Madonna HDTracks

I should have said that I don't know if ITG is on and domestic CD release. I already know it's an analog recording. I knew that in 1985.

I don't know why that would surprise you. But, I have always been into the technical stuff.

 

I know it's not on the remaster. I have it. And, I read your post so I knew what you meant. I was just saying that I have it on a CD3 that I got back in the 60s. I do not recall where or how I got it, probably from a local record store back in the mid-80s. One place I used to frequent was really into selling CDs in 1985.

I know what I said this morning, but I have concluded that I was wrong, and now think, at least LIV in HD is worth it. I still think my 1986 "True Blue" CD sounds just fine, and that first album in HD sounds edgy to my ears. I have no interest in "Who's That Girl" in HD.

The one I would love to get in HD is "The Dick Tracy Soundtrack".

I hope they will issue some Prince in HD soon. I'd love to get "Around The World In A Day" and "Parade" in HD.

 

Madonna - Madonna

Confused here....

Madonna - Madonna

Are these HD Tracks remixed etc as the timings are way out compared to my UK Sire CD!

HD Tracks timing here

UK CD timings...

 

"burning up" had lots of mixes.

-original album mix on vinyl, nearly 5 minutes long. lots of synth hits.
-edit of original album mix, about 4 minutes. you could call this the single version in countries like japan. has the same synth hits.
-final version, available on most cds of the self-titled album and compilations like "celebration". also the music video version. synth hits gone.

 

also, "everybody" had the 5 minute album version, as well as the 6 minute full album version. not to mention 7 inch edits, and even uk-only REMIXES LOL! drums sound really different on the uk mixes

 

The drums & bass sound really good on all the HDTracks Madonna albums, IMO.
I am old so my hearing starts to drop off precipitously above 16kHz.

 

First, thanks for the heads up. I can honestly say that I love the Material Girl's work from the '80s.

What I don't understand is the pricing at hdtracks. $25 for a digitally downloaded album @ 192kHz. Not trying to threadcrap here, would just like to see hdtracks with better pricing.

 

I agree!

 

Why would it surprise me? Just never thought about it. Heck, a few years ago I didn't even think about mastering other than "hey this is loud everywhere!" or "why can't I hear this in my car?". My tech stuff was on the IT end, but the audio side not so much.

You and me both. $18 for 24/96 seems excessive to me. They do have sales on occasion and that's the only time I push the button.

I've written this elsewhere but I think their 24/44 to 24/96 offerings should be $12.99. It's still a premium over a CD, but falls below new vinyl and I think that's a perfect price-point. 24/192 could be $19.99 and I think would be fair.

 

The timings from my original Sire LP:

Lucky Star 5:30
Borderline 5:18
Burning Up 3:41
I Know It 3:45
Holiday 6:08
Think Of Me 4:53
Physical Attraction 6:35
Everybody 4:57

 

How do you compare if you don't have them

 

Ignore the print, what are the actual track times of the tracks on the disc?
In particular, Burning Up is 3:45/3:46 on the US/HDTracks disc (actual times) whereas your print says 4:48. But what is the actual time of the track if you rip the disc?

The timings of the HDTracks are almost identical to the US Sire original issue.

US Sire CD

Code:

foobar2000 1.1.10 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2012-03-24 16:31:00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Madonna / Madonna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR         Peak         RMS     Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR13       0.00 dB   -14.91 dB      5:38 01-Lucky Star
DR13       0.00 dB   -15.33 dB      5:22 02-Borderline
DR14      -0.10 dB   -15.67 dB      3:46 03-Burning Up
DR14      -1.11 dB   -16.83 dB      3:47 04-I Know It
DR14       0.00 dB   -15.92 dB      6:11 05-Holiday
DR16       0.00 dB   -17.37 dB      4:56 06-Think of Me
DR15      -0.86 dB   -17.11 dB      6:40 07-Physical Attraction
DR17      -0.35 dB   -18.90 dB      4:55 08-Everybody
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of tracks:  8
Official DR value: DR14
Samplerate:        44100 Hz
Channels:          2
Bits per sample:   16
Bitrate:           847 kbps
Codec:             FLAC
================================================================================

