The Expression

[Spaz]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SomebodySomewhere[/i]
<br>Anyway, I have the CDs in my hands. The mastering is... really bad. And they are taken from vinyl, so Almacantar just went from the probationary list to the avoid one. Shame.
[/quote]

Here's the scoop on the Expression CDs. The band provided the masters to Almacantar. The 2nd album was mostly from the masters (according to the band) although a song or two did have to get cleaned up. The first album was in worse shape, all from vinyl and absolutely NO clean-up. I did a lot of work on that album to make it sound better, but you should have heard it before. There were better vinyl transfers floating around but the band only wanted their masters used so we worked with those.



SPAZ
Born of innocence. Free of ignorance.

[Rubellan]

Now this is a problem. I've heard many horror stories about bands being demanding when certain labels try to reissue their stuff. First off, many of these nearly forgotten bands should just be honored a label cares enough to re-release their material, so they should step back and be less intrusive if it's causing problems.
Second, it is up to the label to stand some ground. If an artist offers a shoddy master and states it's the ONLY one they want used, if the label listens and feels it suffers from poor quality, to release it will blemish the label's reputations. It's all a judgement call. As seen in one of the previous threads, burned buyers are weary after one or two disappointing purchases, and customers are lost. This is not necessarily in reference to the particular artist or label mentioned in this thread, more so than a general observation.

[MikeP]

Gosh, what can I say? I'm sorry to hear that the quality on the 1st album is less-than-satisfactory. I haven't heard it yet and I'm sure that Spaz gave it his all, but having to work with a poor quality vinyl recording seems unthinkable, especially when proper cleaning or simply tracking down another copy does the trick. I highly respect the musicians on their talent alone, but I can't quite fathom why this would pass muster, if it's indeed the case.

BTW, I recorded and mastered our MFV version of the Expression's 1st and I was very happy with the results save for a slight off-center warble on the closing track ("Satisfied Strangers"). I absolutely love this album, and I have 3 copies to show for it. For the MFV version, we piled on every b-side and included the U.S. edit of "Nothing Changes" as well as the 7" mixes. I still want a copy of the Almacantar releases, but I am sorry to hear the news.

[Grunch]

I've gpt the romoboy Expression and the sound quality and artwork are topnotch. For my money, they are much much better than the Almacantar Expression releases.

See, now this was a perfect example. Almacantar could have VERY EASILY on their site made mention to people that these releases would be from vinyl, and have some noise or sonic limitations (not sure what you call this but it was not a good thing, for me anyway). Even though I have the romoboy series for these 2 titles, I still wanted to buy the commercially available discs since they were coming out. But now, having heard them, it is clear I once again spent good money for 2 CD's where I already owned much better sounding discs MADE FROM VINYL. Not sure what romoboy does, but however/whatever he used, he did a great job. So now, before I ever again use Almacantar for any releases, I will first e-mail them and ask about the source, and the quality, and ask them to simply be frank about it. Then I will determine if they are worth my money anymore. No knocks on anyone involved in the Expression release process intended, but for me, I simply and unknowingly again purchased discs with inferior sound compared to what I already owned, so with respect to supporting any label or artist, I don't feel this obligation when they do this to us,as much as I want the commercial CD - but then again, there I go getting stuck on the notion that a commercial release should sound better than anything I could make at home. Such a great first Expression release, what a shame the master tapes were not available. What a shame Almacantar did not see fit to provide this info to consumers BEFORE they handed over their money. I DO have commercial releaees mastered from vinyl, but whatever process was used, you would be hard pressed to ever know it, so maybe these labels using vinyl need to invest in the best vinyl mastering equipment (have no idea what that is) so that their releases clearly sound almost perfectly clean. Oh well, maybe some day, The Expression will get another release, remastered from the tapes, if they even exist anymore.

[Spaz]

I give up.




SPAZ
Born of innocence. Free of ignorance.

