Simply Red Mastering Thread

I have not found peak levels for that title that were confirmed by Diament on this site. However, I can say that the darker blue masterings sound dynamic and vivid. They certainly sound like his work.

 

seems odd, is all. If it's a Diament, the credit for it going to somebody else

 

Sadly, it happens a LOT.

 

Carry over credits from the Euro LP cut.
My guess Diament probably worked from Arun's tapes. Which probably didn't need much fiddling with. The cut's/mastering's I have from him (Howard Jones/Thompson Twins) are excellent

 

Is the picture book US LP all analog?

 

Anyone help figure out which mastering I have here? It says manufactured by Columbia House on the back (though has usual barcode). Seems like this is the one that should match up, but the discs aren't the same at all:

Simply Red - Picture Book

 

The one you linked to is an early DADC Club manufacture, this looks to be a SRC. Probably more in line with this one.
Simply Red - Picture Book
Should carry the old stock mastering

 

Thanks for locating it. So many entries for this disc I just start going cross-eyed looking at all the numbers. I should've guessed it was a Diament. I didn't know anything about this disc prior to popping it in, and couldn't believe my poor battered ears. Must've been quite the demo disc back in the 80s.

 

Hi everyone, I was looking for the Simply Red 5 Box CD Original Series Albums, this sounds good? or the 1st CD pressings are better?

 

On the subject of Picture Book vinyl… Today I received a brand new copy of the 2020 LP remaster by Barry Grint. It’s a great pressing (done at Optimal) but my God: compared to the Elektra 1995 German pressing mastered by Arun Chakraverty, it sounds compressed, dull and lifeless… incredibly disappointing, as Grint has done some really good work elsewhere. I can only assume he had either a second-rate master to work with, or the tapes are in horrible shape. Bummer.

 

I'm wondering the same. An easy way to get them all at once. Well. Atleast the five first.

 

Are you referring to the 2 disc/1 DVD set on Edsel?
Was about to spring for it, having second thoughts

 

I have since picked up a US SRC pressing with the 86.9, 82.4, 79.4, 62.9, 77.2, 88.8, 66.3, 77.4, 91.8, 82.9 peak levels and I think it is even better. More relaxed and better clarity.

And looking at the varied peak levels for this CD, with none of them hitting 100, I would bet that this is the Diament mastering.

 

Nice find! Quite possible then, however Barry did have mastering's that hit zero (on occasion)
I still haven't come across another since I posted that. Notice anything different EQ wise?

 

True, but on those occasions I believe he was supplied with EQ limited tapes.

 

It's very close.

 

That's what would hook me, thanks man!

 

It's very close, though. I just edited my post.

 

US Specialty had some good plants, possible their set-up was able to get more off the tapes for the glass.

 

Careful, you'll get tarred and feathered talking like that around here.

But seriously, I compared the two CDs again on my system. The detail on the SRC is exellent. Super clear. So clear that it seems brighter, even though looking at both in Audacity (levels matched) the SRC has a touch less. The one you have, the 100, 100, 88.7, comes across as warmer, more ear friendly, more analog, but with less detail at all frequencies. Based on what you said above, I would stick with what you have, unless you find a cheap SRC and want to compare.

 

I know, where's Ricks at
Figure if a Rush-Signals MFSL can show up at my local, this of all titles will eventually show face!

 

No Direction on Picture Book is a helluva test track.