The Complete Masters -- Hear them for yourself

[elvissessions]

I'm not sure how many samples I'll be posting, but as folks point things out, I'll try to offer some excerpts so folks can hear what others are talking about.

I'll do my best to balance the volume to ensure a fair comparison.

To begin with:

MysteryTrain says: ""I'm A Roustabout" sounds better than before to my ears."

Not just to your ears, MysteryTrain; the difference should be obvious to all.

I'm a Roustabout, from Second to None

I'm a Roustabout, from The Complete Elvis Presley Masters

[monkboughtlunch]

Thanks! That's a major sonic improvement. Would you mind posting a sample of "Dark Moon" and compare it with the version on "A Golden Celebration." "Dark Moon" is a favorite of mine and I'm curious if they found a better source or were able to improve it significantly on this new box. Thanks!

[drjohncarpenter]

I'm not sure how many samples I'll be posting, but as folks point things out, I'll try to offer some excerpts so folks can hear what others are talking about.

I'll do my best to balance the volume to ensure a fair comparison.

To begin with:

MysteryTrain says: ""I'm A Roustabout" sounds better than before to my ears."

Not just to your ears, MysteryTrain; the difference should be obvious to all.

I'm a Roustabout, from Second to None

I'm a Roustabout, from The Complete Elvis Presley Masters

IIRC, a new source was found for this track -- boy, it sure sounds good!

[dannyboy1]

It's a shame they didn't correct the speed while they were at it. Maybe they did...a bit, but it still sounds like the songs from "Girl Happy".

[drjohncarpenter]

It's a shame they didn't correct the speed while they were at it.

The pitch is correct.

[Jokerlola]

Boy. I must be hearing something different from everybody else because I like the Second To None mix better. The Complete Masters mix sounds muffled and the tambourine and high hat are muddled. The 2ndTN version is clear and crisp it just lacks some bottom. Complete Masters version has bottom but sounds muddled. Maybe it's sounds different on the actual CD but I have listed with both extenal speakers and my pro headphones and the sound is the same to me.

[JimmyCool]

IIRC, a new source was found for this track -- boy, it sure sounds good!

Definitely, it doesn't sound like an acetate source anymore...

[memphisflash]

Nice one - huge improvement !! I'm curious, how does 'Tomorrow Night - overdubbed' compare to the Franklin' Mint set, that was a real stinker - sound is full of drop-outs and channel shifting on FM

[elvissessions]

The overdubbed Tomorrow Night is the same on the Complete Masters as it was on the Franklin Mint set.

[luckyjackson1]

Definitely, it doesn't sound like an acetate source anymore...

In the discography it says "lacquer source".

[Claus]

The overdubbed Tomorrow Night is the same on the Complete Masters as it was on the Franklin Mint set.

Is the intro still clipped?

[elvissessions]

'Fraid so.

[Tim C]

I agree with you Joker, the 2TN sounds clear, crisp, but lacking low end. The other sounds like it comes through a wet blanket...muddy and lacking the clarity of the first, but with low end.

[Claus]

After listening to the samples, I'm A Roustabout is much improved on the new set. More natural and with some low-end. The 2nd To None version sounds thin and midrangy. It's pretty obvious that even the new version isn't tape-sourced, but it sounds much better.

[thxphotog]

I'm most curious to hear the MSG concert. Care to post a track or two??

[Rich_TCB]

Yes, I'd like to hear MSG as well.

[memphisflash]

MSG was available on the FM set, it's slightly better than what was released before, better but you won't lose any sleep over it - Aloha is worse i.m.o. Ferrante did a complete new mix which is much better than the original LP mix - and the original mix is what is used on FM and on the CM ... (nice to have them both)

[midnightx]

MSG was available on the FM set, it's slightly better than what was released before, better but you won't lose any sleep over it - Aloha is worse i.m.o. Ferrante did a complete new mix which is much better than the original LP mix - and the original mix is what is used on FM and on the CM ... (nice to have them both)

Ferrante's remix is nothing to get excited about. The '98 reissue was still a flat, lifeless affair. I would love to hear a Vic Anesini remix, in fact, I hope that he is allowed to include a remix of the concert in any future FTD edition. He could make the audio of that concert come alive on CD.

