The full set wasn't released in hi-res, unfortunately. Only the tracks included in the self-titled 50th set were and they were a different mastering to the Complete Matrix release. Also, the tracks on the 50th set were the only ones initially mixed. Then the rest were mixed at a different time to complete the Complete set. I found it very odd they didn't release the Matrix set in hi-res given that all the 45h sets were. The Complete Matrix also didn't get the MFiT label in the iTunes store which means they weren't sent hi-res files. I would be surprised if the LPs are cut from 44khz files but you never know. I'm hoping they did cut from hi-res files and I'm hoping they make hi-res audio available for sale. That's what I've been hoping for.
My mistake. I think I actually knew that and got crossed up. I really would like an Amazon US. I don't mind paying for shipping but it seems to me if there are issues with the pressing I can return/exchange easier with an Amazon US link.
I received my copy of Amazon.fr today, and played the first 4 records Sound is fine, similar to the 4cd set, pressing is fine too, flat and silent records. Made in Germany, according to the box. The numbers in the deadwax look like it was pressed at Optimal. Booklet says that it was cut by Geoff Pesche at Abbey Road Studios, London Really happy with this set!
Also, am I to understand that this set is already out and not available from any US retailers? What gives?
Awesome. German Amazon cancelled, French Amazon shipped. Thanks folks! There isn't a Discogs entry for this yet - I thought about doing the work but adding to their database is more complex than I have the patience for.
Can't see any great advantage with having this on LP. Unless they have produced some side track sequences that augment the music in some way. I imagine the SQ will be much the same.
I would just like to take a moment here to extend a hearty Je vous remercie to the wonderful and beautiful people of France (France quite possibly being the single greatest nation on the face of the Earth) for making this eight (8) LP box set of The Complete Matrix Tapes by The Velvet Underground available at a completely reasonable price via their nation's branch of the Amazon.com retail sales empire.
Nothing to do with Amazon , Universal France i guess as the set is available already in all stores . I must say the price is quite fantastic for so many LP's compared with the original CD set ( which was very expansive in my opinion especially with the cheap packaging they used . its 82 euros on the shelves at Fnac stores , even cheaper than Amazon
The French promo of the complete set matches the mastering on the S/T deluxe. At some point they decided to remaster the complete set and something went wrong in the process because the spectrals reveal frequency loss. Typical incompetence.
I thought I remembered in the interview with the mixing engineer that when he did the Matrix box he remixed everything he’d originally done for the deluxe set. In other words, not just remastered those tracks.
