What is the better CD version of Peter Gabriel 4 (Security): the original or remaster

I have seen different opinions on each
Is the orignal vinyl better than both

 

bump

 

PG 4 never sounded that great IMHO compared to some others--sounds too sterile. On the plus side I do like the remaster a bit more don't know why but it sounds better to me.

On the negative side, I hate that the MCA/Geffen had the booklet glued to the inside of the digipak (and the fact that the earlier editions were released in digipak).

Plus it really should have some bonus tracks.

 

The best PG IV I've heard is the black triangle Japanese pressing #32VD-1014. Much better than the N. American Geffen releases.

Don't know regarding Vinyl.

 

I'm quite satisfied with the SACD.
Achim

 

I have also heard that the black triangle is pretty hard to beat but haven't heard it to compare to the Geffen, the SACD or regular remaster.

 

I have the following versions:

Original LP
Phonogram/Charisma CD 800 091-2 non-remastered
Virgin/Charisma PGCD4 non-remastered

They all sounds very close to each other. The 800 091-2 is a little louder and appears ever so slightly brighter and a touch more forward sounding. The PGCD4 practically sounds the same as the vinyl.

If you want a copy that sounds as close as possible (the same as) to the original vinyl I recommend the Virgin/Charisma PGCD4.

I don’t think this is a great sounding recording to begin with. IMO it lacks some clarity and dynamics. It sounds kind of distant/dull.


This is the EAC numbers for your reference:

Phonogram/Charisma CD 800 091-2
Track 1
Peak level 95.5 %
Track 2
Peak level 80.5 %
Track 3
Peak level 100.0 %
Track 4
Peak level 100.0 %
Track 5
Peak level 100.0 %
Track 6
Peak level 100.0 %
Track 7
Peak level 94.2 %
Track 8
Peak level 99.9 %


Virgin/Charisma PGCD4
Track 1
Peak level 97.7 %
Track 2
Peak level 53.8 %
Track 3
Peak level 71.0 %
Track 4
Peak level 67.9 %
Track 5
Peak level 90.7 %
Track 6
Peak level 85.6 %
Track 7
Peak level 60.8 %
Track 8
Peak level 91.3 %

 

The remaster, preferebly the SACD version. This is one of those rare cases where the revisionist thinking of the re-master radically improves on the original. To my ears, it's just better in every way. I wouldn't want a disc that faithfully reproduces the vinyl in this case.

 

Thanks for posting those peak levels, Dr.

I was quite disappointed with the early W. German Target cd pressing on first listen. But as equipment improved, so did the sound of that cd. Yet, it still left something to be desired...

The "original" vinyl has at least three very different masterings.

There is a UK Townhouse pressing that was also used for some of the US Geffen pressings, and an RL Masterdisk that was used for some of the US Geffens as well.

There is also a German (with German lyrics) version, which sounds very good. I actually prefer some of the tracks on the German version, but wont get into that here.

You can guess which lp pressing stands as the demo disc quality version. I believe it is that good.
Nothing dull about the RL - it changed my perception of this lp dramatically.

The remastered cd has more drive and punch than the earlier Target cd pressing, but of course lacks some of the smoothness.

Find yourself an RL cut on vinyl and use that as the benchmark.

 

I like the Classics vinyl best of what I have on this one. I have the original US vinyl and original US CD

 

Besides the Black Triangle, how are the early European CDs? Were they pressed in West Germany and the UK?

Dr M: I can imagine the original Virgin/Charisma PGCD4 sounds awesome: I have the Virgin/Charisma PGCD3 for PGIII and it just smokes! I also have heard a Virgin/Charisma PGCD1 and it trounces the remaster (eg the remaster has much worse definition on the bass in Modern Love)

So yes, if the PGCD4 disc is anything like the two other PGCDX titles I've heard, it should be good


Dave: does the PGIV black-triangle have pre-emphasis on it?

