thought this was without level-matching. Can EQ have that much of an impact on the dynamic range? The waveforms of Col1 really looks like a tape subject to heavy analog compression, but I have done EQ changes before that made the wave look totally different. I'll experiment. The headphones I have are terrible, though, they make Girls Girls Girls sound like the Rhino in terms of their treble boost but I couldn't fit the good headphones in my bag...
But... My ears tell me that between Girls Girls Girls, Trust Col1, and Trust Rhino, it's GGG that's the outlier. Despite the EQ being massively different (and with these bright headphones I'm not eager to try another A/B), Col1 and Rhino sounded a lot more alike than GGG. But one would think that, given the trends of the late '90s and early 2000s, the Rhino would be mastered from the best-quality tapes. Not mastered well, of course, but using those tapes as a source. If GGG has the "correct" version and the Rhino is folded in slightly (which was my original guess), then it would seem ALL versions, except the Demon CDs, have folded it in the same way - or were mastered from a tape that was folded in, and perhaps the Rhino mimics that. That, of course, is just a guess and it not necessarily what happened. It could be as simple as a treble boost (or reduction) in the left channel. Although it still sounds balanced, which makes me wonder... I'm about 75% confident that my Trust LP (fortunately, one of the few I did not sell in my LP collection purge last year) is an F-Beat original. It's either that or Get Happy. Regardless of which version - it's good to know what's on vinyl either way - I'll dig out and dust off the turntable when I get home from vacation and give that ol' wax platter a spin and a stab and tell you what I hear. Ignoring graphs and waveforms and numbers, what do you hear on your Ryko CD? Hi-hat far left or middle left?
Listening to the intros with my HD 600, to my hearing the Ryko has the hi-hat mid mid left and the drums and voice slightly tilted to the right. All slightly more to the right than the Rhino. The drums have much louder reverb here than on the other versions were they are much drier. On the Demons they even sound dull to me in comparison. I'm not sure I can hear a fold on the Rhino and Col1. You speculated that the fact that the hi-hat is farther to the left on the Demons than on the other masterings could be a result of a misaligned transfer. But why is the hi-hat much more affected than the other instruments? It's also much quieter than on the other masterings. Maybe a result of the increased dynamic range?.
Dynamic range would not affect stereo positioning. A misaligned transfer or different EQ in each channel would. I theorized the possibility of a fold-in as it would make sense, but without my good headphones to focus on the instruments that aren't the hi-hat, I wouldn't know. I'll give my LP a spin, pretty sure it's an original F-Beat, and determine how that sounds. Hopefully I haven't misplaced all the cables for the turntable in the two years that room has been shuffled around...
Also, I was surprised at how much EQ affects reverb sound. I'm confident the Ryko is the same mix and just sounds so drastically different due to the EQ. The stereo mishap, however, was probably a mistake.
Waiting at the airport to go home and finally have access to good headphones again. Can't make any promises about the LP comparison in the immediate future, but CD comparisons imminent. I'm like a junkie for nice EQ balance, and I haven't had my fix since last Wednesday! The withdrawal has been smultaneously bloated and shrill. Let me know @strippies if you need any DR logs. I think I forgot to post the matrix info for my Armed Forces so you'll need to wait for the box of stuff that I mailed because it wouldn't fit in my backpack to arrive. I can still get a DR reading once I get home, though. It is a DIDP with no leading zero, I remember that for sure.
Since there seem to be two versions of the first Columbia Get Happy!! there could be more versions of the early others too. Who knows? What's certainly missing is the Japan pressed Columbia Punch the clock and the WG and Japan RCA/F-Beat discs of Punch the clock, Goodbye Cruel World and King of America. I'm curious what you make of the difference between your Columbia2 and IMP of Get Happy!!.
There was definitely a right channel skew on Col2, in addition to the clipping being... weird. The IMP is balanced, albeit still slightly clipped. Both sounded exceptionally shrill through these headphones, but I recall them sounding fine on good headphones. I'll give you a better analysis later today/tomorrow. Armed Forces was the only pre-Spike album I found an early CD of. Lots of other great scores at these shops (our host's Who's Missing!), but only one Elvis. I may or may not be hitting a record shop on the way home (depends on how cramped the plane is, as I'm 6'7" with a bad back). I'll pick up any Elvis I don't have if they've got any and do yet more comparisons! Y'know, it would be great if this was a real job...
While I can't play the record for a while, I can confirm via deadwax that my Trust LP is this one, actually the first one that's listed on Discogs: Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Trust (1981, Vinyl)
@strippies -- I have a Japan for USA pressing of Punch the Clock, "MANUFACTURED BY CBS SONY RECORDS INC" in the hub, matrix DIDP-20033 21A3, if needed.