HDTracks

Code:

foobar2000 1.1.10 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2012-04-26 16:26:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Madonna / Madonna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR         Peak         RMS     Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR12      -0.08 dB   -15.11 dB      5:37 01-Lucky Star
DR12      -1.00 dB   -15.62 dB      5:22 02-Borderline
DR13      -1.56 dB   -16.00 dB      3:45 03-Burning Up
DR12      -2.13 dB   -16.94 dB      3:45 04-I Know It
DR14      -0.79 dB   -16.42 dB      6:11 05-Holiday
DR15      -1.27 dB   -17.72 dB      4:56 06-Think Of Me
DR13      -1.87 dB   -17.41 dB      6:40 07-Physical Attraction
DR16      -2.42 dB   -19.86 dB      4:57 08-Everybody
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of tracks:  8
Official DR value: DR13
Samplerate:        96000 Hz
Channels:          2
Bits per sample:   24
Bitrate:           2843 kbps
Codec:             FLAC
================================================================================

 

Thanks for that post on track times, GreenDrazi, that is helpful.

 

Like a Virgin
The timings, DR values and RMS values of the original Sire CD and the HDTracks version are almost identical if you adjust (raise) the volume of track 05 - Love Don't Live Here Anymore.

Average RMS values:
-17.00 US Sire
-17.12 HDTracks (track #5 volume adjusted)

Average individual DR values:
DR13.89 US Sire
DR13.89 HDTracks (track #5 volume adjusted)


US Sire

Code:

foobar2000 1.1.10 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2012-03-24 16:31:34

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Madonna / Like a Virgin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR         Peak         RMS     Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR14      -1.32 dB   -17.66 dB      4:01 01-Material Girl
DR13      -2.85 dB   -18.02 dB      3:56 02-Angel
DR15       0.00 dB   -16.40 dB      3:39 03-Like a Virgin
DR14      -1.35 dB   -16.31 dB      4:12 04-Over and Over
DR15      -1.18 dB   -19.42 dB      4:49 05-Love Don't Live Here Anymore
DR13       0.00 dB   -15.14 dB      4:01 06-Dress You Up
DR14      -0.22 dB   -17.14 dB      5:17 07-Shoo-Bee-Doo
DR13      -0.27 dB   -16.35 dB      4:30 08-Pretender
DR14       0.00 dB   -16.58 dB      4:06 09-Stay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks:  9
Official DR value: DR14

Samplerate:        44100 Hz
Channels:          2
Bits per sample:   16
Bitrate:           869 kbps
Codec:             FLAC
================================================================================

HDTracks (track #5 volume adjusted)

Code:

foobar2000 1.1.10 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2012-04-27 13:54:18

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Madonna / Like a Virgin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR         Peak         RMS     Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR14      -1.09 dB   -17.64 dB      4:00 01-Material Girl
DR14      -1.73 dB   -17.81 dB      3:55 02-Angel
DR14       0.00 dB   -16.62 dB      3:38 03-Like a Virgin
DR14      -0.81 dB   -16.26 dB      4:12 04-Over and Over
DR15      -1.21 dB   -19.42 dB      4:50 05-Love Don't Live Here Anymore (volume +2.42dB)
DR13      -0.03 dB   -15.47 dB      4:01 06-Dress You Up
DR14      -0.84 dB   -17.70 dB      5:17 07-Shoo-Bee-Doo
DR13      -1.70 dB   -16.42 dB      4:30 08-Pretender
DR14      -0.01 dB   -16.72 dB      4:05 09-Stay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks:  9
Official DR value: DR14

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

 

Thank you for provide such analysis. Very interesting!

How would you rate the sound of the two different releases, level matching aside.

 

Wow, the printed track times from S/T on the HDTracks website threw me off for a sec. I can't recall a nearly seven-minute "Borderline". I think the 12" single was just over six minutes. And the 3:50 "Holiday" would be the single edit. So I was like, Did HDTracks get the 12" of "Borderline", the 7" of "Holiday", and the full 12" of "Everybody"?

FYI, as far as I know, the 4:55 version of "Burning Up" has never appeared on CD. I never cared for it anyway.

