Back to Mono

[peter]

Steve:

Is there a reason why DCC chose to do the first three Doors LP's in
stereo and not mono? Don't get me wrong, your LP's of these titles are the BEST I've ever heard, but I think the monos would be a nice
supplement. Same for the Love LP's and Rascals LP's from Sundazed. Why not do deluxe gatefold sets of each title, one mono disc and one stereo? Finally, is there any word as to what format (mono or stereo) that Abkco might use if they really do the Stones 60's stuff? Personally, I'll believe it when I see it.

Peter

[Todd Fredericks]

I think the first generation mono master tapes do not exist anymore...

Todd

[RDK]

I could be wrong, but i believe that the Doors mono albums were just folded-down stereo. So there's no reason to do them in mono.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by peter
Steve:

Is there a reason why DCC chose to do the first three Doors LP's in
stereo and not mono? Don't get me wrong, your LP's of these titles are the BEST I've ever heard, but I think the monos would be a nice
supplement. Same for the Love LP's and Rascals LP's from Sundazed. Why not do deluxe gatefold sets of each title, one mono disc and one stereo? Finally, is there any word as to what format (mono or stereo) that Abkco might use if they really do the Stones 60's stuff? Personally, I'll believe it when I see it.

Peter

Peter,

Your real name isn't Phil Spector, is it?

Bob ;)

[Grant]

I'm a big fan of original mono mixes when they differ from their stereo counterparts.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Grant
I'm a big fan of original mono mixes when they differ from their stereo counterparts.

Grant,

As you know, I am too! I was just havin' a little fun with my Spector comment. By the way, how is that Mono version of I Love You by People? Hard for me to remember that original 45...

Bob :)

[Grant]

Oh, it isn't washed in reverb like the stereo mix, and sounds cleaner and clearer than the out-of-phase stereo mix also found on CD.

[John Carsell]

Originally posted by RDK
I could be wrong, but i believe that the Doors mono albums were just folded-down stereo. So there's no reason to do them in mono.

I found a copy of the Doors 1st album in mono (in a stereo sleeve no less) last year at a garage sale. I had been played to death, but was still listenable.
There were some small mix differences though, so the mono mix of that album at least wasn't a fold down from stereo.

[Richard Feirstein]

Bob Dylan did the mono mix (including guitar fixes where Robinson messed up) on Blond on Blond. His management just authorized Sundazed to reissue it and all his other true mono mixes onto mono vinyl. Blond on Blond will be out in July. The Stereo releases were derived from the 4 track master without input from Bob and lacked much of the bass and did not incorporate any of the guitar fixes. Since there is room it would have been a great use of SACD to have released his SACD disk with both versions!

[Michael]

Originally posted by Richard Feirstein
Bob Dylan did the mono mix (including guitar fixes where Robinson messed up) on Blond on Blond. His management just authorized Sundazed to reissue it and all his other true mono mixes onto mono vinyl. Blond on Blond will be out in July. The Stereo releases were derived from the 4 track master without input from Bob and lacked much of the bass and did not incorporate any of the guitar fixes. Since there is room it would have been a great use of SACD to have released his SACD disk with both versions!


Why not also issue them on the regular affordable CDs? Why taunt us CD lovers with these vinyl only reissues? I'd love a "Mono" Blonde On Blonde CD. I guess that will be another thing for the Bootleggers to put out! I think its a drag!

[PsychFan]

Originally posted by Michael
Why not also issue them on the regular affordable CDs? Why taunt us CD lovers with these vinyl only reissues?

Well, Sundazed does put out CDs, so it's an interesting question. I'm a vinyl guy and I'm perfectly happy with the LP issues, but I do think making the mono ones available as limited-edition CDs as well would have been a nifty move.

I can only guess that Dylan and his management, and perhaps Sony, were only willing to license these titles for vinyl, for whatever reason. Or maybe the price they wanted for both vinyl and CD licenses was just too high for Sundazed ... Or maybe the primary impetus behind Sundazed's project was to present these titles all analog, in mono where possible and desirable. Who knows ...

[BradOlson]

The bootleggers will issue the Dylan mono. That's my guess.

[Michael]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jeff Partyka


Well, Sundazed does put out CDs, so it's an interesting question. I'm a vinyl guy and I'm perfectly happy with the LP issues, but I do think making the mono ones available as limited-edition CDs as well would have been a nifty move.

