I'm mastering 1969's "CROSBY, STILLS & NASH" this Tuesday for AF. 4 Guests picked*

I've never owned this title on CD. One to look forward to.
Quick survey, CSN now bigger than the Beatles.


Once inquired about the vinyls. Stop me.
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=58975&highlight=

 

Wish I could be there..just been comparing the LP with Joe Gastwirt's CD re-master. Not sure what's so wrong with the bass on "Long Time Gone" - the bass on "Suite" sounds more intrusive to me on Gastwirt's. One thing - Nash's harmonies always seem more "mixed up" and louder than the other two - maybe just 'cause his voice is higher.. And the sound on "49 Bye-byes" has always sounded harsh, even on Gastwirt - something to do with it being the last track on the album?

And what is it with removing the "Come on in my kitchen" line on some re-masters (not Gastwirt's by the way)? Isn't it a Robert Johnson line, or even older? Surely out of copyright for years?

Hope the session lives up to the pre-billing - good luck, Mr. Hoffman!!

Cheers,

Martin

 

It's the ice cream and balloons.




Classic 45rpm vinyl vs. gold CD when it comes.

This vinyl is very, very good.

 

What are "flats"?

 

Flat transfers of the original master tape.

The best way to prep is to spend time listening to and getting acquainted with all the mastering details that need to be performed.

Then when the master is finally threaded you are ready to implement a concise plan of action.

 

Will the CD be mastered from the flats or the original master tape?

Or is the flat used just for prep purposes?

Can't wait to hear this version!

 

Steve, do you have to bake or not bake these flat transfers? Just curious!

 

That practice only applies to recordings made after 1974 due to the chemical composition of tape lubricant used from that year on...this album was recorded in 1969...

 

Whale oil--we have yet to top it as a tape lubricant...

 

"I'll take originals for $1,000.00, Alex..."

 

I am definitely getting this as soon as it comes out. Just think what Mr. Hoffman is gonna do with the sound of those beautiful Martin guitars.

 

I'd love to sit in on one of these sessions some day. Just to see the tapes, let alone hear them, would be an amazing experience and to see and hear what's involved in remastering them. It'd be a long trip but, hey, who knows?

 

You could be right, Chicks love he smell of whale oil in the morning.

 

I'm very excited about Steve mastering this title, love the album - this should be a real treat. One of these days I'd love to make it to the West Coast for a mastering session, wish the lucky guys that get the chance lots of fun.

 

So let me understand this then.

The "flats" you speak of (for testing out mastering moves) are flat transfers of the master tape to CDR, rather than to tape?

 

Thanks. Understood.

Methinks 'tis about time you did some mastering in Blighty.

Give us folks in the old country a chance.

 

So Steve Stills had the first generation mixdown tapes all this time and didn't know it?!? Wow!!!

 

I was lucky enough to attend Steve's James Taylor mastering session a couple months ago and had a great time! The four of you who go this time will have a great experience.

 

"we will use the actual analog master tapes (recently discovered, by the way) for our mastering."

Good heavens - so the original LP and all the re-masters by Barry Diament & Joe Gastwirt used dubs! I haven't heard the Classic vinyl version - has anybody else, and what does it sound like?