I would love for you to do a comparison of an album that was produced using both methods (regular speed and 1/2 speed mastering). I think a great example would be The Rolling Stones "Waiting on a Friend" from Tattoo You. I still have my original 1981 vinyl, which was most likely produced using regular speed mastering and I would love to see if 1/2 speed mastering has any noticeable affect on the sax solo. One of the most beautiful sax solos IMHO! 🎷🎶😎
Hi Jarrett, I always have had doubts on the half master method, here is why, all the studio equipment has a frequency response envelope, typically from 20Hz to 20K Hz, if you play a file or tape that has a very low note, let's say, a 30Hz beat, it will become a 15Hz, how is that handled by the tape recorder and the cutting lathe? Is there a RIAA EQ bypass mode or modification to allow sub sonic frequencies to pass and to move the cutting head? I would like to make an A Vs B comparison, if you have any cutting engineer who can clarify would be great. For the high end of the spectrum will be great, since the 20-22K Hz will become a 10 or 11 K Hz so easily handled by the equipment, thats may be the reason some audiophiles say they hear the half speed mastered records a little tinny.
@Julio Mendez. Back in the last century - 1975 in fact, I heard a radio interview with Lowell George of Little Feat. Lowell was talking about the band's then latest record "The Last Record Album". Just as the radio host was about to play the track "Long Distance Love" Lowell - who also produced the album said "This record only has 30 (50?) cycles".[It was a long time ago so I'm not quite sure!] Lowell then said "The guy who cut the disc hated me!" As a layman, I can only work out that there was a very low signal coming from the final mix tape. So would this mean that the cutting stylus on the lathe would not "move" sufficiently to cut the master disc accurately? This story came to mind when I read your very well - informed comment.
I agree with you...I have a Barbra Streisand Greatest Hits Vol 2 cut at half speed master...it blew me away. The sound was crisp. I have nothing against those standard masterings, but this one wins hands down.
I have half speed masters in my collection. My latest are The Who's "Meaty, Beaty, Big, and Bouncy" as well as "Odds & Sods". But the crown jewel of my half speed masters is again from The Who, it's their Who's Next album. Who's Next to begin with is a stellar album, but in a half speed master format, it is a complete rediscovery from start to stop.
I have a few half speed mastered records, and I have to admit that I'm not that impressed about them. I have also read that a lot of vinyl enthusiasts aren't exactly praising them either, and find their sound kinda tinny. I can of course only speak about mine, and I can't rule out that they may be poorly mastered in other ways or something, but HSM doesn't look promising to me. Just like 180gr it seems to be a sales gimmick, though in theory it should be better. Direct Metal Mastering is a whole other matter. I have several of those from back in the 80's when they started making them, and the difference is amazing. Lower surface noise, og way clearer details. Just as one example I have the original release of a Fun Fun album (standard mastering/pressing), and a german DMM reprint of the same album. The difference is breathtaking. Hope you'll get the chance to make a similar comparison. Trust me, you'll love it. Stay safe and awesome dude.
@@olipito Indeed. While I've little doubt that there is some merit to HSM, I'm equally sure it's overhyped and aimed at those willing to spend big $$$$ in the pursuit of that perceived last tiny fraction of a percentage. Because we all know gimmicks sell.
The idea that an HSM record would be "tinny" compared to the normal speed version doesn't make any sense at all to me. At the most, it should only result in a more accurate transfer of the analog waveform onto the disc. Whether this effect is noticeable or not in practice is obviously debatable, but it shouldn't have the effect of making the sound more tinny. That sounds like an issue with the waveform itself.
@@KidxVicious Theoretically, it shouldn't make a difference. I can think of a couple of possible explanations, INCLUDING different EQ settings by the engineer, that would account for it. I still think it's mostly hype, though.
Frank Zappa said already in the 80's that half speed mastered records would gain a lot in the higher frequencies, but lose a lot of bottom end. I don't know how much of that holds water, as, in the end, all these discussions about sound quality are polluted with self-suggestion, placebo effect and personal preference, so who the hell knows.
I just purchased the Rolling Stones 'Tattoo You' half speed mastered on 180 gram vinyl. I must say that is the best sounding LP in my collection. The noise floor is extremely low. The bass is tight and deep. The mids and highs are rich and full.
A couple of thoughts: You don't go straight from the multitrack tape to cutting a record. You first have to mix down to a two track "stereo master" tape. You can't press records directly from a DMM master disc, it still has to be plated and have mothers and stampers made from it. The cut DMM disc has a groove on it. If you pressed directly from that, you'd have a record with a raised land instead of a groove. While half speed mastering does make it easier to cut high frequencies, you have a new problem at the other end of the scale. Very deep bass will require cutting at 15Hz or less.
I actually have two of the Peter Gabriel Half Speed remasters. "Up" and "Us". And they are damn awesome albums too. Missed the opportunity to get myself a copy of "So" when someone bought it before me. But then again, i own that album on Vinyl twice already. Once as East German AMIGA pressing and once as West German official pressing.
Hi! I just wanted to say thank you for your tips and tricks on how to use and take care of records and record players. A couple days ago my Audio Technica LP60X has arrived and all I can say that listening to records is amazing! Keep up the good work! Cheers!
