SH Spotlight Steve's "Adventures in mastering" threads - Create a list of links?

I'd buy it. In addition to the wealth of knowledge and experience he has, I find Steve's writing style both engaging and entertaining.

 

pscreed posted:

Not only should Steve's post on this subject continue, he should write a book.
There, I said it.

I'll "third" this thought, and quote my post from Dec. 10 in the "Wally Cox had a hit record" thread:

I'm not sure if a separate thread should be created to pose this question.

In light of the cessation of the "Adventures In Mastering" threads (pre-release, at least), and relative to this thread, the "A Nun's Story" thread, and other personal recollection threads Steve has posted, my question is, might we ever see "Adventures In Mastering" - The hardcover book?

It could start with some autobiographical background, peppered with memorable childhood recollections such as this post #10 here, tell us when and how you realized that audio engineering was your calling, and go from there with your best stories.

I realize that the number one prohibitive factor for this would probably be lack of available time to attempt such a thing (if there were a desire or interest in doing so), but it would be a book that i, for one, would certainly buy.

So, any chance of this, perhaps?

 

I want that book for X-mas.......

 

I love the "Adventures..." posts, and will miss them. Perhaps posting a non commentable version after the CD/SACD is available for sale? Anyway I appreciate the ones that were posted, they were a fun read!

 

I have not seen any indication that he has stopped doing these threads because of any such reason. He posts these threads when he is allowed to speak about a project. Sometimes, he is contractually prohibited from saying anything about a project, or how something was recorded, mixed, or originally mastered. That demand could come from the artist and/or the record label. Other times, he usually will say something, as he does in those threads. Steve knows there are a few of us who are always interested in the technical things.

 

Maybe my sense of what the general feel of what part of the reason the threads stopped is skewed. If so, my apologies to Steve.

I understand what you are saying that the reason(s) are to be true also. I just didnt think it was my place to comment on legal reasons. My understanding from the flow of conversations in the threads at times is that I think its some of both of what we have stated. And yes, the legality issue you mention being the main issue.

But Id also imagine that it gets frustrating trying to do something as an extra gesture and fun yet be ridiculed and fingerpointed at by those who youre doing something as a little extra for. Gets tiring being confronted when your trying to give some insight as a gift to the members.

Maybe Im off though idk.

 

Well, Steve, himself, has said from time to time that he is not allowed to discuss something if asked. Sometimes he won't, or can't even say that much.

Steve can speak for himself, but perhaps there just haven't been any projects for him to discuss of late.

I also guess that Steve has learned that being criticized for anything he may or may not do in a project is to be expected. Steve could probably take it, but it is the reason most engineers and producers do not make themselves directly available to the public in a forum. Some of the public don't even ask. They assume things and get confrontational and insulting. And, even if the producer or engineer tells their side of the story, with details, some people are never satisfied with the answer. In the past, I have done both. I have been that guy who criticizes without knowing or understanding the whole story, and I have been the guy who tries to get at the truth by asking the people who were responsible.

I have been wrong, but sometimes you can't just tell someone something and have them believe it, they have to discover it for themselves. I think that is what most of these record guys do. but, other times I am right, and it's good to have someone who was there back you up.

Anyway, if Steve sees this thread, i'm sure he will give some kind of comment.

 

Thanks for the great idea to start a thread that is dedicated to Steve's mastering stories, as it will be a great resource for old and new members alike, in the future!

I completely understand why Steve has to sadly curb the "Adventures in mastering" stories, but, I will miss those great and fascinating threads, as much as miss Steve talking about the old days of having lunch, with his old friend, the late Larry Levine. When Steve would open those doors for us to allow a peak behind the scenes, that was what made his own contributions to this forum that he has built for us, so special!

Maybe Steve can privately "start a conversation", with those of us that he trusts, when he feels the need to let a little info out, that the lawyers or heads of record labels wouldn't disapprove of? I can understand why a record label might not want their "master tape boxes" shown, but, all the same, that same record label is allowing Steve Stanley at Now Sounds Records, not only "show" the boxes, but those photos are a part of the actual artwork, in many of his reissues, so what's the big deal? To me, it makes each release more "official" looking and proves that, at the very least, the buyer can be assured that the master tapes were at least involved somewhere in the reissue process!

