Remastered Beatles - stereo, mono or both?

flippyshark · 09-10-2009, 11:09 AM

So, I want to buy pretty much all of the newly remastered Beatles albums. Very unscientifically speaking, the samples heard in the linked promo video sound clearer than the same songs on my 80s era CDs via my computer, both playing through my computer's speakers.

Anyway, I'm especially interested in the mono mixes, and would probably be content to get the mono box (and then add the not-included Yellow Submarine, Let It Be and Abbey Road discs individually) BUT, the mono box is quite a lot more expensive (229.99) than the more complete stereo mix box set (179.99), even though it contains less material. OH, why do they do this?

Anyhow, if anyone has heard the mono remixes yet, and can report as to whether or not they are accurate and compelling, I'd appreciate it. (glances toward mousepod.) I've got very old worn vinyl of most of this stuff, and only about half of it on previous cd releases - I'd just buy both boxes if I lived in Fantasyland. As it is, I'm going to have to save up for these. But I'd be lying if I didn't say I was very psyched.

mousepod · 09-10-2009, 11:18 AM

I've heard 'em all. They sound very very good.

That said, I'm not going to repurchase the entire Beatles catalog for the umpteenth time. Especially on CD.

Assuming the vinyl reissues actually happen (in November?), I'll be buying them. As for the digital versions... I'll be happy for CD rips. The packaging is not important to me at this point.

But since you started the thread...

Chuck Klosterman Repeats The Beatles

flippyshark · 09-10-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousepod

But since you started the thread...

Chuck Klosterman Repeats The Beatles

Very amusing

Cadaverous Pallor · 09-11-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousepod

Chuck Klosterman Repeats The Beatles

Love it! The inside jokes aimed at true fans are a crack up.

No, I won't be buying this. I'm glad it exists though. Perhaps one day I'll feel the need to repurchase them and there they'll be, even better than before.

SacTown Chronic · 09-11-2009, 08:45 AM

I recently discovered that my grandmother has a bootleg 8mm video of The Beatles in concert at the Cow Palace circa 1964. Apparently grandma found a "high spot" in which to secretly record while my mom was down in the floor seats.

I mentioned to grandma that I'd love to borrow it but she just gave me the stink eye (She's kinda paranoid and mean, so I don't think it'll get loaned out anytime soon). So then I put it out there that I would like to have it when she passes. Despite the fact that I've never asked anyone in my family for anything - ever -, I got another stink eye from grandma. And one from my mom.

Snowflake · 09-10-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flippyshark

Anyway, I'm especially interested in the mono mixes, and would probably be content to get the mono box (and then add the not-included Yellow Submarine, Let It Be and Abbey Road discs individually) BUT, the mono box is quite a lot more expensive (229.99) than the more complete stereo mix box set (179.99), even though it contains less material. OH, why do they do this?

Easy, for the money!

I have none of this stuff on disc, in any form, any longer (save a couple of discs from the always generous MP)

It goes on the list, how I do sometimes miss my Tower Record days with promotional copies....of course, this one would be hotly contested over.

DreadPirateRoberts · 09-10-2009, 11:23 AM

Forgive the newbie question. What advantage does the mono have over the stereo? At first glance, wouldn't stereo be better?

Ghoulish Delight · 09-10-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

Forgive the newbie question. What advantage does the mono have over the stereo? At first glance, wouldn't stereo be better?

Mono is more "authentic", it's how the albums were originally released.

mousepod · 09-10-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Mono is more "authentic", it's how the albums were originally released.

It's not any more authentic than the stereo.

What's cool is that the Beatles albums were mixed differently for mono and stereo when they were first released, so they were absolutely unique versions.

Once mono finally died, the only releases were in stereo.

One oddball release (not in the mono box) is the Brazilian mono lp of Abbey Road. It's authentic in that it was commercially available in mono on release date, but not particularly interesting to most fans because it's just a folded-down version of the stereo mix.

Moonliner · 09-10-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousepod

What's cool is that the Beatles albums were mixed differently for mono and stereo when they were first released, so they were absolutely unique versions.

Once mono finally died, the only releases were in stereo.

So in essence, the Mono version will appeal primarily to hard core music buffs who know sh*t like this. A demographic which spends more on music and thus allows the higher price point for the mono set.

09-10-2009, 11:09 AM	#1
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	Remastered Beatles - stereo, mono or both? So, I want to buy pretty much all of the newly remastered Beatles albums. Very unscientifically speaking, the samples heard in the linked promo video sound clearer than the same songs on my 80s era CDs via my computer, both playing through my computer's speakers. Anyway, I'm especially interested in the mono mixes, and would probably be content to get the mono box (and then add the not-included Yellow Submarine, Let It Be and Abbey Road discs individually) BUT, the mono box is quite a lot more expensive (229.99) than the more complete stereo mix box set (179.99), even though it contains less material. OH, why do they do this? Anyhow, if anyone has heard the mono remixes yet, and can report as to whether or not they are accurate and compelling, I'd appreciate it. (glances toward mousepod.) I've got very old worn vinyl of most of this stuff, and only about half of it on previous cd releases - I'd just buy both boxes if I lived in Fantasyland. As it is, I'm going to have to save up for these. But I'd be lying if I didn't say I was very psyched.
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09-10-2009, 11:18 AM	#2
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	I've heard 'em all. They sound very very good. That said, I'm not going to repurchase the entire Beatles catalog for the umpteenth time. Especially on CD. Assuming the vinyl reissues actually happen (in November?), I'll be buying them. As for the digital versions... I'll be happy for CD rips. The packaging is not important to me at this point. But since you started the thread... Chuck Klosterman Repeats The Beatles __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
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09-11-2009, 08:45 AM	#5
SacTown Chronic the myth of the dream Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,217	I recently discovered that my grandmother has a bootleg 8mm video of The Beatles in concert at the Cow Palace circa 1964. Apparently grandma found a "high spot" in which to secretly record while my mom was down in the floor seats. I mentioned to grandma that I'd love to borrow it but she just gave me the stink eye (She's kinda paranoid and mean, so I don't think it'll get loaned out anytime soon). So then I put it out there that I would like to have it when she passes. Despite the fact that I've never asked anyone in my family for anything - ever -, I got another stink eye from grandma. And one from my mom. __________________ Is it the fingers, or the brain that you're teaching a lesson?
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09-10-2009, 11:23 AM	#7
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	Forgive the newbie question. What advantage does the mono have over the stereo? At first glance, wouldn't stereo be better?
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