Welll... this is tricky. It started as identification for albums that were studio balanced (audio calibration and stuff) at half speed and cut at half speed. Now it’s mostly for albums only cut at half speed skipping the half speed audio mastering. It’s getting to the point of being a marketing technique or a money grabber. Still, the record being cut a half speed is still an improvement!
I have “ALL” the Peter Gabriel! Not just the So album. Great “half speed” masters! Also have Japan’s ”Tin Drum” abs “Gentlemen Take Polaroids”. These are all freakin’ AMAZING! On my system, it sounds like they are playing right in the room!!! Can’t wait to get that Sade box set too!!!😍🇨🇦🙏
It is not just Queen Greatest Hits.... all Queen's back catalogue was reissued in 2015 (available as a box set or individual albums) and was half speed mastered.
Your videos are always great and very knowledgeable. I do not have any half speed records in my collection but I would love to hear some of my classic Elvis Presley albums mastered this way.
I just found a sealed “wish you were here-pink floyd” half-speed mastered extended range recording. It’s a cbs master sound audiophile pressing. In its master sound factory sealed sleeve. Crazier thing is i look inside and there’s another entire “wish you were here” vinyl in it’s sleeve. HC 33453 & PC 33453
I remember that time I soldered directly to the tape head of my microcassette transcriber and did a half-speed recording of Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon using an 18 kHz sine wave with the music about 36 dB quieter superimposed at 1.2 centimeters per second and the music playing at 22,050 samples per second. It sounds pretty cool on small portable dictation microcassette recorder, considering the dynamic range and fade outs are left intact. You need a beefy amplifier to drive the head, though, and I found out how beefy when I forgot to throw the rec/play switch and fried the playback electronics in the microcassette transcriber so now it's a write-only machine.
When I first heard of Half Speed Mastering, i really didn3get it. It was 1982 and there was no You Tube. I pucked up Band on the Run and Bridhe over Troubled Water but I didn't have a great turntable then and...tou jnow where this is going. ...Now I have a few HSM's and ghe difference is phenomenal.
I have a couple of half speed mastered records. Underworld - Drift sampler edition. Also 2 Albums by the Shamen, En-tact and Boss Drum, they’re Direct metal mastered at half speed on 200g vinyl, they sound pretty epic, as well as being great albums, early 90s acid house at its finest. 👍
I thought the masters were cut at 4x speed or higher! Turns out they cut it at the same (or in some cases, like the ones explained in the video, _half_ ) speed. TIL! (I'm new to vinyl so I might be wrong)
Thanks for explaining this and showcasing Vinyl Moon, seems like an interesting service. One thing of note is that your explanation is oversimplified in one aspect - AFAIK from the master cut there are also created "positives" and from those again "negatives" which are then placed in the press. Why? Because each stamper has a life expectancy of records pressed before it gets too deteriorated, so they get exchanged. From a "positive" you can produce X "negatives" and from the master you can produce Y "positives" which basically prolongs the amount of records pressed from a single master lacquer. Making a master lacquer can be a pretty intensive process requiring an experienced cutting engineer, hence the record companies want to limit that as much as possible.
There is a company based in Rochester New York called Bags Unlimited. They manufacture record sleeves and many other quality record storage products. Almost everything they make is made right here in the USA, unlike other companies that make record sleeves. They are highly respected in record collector circles , so you might want to give them a try.
Song of the Day: Space Cadet - The Technicolors Exceptionally underrated band. Although Space Cadet isn’t on this specific album, their 2017 album, Metaphysical is a great representation of the band. Highly recommend giving them a listen!
I'm new to the world of vinyl. I have Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick mastered at half speed. Can't wait to listen to it. Such an amazing album (43:46 continuous song) Thanks for a great video!
I have ENO's "Here Come The Warm Jets" on half speed mastering that plays at 45rpm on 2×LP's and I really love it!!!😍 I believe it's my only half-speed mastering album in my collection.
I’ve got a half speed master of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here as well as MoFi pressings of Weezer’s first two albums, Beatles Abby Road, and Dereck and the Dominoes Layla. They sound amazing!
@Vinyl Eyezz. Many thanks for your very interesting video. You may already know this. When Peter Gabriel recorded "So" back in 1986 (?), he originally wanted "In Your Eyes" to be the last track on the album. However, "In Your Eyes" (IYE) has some very powerful bass - both keyboard bass and string bass (the excellent Tony Levin), and this gave rise to a technical problem. If IYE was to be the last track on the vinyl album, there was a possibility that it would not transfer to the master accurately in respect of big bass = a wide groove running in an ever decreasing circle. Hence IYE was placed as the first track of side two on the vinyl version. The CD version of "So" issued at that time just copied the same order as the vinyl. When the 25th Anniversary Edition of "So" was issued, the track order was changed and IYE was the final track on the album. Keep up your good work. Stay safe and well.
