Hi-Res Download News (HDTracks, ProStudioMasters, Pono, etc.) & Software/Mastering Part 12**

Here's 3 DR's for this week. Musically, the Crosby is awesome as I expected with the Lighthouse band (& his voice hadn't lost ANYTHING in 2018), but DR9 on an acoustic album isn't real impressive. There is also more compression on the Miles Quiet Nights than I would prefer.

foobar2000 1.6.9 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2022-12-08 16:32:25

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Analyzed: David Crosby / Live at the Capitol Theatre
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DR Peak RMS Duration Track
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DR9 -0.51 dB -12.24 dB 3:55 01-The Us Below (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR8 -0.51 dB -12.18 dB 4:38 02-Things We Do For Love (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR8 -0.51 dB -11.31 dB 2:37 03-1974 (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR9 -0.51 dB -12.53 dB 4:13 04-Vagrants of Venice (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR9 -0.51 dB -11.69 dB 4:43 05-Regina (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR11 -0.51 dB -14.70 dB 3:38 06-Laughing (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR11 -0.51 dB -15.00 dB 1:09 07-What Are Their Names (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR9 -0.51 dB -12.81 dB 6:23 08-By The Light of Common Day (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR9 -0.51 dB -13.15 dB 5:25 09-Glory (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR8 -0.51 dB -11.63 dB 4:51 10-The City (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR10 -0.51 dB -14.16 dB 5:55 11-Look in Their Eyes (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR10 -0.51 dB -13.30 dB 4:40 12-Guinnevere (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR7 -0.51 dB -9.53 dB 3:21 13-Janet (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR11 -0.51 dB -15.63 dB 3:27 14-Carry Me (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR10 -0.51 dB -13.33 dB 9:57 15-Déjà Vu (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
DR9 -0.51 dB -12.74 dB 4:02 16-Woodstock (Live at the Capitol Theatre)
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Number of tracks: 16
Official DR value: DR9

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 1534 kbps
Codec: FLAC
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foobar2000 1.6.9 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2022-12-08 18:14:06

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Analyzed: Miles Davis / Quiet Nights (2022 Remaster)
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DR Peak RMS Duration Track
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DR9 -0.46 dB -12.98 dB 1:41 01-Song No. 2 (2022 Remaster)
DR9 -0.01 dB -11.83 dB 3:30 02-Once Upon a Summertime (2022 Remaster)
DR10 -0.24 dB -12.48 dB 4:20 03-Aos Pes Da Cruz (2022 Remaster)
DR10 -0.74 dB -13.32 dB 4:38 04-Song No. 1 (2022 Remaster)
DR9 0.00 dB -12.11 dB 4:07 05-Wait Till You See Her (2022 Remaster)
DR9 0.00 dB -11.64 dB 2:45 06-Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars) (2022 Remaster)
DR12 -0.24 dB -16.42 dB 6:06 07-Summer Night (2022 Remaster)
DR10 -1.79 dB -15.19 dB 12:46 08-The Time Of The Barracudas (2022 Remaster)
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Number of tracks: 8
Official DR value: DR10

Samplerate: 192000 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 6016 kbps
Codec: FLAC


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foobar2000 1.6.9 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2022-12-08 18:17:45

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Analyzed: Miles Davis / E.S.P.
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DR Peak RMS Duration Track
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DR13 -0.71 dB -16.83 dB 5:33 01-E.S.P. (2022 Remaster)
DR12 0.00 dB -14.84 dB 6:17 02-Eighty-One (2022 Remaster) (Album Version)
DR11 -1.99 dB -17.22 dB 7:26 03-Little One (2022 Remaster) (Album Version)
DR12 -0.85 dB -14.80 dB 4:03 04-R.J. (2022 Remaster) (Album Version)
DR12 -1.13 dB -16.26 dB 7:49 05-Agitation (2022 Remaster) (Album Version)
DR10 -2.74 dB -17.02 dB 8:36 06-Iris (2022 Remaster) (Album Version)
DR10 -1.47 dB -17.55 dB 8:49 07-Mood (2022 Remaster) (Album Version)
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Number of tracks: 7
Official DR value: DR11

Samplerate: 192000 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 6191 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

 

What's the story with 4 random Miles Davis released as new 2022 HD Downloads? Are they different mixes or something unique?

 

One was a PD out of European copyright comp, 1: Kind of Blue (is similar), & the other 2 are new CBS masters that seem more compressed than the Japan SACD's.

