SH Spotlight Steve's Mastering Secrets, Part II

Another question for Steve:

What did you do to Marilyn Monroe's "I Wanna Be Loved By You" track in the Club Verboten set? Also, what did you do to Chet Baker's "My Funny Valentine"? It's the best version I have ever heard.

 

Steve,

I've just started getting some of your old "Rock of the 70's" and "Reelin' in the Years" discs. I love the sound!

Two questions: Did you use the same type of method as with DCC gold CDs, like using vintage tube gear? I noticed that "You're No Good" on the "Rock" CD sounds a little different than the version on the "Greatest Hits" gold CD. Not in a bad way, just somehow different.

Also, is the mastering for the "Reeling in the Years" and "Rock of the 70's" discs identical for each of the volumes? Both have the same songs, just different sequencing. (The Reeling in the Years CD's are cheaper )

 

Nice description.

In my opinion, nothing comes even close to the 3, 4 and 8 track recordings of the 1960's.

I've a question about the "Toga Rock Vol. 2" cd. The version of Rare Earth's "Get Ready" is the same performance" as the 45. However, I have noticed the "canned" applause that was on the 45 and LP versions is absent. Did you remix this song or was this an unused mix without the applasue. Those Toga Rock cd's sound great by the way.

 

Thanks for that Steve. I never knew there was a mix done without the applause. Very interesting.

 

Oh wow! So that means the TOGA ROCK II version is from the 1st generation tapes (per your motto/policy) and all others were 2nd generation w/the dubbed applause. I wonder if the same is true of their 1971 "In Concert" live album which has extra applause added in spots.

Even though the old Motown Rare Earth Cd's mastered by John Matousek sound good, I'd sure love to hear what you could bring to albums like Get Ready, Ecology, etc...

That's all.

 

Thanks a lot The ones I have so far are great collections of songs.

 

Whatever you say, Steve...

 

Gee Steve, that would be a treat, but is there an album on CD that both you and Barry did masterings for? Your discography is pretty complete, but Barry's is not (but hopefully we're getting there), and that makes it a bit difficult.

 

The only copy I've ever had is yours. About how long a section?

 

But, all of dcc's gold discs were $30?

Isn't this the going price for audiophile cds??

 

This sounds like the making of a fundraiser.

Donate $5 as your entry fee and guess what part of the song Steve had to mix and splice in. Then give some prize as the incentive to who ever sent the correct answer in first.

 

LOL! That's a great idea!!!

Another question for Steve:

We all know you work in the analog domain of audio and that you don't like digital EQ. However, what's the most decent digital EQ you have ever heard?

 

That's dedication! remixing 20 seconds!

 

Sorry, i don't know that copy of Bad Company - i have that pink Island LP.

I came across a Compilation CD with Steve Hoffman's name on it just a few weeks ago. It is called "70's Rock Classics Vol.1" from 1992... a pity it is a bit short - 45 minutes or so; but extremely good . Real fine Song selection and what's striking me most about that CD is the superb sound of each Track on it and the overall sound level. Usually you don't expect wonders from a Compilation of different mastered stuff, but somehow Steve managed to breath some of that tube magic into the tracks, esp. when i play that CD loud, the results are amazing. Thanks for that fine work! How many Volumes are out there and which songs were the hardest to tweak up to such a brilliant level of Sound ?

 

Thanks for that fast response. I bet getting all those different masters sounding like coming from one source was hard work. 10 Volumes ? Great.
I will check for the older threads and have a look....