I have three half-speed mastered discs in my collection: George Benson's "Breezin'", Steely Dan's "Aja" (both by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab), and the Doobie Brothers' "Minute By Minute" (Nautilus Super Disc). It's been a while since I've played them, but as well mastered as the mass-market versions of these albums were, I could definitely hear a difference. The mass-market versions were a bit louder, but there was less distortion in the half-speed mastered versions -- they especially sounded good with my Shure V15HR-P cartridge on my Technics SL-D30 turntable. Alas, my nephew broke the Shure's original stylus some years ago, and I'm looking for a good aftermarket one. In the meantime I'm content with the Audio-Technica AT331LP cartridge I bought later.
I just picked up Paul McCartney's Flaming Pie 3-LP set over the weekend. That was a half speed master, too. Only 3-4 songs per side of the record, this was the first time I've ever heard of this. I don't know that my ear can really tell the difference, but it's cool to say I have it anyways.
A record that I got recently was a half speed mastered record, it was Toto's IV record and honestly I do agree it is one of the best sounding records in my collection
Hi, I want to buy a record player for Christmas. I know not to buy crosleys however I can’t really afford anything over $200. I’ve tried to do research but it’s all a bit overwhelming. Here are my questions: 1. Are Victrolas as bad as crosleys? 2. If I buy the Audio Technica LP60X, can I just buy the Micca PB42X speakers and nothing else. I heard that the audio Technica has a build in preamp and those speakers have receivers because they’re active.
I picked up a (half speed Mastered Extended Range Recording) of ( Boston self titled) (Audiophile pressing) for $15.00 At a antique store. I can definitely tell the difference. Warmer tones and more inviting sounds. The condition was EX of the vinyl
One of the first records I bought was a half speed mastered version of Cosmic Messenger by Jean-Luc Ponty. Probably one of my favorite records mostly due in part to how good it sounds
Thanks for the good in depth description, without it were turning into a 4 hours video with some of the details you mentioned could make it even more complicated. Were talking with my friend who is also a vinyl fan, about the half speed. I were pretty sure that it would (in theory) be exactly the same sound quality if record and play both were on half speed, compared to a normal recording/cutting. I told my friend, there would only be differences in the quality, if somehow the macine to record the vinyl (The Cut Master) would be more accurate making the grooves on half speed. And it seems my theory were right. In theory it's the same if it were a digital recording. But ofcause when it's an analog recording, mechanical arm plus the disc turning, everyhing will be improved with slow tempo and with precition. If there's any (even thou very little) mechanical vibrations from the turntable when cutting the groove, that will also be dampned a bit on slower speed. Thanks for watching. Like your videos. And you have a good narator voice. And like it's positive vibe. Thanks from Krusty in Denmark.
Very well explained, Even I understand now. Gotta love the questions at the end. I've always been told that 78 rpm records should sound better as they got much more information on the record.
I have Bridge Over Troubled Water and Billy Joel's 52nd Street. "Bridge" sounds pretty good, but 52nd Street a bit harsh on some tracks. Of course, different equipment may yield different results.
Cliff, did you notice any loss of low end in The Journey from Don’t Look Back? I have an original vinyl and the bass is much lower on that than the cd or Spotify track.
@@justafunluva1 No, it's still there on the HSM version, and sorry for the delay in response. We went through three days of a "freak" October ice storm in Central Oklahoma, and most folks (including me) are just now getting back to normal!
it would be nice to hear a comparison taken from live di from a deck, obv it wont give a clear picture but it will show what kind of difference and if any really noticable there is between perceived quality and waveform/spectrum
I have Peter Gabriels first 2 solo albums on half speed, both sound amazing. pressed to 2 discs and they play at 45rpm. on 180gram vinyl. Also Steven Wilsons To The Bone is worth having. Great video Vinyl Eyezz!
This has to be my favorite vid you've done that I have seen thus far. I literally was asking myself what a half speed master was when paul McCartney 1 had a rsd half speed master during that last drop. I just didn't understand what the hype was as that album was so easy to come by but it makes sense now. Thanks! Oh and in honor of Paul McCartney how about this for song of the day. Temporary Secretary/ Paul McCartney from McCartney 2
in other word: due to the mass inertia of the cutter-head, so, the half-speed master process allows the cutter head has enough responses to achieve ' a perfect engraving' on a high frequency (fidelity).
The spinning record has fascinated me for as long as I can remember The video was worth the wait the engineering is fascinating. I never really gave the mastering process a whole lot of thought. As long as I can play it I like it.
So I'm watching this video because I found a near mint copy of Thriller at a thrift shop and paid about 20 ish cents for it and wanted to know more about what I found. I'm listening to it atm and man it is crystal clear...
Here's a hungarian rock song as the song of the day: "Csak a szívemet dobom eléd" by Gyula Vikidál His album is the first and only hungarian half-speed mastered record in 1985. :)
Something about your delivery reminds me of Christian Bale in American Psycho. Patrick Bateman : "Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically".
Im pretty sure Pink Floyd's the Wall was re-issued in the Half Mastered series in the 80's. From what i have heard all of Mobile Fidelity's record releases all of them were half speed mastered. I have some half speed mastered records in my collection mostly being Mofi pressings.