Here it is: Also, my DADC CD of IMPERIAL BEDROOM, DIDP-20339 11A2, is identical to the "3" matrix copy shown near the start of the thread.
Yes, different from the later US DADC pressing, though possibly a level shift. By the way, like your m4a values of Get Happy!! the peak values of your DIDP-20033 21A3 differ from these: Album details - Dynamic Range Database . That also makes three different versions of the Columbia Punch the Clock, unless the iTunes algorithm changed the peak levels for whatever reason.
Just scored four new titles, all Columbia. @strippies Let me know if you need DR logs of any of these. My plans to do sound quality comparisons got set on the back burner but I do still intend to do them. This Year's Model CK 35331 DIDP-020325 5 + ++ +++++ (the + is a circle with lines protruding out from its edge) Taking Liberties CK 36839 DIDP 70164 11A15 Almost Blue CK 37562 DIDP-071681 6 +++ +++++ (see the first entry) Worth noting that I've never seen track four subtitled with the original name of the song, but here they call it "I'm Your Toy (Hot Burrito #1)". I like Gram Parsons a lot, but he sure knew how to pick some dreadful names. Punch The Clock CK 38897 DIDP 20033 21A4 Interestingly, the actual printing on the disc face (above the Compact Disc logo) states "DIDP 020033", but the matrix itself has no leading zero.
A leading zero DADC press has been posted above with slightly different values from the Pitman. Probably just different indexing. Elvis Costello Early CD Masterings Elvis Costello Early CD Masterings Taking Liberties and Punch The Clock have only been posted with leading zero versions and Almost Blue hasn't been posted yet, so please do. I found out that the algorithm used by the standalone DR tool for Apple machines produces slightly different peak values compared with the correct values produced by EAC, CUETools and the foobar2000 plugin. Not sure about the standalone DR tool for Windows.
Cheers, I'll get these done today. That's interesting that Apple logs are different. I wonder if mine might yield still different results as I use Windows 7. I do know my output file looks different from most (no track lengths, etc.) But it's the only DR meter I found that works, and I'm not paying for that new one (I would if it was $4, but not $50, that's criminal!).
My good computer has the best disc drive I've ever used but every once in a while it will rip a CD at playback speed and it's doing that with This Year's Model. Luckily it's a short album with two tracks missing. In the meantime, here's a purty pitcher: Left half is non-leading-zero Columbias, then my three Demon CDs, then to the right of that (starting with Girls Girls Girls) is the leading-zero Columbias. At this point I may as well just post DR logs for every single one of these, so once these last four discs all get loaded up, expect a wall of code blocks in my next post...
Here's all my DR logs for the CDs shown in the picture above. All files are unaltered WAV files ripped using a relatively recent version of iTunes (downloaded and installed about a year ago) on a Windows 7 PC. I'm not sure which standalone TT DR Meter I have, but it's ominously called "DSP Remote Control Software" or something similar. The computer isn't connected to the Internet (and hasn't been since 2014 or possibly earlier) so I'm not too concerned about my recording computer getting hacked. All information in the header of the DR log is taken from the printed inserts, except for the year, which is often based on Discogs, common sense, or guess work, and the matrix, which is of course based on the CD itself. Moulded text is typed first (ex. "CSR COMPACT DISC"), then the printed matrix. With the exception of My Aim Is True, plus signs indicate a circle with four lines protruding from its outer edge at the four compass directions. "[DADC "D" Logo]" is not printed, but refers to the logo (a square with a vertical rectangle and a half-circle forming a "D" shape). Any oddities in track titles, company names, etc. can be attributed to the insert it was copied verbatim from. Barcodes are presented