I agree with your take. The White Album is the first Beatles album in which the stereo mix should be viewed as the master version. Everything before, the mono mix should be considered the master.
The White album was only released in stereo in the USA (mono & stereo in the UK). I think the Beatles and George Martin weren't just thinking in terms of mono by 1968. Sgt Pepper, Revolver, Rubber Soul and all the other earlier albums do sound more balanced and punchier in mono, yet the reverse is true with the stereo White album as stereo was the industry standard by that time. The White album isn't the same without Ringo's "I've got blisters on my fingers".
I grew up with the stereo version since birth. But it's interesting to hear the mono mix. But I grew up with the mono mixes of Simon and Garfunkel's Sounds Of Silence and Parsley Sage instead of the stereo mixes so there you go! Lol... I also grew up with Jefferson Airplane's After Bathing At Baxter's in mono which is very different from the stereo mix by a mile. Sure fun to compare.
Here in the USA we were teased slightly when the 1980 rarities album was released featured helter skelter and don’t pass me by . And the liner notes talk about some other effects on songs
Having heard the stereo version growing up, I’ve been really enjoying revisiting the album on mono, both on CD and on a 2014 mono pressing I picked up. I think there’s enough that’s different that it’s been really cool to hear
I appreciate you wanted to keep the 2018 out of this but... 😉 seeing as it's the only stereo version I've heard, I'd like to know where you rank it in the grand scheme?
Brian, I love your work. Please keep it up! Also wanted to mention the longer version of Sexy Sadie on the mono album. This little extra was edited out of the stereo. It was so surprising when I first heard it in mono many years ago. Thanks
Love the White Album , having grown up with the stereo mix, I tend to prefer that over the mono. By 1968, the Beatles were getting better with the stereo mixes and by September 1968, they were using 8 track recording at EMI so several of the White Album songs were impacted by the 8 track recording. The US never received the mono mix officially unless it was imported so most people including.myself never heard the mono until the 2009 mono cd box. I do love hearing the differences in the mixes especially the tracks with animal sounds like Piggies and Blackbird. I do prefer the stereo mix overall with Helter Skelter being one of the key reasons. In addition to having the song fading back in and hearing the Ringo statement, I think the track has a better vocal / instrument balance. The vocals are much louder in mono and are much better balanced in the stereo mix. Revolution 9 also works better in stereo(I know it’s not a popular track but I have always loved it). Thanks for sharing!
I agree. That’s the first Stereo mix (I’m not counting the Magical Mystery Tour EP) in which the Beatles really paid attention to the advantages of the system. My opinion is that they made the Stereo mix to be the definitive one, but mixed the Mono in such a different way so that people still stuck with mono reproducers wouldn’t feel cheated.
Excellent video. To be honest, the 2009 stereo remaster is my favorite White Album release thusfar. Even though many Giles Martin are a succes, I never got into the 2018 remix and any mono release that I've heard. They (2009 stereo CD and vinyl) are hard to find these days - especially the vinyl versions - in contrast to the different 2018 remix formats.
i much prefer the faster version of Don't Pass Me By on mono. But there's not much I'd change on the White Album. Rocky Racoon , i prefer the anthology shorter version without McCartney's faux accent. I think Giles Martin's remix is now my overall go to. Nice vid 😀
Agree, I generally prefer the stereo mix for many of the reasons you mentioned. I have a 70's pressing, made by Pathe Marconi in France but for the UK market, which I believe uses the original UK stampers. It sounds great! I do really enjoy the mono version too, I have that 2014 pressing you show. The 2014 mono's are just really great pressings overall - and I love the 2009 Mono CD box too.
Brian, I love my UK stereo pressing of the White Album for all of the reasons you've listed. It has a real presence to it. I'm really keen to get a hold of a German copy but German Beatles pressings can be so hit and miss. Can you give any suggestions for some great sounding German white album pressings?
Hey Brian, Yeah, stereo is my preference too. My favorite copy is a white vinyl German DMM copy from the 80s👍 I have it on a needle drop cd. Would love to hear the actual vinyl !
usually i too play stereo, but there's songs like savoy truffle that are just so much better on mono!!! the punchiness of those mixes really brings that song to a whole nother level
Stereo is preferred listening experience. Would like to find a German pressing. (also enjoy the Deluxe Set that came out in 2018). Great topics, recommendations being explored in your latest series of videos. ✌🏾
I love both the stereo mix and the mono mix on the white album I have not heard of the original vinyl copies of that album in fact that’s probably my number one favorite album ever it’s the Beatles White album it’s hard for me to pick what is my favorite Beatles album or song because I love everything that they did I love listening to the Weinhard from my house but the stereo and mono mixes on CD and I love Charles Martin remixes I’m a huge fan of those anyway. I think the mono mix is good and one thing that they did not get right on it was at the end of Helter skelter in the mono mix you don’t hear Ringo saying I’ve got blisters on my fingers after he’s been drumming for such a long time really hard. there’s just something wonderful about that that is one of my favorite songs and even revolution nine is my favorite other guard piece of music it’s really really good I love it I like the stereo mix because it does have a much more wonderful stereo sound and I love the early stuff from them whether it’s in stereo or mono. i’m glad that the Beatles decided to release it as a double album.
