I guess this one is going to be complicated. Here's what I have: Mastering 1: 93.8/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.2 MCA Remaster 1999 (Made in EU) 811 745 LC01056 UN899 / Matrix: 50117 811745-2 03/(Made in Germany by Universal M&L) Mastering 2: 81.4/99.6/89.1/97.2/100.0/89.1/95.0 MCA Citizen boxed set MCAD 4-10981 / Matrix: MCAD4109814 Y3C1C MFD BY JVC Mastering 3: 90.8/91.7/90.6/88.7/96.3/86.2/97.6 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-T5E21 Remember any slight variation in matrix, catalogue number or peak levels should be listed here. Also, so far nobody has posted the levels of a US 1998-2000 remaster, don't tell me none of you have one.
Two more that match the above: MCA US for US Cover: MCAD 37214 DIDY 55 (no barcode) / CRC club version Disc: MCAD-37214 above DIDY 55 above CRC Matrix: CI 5650-1 (plus another code that has been scratched out) MCA UK for UK Cover: MCA DMCL 1745 Disc: MCA US MCAD-37214 Matrix: MCAD-37214-1T24 Another version: MCA US for US Cover: MCAD 37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) Disc: MCAD-37214 Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C15 MFD BY JVC 81.4/100.0/100.0/97.4/99.8/100.0/90.4
I have the same disc, with the same packaging and peak levels, with the following matrix: MCAD-37214-U7C11 (I still maintain this is, at least, a digital clone of the Hoffman master, due to the nearly-identical peak numbers. But that's a debate that's been covered ad nauseum here...) Here's my Canadian disc: MCABD 37214 DIDX 55 ("Price Code I") (Barcode: 0 7674-17214-2 9) Manufactured by Cinram for MCA Records Canada Maxtrix: MFG BY CINRAM #921120H MCA-37214 Peaks: 81.4/100.0/100.0/97.4/99.8/100.0/90.4 And here's the MFSL Ultradisc UDCD 515 Matrix: MANUFACTURED BY ULTECH UDCD 515 SMF8084-1A (Just so you know, that was a real pain to read - it's printed backwards on the data side, and on the label side it's painted over!) Peaks: 66.7/62.4/85.8/72.2/79.1/57.6/85.4 Is that the one that has "Deacon Blue" and "Peg" reversed, as on the box set? I'd be curious to see peak levels as well, since I always assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that that particular batch of remasters was sourced from the same tapes as the box set (since I believe I read that the Pretzel Logic disc is missing the opening to "Rikki," again as on the box set.)
There's a thread about this already. Particularly, I tried to summarize some of this info in this post.
Wrong--the master was cloned for Europe. Forum member Mal went to Steve personally and had it verified that the original European-issue CD was indeed a SH mastering.
That was the UK pressing. There is a thread about it. These are the EAC numbers for the copy of Steve's mastering: 90.7, 91.7, 90.8, 88.9, 96.3, 86.1, 97.5. Joel Cairo has confirmed with Steve in this post the MCAD-37214 (Japan 20P2, 32XD and what ever else uses this masting) is not Steve's work. http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showpost.php?p=1988961&postcount=145
Is this to say that the mastering that Steve did of Aja is isolated *only* to the MCA UK MLCD presses???
*Nauseous*... I'm going to make a somewhat educated assumption here. Chances are likely, or *more than likely* that the Japan and U.S. discs that are the *supposed* variation on Mal's UK Nimbus CD, *are in fact his *original* mastering, and the Europe/UK versions are the ones from the clones of the Sony PCM tape. They didn't start using that newer MCA logo(as on the UK CD) until the 90's. Sounds like a legitimate explanation, no?