I randomly had this thought at 3am where I’m at, I am beyond surprised this is more common in music I was imagining it for film or videography but this is beyond excellent/ music apparently has already been tested and tried with a half speed but what if they made a half speed video to accompany the audio?
Queen - News of the World 2018 year lp info: 2011 digital master and 2017 half speed master... Well i have 1977 year one with first master. I don know witch one is more valuable.
Hey Jarrett, what are your thoughts on the 2020 revision of Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Albums of all time list? I thought some of the entries were rather questionable.
I'm sort of a new collector, so new that I don't even have the record player yet :) But you've got to start somewhere ;) Anyway, I was looking through records at an online shop and came across two that I'd like to add to my collection: The Peter Gabriel So album and the Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells album - and noticed they were half speed mastered. Pretty much what got me to this video, as I wondered what it was. So thanks for clearing it up :) Only have one album so far, an 180g pressing of Pink Floyd's Wish you were here - had to research 180g as well :D Have decided on the turntable, but still a lot of stuff to research and learn, so here's another subscriber :)
Only found out about "half-speed mastering" after buying the release of KISS' Destroyer last year and this year's release of 'The Elder'. Wanted to see if it really was just a hype thing like a lot of collector's I'm seeing are saying. Seems like another thing in the vinyl world that is completely subjective, considering everyone's equipment and even the way they hear things are different. I may not have the most intricate, expensive, or immersive set-up, but I also don't play a simple "suitcase" player. I have a lot of records that most will say is a "bad press" but I certainly see a world of difference in them compared to their CD counter-part I've played for over a decade. With Destroyer, I didn't really notice much of anything improved, but I was also comparing to the Resurrected remaster, which I preferred. Excited to hear this half-speed master of 'The Elder', and at least this one I have an older pressing to compare to. But I still wonder if most of those writing off half-speed mastering just don't have the right equipment to discern the difference?
This one took me a little longer to edit, thanks for being patient, more good stuff on the way! 😄👍
I would love for you to do a comparison of an album that was produced using both methods (regular speed and 1/2 speed mastering). I think a great example would be The Rolling Stones "Waiting on a Friend" from Tattoo You. I still have my original 1981 vinyl, which was most likely produced using regular speed mastering and I would love to see if 1/2 speed mastering has any noticeable affect on the sax solo. One of the most beautiful sax solos IMHO! 🎷🎶😎
Hi Jarrett,
I always have had doubts on the half master method, here is why, all the studio equipment has a frequency response envelope, typically from 20Hz to 20K Hz, if you play a file or tape that has a very low note, let's say, a 30Hz beat, it will become a 15Hz, how is that handled by the tape recorder and the cutting lathe? Is there a RIAA EQ bypass mode or modification to allow sub sonic frequencies to pass and to move the cutting head? I would like to make an A Vs B comparison, if you have any cutting engineer who can clarify would be great. For the high end of the spectrum will be great, since the 20-22K Hz will become a 10 or 11 K Hz so easily handled by the equipment, thats may be the reason some audiophiles say they hear the half speed mastered records a little tinny.
Dr. FeelGood by motlycrue
@Julio Mendez. Back in the last century - 1975 in fact, I heard a radio interview with Lowell George of Little Feat. Lowell was talking about the band's then latest record "The Last Record Album". Just as the radio host was about to play the track "Long Distance Love" Lowell - who also produced the album said "This record only has 30 (50?) cycles".[It was a long time ago so I'm not quite sure!] Lowell then said "The guy who cut the disc hated me!" As a layman, I can only work out that there was a very low signal coming from the final mix tape. So would this mean that the cutting stylus on the lathe would not "move" sufficiently to cut the master disc accurately? This story came to mind when I read your very well - informed comment.
I agree with you...I have a Barbra Streisand Greatest Hits Vol 2 cut at half speed master...it blew me away. The sound was crisp. I have nothing against those standard masterings, but this one wins hands down.
I have half speed masters in my collection. My latest are The Who's "Meaty, Beaty, Big, and Bouncy" as well as "Odds & Sods". But the crown jewel of my half speed masters is again from The Who, it's their Who's Next album. Who's Next to begin with is a stellar album, but in a half speed master format, it is a complete rediscovery from start to stop.
Nice! 😄👍
I love the Who's Next LP, is the sound that much better? And what about price? How much MORE that a regular mastered LP?? thanks in advanced.
what's different, rather then some vague platitude
Just a fun fact:
The Queen 2015 Vinyl Reissues (and the Studio Collection Box Set) are also half speed mastered!
Paul McCartney’s RAM got a half-speed master a couple days ago for the 50th anniversary.
It's a crying shame they sound so boring and polite. Cut quiet too. Hello surface noise.
I have a few half speed mastered records, and I have to admit that I'm not that impressed about them. I have also read that a lot of vinyl enthusiasts aren't exactly praising them either, and find their sound kinda tinny. I can of course only speak about mine, and I can't rule out that they may be poorly mastered in other ways or something, but HSM doesn't look promising to me. Just like 180gr it seems to be a sales gimmick, though in theory it should be better.
