Neil Young Vinyl Remasters

[AnalogBrain]

This was posted in 'So Much Gear So little Time,' but I just got responses about how good vinyl sounds.... so I'll try here with you guys...


So I just got my Neil Young "Original Release Series" box set of the first four LPs on 180gram vinyl! Sounds unbelievable!!!!!!

But, I have noticed that the sibilance is cutting through. Much more than on the cds or on the original LPs. It was mastered at Bernie Grundman sound, so I figured it would be perfect.

It is perfect, except for the sibilance.

Anyone else notice this? Could this be a mastering mistake?

Thanks,
-Neil

[Adam Dempsey]

Could be a playback issue... in my experience with any client reporting such issues that's by far where the greater variability lies. Are you noticing it throughout or mostly only on the inner tracks? It could well be different EQ than earlier cuts, possibly from higher generation tapes. (Also, while 180gm may involve greater quality control, in and of itself it's actually no direct correlation to sonic quality... not wanting to open a can of worms).

[AnalogBrain]

Hey Adam,

Thanks for the reply.
I take prety damn good care of my stereo/ phono equipment. And, I haven't heard any high end problems out of the ordinary when playing back other LPs.

I understand that 180g vinyl isn't perfect, I just thought with all of the time and effort Neil Young put into this project (OG master tapes, pressed at the "world's best" plant in Germany, limited pressing of only 3000, etc.) that sibilance of this caliber would not cut it (excuse the pun).

Is it possible I got a bad batch of LPs?

It seems as though there is a major boost in the 10-12k range, but it only effects the vox, not the cymbals or any other part of the mix.

Is it possible this sibilance was always there, on the master tapes, and the excellent mastering just revealed what was already there?

I must say, that the pressings do sound incredible. I was almost brought to tears by the beauty of the sound alone when I put on 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart.'

Thanks!
-Neil

[Jeff S]

I picked up Everybody Knows and After The Goldrush but haven't put them on yet. LeNoise has been stuck on my TT as of late. I will do so in a.m. and report back thumbsup
jeff

[AnalogBrain]

anyone else have an opinion?

[Plush]

The sound of the record is the sound of the record.

[Adam Dempsey]

Originally Posted by AnalogBrain

It seems as though there is a major boost in the 10-12k range, but it only effects the vox, not the cymbals or any other part of the mix.

Is it possible this sibilance was always there, on the master tapes, and the excellent mastering just revealed what was already there?

It's possible that a new (better) transfer revealed more, which was perhaps lacking in previous versions having come from later generation master tapes.