Here's an updated list: Mastering 1: 93.8/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.2 MCA Remaster 1999 (Made in EU) 811 745 LC01056 UN899 / Matrix: 50117 811745-2 03/(Made in Germany by Universal M&L) Mastering 2: 81.4/99.6/89.1/97.2/100.0/89.1/95.0 MCA Citizen boxed set MCAD 4-10981 / Matrix: MCAD4109814 Y3C1C MFD BY JVC Mastering 3: 90.8/91.7/90.6/88.7/96.3/86.2/97.6 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-T5E21 MCA US for US MCAD 37214 DIDY 55 (no barcode) / CRC club version (Disc: MCAD-37214 above DIDY 55 above CRC) / Matrix: CI 5650-1 (plus another code that has been scratched out) MCA UK MCA DMCL 1745 (disc: MCA US MCAD-37214) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1T24 Mastering 4: 81.4/100.0/100.0/97.4/99.8/100.0/90.4 MCA US MCAD 37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C15 MFD BY JVC MCA Canada MCABD 37214 DIDX 55 ("Price Code I") / Matrix: MFG BY CINRAM #921120H MCA-37214 Mastering 5: 66.7/62.4/85.8/72.2/79.1/57.6/85.4 MFSL Ultradisc UDCD 515 / Matrix: MANUFACTURED BY ULTECH UDCD 515 SMF8084-1A If you can't list EAC levels, catalogue numbers and matrix numbers don't bother to post in this thread. If you want to discuss how rare the Steve Hoffman mastering is, post the peak levels of Mal's confirmed SH mastered CD without listing catalogue and matrix numbers or discuss how long the SH mastered UK disc has been in print please do it in another thread. Thank you.
I have this one: 90.7 / 91.7 / 90.8 / 88.9 / 96.3 / 86.2 / 97.5 Made in Germany, w/two cat#s: MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 matrix: SONOPRESS I-5627/MCD01745 A1 My cd player shows a total time of 39:57 As you can see there's a 0.1% deviation on track 6, but I gather this is Steve's mastering? It sounds great.
I don't know. I am just going by what Joel Cairo confirmed with Steve. I have also heard Steve's mastering and the 32XD Japan and they do not sound the same. Mal likes the Japan VJD pressing - I don't know who mastered that one. Dave likes the 32XD. I seems to me that there are plenty of good sounding "Aja" discs out there.
Whatever was confirmed, *Is completely impossible*(IMHO). I'd bet my Hi-Fi on it. First off, chances are *more than likely* that his mastering was sent to U.S. and Japan plants *before* the U.K., which is a clone of the original.
I've compared my copy (mastering 3) to Mal's 10 second sample of "Black cow" from the disc confirmed as Steve's mastering. They sounded identical to me. I've compared the waveforms of both and even down to the smallest detail (sample by sample) they looked identical to me, I couldn't spot any differences in the frequency domain either. There is a small DC offset difference which isn't constant (which might explain the small variations in peak levels), but my guess is that they're from the same digital source tape. There might be pressing differences, but not mastering differences. So my guess is that mastering 3, mastering 6 or any other mastering with similar peak levels is Steve's. Mastering 1: 93.8/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.2 MCA Remaster 1999 (Made in EU) 811 745 LC01056 UN899 / Matrix: 50117 811745-2 03/(Made in Germany by Universal M&L) Mastering 2: 81.4/99.6/89.1/97.2/100.0/89.1/95.0 MCA Citizen boxed set MCAD 4-10981 / Matrix: MCAD4109814 Y3C1C MFD BY JVC Mastering 3: 90.8/91.7/90.6/88.7/96.3/86.2/97.6 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-T5E21 MCA US for US MCAD 37214 DIDY 55 (no barcode) / CRC club version (Disc: MCAD-37214 above DIDY 55 above CRC) / Matrix: CI 5650-1 (plus another code that has been scratched out) MCA UK MCA DMCL 1745 (disc: MCA US MCAD-37214) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1T24 Mastering 4: 81.4/100.0/100.0/97.4/99.8/100.0/90.4 MCA US MCAD 37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C15 MFD BY JVC MCA Canada MCABD 37214 DIDX 55 ("Price Code I") / Matrix: MFG BY CINRAM #921120H MCA-37214 Mastering 5: 66.7/62.4/85.8/72.2/79.1/57.6/85.4 MFSL Ultradisc UDCD 515 / Matrix: MANUFACTURED BY ULTECH UDCD 515 SMF8084-1A Mastering 6 (nearly identical to mastering 3): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.2/97.5 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: SONOPRESS I-5627/MCD01745 A1
Unless his mastering was pulled in favour of the Nichols. I don't know. I did have the Canada for Canda CD, which has the same EAC as the Japan discs, and it isn't Steve's - I compared that one to the Hoffman mastering. Steve would know the answer, but he stays out of these threads (smart guy).
