There are about 3-4 versions of the Sundazed pressing each mastered by a different engineer including one done by Kevin Gray. Wondering which one you have that you used for your comparison?
They're all pretty much exactly the same. This happens a ton, especially with older pressings, where one person masters it, and makes notes, then their underlings/coworkers cut the laquers to their notes. Cutting a new lacquer doesn't mean it's a totally different mastering. It's all based off of the original mastering notes. It's no different than the same engineer cutting 10 lacquers for different plants. For example, the Bob Dylan mono box was done by George Marino. However, Ryan k Smith worked for him and cut lacquers for later copies. They all sound the same because it was based on his notes. Another is the new steely Dan regular releases. Bernie grundman mastered the file, while another guy cut it, its still bernies master, but has the other guys markings. Another scenario is stamper approval. Often when new stampers are made, a different engineer will be there, and will sign it. For example there are many lz iv pressings with both porky and piros stamps. Because Peckham cut it, and piros approved the stampers when Peckham wasn't there. This is also highly likely outside of a new lacquer being cut. They probably made too few stampers from the lacquer, so each engineer who was there when the new ones were made signed them. This is why out of the 4 versions, many share the same runouts otherwise. So the point is, Kevin gray didn't remaster the album, he either cut it to the notes, or just approved the stamper. He did not have the pull or authority to make any changes at that time. If he did, they would have advertised it as a new remaster. He'd just follow instructions. They just all worked at the same mastering company, and so when sundazed sold more copies than they realized, they'd ask for another lacquers cut, and whoever was available would cut it. This is why on alot of older records, there will be two mastering engineer stamps. Because one mastered it and the other cut the lacquers based off their notes. This is why they have the same runouts besides the cutters stamp. So all of them sound the same. Don't waste money overpaying for the Kevin gray name. Theyre not going to redo a beloved remaster 3 times in 2 years under the same label. If they're all the same price, then sure grab the Kevin gray because he's so desirable today, but don't pay double for it just based off his name. All the sundazes are identical and any possible variation would be so small as to be unnoticeable. A new cut ≠ new remaster. They're all the same. Edit: here is confirmation They're all the same. Sundazed told Michael fremmer that.... According to Sundazed, their mono Surrealistic Pillow reissue was not cut from a digital source, but rather from tape by Vlado Meller at Sony Mastering So vlado Meller did the remaster. He then cut what's called a cutting tape. This cutting tape was then used to cut the lacquers, and whichever engineer available did it. Which is why there's 4 different variations in a couple year span. Kevin gray would make 0 changes, because when cutting a lacquer from a cutting tape, you make no changes, it's just a flat cut. So every one of them is the vlado meller mastering. They're all the same. And if anything, you're better off with an Ingram than a Kevin gray, because Kevin did the very last batch, after the copy tape was already cut multiple times. Due to degradation of a tape over time and through cutting, the Ingram would be "the best". But this I'd negligible and likely wouldn't even be noticeable in any way. They're all cut the same way from the same premastered tape. They mastering is all the same. Do just buy the cheapest one, not overpay for Kevin's name.
That's funny finding this because I m looking for best copy now...I still have my original from 1967..but I NEED a better copy..
the sundazed isnt bad,,, neither is the dynaflex stereo, but i too have searched and never been satisfied,,,lol
There are about 3-4 versions of the Sundazed pressing each mastered by a different engineer including one done by Kevin Gray. Wondering which one you have that you used for your comparison?
Kgray
They're all pretty much exactly the same. This happens a ton, especially with older pressings, where one person masters it, and makes notes, then their underlings/coworkers cut the laquers to their notes. Cutting a new lacquer doesn't mean it's a totally different mastering. It's all based off of the original mastering notes. It's no different than the same engineer cutting 10 lacquers for different plants.
For example, the Bob Dylan mono box was done by George Marino. However, Ryan k Smith worked for him and cut lacquers for later copies. They all sound the same because it was based on his notes.
Another is the new steely Dan regular releases. Bernie grundman mastered the file, while another guy cut it, its still bernies master, but has the other guys markings.
Another scenario is stamper approval. Often when new stampers are made, a different engineer will be there, and will sign it. For example there are many lz iv pressings with both porky and piros stamps. Because Peckham cut it, and piros approved the stampers when Peckham wasn't there. This is also highly likely outside of a new lacquer being cut. They probably made too few stampers from the lacquer, so each engineer who was there when the new ones were made signed them. This is why out of the 4 versions, many share the same runouts otherwise.
So the point is, Kevin gray didn't remaster the album, he either cut it to the notes, or just approved the stamper. He did not have the pull or authority to make any changes at that time. If he did, they would have advertised it as a new remaster. He'd just follow instructions. They just all worked at the same mastering company, and so when sundazed sold more copies than they realized, they'd ask for another lacquers cut, and whoever was available would cut it. This is why on alot of older records, there will be two mastering engineer stamps. Because one mastered it and the other cut the lacquers based off their notes. This is why they have the same runouts besides the cutters stamp.
So all of them sound the same. Don't waste money overpaying for the Kevin gray name. Theyre not going to redo a beloved remaster 3 times in 2 years under the same label. If they're all the same price, then sure grab the Kevin gray because he's so desirable today, but don't pay double for it just based off his name. All the sundazes are identical and any possible variation would be so small as to be unnoticeable.
A new cut ≠ new remaster. They're all the same.
Edit: here is confirmation They're all the same. Sundazed told Michael fremmer that....
According to Sundazed, their mono Surrealistic Pillow reissue was not cut from a digital source, but rather from tape by Vlado Meller at Sony Mastering
So vlado Meller did the remaster. He then cut what's called a cutting tape. This cutting tape was then used to cut the lacquers, and whichever engineer available did it. Which is why there's 4 different variations in a couple year span. Kevin gray would make 0 changes, because when cutting a lacquer from a cutting tape, you make no changes, it's just a flat cut.
So every one of them is the vlado meller mastering. They're all the same. And if anything, you're better off with an Ingram than a Kevin gray, because Kevin did the very last batch, after the copy tape was already cut multiple times. Due to degradation of a tape over time and through cutting, the Ingram would be "the best". But this I'd negligible and likely wouldn't even be noticeable in any way. They're all cut the same way from the same premastered tape. They mastering is all the same. Do just buy the cheapest one, not overpay for Kevin's name.
@@simonemurray1345 you should tag that post in case any people have questions about mastering, you expained it better than i could,,, Great JOB
Is the Kevin Gray cut from digital or OG analog tape?
Bobby ' how about the best Pressing of 🤣 "Deez"
Thats for another day!!!!
Слушай парень отличный альбом , кому нужно купят оригинал за 100 долларов . Привет из Москвы 😉
Кому нужно и кино купят за 500. Ты понял о чем я! Это культовый альбом этих ребят.