Direct Metal Mastering is a whole other matter. I have several of those from back in the 80's when they started making them, and the difference is amazing. Lower surface noise, og way clearer details. Just as one example I have the original release of a Fun Fun album (standard mastering/pressing), and a german DMM reprint of the same album. The difference is breathtaking. Hope you'll get the chance to make a similar comparison. Trust me, you'll love it.
Stay safe and awesome dude.
This is quality commenting. Thanks
@@olipito Indeed. While I've little doubt that there is some merit to HSM, I'm equally sure it's overhyped and aimed at those willing to spend big $$$$ in the pursuit of that perceived last tiny fraction of a percentage. Because we all know gimmicks sell.
The idea that an HSM record would be "tinny" compared to the normal speed version doesn't make any sense at all to me. At the most, it should only result in a more accurate transfer of the analog waveform onto the disc. Whether this effect is noticeable or not in practice is obviously debatable, but it shouldn't have the effect of making the sound more tinny. That sounds like an issue with the waveform itself.
@@KidxVicious Theoretically, it shouldn't make a difference. I can think of a couple of possible explanations, INCLUDING different EQ settings by the engineer, that would account for it.
I still think it's mostly hype, though.
Frank Zappa said already in the 80's that half speed mastered records would gain a lot in the higher frequencies, but lose a lot of bottom end. I don't know how much of that holds water, as, in the end, all these discussions about sound quality are polluted with self-suggestion, placebo effect and personal preference, so who the hell knows.
Song of the Day: “Runnin’ with the Devil” by Van Halen
@MaaaarrJ well ‘Van Halen’ the band isn’t dead but Eddie is
@MaaaarrJ News flash.....on a long enough time line everyone dies.
@MaaaarrJ there are two van halens tho
@MaaaarrJ what does this have to do with politics. And also, people live on through their music.
R.I.P Eddie van halen
The Dire Straits 'Brothers in Arms' album has just been done in a half speed vinyl. Naturally, I've already ordered it
In most cases the mastering for each format (mp3, cassette, vinyl, CD) is actually done separately from each other.
I just purchased the Rolling Stones 'Tattoo You' half speed mastered on 180 gram vinyl. I must say that is the best sounding LP in my collection. The noise floor is extremely low. The bass is tight and deep. The mids and highs are rich and full.
I just got an album that went through the half speed mastering. The sound quality does sound a lot better and has a better dynamic range.
A couple of thoughts:
You don't go straight from the multitrack tape to cutting a record. You first have to mix down to a two track "stereo master" tape.
You can't press records directly from a DMM master disc, it still has to be plated and have mothers and stampers made from it. The cut DMM disc has a groove on it. If you pressed directly from that, you'd have a record with a raised land instead of a groove.
While half speed mastering does make it easier to cut high frequencies, you have a new problem at the other end of the scale. Very deep bass will require cutting at 15Hz or less.
I actually have two of the Peter Gabriel Half Speed remasters. "Up" and "Us". And they are damn awesome albums too. Missed the opportunity to get myself a copy of "So" when someone bought it before me. But then again, i own that album on Vinyl twice already. Once as East German AMIGA pressing and once as West German official pressing.
Hi! I just wanted to say thank you for your tips and tricks on how to use and take care of records and record players. A couple days ago my Audio Technica LP60X has arrived and all I can say that listening to records is amazing! Keep up the good work! Cheers!
Song of the day: ‘Cast No Shadow’ by Oasis
The harmony which entwines within the chorus is angelic as Noel shadows Liam’s vocals.
YEESS
Welll... this is tricky. It started as identification for albums that were studio balanced (audio calibration and stuff) at half speed and cut at half speed. Now it’s mostly for albums only cut at half speed skipping the half speed audio mastering. It’s getting to the point of being a marketing technique or a money grabber. Still, the record being cut a half speed is still an improvement!
Song of the Day: "Sunshine of Your Love" Disraeli Gears Album by Cream
I prefer strange brew on that album tbh
@@cityfantv-everythingmancit2946 or tales of brave Ulysses
Lots of good songs on that album. Thats one of them!
@@theunknowncommenter3444 yeah
@@cityfantv-everythingmancit2946 I agree with you
I have “ALL” the Peter Gabriel! Not just the So album. Great “half speed” masters! Also have Japan’s ”Tin Drum” abs “Gentlemen Take Polaroids”. These are all freakin’ AMAZING! On my system, it sounds like they are playing right in the room!!! Can’t wait to get that Sade box set too!!!😍🇨🇦🙏
I just got the Opeth Morningrise half speed master and wondered what it meant. Thanks for the fantastic explanation👌
Fascinating. This new "spin" on recording technology makes vinyl even more interesting.
I'd not heard of it before.
I love the custom beach scene idea.
Whatced a few of your vids.They seem to get BETTER and THIS one answered a LOT of questions I previously had. GREAT!
Song of the day: “Pink Moon” by Nick Drake
At 2:12, I was expecting Turntable, Pre-Amp, Amplifier and Speakers
For the 5928493rd time
It is not just Queen Greatest Hits.... all Queen's back catalogue was reissued in 2015 (available as a box set or individual albums) and was half speed mastered.
Your videos are always great and very knowledgeable.
I do not have any half speed records in my collection but I would love to hear some of my classic Elvis Presley albums mastered this way.