 

Same masters (the spectral analysis has the DSD64 ultrasonic noise hump clearly visible) but as you note a bit more compression (stupid!)

 

Appreciate the waveform viewers you have & the info you share!

 

FRANK ZAPPA 'WAKA/JAWAKA' & 'THE GRAND WAZOO'

log date: 2022-12-16 15:24:43

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Analyzed: Frank Zappa / Waka / Jawaka (Remastered)
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DR Peak RMS Duration Track
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DR12 0.00 dB -13.27 dB 17:25 01-Big Swifty
DR12 0.00 dB -13.82 dB 3:12 02-Your Mouth
DR13 -0.49 dB -15.03 dB 4:16 03-It Just Might Be A One-Shot Deal
DR11 -0.87 dB -13.86 dB 11:16 04-Waka/Jawaka
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Number of tracks: 4
Official DR value: DR12

Samplerate: 96000 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 3160 kbps
Codec: FLAC


foobar2000 1.6.2 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2022-12-16 15:32:20

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Analyzed: Frank Zappa / The Grand Wazoo (Remastered)
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DR Peak RMS Duration Track
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
DR12 0.00 dB -13.45 dB 13:19 01-The Grand Wazoo
DR12 0.00 dB -14.22 dB 6:06 02-For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)
DR11 0.00 dB -12.93 dB 2:56 03-Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus
DR12 0.00 dB -14.16 dB 6:41 04-Eat That Question
DR12 0.00 dB -14.14 dB 7:59 05-Blessed Relief
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Number of tracks: 5
Official DR value: DR12

Samplerate: 96000 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 3089 kbps
Codec: FLAC

 

Been waiting a long time to get the debut record of the second great quintet in high-resolution, as, I've bought all of the others, but, HDTracks wants $30 for E.S.P. That's absolute madness.

 

Beware any of the dump of new Pink Floyd 1972 copyright live concerts. I'm not sure if you can even buy them anywhere - I sampled a couple for free, and deleted pretty much right away. They sound like 50th generation tapes, audience or soundboard I'm not even sure. Great set lists, venues all over (UK, USA, Europe) but like the last time, likely some temporary poke in the eye at the grey market (which I can fully support because these aren't even worth it for free!).

 

HD Tracks, released by Sony!!!! Sounds like Sony's QC has really gone for a ride.....

 

Damn...Guess I've been spoiled by the Rush grey market releases over the past 15 years....figured they'd be similar in quality. That's too bad.

 

If anyone bothers to listen to all of these, would you please post if any have decent sound? Wonder WhyTF Sony released these in 24 bit. I've heard 3;
Alternates is a safety master at best, several gens removed from the master.
London Oct 21 is an audie
Sapporo March 13 is a lowish quality cassette sound board.

 

Sadly the new deluxe Waka/Wazoo is only a DR10.

foobar2000 1.6.9 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2022-12-16 19:53:31