in EAN-13 format even when the printed barcode only has 11 numbers (thanks, GTIN!). All links go to Discogs pages for the corresponding release. My Aim Is True – Columbia (Second CSR Japan Pressing) Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello | My Aim Is True | 1986 | Columbia Records | CK 35037 | 0074643503723 | CSR COMPACT DISC CSR COMPACT DISC CSR COMPACT DISC | DIDP-20091 21A1 +++++ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 -2.25 dB -16.22 dB 01 Welcome To The Working Week DR11 -2.06 dB -14.92 dB 02 Miracle Man DR12 -2.17 dB -16.31 dB 03 No Dancing DR12 -2.53 dB -16.77 dB 04 Blame It On Cain DR12 -1.02 dB -16.03 dB 05 Alison DR12 -1.67 dB -15.22 dB 06 Sneaky Feelings DR11 -2.38 dB -15.74 dB 07 Watching The Detectives DR12 -0.73 dB -14.75 dB 08 (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes DR12 -1.43 dB -16.27 dB 09 Less Than Zero DR10 -2.24 dB -15.13 dB 10 Mystery Dance DR11 -0.63 dB -14.31 dB 11 Pay It Back DR13 -0.16 dB -15.27 dB 12 I'm Not Angry DR11 over -13.97 dB 13 Waiting For The End Of The World ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 13 Official DR value: DR12 ============================================================================================== This Year's Model – Columbia (Secret Remaster) Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello | This Year's Model | 1989 | Columbia Records / CBS Inc. | CK 35331 | 0074643533126 | DIDP-020325 5 + ++ +++++ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR10 -2.01 dB -14.47 dB 01 No Action DR11 -1.95 dB -14.66 dB 02 This Year's Girl DR11 -3.95 dB -18.33 dB 03 The Beat DR12 -1.45 dB -14.61 dB 04 Pump It Up DR13 -1.92 dB -17.75 dB 05 Little Triggers DR14 -0.24 dB -17.01 dB 06 You Belong To Me DR12 -2.14 dB -17.42 dB 07 Hand In Hand DR12 -2.17 dB -16.42 dB 08 Lip Service DR12 -2.27 dB -17.90 dB 09 Living In Paradise DR11 -2.37 dB -16.76 dB 10 Lipstick Vogue DR12 -2.35 dB -17.71 dB 11 Radio, Radio ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 11 Official DR value: DR12 ============================================================================================== Armed Forces – Columbia (Early US Pressing) Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello | Armed Forces | 1986 | Columbia Records/CBS Inc. | CK 35709 | 0074643570923 | Made in USA-Digital Audio Disc Corp. [DADC "D" Logo]® | DIDP 20187 21A6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR13 -1.27 dB -16.12 dB 01 Accidents Will Happen DR14 -1.23 dB -17.75 dB 02 Senior Service DR11 -1.19 dB -15.09 dB 03 Oliver's Army DR12 -0.01 dB -15.31 dB 04 Big Boys DR17 -0.38 dB -20.78 dB 05 Green Shirt DR13 -1.17 dB -17.34 dB 06 Party Girl DR12 over -15.68 dB 07 Goon Squad DR13 -0.51 dB -17.54 dB 08 Busy Bodies DR13 -1.96 dB -17.77 dB 09 Moods For Moderns DR14 -1.24 dB -17.51 dB 10 Chemistry Class DR15 -0.76 dB -19.22 dB 11 Two Little Hitlers DR11 -1.59 dB -14.66 dB 12 (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 12 Official DR value: DR13 ============================================================================================== Get Happy!! – Demon Records Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello The Attractions | Get Happy! | 1986 | Demon Records Ltd. | IMP FIEND CD24 | 5014757070242 | FIEND CD 24 : 1:12 MASTERED BY NIMBUS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 -0.96 dB -14.85 dB 01 Love For Tender DR11 over -12.41 dB 02 Opportunity DR13 -0.38 dB -14.61 dB 03 The Imposter DR13 over -13.73 dB 04 Secondary Modern DR12 over -13.86 dB 05 King Horse DR12 -0.00 dB -13.01 dB 06 Possession DR11 -1.03 dB -13.43 dB 07 Man Called Uncle DR13 -0.02 dB -14.68 dB 08 Clowntime Is Over DR11 -1.08 dB -13.87 dB 09 New Amsterdam DR13 -0.21 dB -14.55 dB 10 High Fidelity DR12 -0.06 dB -13.89 dB 11 I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down DR11 -1.62 dB -15.22 dB 12 Black & White World DR12 -0.89 dB -15.10 dB 13 Five Gears In Reverse DR14 -0.03 dB -15.81 dB 14 B Movie DR13 over -16.13 dB 15 Motel Matches DR11 -0.06 dB -12.43 dB 16 Human Touch DR12 -4.19 dB -17.09 dB 17 Beaten To The Punch DR12 -0.33 dB -13.62 dB 18 