Played on a modern stereo system, the White Album sounds terrible in stereo. Far too much separation etc. However, what everyone seems to forget or ignore is that it wasn't meant to be played that way! The stereo systems of the day had the speakers situated much closer together than what most people use now, and in headphones the negative effect is of course even worse. To rectify this, all you need is a small home studio mixer which can be purchased for very little money and inserted between your phono stage and your amp. Run the left and right channels through separate tracks on the mixer and use the pan controls to move them closer together into a kind of "quasi mono". Sounds great and it's authentic too.
Great review, Brian. I have to admit, the White Album is not one of my favorite Beatle albums, for a number of reasons. As you point out, huge differences in both mixes, both have their good points, and one needs to have both. The German copy is one I'm missing from my collection; guess I need to find one. Thanks for the review.
White album was the primary mix in 1968, the mino album at that time was outdated and only released for legacy speaker users. By 1968 mono sold poorly in the UK.
Id say there are some songs that sound better in stereo and in mono. IMHO, I Will and Mother Nature’s Son sound infinitely better in mono, while Helter Skelter and Cry Baby Cry are far superior in stereo
I hve the Beatles in mono vinyl box set and revolver, rubber soul and beatles for sale re virtually unlistenable because of the mix. the rest are great.
I agree with your take. The White Album is the first Beatles album in which the stereo mix should be viewed as the master version. Everything before, the mono mix should be considered the master.
But Beatles for Sale sounds so good in stereo!
The White album was only released in stereo in the USA (mono & stereo in the UK). I think the Beatles and George Martin weren't just thinking in terms of mono by 1968. Sgt Pepper, Revolver, Rubber Soul and all the other earlier albums do sound more balanced and punchier in mono, yet the reverse is true with the stereo White album as stereo was the industry standard by that time. The White album isn't the same without Ringo's "I've got blisters on my fingers".
I grew up with the stereo version since birth. But it's interesting to hear the mono mix. But I grew up with the mono mixes of Simon and Garfunkel's Sounds Of Silence and Parsley Sage instead of the stereo mixes so there you go! Lol... I also grew up with Jefferson Airplane's After Bathing At Baxter's in mono which is very different from the stereo mix by a mile. Sure fun to compare.
Here in the USA we were teased slightly when the 1980 rarities album was released featured helter skelter and don’t pass me by . And the liner notes talk about some other effects on songs
Having heard the stereo version growing up, I’ve been really enjoying revisiting the album on mono, both on CD and on a 2014 mono pressing I picked up. I think there’s enough that’s different that it’s been really cool to hear
I appreciate you wanted to keep the 2018 out of this but... 😉 seeing as it's the only stereo version I've heard, I'd like to know where you rank it in the grand scheme?
Brian, I love your work. Please keep it up! Also wanted to mention the longer version of Sexy Sadie on the mono album. This little extra was edited out of the stereo. It was so surprising when I first heard it in mono many years ago. Thanks
My go to is the stereo mix..perfect for this album..ive got blisters on my finger!!!!
Love the White Album , having grown up with the stereo mix, I tend to prefer that over the mono. By 1968, the Beatles were getting better with the stereo mixes and by September 1968, they were using 8 track recording at EMI so several of the White Album songs were impacted by the 8 track recording. The US never received the mono mix officially unless it was imported so most people including.myself never heard the mono until the 2009 mono cd box. I do love hearing the differences in the mixes especially the tracks with animal sounds like Piggies and Blackbird. I do prefer the stereo mix overall with Helter Skelter being one of the key reasons. In addition to having the song fading back in and hearing the Ringo statement, I think the track has a better vocal / instrument balance. The vocals are much louder in mono and are much better balanced in the stereo mix. Revolution 9 also works better in stereo(I know it’s not a popular track but I have always loved it). Thanks for sharing!
I agree. That’s the first Stereo mix (I’m not counting the Magical Mystery Tour EP) in which the Beatles really paid attention to the advantages of the system. My opinion is that they made the Stereo mix to be the definitive one, but mixed the Mono in such a different way so that people still stuck with mono reproducers wouldn’t feel cheated.
Discovered you a few days ago. Awesome videos! :) Oh, and I just bought the mono box set, so I have yet to listen to the mono version
Iconic album! Never heard the mono mix anyway.