Quick thanks to Steve for all that he has already shared with us and I can only hope to someday be in L.A., when he and Stephen are making some magic happen and be allowed in the room to look over their shoulders!

 

I would love to read the story of Steve using the "DO NOT USE" master tapes for Van Halen.

 

Time to get back on track with this thread. Regarding our hosts decision to discontinue the AIM-threads I kindly ask you to leave that matter for now, or at least for the sake of this thread. For us who's only interested in reading about the mastering process of certain records it's easier to follow this thread that way. Thanks!

The first three links are not mastering threads but still 'fits the profile'.

A few photos from our Creedence mastering session
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/a-few-photos-from-our-creedence-mastering-session.398/

New Photos from Creedence LP Mastering Sessions
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/new-photos-from-creedence-lp-mastering-sessions.3227/

Photos from one of our Analogue Productions 45 RPM CLASSIC JAZZ mastering sessions
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...-45-rpm-classic-jazz-mastering-sessions.7372/

Then, back to the mastering process.

New SH mastered SACD: "Thhttp://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/steves-adventures-in-mastering-threads-create-a-list-of-links.339995/page-2e Everly Brothers' Best (Original Cadence Recordings)"
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...others-best-original-cadence-recordings.5931/

Ritchie Valens SACD mastering fun!
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/ritchie-valens-sacd-mastering-fun.7268/


Had fun today, 80's time warp: Mastering THE CARS "Heartbeat City"!
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...arp-mastering-the-cars-heartbeat-city.166975/

The new RHINO Joni Mitchell "Blue" LP? Yes, it's the one Kevin Gray and I mastered.
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...its-the-one-kevin-gray-and-i-mastered.105176/

Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" vinyl mastering & equalization notes from SH.
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...-mastering-equalization-notes-from-sh.247970/

Enjoy people, and keep 'em coming please!

 

Eric Dolphy - Out to Lunch, Music Matters 45 rpm

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...45-rpm-music-matters-upcoming-release.169082/

 

EXACTLY!! Ezrin went all Alpha Male on here. If I had been a Gort, I would've banned him on the spot.

That would have showed him…

 

Absolutely fascinating reads, thanks for the links, Steve!

 

Here's 2 more threads for you on this amazing winter wonder tuesday in Sweden!


"Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section", one of THE greatest jazz albums of all time?
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...of-the-greatest-jazz-albums-of-all-time.8379/

Not really a thread about the mastering process of SH, but I think most of you would agree that it belongs here anyway.
The DOORS: My interview with the legendary engineer/producer BRUCE BOTNICK
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...r-producer-bruce-botnick.185407/#post-4505572

 

Thanks Steve. For all of these efforts really, as they're fascinating reading.

Could you have the gorts look into whatever happened to the following three threads I quoted earlier in this thread? They were full of tremendous and helpful information along the same lines as the other threads mentioned here but since the switch to the new forum software, they seem to be lost.

 

Great! They weren't working when I posted them the other evening.

 

It would be great if we could have a separate forum for these threads as well as album-by-album threads. The search engine doesn't work searching for album by album threads at all.

 

This one?
Does Mr. Hoffman add Bass when he masters? /// Some rare Steve H. mastering SECRETS!!
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...s-some-rare-steve-h-mastering-secrets.132106/

 

Yep, it's all good. They found the three threads. Some great reading/information there.

 

I suppose I should have read the rest of this thead before posting. That was one of my favorite threads.

 

Excellent Steve, thanks!
Trying to find the threads about The Doors DCC releases, but no luck. Are they in here somewhere?
If not, maybe you can share a little bit about them?

Btw, am I the only one thinking that The Doors should've sticked to 4-track, like with the s/t?
They never sounded so intimate and pure after that first release imho, and it's not because of the songs but the sound of the first record is simply something that's not in the others. They get close to it with L.A. Woman, but that might also be the work of SH...

Now, for some more interesting links;

"Damn it, there is tape hiss in-between tracks on Creedence "Willy & The Poor Boys"!
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...racks-on-creedence-willy-the-poor-boys.46257/

I Mastered Billy Joel "52nd Street"...
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...reet-today-for-audio-fidelity-gold-cd.227864/