Temptation DR11 -2.15 dB -13.85 dB 19 I Stand Accused DR12 over -14.90 dB 20 Riot Act ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 20 Official DR value: DR12 ============================================================================================== Get Happy!! – Columbia (Secret Remaster) Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello And The Attractions | Get Happy!! | 1989 | Columbia Records/CBS Inc. | CK 36347 | 0074643634724 | Made in USA-Digital Audio Disc Corp. [DADC "D" Logo]® | DIDP-070083 3 +++ +++++ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 -3.12 dB -17.15 dB 01 Love For Tender DR11 -0.72 dB -14.63 dB 02 Opportunity DR13 -1.45 dB -16.81 dB 03 The Imposter DR13 -1.23 dB -15.99 dB 04 Secondary Modern DR12 -1.06 dB -16.15 dB 05 King Horse DR12 -1.31 dB -15.29 dB 06 Possession DR11 -2.33 dB -15.81 dB 07 Man Called Uncle DR13 -1.32 dB -16.86 dB 08 Clowntime Is Over DR11 -3.17 dB -16.13 dB 09 New Amsterdam DR13 -1.37 dB -16.84 dB 10 High Fidelity DR12 -1.73 dB -16.15 dB 11 I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down DR12 -3.10 dB -17.57 dB 12 Black And White World DR12 -2.61 dB -17.39 dB 13 5ive Gears In Reverse DR14 -0.90 dB -18.05 dB 14 B Movie DR13 -1.74 dB -18.41 dB 15 Motel Matches DR11 -1.39 dB -14.70 dB 16 Human Touch DR12 -5.75 dB -18.84 dB 17 Beaten To The Punch DR12 -2.29 dB -15.93 dB 18 Temptation DR11 -3.30 dB -16.13 dB 19 I Stand Accused DR12 -1.34 dB -17.13 dB 20 Riot Act ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 20 Official DR value: DR12 ============================================================================================== Taking Liberties – Columbia (Early US Pressing) Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello | Taking Liberties | 1986 | Columbia Records/CBS Inc | CK 36839 | 007443683920 | Made in USA-Digital Audio Disc Corp. [DADC "D" Logo]® | DIDP 70164 11A15 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 -5.00 dB -19.06 dB 01 Clean Money DR13 -3.59 dB -19.67 dB 02 Girls Talk DR13 -3.13 dB -18.80 dB 03 Talking In The Dark DR14 -5.04 dB -20.88 dB 04 Radio Sweetheart† DR14 -5.42 dB -23.80 dB 05 Black And White World* DR12 -5.06 dB -18.92 dB 06 Big Tears DR15 -5.35 dB -24.20 dB 07 Just A Memory* DR12 -5.00 dB -19.75 dB 08 Night Rally DR12 -5.88 dB -20.67 dB 09 Stranger In The House DR15 -3.16 dB -22.25 dB 10 Clowntime Is Over * DR13 -4.37 dB -19.05 dB 11 Getting Mighty Crowded* DR12 -5.07 dB -19.97 dB 12 Hoover Factory* DR12 -5.15 dB -19.10 dB 13 Tiny Steps DR12 -4.88 dB -18.38 dB 14 (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea DR12 -4.32 dB -19.05 dB 15 Dr. Luther's Assistant * DR12 -3.33 dB -18.42 dB 16 Sunday's Best DR13 -2.12 dB -18.52 dB 17 Crawling To The U.S.A.*‡ DR12 -4.62 dB -19.44 dB 18 Wednesday Week DR12 -6.68 dB -22.81 dB 19 My Funny Valentine * DR12 -4.93 dB -21.51 dB 20 Ghost Train * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 20 Official DR value: DR13 ============================================================================================== Trust – Columbia (Early US Pressing) There isn't a Discogs page for this pressing yet! Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello And The Attractions | Trust | 1986 | Columbia Records/CBS Inc. | CK 37051 | 0074643705127 | Made in USA-Digital Audio Disc Corp. [DADC "D" Logo]® | DIDP 70208 11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR11 -2.54 dB -15.20 dB 01 Clubland DR11 -1.97 dB -15.24 dB 02 Lovers Walk DR12 -1.85 dB -16.45 dB 03 You'll Never Be A Man DR11 -2.61 dB -15.58 dB 04 Pretty Words DR12 -2.01 dB -15.80 dB 05 Strict Time DR10 -2.42 dB -14.06 dB 06 Luxembourg DR12 -3.00 dB -17.23 dB 07 Watch Your Step DR12 -4.00 dB -18.17 dB 08 New Lace Sleeves DR11 -3.19 dB -15.29 dB 09 From A Whisper To A Scream DR13 -3.17 dB -17.32 dB 10 Different Finger DR11 -3.04 dB -15.78 dB 11 White Knuckles DR12 -3.36 dB -18.85 dB 12 Shot With His Own Gun DR12 -2.21 dB -15.79 dB 13 Fish 'N' Chip Paper DR11 -4.77 dB -17.71 dB 14 Big Sister's Clothes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 14 Official DR value: DR11 ============================================================================================== Almost Blue – Demon Records Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello & The Attractions | Almost Blue | 1986 | Imp Records | IMP FIEND CD 33 | FIEND CD 33 • NIMBUS ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR13 over -15.91 dB 01 Why Don't You Love Me (Like You Used To Do) DR13 over -18.70 dB 02 Sweet Dreams DR14 -0.78 dB -18.15 dB 03 Success DR15 -0.00 dB -18.74 dB 04 I'm Your Toy DR13 -0.39 dB -16.34 dB 05 Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down DR14 -0.00 dB -16.90 dB 06 Brown To Blue DR14 over -18.06 dB 07 Good Year For The Roses DR14 over -16.94 dB 08 Sittin' And Thinkin' DR14 -0.07 dB -17.72 dB 09 Colour Of The Blues DR13 -3.88 dB -21.59 dB 10 Too Far Gone DR15 -0.00 dB -17.39 dB 11 Honey Hush DR15 -2.01 dB -19.35 dB 12 How Much I Lied ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 12 Official DR value: DR14 ============================================================================================== Almost Blue – Columbia (Secret Remaster) Yes, these numbers are actually correct... Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello | Almost Blue | 1989 | Columbia Records/CBS Records Inc. | CK 37562 | 0074643756228) | Made in USA-Digital Audio Disc Corp. [DADC "D" Logo]® | DIDP-071681 6 +++ +++++ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR7 -0.13 dB -9.35 dB 01 (Why Don't You Love Me (Like You Used To Do) DR8 -0.13 dB -12.01 dB 02 Sweet Dreams DR9 -0.13 dB -11.09 dB 03 Success DR9 -0.13 dB -11.76 dB 04 I'm Your Toy (Hot Burrito #1) DR8 -0.13 dB -9.77 dB 05 Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down DR8 -0.13 dB -10.38 dB 06 Brown To Blue DR7 -0.13 dB -9.56 dB 07 A Good Year For The Roses DR8 -0.13 dB -10.23 dB 08 Sittin' And Thinkin' DR7 -0.13 dB -9.18 dB 09 Color Of The Blues DR9 -0.13 dB -12.36 dB 10 Too Far Gone DR7 -0.13 dB -8.62 dB 11 Honey Hush DR9 -0.13 dB -10.15 dB 12 How Much I Lied ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 12 Official DR value: DR8 ============================================================================================== Punch The Clock – Columbia Weirdly, the back insert states "Record manufactured in Japan by CBS/Sony, Tokyo, Japan" and also has the "Now Made In The U.S.A." blurb on the left side. Due to the lack of DADC mould identifiers, I'm going to assume this is made in Japan, but I don't know for sure. Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello And The Attractions | Punch The Clock | 1986 | Columbia Records/CBS Inc. | CK 38897 | 0074643889728) | DIDP 20033 21A4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 -0.12 dB -15.44 dB 01 Let Them All Talk DR14 -0.60 dB -16.24 dB 02 Everyday I Write The Book DR13 -0.00 dB -15.84 dB 03 The Greatest Thing DR13 -1.95 dB -16.67 dB 04 The Element Within Her DR14 -0.40 dB -16.40 dB 05 Love Went Mad DR12 -2.07 dB -18.39 dB 06 Shipbuilding DR13 -0.89 dB -16.67 dB 07 TKO (Boxing Day) DR14 -0.76 dB -17.47 dB 08 Charm School DR14 -0.57 dB -16.80 dB 09 The Invisible Man DR13 -0.81 dB -16.97 dB 10 Mouth Almighty DR14 -1.66 dB -17.55 dB 11 King Of Thieves DR13 -6.20 dB -22.41 dB 12 Pills And Soap DR13 -0.00 dB -15.29 dB 13 The World And His Wife ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 13 Official DR value: DR13 ============================================================================================== The Best Of Elvis Costello And The Attractions – Columbia This is definitely pressed at a different plant, and doesn't have any of the DIDP markings. Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello And The Attractions | The Best Of Elvis Costello And The Attractions | 1985 | Columbia Records/CBS Inc. | CK 40101 | 0074644010121 | CMU P 107 | 1D CK40101 36 B ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 -0.43 dB -15.51 dB 01 Alison DR11 -1.10 dB -14.92 dB 02 Watching The Detectives DR11 -2.42 dB -15.08 dB 03 (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding DR12 -1.46 dB -15.28 dB 04 Oliver's Army DR12 -2.34 dB -16.57 dB 05 (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes DR13 -0.00 dB -14.12 dB 06 Pump It Up DR13 -0.25 dB -15.69 dB 07 Accidents Will Happen DR13 over -14.47 dB 08 Radio, Radio DR13 over -14.46 dB 09 I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down DR13 -0.00 dB -16.27 dB 10 A Good Year For The Roses DR13 -4.23 dB -20.57 dB 11 Almost Blue DR12 -0.28 dB -14.80 dB 12 Beyond Belief DR12 -2.20 dB -15.92 dB 13 Man Out Of Time DR11 -1.17 dB -14.46 dB 14 Clubland DR12 -2.43 dB -15.97 dB 15 Watch Your Step DR13 -1.82 dB -17.84 dB 16 Shipbuilding DR12 -1.86 dB -16.39 dB 17 I Wanna Be Loved DR13 -0.90 dB -16.56 dB 18 Everyday I Write The Book DR10 -3.79 dB -15.78 dB 19 The Only Flame In Town ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 19 Official DR value: DR12 ============================================================================================== King Of America – Columbia (Early US Pressing) Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Costello Show (Featuring Elvis Costello) | King Of America | 1986 | Columbia Records/CBS Inc. | CK 40173 | 0074644017328 | Made in USA-Digital Audio Disc Corp. [DADC "D" Logo]® | DIDP 70030 11A3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR13 -1.28 dB -16.67 dB 01 Brilliant Mistake DR13 -1.35 dB -16.30 dB 02 Lovable DR13 -3.16 dB -17.81 dB 03 Our Little Angel DR14 -1.87 dB -18.09 dB 04 Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood DR13 -1.34 dB -15.72 dB 05 Glitter Gulch DR11 -3.62 dB -18.57 dB 06 Indoor Fireworks DR11 -4.44 dB -18.46 dB 07 Little Palaces DR14 -1.79 dB -19.65 dB 08 I'll Wear It Proudly DR12 -2.14 dB -15.82 dB 09 American Without Tears DR13 -1.67 dB -16.82 dB 10 Eisenhower Blues DR12 -2.19 dB -17.75 dB 11 Poisoned Rose DR12 -1.92 dB -15.82 dB 12 The Big Light DR13 -1.00 dB -17.85 dB 13 Jack Of All Parades DR13 -0.40 dB -16.63 dB 14 Suit Of Lights DR15 -1.87 dB -20.20 dB 15 Sleep Of The Just ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 15 Official DR value: DR13 ============================================================================================== Blood And Chocolate – Demon Records Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello And The Attractions | Blood & Chocolate | 1986 | IMP Records | FIEND CD 80 | 5014757070808 | FIEND CD80 • MASTERED BY NIMBUS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 -0.99 dB -14.90 dB 01 Uncomplicated DR11 -1.43 dB -14.10 dB 02 I Hope You're Happy Now DR11 -1.18 dB -14.39 dB 03 Tokyo Storm Warning DR13 -0.50 dB -16.13 dB 04 Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head DR13 -3.97 dB -21.41 dB 05 I Want You DR11 -1.04 dB -15.41 dB 06 Honey Are You Straight Or Are You Blind? DR12 -2.43 dB -16.28 dB 07 Blue Chair DR13 -0.79 dB -19.48 dB 08 Battered Old Bird DR12 -1.14 dB -16.60 dB 09 Crimes Of Paris DR13 -1.53 dB -17.04 dB 10 Poor Napoleon DR10 -2.91 dB -15.05 dB 11 Next Time Round ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 11 Official DR value: DR12 ============================================================================================== Girls Girls Girls – Columbia NOTE: Disc 1 had some songs which skipped, I re-ripped it a few times and I *think* it's skip-free, but I'm not 100% certain. If my values differ from yours, tell me the track and I'll test to see if there's a skip. Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello | Girls Girls Girls | 1989 | Columbia Records | C2K 46897 | 0074644689723 | [DADC "D" Logo] | DIDP-073091 3 + ++ +++++ | Disc 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR14 -1.79 dB -18.41 dB 1-01 Watching The Detectives DR11 -1.45 dB -14.38 dB 1-02 I Hope You're Happy Now DR11 -2.07 dB -14.79 dB 1-03 This Year's Girl DR16 -0.51 dB -17.53 dB 1-04 Lover's Walk DR11 -2.22 dB -15.02 dB 1-05 Pump It Up DR14 -0.99 dB -15.97 dB 1-06 Strict Time DR12 -1.57 dB -14.77 dB 1-07 Temptation DR12 -1.95 dB -15.92 dB 1-08 (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea DR13 -0.48 dB -15.72 dB 1-09 High Fidelity DR13 -1.27 dB -16.36 dB 1-10 Lovable DR13 -0.03 dB -16.37 dB 1-11 Mystery Dance DR12 -0.79 dB -14.67 dB 1-12 Big Tears DR12 -2.08 dB -15.48 dB 