 

My vinyl pressing is a UK version with matrix PG4 A-1U-1-1/ PG4 B-1U-1-1. No mentioning of Townhouse.

I will most definitely pick up the RL mastered LP if I find one. Still I believe the UK vinyl and the PGCD4 sounds very close to what was intended to begin with.

 

The 800 091-2 CD I have is made in W. Germany by Polygram and it has a "Yellow rays" design.

The Virgin/Charisma PGCD4 is made in Holland. You would most likely find this disc in a UK “Nimbus” version too.

As I said in my earlier post I don’t think this is a very good sounding album. I guess this could be caused by the use of digital equipment in the recording/mixing process.

 

Yes, I agree with the assumption that maybe the digital recording effected a lack of "life", but I repeat: the RL is a superb sounding lp! It's alive.

Interesting - I suppose the Townhouse pressings came after the 1U pressings?
Didn't know there were 1U pressings as late as the 1980's.

I don't know if this applies here, but Charisma UK 1U pressings for Genesis lp's of the 1970's, were the best sounding of all I've heard (and others have confirmed this as well.)

I don't doubt the Classic reissue is ok, but after comparing Classic reissue Genesis lp's with their UK originals (and even some late reissues), I'm sceptical.

Hmmm, if I find another NM RL, and you find a NM 1U, perhaps we could arrange a trade?

 

Is your original an RL, Townhouse or something else?

 

Yes. I’ll keep my eyes open.

 

Some more data points to add to the mix:

Geffen 2011-2 (matrix = DIDX-1012 1 MANUFACTURED BY DADC) [US original CD]
96.4 % - 49.2 % - 67.0 % - 58.2 % - 89.3 % - 78.3 % - 57.9 % - 100.0 %


Geffen/Universal 069 493 280-2 (matrix = 0694932662 0997011202 MFG BY MATSUSHITA UNIVERSAL MEDIA SERVICES) [US remaster]
99.3 % - 93.4 % - 99.4 % - 99.3 % - 99.4 % - 99.4 % - 99.4 % - 99.3 %


Virgin SAPGCD 4 (matrix = 5830752 CD 1) [CD layer of Japanese made Hybrid SACD]
99.3 % - 93.4 % - 99.4 % - 99.3 % - 99.4 % - 99.4 % - 99.4 % - 99.3 %


Deutsches Album - Virgin/Charisma XPGCD 4/0777 7 87220 2 1 (matrix = 787220 2 @ 1) [disc made in Holland]
100.0 % - 85.1 % - 90.9 % - 75.4 % - 86.1 % - 73.3 % - 93.0 % - 78.3 %


NOTE: songs 2 and 4 are swapped on Deutsches Album relative to PG IV.

 

Is there a story behind the rather creepy looking album cover for Security? It almost looks like a video capture. Was it taken from a tv show or movie, or is it entirely original?

 

Nope

 

I don't know the answer, but Google might be a better bet than pulling up year old threads here.

 

I was always amazed at how much better the remix of I Have the Touch sounded on the Sledgehammer 12" vs. the original on Security-----it's like a pile of sludge was lifted off of the track.

 

It's original. I remember seeing photos or video from the shoot. I thought it was part of The South Bank Show special on the making of PG IV, but I have just watched it again for the first time since it aired in October 1982, and what I remember of the cover shoot is not in it. However, fans of this album should certainly find this interesting:

Part 1: http://www.mybedroomstudio.com/video/505224:Video:6125

Part 2: http://www.mybedroomstudio.com/video/505224:Video:6123

Note at the start of Part 2 that they are tracking to 2" analog multi-track tape!

 

Sorry, I thought that this would be the ideal forum to ask a question of this nature, given the depth of knowledge and expertise among members here. Is there a thread that someone can point me to that outlines appropriate questions to ask here? I don't mean to waste anyone's time

 

I think the original Geffen Records vinyl sounds really good. Ditto for the BIRDY soundtrack.

On disc, I love the SACD.