I just found a sealed “wish you were here-pink floyd” half-speed mastered extended range recording. It’s a cbs master sound audiophile pressing. In its master sound factory sealed sleeve. Crazier thing is i look inside and there’s another entire “wish you were here” vinyl in it’s sleeve. HC 33453 & PC 33453
I remember that time I soldered directly to the tape head of my microcassette transcriber and did a half-speed recording of Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon using an 18 kHz sine wave with the music about 36 dB quieter superimposed at 1.2 centimeters per second and the music playing at 22,050 samples per second. It sounds pretty cool on small portable dictation microcassette recorder, considering the dynamic range and fade outs are left intact. You need a beefy amplifier to drive the head, though, and I found out how beefy when I forgot to throw the rec/play switch and fried the playback electronics in the microcassette transcriber so now it's a write-only machine.
what is the album you have at 8:55 the colors are cool
When I first heard of Half Speed Mastering, i really didn3get it. It was 1982 and there was no You Tube. I pucked up Band on the Run and Bridhe over Troubled Water but I didn't have a great turntable then and...tou jnow where this is going.
...Now I have a few HSM's and ghe difference is phenomenal.
I have a couple of half speed mastered records. Underworld - Drift sampler edition. Also 2 Albums by the Shamen, En-tact and Boss Drum, they’re Direct metal mastered at half speed on 200g vinyl, they sound pretty epic, as well as being great albums, early 90s acid house at its finest. 👍
I thought the masters were cut at 4x speed or higher! Turns out they cut it at the same (or in some cases, like the ones explained in the video, _half_ ) speed. TIL!
(I'm new to vinyl so I might be wrong)
CASSETTES were often dubbed at those kinds of speeds....because it sped up the process....
Thanks for explaining this and showcasing Vinyl Moon, seems like an interesting service. One thing of note is that your explanation is oversimplified in one aspect - AFAIK from the master cut there are also created "positives" and from those again "negatives" which are then placed in the press. Why? Because each stamper has a life expectancy of records pressed before it gets too deteriorated, so they get exchanged. From a "positive" you can produce X "negatives" and from the master you can produce Y "positives" which basically prolongs the amount of records pressed from a single master lacquer. Making a master lacquer can be a pretty intensive process requiring an experienced cutting engineer, hence the record companies want to limit that as much as possible.
Nice pick-up with the SADE set & I liked the Dazed & Confused reference... love that movie too... also this whole video is great, so thanks.
There is a company based in Rochester New York called Bags Unlimited. They manufacture record sleeves and many other quality record storage products. Almost everything they make is made right here in the USA, unlike other companies that make record sleeves. They are highly respected in record collector circles , so you might want to give them a try.
Song of the Day: Space Cadet - The Technicolors
Exceptionally underrated band. Although Space Cadet isn’t on this specific album, their 2017 album, Metaphysical is a great representation of the band. Highly recommend giving them a listen!
I'm new to the world of vinyl. I have Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick mastered at half speed. Can't wait to listen to it. Such an amazing album (43:46 continuous song)
Thanks for a great video!
Song of the day: “I love playing with fire” by Joan Jett and The black hearts
I have ENO's "Here Come The Warm Jets" on half speed mastering that plays at 45rpm on 2×LP's and I really love it!!!😍 I believe it's my only half-speed mastering album in my collection.
I’ve got a half speed master of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here as well as MoFi pressings of Weezer’s first two albums, Beatles Abby Road, and Dereck and the Dominoes Layla. They sound amazing!
I have three half master albums from the eighties, when vinyl was getting killed by the CD. They sound quite good even now.
Best sounding record I own is the archive edition of Flaming Pie - Paul Mccartney! Half-speed mastered from the original tapes! Highly recommend
Half speed mastering was huge in the late 70's, and I thought they sounded fuller and more....complete....
Song of the day: "Autobahn" by
Kraftwerk
@Vinyl Eyezz. Many thanks for your very interesting video. You may already know this. When Peter Gabriel recorded "So" back in 1986 (?), he originally wanted "In Your Eyes" to be the last track on the album. However, "In Your Eyes" (IYE) has some very powerful bass - both keyboard bass and string bass (the excellent Tony Levin), and this gave rise to a technical problem. If IYE was to be the last track on the vinyl album, there was a possibility that it would not transfer to the master accurately in respect of big bass = a wide groove running in an ever decreasing circle. Hence IYE was placed as the first track of side two on the vinyl version. The CD version of "So" issued at that time just copied the same order as the vinyl.
When the 25th Anniversary Edition of "So" was issued, the track order was changed and IYE was the final track on the album. Keep up your good work. Stay safe and well.
I noticed the thumbnail of "What's Goin' On" I actually got a copy of this that the second side is the second side of the soundtrack of Baby Driver.
I have three half-speed mastered discs in my collection: George Benson's "Breezin'", Steely Dan's "Aja" (both by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab), and the Doobie Brothers' "Minute By Minute" (Nautilus Super Disc). It's been a while since I've played them, but as well mastered as the mass-market versions of these albums were, I could definitely hear a difference. The mass-market versions were a bit louder, but there was less distortion in the half-speed mastered versions -- they especially sounded good with my Shure V15HR-P cartridge on my Technics SL-D30 turntable. Alas, my nephew broke the Shure's original stylus some years ago, and I'm looking for a good aftermarket one. In the meantime I'm content with the Audio-Technica AT331LP cartridge I bought later.