1-13 Uncomplicated DR11 -2.20 dB -17.14 dB 1-14 Lipstick Vogue DR12 -1.36 dB -15.45 dB 1-15 Man Out Of Time DR13 -1.39 dB -17.05 dB 1-16 Brilliant Mistake DR15 -0.56 dB -18.26 dB 1-17 New Lace Sleeves DR13 -0.97 dB -15.66 dB 1-18 Accidents Will Happen DR12 -1.67 dB -15.77 dB 1-19 Beyond Belief DR12 -1.83 dB -16.31 dB 1-20 Black And White World DR16 -0.37 dB -19.67 dB 1-21 Green Shirt DR13 -0.93 dB -15.84 dB 1-22 The Loved Ones DR11 -1.61 dB -14.19 dB 1-23 New Amsterdam DR14 -0.01 dB -15.81 dB 1-24 (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes DR12 -0.77 dB -15.45 dB 1-25 King Horse DR11 -3.25 dB -16.90 dB 1-26 Big Sister's Clothes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 26 Official DR value: DR13 ============================================================================================== Code: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvis Costello | Girls Girls Girls | 1989 | Columbia Records | C2K 46897 | 0074644689723 | [DADC "D" Logo] | DIDP-073092 1 +++ +++++ | Disc 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR14 -1.71 dB -20.36 dB 2-01 Alison DR12 -2.05 dB -15.51 dB 2-02 Man Called Uncle DR14 -0.10 dB -17.34 dB 2-03 Party Girl DR14 -1.13 dB -18.30 dB 2-04 Shabby Doll DR13 -1.09 dB -17.12 dB 2-05 Motel Matches DR13 -0.59 dB -16.10 dB 2-06 Tiny Steps DR12 -4.53 dB -20.40 dB 2-07 Almost Blue DR12 over -15.03 dB 2-08 Riot Act DR15 -0.02 dB -16.87 dB 2-09 Love Field DR12 -0.53 dB -14.26 dB 2-10 Possession DR12 -2.22 dB -17.91 dB 2-11 Poisoned Rose DR12 -2.48 dB -18.54 dB 2-12 Indoor Fireworks DR13 -4.08 dB -21.37 dB 2-13 I Want You (Single Version) DR12 -1.01 dB -15.17 dB 2-14 Oliver's Army DR14 -5.60 dB -21.27 dB 2-15 Pills And Soap DR12 -2.30 dB -15.98 dB 2-16 Sunday's Best DR14 over -16.12 dB 2-17 Watch Your Step DR16 -0.02 dB -19.19 dB 2-18 Less Than Zero DR13 -0.65 dB -16.65 dB 2-19 Clubland DR12 -0.87 dB -14.61 dB 2-20 Tokyo Storm Warning DR12 -2.34 dB -18.64 dB 2-21 Shipbuilding ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 21 Official DR value: DR13 ==============================================================================================
Okay, let's get to the bottom of this Almost Blue nonsense... I was shocked when I got the DR log for that Columbia CD. So shocked, in fact, that I promptly posted about it... in the wrong thread. I've deleted the post, but there may have been a few confused Who fans scratching their heads wondering what the hell Almost Blue was. Whoops! (Although, incidentally, "Break The News" from the newest Who album shares a few melodic lines with the song "Almost Blue"... but I digress.) Yes, the DR logs are accurate. This is a LOUD CD. I sincerely doubt it's based on the Demon CD the way some other leading-zero Columbia CDs are. They don't play at the same speed and I don't think they're the same digital transfer. This is a bright, hissy CD. There's a lot less dynamic range, even in the quieter parts – kinda like that original Trust CD when compared against Girls Girls Girls. I suppose the same digital transfer, sans treble roll-off, could have been copied to tape and fed through an analog compressor, but Occam's razor suggests it's a heavily compressed copy tape mastered bloody loud. Here's an animation of the two waveforms on "Good Year For The Roses", the Demon and the level-matched Columbia (-8.50 dB), to show the difference. Look at the quiet intro, and notice that the Columbia isn't just peak limited, but heavily compressed even in the soft sections. You may be able to see the slight speed difference as well, especially at the very end. And here's the un-altered waveform of "Good Year For The Roses" on the secret remaster: I'll listen and compare more tracks to give a more detailed look at the sound. But the biggest takeaway thus far is that it's LOUD and it's HISSY. This may be similar to how @princesskiki described the very first CSR My Aim Is True, a tape played back without Dolby engaged. Either way, the Demon, although fairly dark-sounding, sounds a lot nicer, at least on this track. I suspect this won't be the only track that happens with...
