XTC as the Dukes of Stratosphear Psurroundabout Ride

And Dave apparently calls Andy "Partsy". LOL.

 

Did you use DVD-Audio Extractor to rip the files?

 

No I use a command line programme called eac2to. When it finds that a 24-bit file has only 16 bits of information it runs a second pass to reduce the bit depth. Only the new stereo mix and the instrumental mix of Bike Ride To The Moon show this behaviour.

The resulting FLAC files at the end of my ripping process are much smaller for those two tracks.

 

Is there is any real benefit to getting this new release if I have the recently reissued CDs of the Dukes material? I am not interested in surround sound and don't have the set up. Thanks.

 

Only the new stereo mix and the instrumental versions.
The bonus tracks and the demos were all included in the latest CD reissues.

 

Sent the original stereo mixes on the Blu Ray as well the other have.?
Usually the new stereo on the CDs

 

At the studio: "Can you give me an 'E' ?"

 

Yes the original stereo mixes are included in the BluRay disc. And yes, the CD has the new stereo mix.

 

Anyone listened to this yet? We need your reviews, especially on the 5.1-mix.

 

Me-I-E-I-too!

 

I got Sir John John's autograph!

Not listened to the 5.1 yet, but the new 2019 stereo mix sounds a lot smoother than the original mix. Most of the harsh treble frequencies seem rolled off. Not sure if that makes it better or not. It's certainly a more pleasant listen on headphones, but then the original mix always felt stylised that way to feel more in keeping with the sound of 60s psychedelia

 

Has anyone received the vinyl yet? Post been and gone here with no sign of it.

 

They tweeted that they're hoping to start getting them out next week.

 

Fair enough. I was pretty gobsmacked whenI got Black Sea & Planet England on day of release.

 

I'm getting it for the 5.1 mixes

 

Liking the new stereo mix, ripped from the blu-ray 24/96. DR below for anyone interested.

foobar2000 1.4.6 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2019-10-18 21:48:00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: The Dukes Of Stratosphear / Psurroundabout Ride
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR11 -0.10 dB -13.73 dB 5:03 01-25 O'Clock (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR11 -0.07 dB -12.42 dB 2:23 02-Bike Ride To The Moon (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 -0.10 dB -13.48 dB 3:48 03-My Love Explodes (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 -0.10 dB -12.93 dB 5:01 04-What In The World??... (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 -0.10 dB -14.04 dB 4:41 05-Your Gold Dress (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 -0.10 dB -14.42 dB 5:50 06-The Mole From The Ministry (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 -0.10 dB -14.80 dB 3:01 07-Vanishing Girl (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR11 -0.10 dB -12.95 dB 3:22 08-Have You Seen Jackie? (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR11 -0.10 dB -13.64 dB 4:32 09-Little Lighthouse (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR13 -0.10 dB -15.53 dB 3:38 10-You're A Good Man Albert Brown (Curse You Red Barrel) (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 -0.10 dB -13.28 dB 3:24 11-Collideascope (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR11 -0.10 dB -13.59 dB 3:22 12-You're My Drug (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR13 -0.10 dB -14.50 dB 3:17 13-Shiny Cage (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 -0.10 dB -13.73 dB 3:58 14-Brainiac's Daughter (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR13 -0.10 dB -16.89 dB 2:31 15-The Affiliated (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 -0.10 dB -16.27 dB 4:56 16-Pale And Precious (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 -0.10 dB -13.83 dB 4:43 17-Open A Can Of Human Beans (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR10 0.00 dB -12.89 dB 2:19 18-Black Jewelled Serpent Of Sound (Radio Caroline Edit) (2019 Stereo Mix)
DR12 0.00 dB -13.97 dB 3:18 19-Tin Toy Clockwork Train (2019 Stereo Mix)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 19
Official DR value: DR12

Samplerate: 96000 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 2680 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

 

Thanks! Does it sound like the CD has the same mastering?

 

I'm getting it for the individual channel breakdowns of the 5.1 mixes, so I can go remix-crazy!


....once my blu-ray is back up and running...

 

Can’t confirm for this release (as mine hasn’t turned up yet), but up until now none of the XTC remixes have been truly mastered at all. After some early experiences in his engineering career where some of his work was made overly loud when mastered by others, Wilson currently prefers to do all adjustments in the mixing stage and have full control over the final product. All of the XTC sets have had CDs that have some limiting when compared to the version on the BD, but nothing really significant - much less than the difference between the last couple Beatles remix BDs vs. CDs, for example.

 

Not something that is usually commented on in this forum, but I must say the packaging for this is fantastic! (and I'm rather difficult in this matter)

 

It's different than the previous XTC releases?

 

No but it's quite flamboyant and well thought-out:

 

Oh wow, totally agree! They did a great job with that!

 

Also to note in terms of packaging is that, whilst "not different" to the other XTC surround deluxe editons, it's the first one that is not a straight reissue of an existing studio album - so the artwork gets to be all new. I suppose technically it's a deluxe edition of the Chips From The Cholcolate Fireball compilation - but they didn't go that route for the artwork/naming. Lots of fun to be had!

 

Got my shipping notification for the vinyl/blu ray bundle. Can't wait!