It will only get even more confusing, as there's a third one with similar levels as 3 & 6. Unless we'll all agree in the end that all 3 are the same mastering, this thread will only raise more questions instead of giving us a final answer. Steve's smart indeed to stay out of these discussions.
I have a Canada for Canada that's a different mastering than Steve's-Gotta watch out for those. This disc is still currently available. It's the later mastering with more EQ'd treble. My U.S.'DIDX 000055' matrix CD that I have, is Steve's mastering, though.
Well, if you can get folks to post up samples from the song Aja (all 3 versions have the same peak value) and any other song (where there are differences), someone should be able to determine whether (a) they remain in digital sync. (a good indication that they are derived from the same digital master) and (b) whether they differ in EQ or DC offset or sample alignment.
Could you list the full catalogue number as well, then I can finally list Steve's mastering (EAC levels have already been mentioned earlier in this thread).
Here's a the first 30-seconds of Black Cow from my U.S. DIDX-000055 press, *SH mastering*. The full catalog number for this is:MCAD-37214 DIDX 55. DADC press. http://www.mediafire.com/?gmu0m34dclx The Canada MCA I have that *is not an SH mastering* is: MCABD 37214 Cineram Matrix LT40 MCABD37214 #40830V04 11 This Canada disc has the usual full artwork and DIDX55 printed on the liner and notes. Here's a clip from the Canada CD I just mentioned: http://www.mediafire.com/?nroxgdlny01
What's the mastering of the Canada disc? If it's a new one please post EAC levels. An updated list: Mastering 1: 93.8/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.2 MCA Remaster 1999 (Made in EU) 811 745 LC01056 UN899 / Matrix: 50117 811745-2 03/(Made in Germany by Universal M&L) Mastering 2: 81.4/99.6/89.1/97.2/100.0/89.1/95.0 MCA Citizen boxed set MCAD 4-10981 / Matrix: MCAD4109814 Y3C1C MFD BY JVC Mastering 3: 90.8/91.7/90.6/88.7/96.3/86.2/97.6 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-T5E21 MCA US for US MCAD 37214 DIDY 55 (no barcode) / CRC club version (Disc: MCAD-37214 above DIDY 55 above CRC) / Matrix: CI 5650-1 (plus another code that has been scratched out) MCA UK MCA DMCL 1745 (disc: MCA US MCAD-37214) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1T24 Mastering 4: 81.4/100.0/100.0/97.4/99.8/100.0/90.4 MCA US MCAD 37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C15 MFD BY JVC MCA Canada MCABD 37214 DIDX 55 ("Price Code I") / Matrix: MFG BY CINRAM #921120H MCA-37214 Mastering 5: 66.7/62.4/85.8/72.2/79.1/57.6/85.4 MFSL Ultradisc UDCD 515 / Matrix: MANUFACTURED BY ULTECH UDCD 515 SMF8084-1A Mastering 6 (nearly identical to mastering 3): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.2/97.5 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: SONOPRESS I-5627/MCD01745 A1 Mastering 7 (confirmed as Steve Hoffman's mastering, nearly identical to 3 & 6): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.1/97.5 MCA US DIDX-000055 / Matrix: MCAD-37214 DIDX 55