I just checked my Punch The Clock and it states "Manufactured in U.S.A." at the bottom of the disc face. The RMS numbers are totally different to the ones posted by @MLutthans, but upon closer inspection, I think it could potentially be the same mastering, but level-shifted. The DR numbers all match and the peak levels, while varied, seem to be around 2.5 dB apart on average. I'm listening to "Let Them All Talk" now and it sounds okay, but rather bass-shy and the horns are a tad grating (although that's a problem with the mix, not the mastering).
Here are some comparisons. This is not exhaustive, nor are they the only comparisons I'll do. They're just great songs I wanted to listen to. All comparisons were done using Sony MDR-7506 Professional headphones (which are supposedly flat response). I've used these headphones daily for over a year, probably for a minimum of 5 hours a day the past few months (I'm guessing 8-10 hours a day on average), so I know what they sound like. I'm particularly sensitive to the 1.5-2.5 kHz range and somewhere around 8 kHz, so I'm probably going to favour masters that have less going on at those areas (provided they aren't totally muddy, of course). "Pills And Soap" – Columbia Punch The Clock has less bass and treble, more midrangey. Not too bad. Girls Girls Girls has a more "normal" EQ balance, but this is not a normal song. Needs less (I think) low midrange and maybe a reduction around 8k (?) to sound more natural. I haven't tested. "Shipbuilding" – Columbia Punch The Clock is bass-deficient, but I still prefer it to Girls Girls Girls, which is just a bit unpleasant in the upper frequencies. The lack of bass on the Columbia is really the only problem with it, it sounds very nice otherwise. The Best Of EC & The Attractions is the brightest of the three I compared, has a fade-up on the opening note (although it's barely noticeable), leans a little bit to the left channel, and there's an ugly digital sheen on the vocals. "Temptation" – Demon and Columbia secret remaster ("Col2") are basically identical. There are differences, but if you gave me a blind test, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. (EDIT: This was a mistake, the two are very different; see my later post.) This song has a slightly odd stereo mix, but on both of those, I hear a very slight left-channel lean compared to Girls Girls Girls. Tonally, all three are similar. There's a bit more low midrange on the Get Happy!! CDs, and a little bit more treble on Girls Girls Girls. None sound bad. "Accidents Will Happen" – There's a very slight fade-up at the beginning of Girls Girls Girls which is not present on my US-made Columbia Armed Forces. Significantly more treble on the latter. Girls Girls Girls sounds like there's a blanket over the speakers. The brightness on the Columbia Armed Forces occasionally edges toward "harsh", but unlike the Rhino version I've listened to for years, never actually crosses that line. I don't own the recent super-deluxe edition, but listening to the samples on Qobuz, it's louder (and I suspect has a bit of compression), but has a great EQ balance. "Lipstick Vogue" – Col2 This Year's Model and Girls Girls Girls both sound very similar. The treble is a little bit more "open" on GGG. The cymbal in the right channel seems to be more pronounced on GGG – but I think this is EQ highlighting a relatively empty area of the mix, rather than a mis-aligned transfer or something like that. Both sound pretty good. I'm used to the Rhino, so finally hearing this song with dynamics is a bit odd... but I dig it. This song and "New Lace Sleeves" are the Attractions' finest hour. "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea" – Taking Liberties is very quiet and runs noticeably faster than Girls Girls Girls. I think Taking Liberties might be slightly folded in, because GGG sounds weighted to the left channel until the organ comes in, and that sounds like it's further right. Taking Liberties has more analog compression on the tape. EQ-wise, GGG is nicely balanced while TL has a nasty treble boost (I'm guessing 4k-12k). Definitely prefer GGG here, curious about the stereo though. "Tiny Steps" – Taking Liberties is a real stinker! It runs a lot faster, leans noticeably to the right channel, doesn't have nice EQ, and comes from a very compressed tape. This sounds really bad. Girls Girls Girls sounds better in every way. "Big Tears" – Okay, once was a fluke and twice was a coincidence, but three times is enough. Taking Liberties, catalog number CK 36839, matrix DIDP 70164, is a terrible-sounding CD and should be avoided. It almost sounds like the '60s-style "fake stereo" EQ on this song. There's barely any bass, the vocals sound louder in the left channel, the drums sound louder in the right channel. The whole thing is soaked in a bath of analog compression until it wrinkles. Ugh. Taking Liberties is a great album with a great cover, but don't buy the CD – at least, not the pressing I have. That's all I've got in me right now, but if there's a song you'd like to hear my comparisons of (between any of the CDs listed in that monster post a few hours before this one), let me know and I'll be happy to give 'em a spin for you! The only albums I don't have at all on early CD are Imperial Bedroom and Goodbye Cruel World, and I don't think there's any overlap between my two comps.