[Rubellan]

-so maybe these labels using vinyl need to invest in the best vinyl mastering equipment (have no idea what that is) so that their releases clearly sound almost perfectly clean.-

It's not really a question of equipment, more so than technique. Yes, you do need good equipment, and choosing the correct stylus for your turntable is crucial.
As far as software, I have always used Cool Edit Pro, now known as Adobe Audition. Being that I've used it for 7 years, I'm very familiar with the features I utilize.

One problem with any vinyl remaster I've heard from anyone or any label is they use auto pop removal. Every audiophile swears against this whole heartedly. Yes, it can remove some ugly, loud pops, but usually at the expense of introducing unwanted side affects, or damaging certain sounds, i.e. buzzy keyboards and saxophone's, for example. The only way around this is to do everything manually, which is why it takes me several days to a week to do a single CD.

[yipyipcoyote]

If I have $15,000 to spare, I would buy one of these and offer my service to all of these labels that are into MFV [8D]

http://www.elpj.com/

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by yipyipcoyote[/i]
<br>If I have $15,000 to spare, I would buy one of these and offer my service to all of these labels that are into MFV [8D]

http://www.elpj.com/
[/quote]

I don't know about that declicker...SAE had those things out 30+ years ago and they didn't work worth a damn then.

BTW, from what I read, the turntable doesn't like 12" singles, or any record color other than black.



<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/eight.gif"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/number6.gif">

[yipyipcoyote]

True, it only works on black vinyl, but most records are available in black anyway.

In the meantime I think I will check out romoboy. Call me weird but I'm a sucker for quality [:I]

[suttonrecords]

I received an advance copy of the new Tom Haran solo album last week. It's one of the best records I've heard this year. The sound is closer to roots rock than the Expression's lush, moody New Wave style, but it has the same emotional wallop. Haran was also kind enough to record station IDs for XB-102.

[quote][i]Originally posted by earthloop[/i]
<br>Hi New-waverians!!!

More news!!

First...Mike...Tom says he thinks he knows of you? poss. from this site? Anyway, that means I will have to be careful about loose gossip now because he has the URL!(so does Stephen) [;)]

Anyway, to the important bits...Steve Manassah has copied my demo tape to CD for 'cleaning up'in Protools!! He suggested that it might be worth releasing for sale on his own label...(if he doesn't I will bootleg it...but don't tell! [:p] )

http://www.whatitisrecords.com/wiir.asp

... watch this space! lets see what happens!

So great to see Stephen again, after, what, 20 odd years??? (my god! how old am I?? [:I] )

So Ocean...I think maybe you may soon be able to get a copy of 'The Palm Sessions' (working title!). (or whatever they end up calling it)

Now for the latest gossip! [:D]


I just spent the day at Stephen Manassah's place with Tom Haran and a drummer friend of Tom's named Mike!...recording new material...and if you loved the Expression...you will LOVE this new stuff!! BEAUTIFUL songs!!!!! A new Tom Haran album...Rocking!!!(not ambient fluff [:)]...)

It is not EXACTLY the same (close)...but you will relate to it in the same way (well, I did! [:D] )


Anyway, I could go on and on but I won't. What I will say is that from what I have heard today (drum tracks, vocals, guitar and some synth bits) there are at least three very wickedly good songs coming together...and more in the wings!

Cheers for now!
[/quote]

Michael Sutton
CEO/Sutton Records
http://www.suttonrecords.com

[DSR]

Nice to know that there's already a cd of THE EXPRESSION.[;)] I have a Vinyl tranfer of their self titled album "THE EXPRESSION" and their music is really great. My Vinyl transfer cd is also clean.THE EXPRESSION was first introduced here in Manila wayback 1989 by "THE ALL NEW RHYTHM AND ROCK" 1989 radio format of 99.5RT with the song "TOTAL ECLIPSE". Aside from "TOTAL ECLIPSE" I also like the songs "PRESENT COMMUNICATION and "WITH CLOSED EYES" in the album. Great Band![:D]

[:)]An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
DR. STIRRING RHOD