I can only guess that Dylan and his management, and perhaps Sony, were only willing to license these titles for vinyl, for whatever reason. Or maybe the price they wanted for both vinyl and CD licenses was just too high for Sundazed ... Or maybe the primary impetus behind Sundazed's project was to present these titles all analog, in mono where possible and desirable. Who knows ... [/QUOTE


I have 90% of The Sundazed CD catalog, starting with their first "Knickerbockers" reissue! They are a fine label. Just wish they would put out CD reissues only and leave the vinyl for the specialty labels.

[Michael]

Originally posted by cbsolson
The bootleggers will issue the Dylan mono. That's my guess.

Bradley,
We got that one right! So one winds up paying twice the price for a vinyl dupe on CD and the artist loses anyway. Why would'nt they just license both formats and stop the pirates? Makes no sense.

[David Powell]

Bob Irwin has a rather unique relationship with Sony. In addition to his own Sundazed label, he works independently for Sony as executive producer on various reissue projects (most notably the Byrds catalog). He has also worked with Sony in archiving their vast catalog of vault tapes. No wonder Dylan's management chose to work with him. Mr. Irwin recently revealed (in an interview with Michael Fremer in Stereophile) that the original stereo masters for "Blonde On Blonde" were not lost, as long believed by many, but rather so worn out to the extent that they were no longer usable.

[Richard Feirstein]

It has been reported that Bob Dylan likes the sound of his early mono records and his management contacted Mr. Irwin at Sundazed and gave him full authority to search Sony's storage cave in NY for the earliest mono masters he could find. He was explicitely authorized to take all those early mono masters and issue them onto vinyl mono. Sony and Bob's management gave him full authority and cooperation. Now if they would only authorize him to supervise the release of the mono and stereo masters onto SACD (hybred). There is room for both in the SACD format. That would be ideal but apparently Bob's management has shown no interest. :cool:

[peter]

Wow, I sure didn't expect to get so many informative responses. Thanks to all for their input. By the way, if anyone has a decent condition U.S. mono copy of The Doors/Waiting For The Sun, I'd be interested. As a side-note, I'm not just a hard-core mono person, I just think both mixes should be available. I still remember the day I received my mono White Album from the U.K., in 1996 or so. I couldn't believe how different it was. Same for Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed. They should be available on CD (and vinyl) for everyone to enjoy. Thanks again.

[Joe Koz]

I don't think Sony would want to have Mono Sundazed CD's next to their Stereo CD's. It comes down to not having to compete with your own product.

[Michael]

Originally posted by Joe Koz
I don't think Sony would want to have Mono Sundazed CD's next to their Stereo CD's. It comes down to not having to compete with your own product.


They could put a two-fer out Stereo/Mono if time allows or a 2 CD set. I'm sure most fans would gladly open their wallets for such a treat. It's been done before!

[Andrew]

Originally posted by peter
I just think both mixes should be available.

This is an area the industry really goofed on, IMHO. Just put both on, and let the consumer decide which (or both) they prefer.

[Michael]

Originally posted by Andrew


This is an area the industry really goofed on, IMHO. Just put both on, and let the consumer decide which (or both) they prefer.

My sentiments exactly a few posts above!

[Joe Koz]

They could put a two-fer out Stereo/Mono if time allows or a 2 CD set. I'm sure most fans would gladly open their wallets for such a treat. It's been done before!

Michael,

A Mono/Stereo "Blonde on Blonde" as a 2 on 1 CD would not work due to time limitations. As for Dylan fans opening their wallets for a two-disc configuration, I don't think Sony sees it that way. You would buy it, I would buy it, and all the Dylan fans on this board would buy it. But Joe Average walking in Best Buy or Circuit City won't. Sony will sell far more single disc Blonde on Blondes' at the 10 to 12-dallor ranges, than a two-disc configuration that contains the same martial.

Joe

[Michael]

Originally posted by Joe Koz


Michael,

A Mono/Stereo "Blonde on Blonde" as a 2 on 1 CD would not work due to time limitations. As for Dylan fans opening their wallets for a two-disc configuration, I don't think Sony sees it that way. You would buy it, I would buy it, and all the Dylan fans on this board would buy it. But Joe Average walking in Best Buy or Circuit City won't. Sony will sell far more single disc Blonde on Blondes' at the 10 to 12-dallor ranges, than a two-disc configuration that contains the same martial.

Joe

Joe,
Really? Didn't they make that 90 minute CD yet? LOL! Obviously a Stereo/Mono "Blonde On Blonde" could not fit on one CD. It's hard being a collector!