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Post by thetiredorbit on Feb 6, 2011 9:48:39 GMT -5
Hello all,
I'm new to the board here. I've been a prog fan for many years but for inexplicable reasons, just started really getting into JT the last year or so.
Anyway, i'm writing to find out if anyone could tell me if there are known sound quality issues in some releases of 'Thick As A Brick'. I have two versions of the record, both acquired digitally and via less-then-legal fashions. I plan to actually purchase the record, but i know that i don't want whatever version that these mp3's came from.
The thing is, the whole record sounds terrific EXCEPT for the drum track in many areas. Particularly, around the 5 minute mark up to the 6 minute mark and in many spots thereafter, the drum track sounds simply AWFUL. Sort of washy and shimmering. It's like an eight-year-old performed an ultra-aggressive noise reduction scheme using the 1997 version of CoolEdit, trying to get rid of a trivial amount of hiss or something. I apologize if no one gets that reference.
Anyway, is there a known issue with the drum sound on some releases, or does it exist even on the original master copy?
As an audiophile, which version should i be looking for? Perhaps the original vinyl would be best?
I actually picked up a vinyl copy in a used bin a couple months back, but much to my surprise, the cover was indeed TaaB, but the record inside was Aqualung. A bit of lapse in quality control, i guess...
Anyway, thanks in advance.
-Tim.
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Post by Nonfatman on Feb 8, 2011 0:11:02 GMT -5
Hello all, I'm new to the board here. I've been a prog fan for many years but for inexplicable reasons, just started really getting into JT the last year or so. Anyway, i'm writing to find out if anyone could tell me if there are known sound quality issues in some releases of 'Thick As A Brick'. I have two versions of the record, both acquired digitally and via less-then-legal fashions. I plan to actually purchase the record, but i know that i don't want whatever version that these mp3's came from. The thing is, the whole record sounds terrific EXCEPT for the drum track in many areas. Particularly, around the 5 minute mark up to the 6 minute mark and in many spots thereafter, the drum track sounds simply AWFUL. Sort of washy and shimmering. It's like an eight-year-old performed an ultra-aggressive noise reduction scheme using the 1997 version of CoolEdit, trying to get rid of a trivial amount of hiss or something. I apologize if no one gets that reference. Anyway, is there a known issue with the drum sound on some releases, or does it exist even on the original master copy? As an audiophile, which version should i be looking for? Perhaps the original vinyl would be best? I actually picked up a vinyl copy in a used bin a couple months back, but much to my surprise, the cover was indeed TaaB, but the record inside was Aqualung. A bit of lapse in quality control, i guess... Anyway, thanks in advance. -Tim.  Welcome to The Jethro Tull Board, Tim, and thanks for this interesting first post. I haven't noticed that before, but I'm neither a drummer nor an audiophile, so I probably would not have picked up on it....but I will listen for it now. I don't know which version was used for the mp3 files you downloaded, all I can tell you is that I am satisfied with my Mobile Fidelity gold disc (although it's out of print and a fortune to buy used on ebay) and the remastered boxed edition that was released in 1997, together with a replica of the St. Cleve's Chronicle and an interview with Ian. Our friend tootull is the one to ask about this, he's an expert on sound quality issues involving the various releases of any given Tull album, plus Paul's got a keen interest in Tull drumming, so maybe he can shed some light too. Anyway, thanks for your interest in The Jethro Tull Board, and we look forward to talking some Tull with you here, for a good many years to come!  Jeff P.S. By the way, check out the amazing flute prog rock thread that Preston, and now Janu too, have been building here.....it's a must for any prog fan! |
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Post by TM on Feb 8, 2011 21:31:56 GMT -5
Sounds like an issue with the MP3's. I've never heard any problems with the drumming on that release.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2011 4:00:20 GMT -5
It sounds like it may be an issue with the MP3 or CD that you're listening to. The majority of my Thick as a Brick listening is in the vinyl medium but I think that I remember back when I had the CD (the earlier, inferior release) that there were certain things with the sound that could have definitely done better. I don't think I've had the same issue with the vinyl. It shouldn't be too hard to find the vinyl if you have a good record shop around you  Hell, I've come across about 3 just from peoples boxes of old records that they gave to me. I see it in the $3 or $1 bin at used record stores many times. I hope that you find the vinyl release better, and that you don't buy it only to find the same problem  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2011 11:20:11 GMT -5
I have the Mobile Fidelity CD of TAAB and never noticed any drop off at all, The other Cd's that Chrysalis released I never noticed any kind of drop off. If there was I think like you I would have had thrown up red flags about it. Even when they then released the 25 anniversary edition in 97 it sounded fine.
All the vinyl that I have which includes the the original on Reprise as well as the Mobile Fidelity release as welll many foreign release (Japan, UK, German}I never remember hearing what you are describing.
I think you probably got some mp3 that were poorly encoded , personally I would try to get them in FLAC or WAVE formats instead mp3 . but that is just me.
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Post by tootull on Feb 10, 2011 12:03:55 GMT -5
Welcome, thetiredorbit ...all I can tell you is that I am satisfied with my Mobile Fidelity gold disc (although it's out of print and a fortune to buy used on ebay) and the remastered boxed edition that was released in 1997, together with a replica of the St. Cleve's Chronicle and an interview with Ian. Jeff On CD - You don't need me, you've got it nailed, Jeff. The MFSL gold disc sounds closer to the original USA CD release than it does to the remaster. The remaster is for those that like a good punch to their "Brick". * some may like the original USA CD, it's not too shabby. Cheers! |
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Post by thetiredorbit on Feb 26, 2011 10:26:00 GMT -5
I've come across a FLAC version and i am still hearing it. Generally, the fidelity sounds fine, all of the other instruments sound fine. It is only the drum track. It's almost like a lousy microphone was used to record it, and the track was EQ'd in an attempt to make it sound better. Here's an example, granted it is from a compressed digital version on YouTube, but it will serve as a suitable example. splicd.com/Pzze87ZilQk/306/330Does anyone else hear that, or am i just going insane? Perhaps this is intentional, and is the same in every master that has ever been produced? -Tim. |
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Post by My God on Feb 26, 2011 10:50:21 GMT -5
I think it is on purpose, I've heard it as well. I guess this is the way they wanted it.  I've come down from the upper class to mend your rotten ways. |
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Post by Geoff CB on Mar 6, 2011 3:17:31 GMT -5
Yes, I also think it's intentional - maybe a bit of flanging?
Drum sounds in the 70s were generally pretty damped sounding (as opposed to live sounding).
Geoff
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Post by Conundrum on Mar 12, 2011 2:35:44 GMT -5
The drums sound fine to me. Barrie was using either a Slingerland or Ludwig kit with Paiste and Zildjian cymbals.
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Hell, I've come across about 3 just from peoples boxes of old records that they gave to me. I see it in the $3 or $1 bin at used record stores many times. 