[memphisflash]

MSG was available on the FM set, it's slightly better than what was released before, better but you won't lose any sleep over it - Aloha is worse i.m.o. Ferrante did a complete new mix which is much better than the original LP mix - and the original mix is what is used on FM and on the CM ... (nice to have them both)

Ferrante's remix is nothing to get excited about. The '98 reissue was still a flat, lifeless affair. I would love to hear a Vic Anesini remix, in fact, I hope that he is allowed to include a remix of the concert in any future FTD edition. He could make the audio of that concert come alive on CD.

Compared to the DVD version, Ferrante's mix is quite flat indeed - but the original mix was not very good to begin with ... even with an excellent transfer done by Anesini, it still sounds too 'upfront'.
If the original LP sound is your thing, than you have nothing to complain with TCM set ...

[monkboughtlunch]

Folks how is "Dark Moon" on this set? Can anyone post a sample of "Dark Moon"? Did they find a better source than the 1998 CD reissue of Golden Celebration?

Also there are some reports that Lene Reidel mastered the rarities discs 28-30. Can anyone comment on Reidel's mastering on this set? Someone on the Steve Hoffman board posted the following from the box set liner notes:

"Discs 28-30 (the "rarities" discs) were mastered by Lene Reidel. And it separately credits "Disc 1: Thanks to Kevan Budd "for his research, restoration, and additional mastering on Elvis' Sun recordings.""

[midnightx]

MSG was available on the FM set, it's slightly better than what was released before, better but you won't lose any sleep over it - Aloha is worse i.m.o. Ferrante did a complete new mix which is much better than the original LP mix - and the original mix is what is used on FM and on the CM ... (nice to have them both)

Ferrante's remix is nothing to get excited about. The '98 reissue was still a flat, lifeless affair. I would love to hear a Vic Anesini remix, in fact, I hope that he is allowed to include a remix of the concert in any future FTD edition. He could make the audio of that concert come alive on CD.

Compared to the DVD version, Ferrante's mix is quite flat indeed - but the original mix was not very good to begin with ... even with an excellent transfer done by Anesini, it still sounds too 'upfront'.
If the original LP sound is your thing, than you have nothing to complain with TCM set ...

I haven't heard the Anesini remaster, but you are correct, the original mix was problematic as well, so even an excellent transfer still will not deliver. Aloha definitely needs a remix. After hearing Anesini's mixing work on the '69 and '70 live recordings, one can easily conclude he would do a wonderful job with the Aloha show.

[elvissessions]

Well, monkboughtlunch, honestly I'd planned to confine myself mostly to things other folks had heard on the set -- to give those who don't have it a chance to understand what's being discussed and debated.

However, because it clearly matters to you so much ...

Here's a comparison of Dark Moon from the Home Recordings vs. the latest on Complete Masters.

Home Recordings

Complete Masters

As you'll hear, there is not a huge amount of difference between the two. However, looking at them from a technical standpoint, whatever has been done along the way, these are certainly not identical.

HOWEVER, both are significantly cleaned up from the Golden Celebration version. On the other hand, though, the Golden Celebration version (6:17) is quite a bit longer than the Home Recordings and Complete Masters excerpt (2:17 or :18)

[elvissessions]

In answer to your other question, Monk:

What would be cool is a scan of the credits.

Clear shot in elvissessions' picture thread. Mastered by Vic Anesini except discs 28-30 which are mastered by Lene Reidel. Kevan Budd is given additional credit for restoration work and "additional mastering" on the Sun material and Sebestian is credited as the audio consultant.

[Claus]

Well, monkboughtlunch, honestly I'd planned to confine myself mostly to things other folks had heard on the set -- to give those who don't have it a chance to understand what's being discussed and debated.

However, because it clearly matters to you so much ...

Here's a comparison of Dark Moon from the Home Recordings vs. the latest on Complete Masters.

Home Recordings

Complete Masters

As you'll hear, there is not a huge amount of difference between the two. However, looking at them from a technical standpoint, whatever has been done along the way, these are certainly not identical.

HOWEVER, both are significantly cleaned up from the Golden Celebration version. On the other hand, though, the Golden Celebration version (6:17) is quite a bit longer than the Home Recordings and Complete Masters excerpt (2:17 or :18)

Not much of a difference. Both sound no noised to death.

[luckyjackson1]

Not much of a difference. Both sound no noised to death.

Claus, this was also my first impression. I'd rather digitalize "Dark Moon" from my original "Golden Celebration"-LP.
Imo they should've done a new transfer from the original source. IIRC, they were 78's and skipping badly?