Song of the day: Wildstylez - Truth
Besides traditional and DMM, there's also HD vinyl.
HD vinyl uses a master that is cut by a laser etching machine.
I just picked up Paul McCartney's Flaming Pie 3-LP set over the weekend. That was a half speed master, too. Only 3-4 songs per side of the record, this was the first time I've ever heard of this. I don't know that my ear can really tell the difference, but it's cool to say I have it anyways.
A record that I got recently was a half speed mastered record, it was Toto's IV record and honestly I do agree it is one of the best sounding records in my collection
Hi, I want to buy a record player for Christmas. I know not to buy crosleys however I can’t really afford anything over $200. I’ve tried to do research but it’s all a bit overwhelming. Here are my questions:
1. Are Victrolas as bad as crosleys?
2. If I buy the Audio Technica LP60X, can I just buy the Micca PB42X speakers and nothing else. I heard that the audio Technica has a build in preamp and those speakers have receivers because they’re active.
I picked up a (half speed Mastered
Extended Range Recording) of ( Boston self titled)
(Audiophile pressing) for $15.00
At a antique store. I can definitely tell the difference. Warmer tones and more inviting sounds.
The condition was EX of the vinyl
One of the first records I bought was a half speed mastered version of Cosmic Messenger by Jean-Luc Ponty. Probably one of my favorite records mostly due in part to how good it sounds
I have a number of half speed mastered albums. My treasure is the Australian Audiophile pressing of Sgt Pepper. Simply awesome.
You are not kidding!
Nice haircut btw here’s my song of the day
Metallica-wherever I may roam
Thanks for the good in depth description, without it were turning into a 4 hours video with some of the details you mentioned could make it even more complicated. Were talking with my friend who is also a vinyl fan, about the half speed. I were pretty sure that it would (in theory) be exactly the same sound quality if record and play both were on half speed, compared to a normal recording/cutting. I told my friend, there would only be differences in the quality, if somehow the macine to record the vinyl (The Cut Master) would be more accurate making the grooves on half speed. And it seems my theory were right.
In theory it's the same if it were a digital recording. But ofcause when it's an analog recording, mechanical arm plus the disc turning, everyhing will be improved with slow tempo and with precition. If there's any (even thou very little) mechanical vibrations from the turntable when cutting the groove, that will also be dampned a bit on slower speed.
Thanks for watching. Like your videos. And you have a good narator voice. And like it's positive vibe. Thanks from Krusty in Denmark.
Whoa, Is that Gilberto/Gets on your wall?
I love Bossa Nova, perhaps “Take me to Aruanda” by Astrud Gilberto for song of the day?
If you like bassa check out Sinatra and Carlos Jobim; ie Girl from Ipanema an many other gems!💿💿💿
Song of the day should be 12th Warrior by Dr. Awesome/Bjorn Lynne for the Amiga Computer in SQ Quadraphonic.
Very well explained,
Even I understand now.
Gotta love the questions at the end.
I've always been told that 78 rpm records should sound better as they got much more information on the record.
So far I have only one half-speed mastered vinyl, Queen’s A Night At The Opera, which is on blue vinyl.
6:31 Huh... I actually have a copy of that Queen album. I always wondered why it sounded close to CD quality.
I have a few Half speed masters. 2 worth mentioning. Meat Loaf - Bat out of Hell and Supertramp - Crime of the Century ;)
I have Bridge Over Troubled Water and Billy Joel's 52nd Street. "Bridge" sounds pretty good, but 52nd Street a bit harsh on some tracks. Of course, different equipment may yield different results.
I have Boston's first two albums in the Half-Speed Mastered format, and I think I might have a Chicago album or two, as well.
Cliff, did you notice any loss of low end in The Journey from Don’t Look Back? I have an original vinyl and the bass is much lower on that than the cd or Spotify track.
@@justafunluva1 No, it's still there on the HSM version, and sorry for the delay in response. We went through three days of a "freak" October ice storm in Central Oklahoma, and most folks (including me) are just now getting back to normal!
Men at Work "Cargo" was also released as a half speed master
Thought to mention the album (KIWANUKA) by Michael Kiwanuka. Chill modern/ vintage Motown sound.🙌🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
The Audio Fidelity Sade albums are worth a fortune. Why? They are analog. The new box has been digitized. Won’t be worth anything.
It's BECAUSE SADE IS SMOOTH AS SH📀T!!
it would be nice to hear a comparison taken from live di from a deck, obv it wont give a clear picture but it will show what kind of difference and if any really noticable there is between perceived quality and waveform/spectrum
Deutsche Grammphon, Philips Records classical division and Archive Records were doing this on certain recordings in the 60s and 70s.
I have Peter Gabriels first 2 solo albums on half speed, both sound amazing. pressed to 2 discs and they play at 45rpm. on 180gram vinyl. Also Steven Wilsons To The Bone is worth having. Great video Vinyl Eyezz!