I just got a German pressing and it’s awesome. You should do one of these videos for every Beatles album 😊
Excellent video. To be honest, the 2009 stereo remaster is my favorite White Album release thusfar. Even though many Giles Martin are a succes, I never got into the 2018 remix and any mono release that I've heard. They (2009 stereo CD and vinyl) are hard to find these days - especially the vinyl versions - in contrast to the different 2018 remix formats.
i much prefer the faster version of Don't Pass Me By on mono. But there's not much I'd change on the White Album. Rocky Racoon , i prefer the anthology shorter version without McCartney's faux accent. I think Giles Martin's remix is now my overall go to. Nice vid 😀
Agree, I generally prefer the stereo mix for many of the reasons you mentioned. I have a 70's pressing, made by Pathe Marconi in France but for the UK market, which I believe uses the original UK stampers. It sounds great! I do really enjoy the mono version too, I have that 2014 pressing you show. The 2014 mono's are just really great pressings overall - and I love the 2009 Mono CD box too.
UK on release initially was only stereo.but I played it on basic mono record player.and sounded great.
Interesting. I read that early Stereo pressings sometimes came in Mono sleeves. Was that the case for you?
Brian, I love my UK stereo pressing of the White Album for all of the reasons you've listed. It has a real presence to it. I'm really keen to get a hold of a German copy but German Beatles pressings can be so hit and miss. Can you give any suggestions for some great sounding German white album pressings?
"Preferred way to listen to White Album..., Stereo or Mono?" Yes!
Hey Brian, Yeah, stereo is my preference too. My favorite copy is a white vinyl German DMM copy from the 80s👍 I have it on a needle drop cd. Would love to hear the actual vinyl !
I believe that no mono mix if the album was released in the US. Is that true ?
Great video! I prefer the stereo mix as a whole.
usually i too play stereo, but there's songs like savoy truffle that are just so much better on mono!!! the punchiness of those mixes really brings that song to a whole nother level
I’m curious to know when you listen to the stereo on digital formats, what’s your preferred pressing? 2009 remaster or 1987?
STEREO! for all the reasons you mentioned.
Stereo is preferred listening experience. Would like to find a German pressing. (also enjoy the Deluxe Set that came out in 2018). Great topics, recommendations being explored in your latest series of videos. ✌🏾
I love both the stereo mix and the mono mix on the white album I have not heard of the original vinyl copies of that album in fact that’s probably my number one favorite album ever it’s the Beatles White album it’s hard for me to pick what is my favorite Beatles album or song because I love everything that they did
I love listening to the Weinhard from my house but the stereo and mono mixes on CD and I love Charles Martin remixes I’m a huge fan of those anyway. I think the mono mix is good and one thing that they did not get right on it was at the end of Helter skelter in the mono mix you don’t hear Ringo saying I’ve got blisters on my fingers after he’s been drumming for such a long time really hard. there’s just something wonderful about that that is one of my favorite songs and even revolution nine is my favorite other guard piece of music it’s really really good I love it
I like the stereo mix because it does have a much more wonderful stereo sound and I love the early stuff from them whether it’s in stereo or mono. i’m glad that the Beatles decided to release it as a double album.
Opinions vary on many things Beatles among them!
Played on a modern stereo system, the White Album sounds terrible in stereo. Far too much separation etc. However, what everyone seems to forget or ignore is that it wasn't meant to be played that way! The stereo systems of the day had the speakers situated much closer together than what most people use now, and in headphones the negative effect is of course even worse. To rectify this, all you need is a small home studio mixer which can be purchased for very little money and inserted between your phono stage and your amp. Run the left and right channels through separate tracks on the mixer and use the pan controls to move them closer together into a kind of "quasi mono". Sounds great and it's authentic too.
Great review, Brian. I have to admit, the White Album is not one of my favorite Beatle albums, for a number of reasons. As you point out, huge differences in both mixes, both have their good points, and one needs to have both. The German copy is one I'm missing from my collection; guess I need to find one. Thanks for the review.
Was the Mono Mix still the Primary Mix in 1968? was the mono version the one that took weeks to complete?
Or had Stereo moved in to the Top Spot
White album was the primary mix in 1968, the mino album at that time was outdated and only released for legacy speaker users.
By 1968 mono sold poorly in the UK.
The White Album is the first Beatles album I prefer stereo although the mono is fab too!
👏👏👏👏
Id say there are some songs that sound better in stereo and in mono. IMHO, I Will and Mother Nature’s Son sound infinitely better in mono, while Helter Skelter and Cry Baby Cry are far superior in stereo
100% agree. But if you had to choose, what mix would you go with?
Makes sense. For songs that don't have *too* much going on, it would sound a whole lot better in mono.
Was the mono mix the original mix (meaning was it the one the beatles made)
yes indeed. and it was in fact the last true mono mix of a beatles album.
I hve the Beatles in mono vinyl box set and revolver, rubber soul and beatles for sale re virtually unlistenable because of the mix. the rest are great.
Are you on mushrooms ? the mono is soon much better it's brighter
Love mushrooms