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Analyzed: Frank Zappa / Waka/Wazoo
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DR Peak RMS Duration Track
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DR10 -0.71 dB -13.22 dB 5:27 01-Your Mouth (Take 1)
DR10 -0.70 dB -13.27 dB 15:11 02-Big Swifty (Alternate Take)
DR10 -0.70 dB -11.65 dB 10:28 03-Minimal Art (Eat That Question - Version 1, Take 2)
DR10 -0.71 dB -12.97 dB 10:19 04-Blessed Relief (Outtake)
DR9 -0.70 dB -11.32 dB 11:23 05-Think It Over (The Grand Wazoo) (Outtake)
DR10 -0.70 dB -13.24 dB 8:10 06-For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers) (Outtake)
DR11 -0.70 dB -12.79 dB 13:41 07-Waka/Jawaka (Outtake)
DR11 -0.70 dB -12.81 dB 2:51 08-Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus (Alternate Take)
DR10 -0.70 dB -13.34 dB 11:08 09-Eat That Question (Version 2, Alternate Take)
DR9 -0.71 dB -11.99 dB 14:52 10-Big Swifty (Alternate Mix)
DR10 -0.73 dB -13.41 dB 6:29 11-For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers) (Alternate Mix)
DR10 -0.71 dB -11.65 dB 4:18 12-It Just Might Be A One-Shot Deal (Alternate Mix)
DR10 -0.71 dB -11.45 dB 15:53 13-Waka/Jawaka (Alternate Mix)
DR8 -0.71 dB -10.46 dB 2:57 14-Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus (Alternate Mix)
DR8 -0.70 dB -11.15 dB 5:44 15-Eat That Question (Alternate Mix)
DR9 -0.71 dB -11.78 dB 4:56 16-For Love (I Come Your Friend) (George Duke Demo)
DR9 -0.71 dB -11.98 dB 5:12 17-Psychosomatic Dung (George Duke Demo)
DR10 -0.71 dB -12.19 dB 3:57 18-Uncle Remus (George Duke Demo - Instrumental)
DR9 -0.71 dB -10.56 dB 3:32 19-Love (George Duke Demo)
DR9 -0.70 dB -12.15 dB 5:02 20-For Love (I Come Your Friend) (George Duke Session Outtake - Basic Track, Take 1)
DR9 -0.71 dB -12.17 dB 2:51 21-Psychosomatic Dung (George Duke Session Outtake - Basic Track, Take 2)
DR9 -0.71 dB -11.71 dB 7:13 22-Love (George Duke Session Outtake - Basic Track, Take 1)
DR10 -0.71 dB -14.45 dB 11:06 23-Approximate (Live - FZ Record Plant Mix)
DR15 -0.74 dB -22.45 dB 4:47 24-Winterland '72 Opening and Band Introductions (Live At Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco - 12/15/1972)
DR9 -0.71 dB -11.89 dB 18:38 25-Little Dots (Live At Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco - 12/15/1972)
DR12 -0.71 dB -16.47 dB 6:07 26-America Drinks (Live At Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco - 12/15/1972)
DR10 -0.71 dB -14.93 dB 6:57 27-Montana (Live At Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco - 12/15/1972)
DR11 -0.71 dB -15.00 dB 15:02 28-Farther O’Blivion (Live At Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco - 12/15/1972)
DR9 -0.71 dB -14.27 dB 8:11 29-Cosmik Debris (Live At Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco - 12/15/1972)
DR8 -0.71 dB -11.99 dB 18:04 30-Chunga’s Revenge (Live At Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco - 12/15/1972)
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Number of tracks: 30
Official DR value: DR10

Samplerate: 96000 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 3234 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

 

I can't speak for the other titles, but I can't find an SACD of "We Want Miles". Maybe I am looking in the wrong places? This is one of my favorite Miles' albums. I have always thought there was something "off" in the original CD release and the couple of different versions I have. The hi-rez download sounds fantastic, any hint of "offness" gone. Super clean recording with great soundstage depth. I haven't gotten around to the other releases yet but really happy with "We Want Miles".

 

Hey - we live in an age where bands like Black Sabbath and Kiss are including live audience recordings as part of their SDE box sets, so this doesn't surprise me at all.

 

I played the 2 of the Floyds that were rated higest on the thread for the "dump", & one is an awful audie, & the other sounds like an early 70's cassette download. AND THOSE WERE THE TOP RATED! Don't waste your money. This is really a similar copyright dump to the Dylan & Beatles MP3's, but these are way more expensive.

 

Oops, "download" should have read "Soundboard". I have keyboarding issues from a 2013 concussion.

 

Which is the soundboard?

 

Rainbow. It's not in the best of shape.

 

This is (I think) the one “new” transfer. It does sound great!

 

Bent out of shape? ;-)

 

Just a PSA about the supposed "hi-res" downloads being offered on Craft's own webstore. (Searched and didn't find this mentioned here.) I tried the Coltrane '58 digital set and, after downloading, I found out that the FLAC and WAV download packages were actually 44.1/16 files.

There is also a Miles Davis Prestige albums set that I suspect is the same, but I decided not to take the chance again.

These are both avaolable from HDtracks and PSM as 192/24. The prices on Craft's store are a lot lower, but now I know why. Not a bad deal if you're okay with CD quality, as they are cheaper than the physical CD sets (but don't include the booklet). But don't be fooled (like me) into thinking they are a cheaper option for hi-res.

 

Thank you for the info. No idea why Craft would do that.

 

Incompetence, indifference, and dishonesty are three real possibilities...

 

Might be similar to how Amazon Music calls CD-quality "HD", simply because it's above MP3-quality. Still, it's pretty deceptive to go so far as to use the term "hi-res", which almost always refers to 24-bit audio, usually of at least 48kHz.

I reported it and was eventually sent a link to a download that was mostly 192/24 files, but some were 96/24 and still one track at 44.1/16! No pattern that I could tell. Just bizarre. I asked them to change the language on the site, but not holding my breath. So I wanted to try to spread the word, at least.

 

The Benny Carter Jazz Giants I have are all 48/24. Metadata: Craft, distributed by Concord.