This has to be my favorite vid you've done that I have seen thus far. I literally was asking myself what a half speed master was when paul McCartney 1 had a rsd half speed master during that last drop. I just didn't understand what the hype was as that album was so easy to come by but it makes sense now. Thanks! Oh and in honor of Paul McCartney how about this for song of the day.
Temporary Secretary/ Paul McCartney from McCartney 2
in other word:
due to the mass inertia of the cutter-head, so, the half-speed master process allows the cutter head has enough responses to achieve ' a perfect engraving' on a high frequency (fidelity).
DMM is a Technic, that Teldec in Germany have done from the Early 80´s..Other labels used used this Technic also..
I wondered what this Half Speed Cutting was. I have one from 1981 Amii Ozaki - Hot Baby.
Easy Lover - Phill Collins.
Sounds awesome on vinyl
I have three in my collection: MJ's "Off The Wall" and "Thriller," and The Jacksons "Triumph."
Oh my
Great video! I have the Beatles and The Rolling Stones Mobile Fidelity half speed masters. They both sound amazing ! Thanks for posting !
I like your videos a lot! Been listening a lot to Sade lately, I know that you like her too. Keep up the great work. Peace
So, a question: does the half speed master only applies to the master? Or all the other vinyl copies are also copied at half speed?
The spinning record has fascinated me for as long as I can remember The video was worth the wait the engineering is fascinating. I never really gave the mastering process a whole lot of thought. As long as I can play it I like it.
So I'm watching this video because I found a near mint copy of Thriller at a thrift shop and paid about 20 ish cents for it and wanted to know more about what I found. I'm listening to it atm and man it is crystal clear...
Here's a hungarian rock song as the song of the day:
"Csak a szívemet dobom eléd" by Gyula Vikidál
His album is the first and only hungarian half-speed mastered record in 1985. :)
Song of the day: Plastic Love By Mariya Takeuchi
I have the last three albums by Everything But The Girl. All are half speed mastered. Absolutely great sound!
Something about your delivery reminds me of Christian Bale in American Psycho. Patrick Bateman : "Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically".
The Emperor’s half-speed remastered are incredible
Im pretty sure Pink Floyd's the Wall was re-issued in the Half Mastered series in the 80's. From what i have heard all of Mobile Fidelity's record releases all of them were half speed mastered. I have some half speed mastered records in my collection mostly being Mofi pressings.
I have some. Like Barbara Streisand which I love the sound quality. Maybe also The Bee Gees: Spirits having flown could be a half speed mastering?
I randomly had this thought at 3am where I’m at, I am beyond surprised this is more common in music I was imagining it for film or videography but this is beyond excellent/ music apparently has already been tested and tried with a half speed but what if they made a half speed video to accompany the audio?
Queen - News of the World
2018 year lp info: 2011 digital master and 2017 half speed master...
Well i have 1977 year one with first master. I don know witch one is more valuable.
I going am going to look for them in my collection know! I Never heard of them!
Song of the day: Meu Jardim by Edições Paulinas Discos
I have this record since by dad gave to me (1970)!
Hey Jarrett, what are your thoughts on the 2020 revision of Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Albums of all time list? I thought some of the entries were rather questionable.
I'm sort of a new collector, so new that I don't even have the record player yet :) But you've got to start somewhere ;) Anyway, I was looking through records at an online shop and came across two that I'd like to add to my collection: The Peter Gabriel So album and the Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells album - and noticed they were half speed mastered. Pretty much what got me to this video, as I wondered what it was. So thanks for clearing it up :)
Only have one album so far, an 180g pressing of Pink Floyd's Wish you were here - had to research 180g as well :D Have decided on the turntable, but still a lot of stuff to research and learn, so here's another subscriber :)
You should make a vid about MFSL (mofi) mastering! Idk if you have already, but if not, you should 👍
You forgot to mention that when cut a half speed, the amplitude to cut the disc is cut by 1/3 or even 1/2.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you for watching Tai! 😊👍
getz and gilberto? damn son, great taste
It is the end is the World :D Cool video as always. I got the Police box-set but not listened to it yet.
Only found out about "half-speed mastering" after buying the release of KISS' Destroyer last year and this year's release of 'The Elder'. Wanted to see if it really was just a hype thing like a lot of collector's I'm seeing are saying. Seems like another thing in the vinyl world that is completely subjective, considering everyone's equipment and even the way they hear things are different. I may not have the most intricate, expensive, or immersive set-up, but I also don't play a simple "suitcase" player. I have a lot of records that most will say is a "bad press" but I certainly see a world of difference in them compared to their CD counter-part I've played for over a decade. With Destroyer, I didn't really notice much of anything improved, but I was also comparing to the Resurrected remaster, which I preferred. Excited to hear this half-speed master of 'The Elder', and at least this one I have an older pressing to compare to. But I still wonder if most of those writing off half-speed mastering just don't have the right equipment to discern the difference?
Song of the day:
Death From Andromeda- Angel Witch.
mobile fidelity sound labs were the pioneers of half speed master recordings.