Supertramp Crime of the Century, Even in the Quietest Moments, etc. ?

Compared to my copy:

Quietest - A&M CD 3297 DIDX585

88.8 % - 100.0 % - 100.0 % - 78.6 % - 100.0 % - 95.9 % - 94.0 %

Sander's copy differs in dBs by:

-1.798 / -1.809 / -1.809 / -1.798 / -1.809 / -1.794 / -1.801

I wonder if they are simply level-shifted copies?

 

I have both the original US CD of Crisis AM+ CD4560 and the West Germany copy.
The German version is so much better

AM+ CD4560
32.3 % - 88.8 % - 90.5 % - 79.7 % - 78.4 % - 92.5 % - 64.2 % - 51.0 % - 92.0 % - 56.3 %

West Germany - don´t have the original with me sop cannopt tell catalogue number
31.5 % - 86.8 % - 88.4 % - 77.9 % - 76.6 % - 90.4 % - 62.7 % - 49.9 % - 94.1 % - 57.6 %

Still not a great sounding disc and a step down from CRIME.

Stay away from all the Supertamp remasters.
I own almost all of them and they are horrendous. Both the 1997 and 2002 ones.

 

As a side-note to all this, I've came this conclusion about Crime Of The Century after comparing various LP and CD presses:

The only versions of this ever released using the original master mixes(IMHO) are the MFSL LP and CD. This is one amazing difference, that I almost thought the mixes were alternate on these. This is *so* easy to notice, since there is no glaze or accentuated reverb trails, that the compression makes so noticeable.

Every A&M CD including the remaster as well as the original first press UK, U.S., and Speaker's Corner LP, are using some kind of production masters(maybe in the Elektra LEDO-type vain) that were altered with more compression for *every release* other than the MFSL's.

It could be possible that these commercial versions were what was intended, But in my opinion, the only way to hear this is MFSL from the 1st generation mixes, in their original state.

 

You´re probably bloody well right.

Listen to BLOODY WELL RIGHT on the MFSL CD, then play the original US and you wil notice the AM copy has quite a few loud clicks.

Of course, if you don´t mind the blood coming out of your ears, play the remasters and you´ll suffer those noises too. And much more obvious too

 

That remaster wanted to make me cry. That one is double-compressed, since the tape they used to begin with used limiting, already. I think about who mastered it, and the grand facility it was done, it could have just as well been done anywhere. So much for finding the right tapes, and doing a decent job...

Those clicks are there on the original LP's, too.

 

Assuming your West German pressing is for the European market, the catalog number is probably 394 560-2. Where was your U.S. CD4560 issue pressed? There may be a West German pressing with catalog number CD4560. I have the Japanese pressing with that catalog number. It sounds O.K. to me, but I have no other versions for comparison.

 

But the clicks aren´t there on the MFSL CD, right?

 

My US CD4560 of Crisis is 7502-14560-2
and the inner ring seems to say LA L63, and now I noticed the disc says MADE IN JAPAN....I don´t like the sound quality.

I will compare it to the other copy I have (presumably WG)

 

here is a comparison for AIN´T NOBODY BUT ME

They don´t sound very different, do they

http://www.badongo.com/file/11464056

 

Nope, that is if you are referring to those clicks during the peaks of the chorus section.."Right, you're bloody well right" etc.). The MFSL has no such anomalies. They're on the 'production tape', but not the original master.

Further supports my theory.

 

Yes I was talking about those clicks during the chorus on BLOODY WELL RIGHT, and yes your theory makes perfect sense.

Hopefully Mr Scott will enlighten us.

PS: I own a copy of the MFSL too, apart from one of the non remastered US copies, and at least one of the horrendous remasters too.

 

Not sure if he's participating anymore, but I think he might find this interesting.

 

I got my copy of the West German original AM+ "Crisis...".
I sounds so good, warm, natural, rich in detail - you'd throw the remaster right outta the window.
Well, no. I'm gonna sell it

 

are these the loudest moments of Quietest Moments?

 

I wonder if the variation in the "Classics" versions has to do that later BMG and Sony were manufacturing their own CDs from CD clones? Has you know anytime you do that there can be a variation and even changes made to the sound.

 

Absolutely. I think its also the best thing they did on vinyl.

 

Just got this one. It is really good. Saving my pennies for a MFSL Breakfast In America.

 

No! I have 2 other pressings that are "louder".

Firstly a Canadian CD69948...

Track 1
Peak level 84.8 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC A8E65848
Copy OK

Track 2
Peak level 95.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 36E5232F
Copy OK

Track 3
Peak level 93.3 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 36FC7881
Copy OK

Track 4
Peak level 73.3 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 1E547000
Copy OK

Track 5
Peak level 93.3 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 922A3993
Copy OK

Track 6
Peak level 89.5 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 8351A656
Copy OK

Track 7
Peak level 87.8 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC EA4EA2D3
Copy OK

...and secondly, A Japanese pressing PCCY-10245

Track 1
Peak level 86.8 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC C2860D21
Copy OK

Track 2
Peak level 97.7 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 8B33C84C
Copy OK

Track 3
Peak level 97.7 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC DA96C945
Copy OK

Track 4
Peak level 76.8 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 49EB8DB8
Copy OK

Track 5
Peak level 97.7 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC D33F8149
Copy OK

Track 6
Peak level 93.7 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC 7F8056A8
Copy OK

Track 7
Peak level 91.9 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Test CRC D949B278
Copy OK

 

Crisis - Love the WG disc

 

I got a '90 USA pressing of Even In The Quietest Moments recently, same as above, and found this thread when I decided that this CD sounds fantastic!

I've seen many favorable comments on the WG pressing here, but I would sure like to know if the USA pressing sounds the same. If there's a CD that sounds better than this one I have here, it must really be something!

 

These look like identical masterings to me with nothing but a level shift. First 6 tracks are 2,3% louder on the US disc, the last 2 tracks are 2,3% louder on the West German disc. It would surprise me if there was any audible difference between the 2 discs.

 

Crime of the Century

Today I picked up a UK LP copy with Allen written in the Matrix on both sides. I cant believe how good it sounds compared to all the digital versions I have heard included the MFSL CD. The MFSL sounds really wimpy in comparison. I did compare the EQ settings between the LP and the MFSL and the difference is quite huge. Finally (to me) this great album sounds like a 1974 rock album with rock steady low end, and best of all; the sizzling top end is completely gone.

This is how the MFSL is EQed compared to the LP. Major top end boost and the low end is close to none existent. Track compared is "Bloody Well right".

 

Has anyone checked the SHM-CD version of Crime of the Century? Impressions?

Demetrio.

 

That graph is for the MFSL CD? What about the MFSL LP?