 

I’m saying that they appear to be from the same source and that the original US Sire probably had its volume tweaked a little bit. Whereas the HDTracks was probably just a straight transfer. This is just my speculation, of course, but based on good numbers and similar sound. I’m also pointing out that this release appears to be dubious in calling it/pricing it as a HiDef release (see previous Spectral Freq. Display post).

I haven’t had a chance to have a critical listening session with Like a Virgin, but casual comparison on both headphones and stereo reveal the 2 releases to sound very much the same. Whereas, True Blue sounds noticeably better than its original CD.

Below is the International (or non-North America) original issue with track 06 - Into the Groove removed to help folks see the similarities/differences with the same track lineup. The values here are more pronounced (but not huge) between it and the HDTracks version.

Like a Virgin (non-North America issue)

Code:

foobar2000 1.1.10 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2012-03-24 16:31:11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Madonna / Like a Virgin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR         Peak         RMS     Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR14      -2.40 dB   -19.11 dB      4:03 01-Material Girl
DR13      -2.68 dB   -17.87 dB      3:56 02-Angel
DR16       0.00 dB   -18.50 dB      3:39 03-Like a Virgin
DR14      -1.98 dB   -17.54 dB      4:12 04-Over and Over
DR15      -0.62 dB   -19.84 dB      4:51 05-Love Don't Live Here Anymore
DR15      -0.55 dB   -17.26 dB      4:01 07-Dress You Up
DR15       0.00 dB   -17.46 dB      5:17 08-Shoo-Bee-Doo
DR14      -1.68 dB   -17.35 dB      4:30 09-Pretender
DR14      -0.03 dB   -16.36 dB      4:08 10-Stay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of tracks:  10
Official DR value: DR14
Samplerate:        44100 Hz
Channels:          2
Bits per sample:   16
Bitrate:           873 kbps
Codec:             FLAC
================================================================================
 
DR15      -1.62 dB   -17.99 dB      4:44 06-Into the Groove

Like a Virgin (Remaster)

Code:

foobar2000 1.1.10 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2012-03-24 16:31:24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Madonna / Like a Virgin (Remaster)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR         Peak         RMS     Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR6       -0.01 dB    -8.20 dB      4:02 01-Material Girl
DR7       -0.01 dB    -8.57 dB      3:56 02-Angel
DR6       -0.01 dB    -8.07 dB      3:39 03-Like a Virgin
DR8       -0.01 dB    -8.82 dB      4:12 04-Over and Over
DR8       -0.01 dB   -11.06 dB      4:50 05-Love Don't Live Here Anymore
DR6       -0.01 dB    -7.97 dB      4:02 06-Dress You Up
DR8       -0.01 dB   -10.18 dB      5:17 07-Shoo-Bee-Doo
DR6       -0.01 dB    -8.36 dB      4:31 08-Pretender
DR7       -0.01 dB    -8.85 dB      4:09 09-Stay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of tracks:  11
Official DR value: DR7
Samplerate:        44100 Hz
Channels:          2
Bits per sample:   16
Bitrate:           1056 kbps
Codec:             FLAC
================================================================================
 
DR7       -0.01 dB    -9.11 dB      6:10 10-Like A Virgin (Extended Dance Remix)
DR7       -0.01 dB    -8.17 dB      6:07 11-Material Girl (Extended Dance Remix)

 

Madonna - Madonna

More on the track timing issues from the Wiki page:

HDTracks (which are essentially the same on original US CD):
3:45 03 - Burning Up
4:57 08 - Everybody

 

They have the album up for sampling on the site.

 

Madonna - Madonna

Thank you very much.

What confused me was when (earlier today) HD Tracks had the full tracks as previews "Holiday" started with just the drums as if it was the edited remix as the timing said 3'45". Along with some other weird timings for other songs!?

I feared they'd used the remastered version rather than the original master.

I see now that the previews are just that...

 

The samples are not hi-res.

 

I am interested in the comparison as well.

And to others who have purchased this, do you think you received value for the download?

 

You know this for a fact? I recall a message from HD Tracks that they were working on providing hi-rez samples several months ago.

 

Your not the only one , i agree , prices are a bit high & keeps me away ..... cut it in half & i might start biting at a few .