Analogue Productions UHQR Kind of Blue - Context & Controversy!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- Some of the "bad pressings" might be a different issue, altogether. An overview of the gripes I've been reading about this version, some of the things Chad absolutely knocked out of the park, and some hopeful/helpful advice to anyone considering purchasing this record.
0:00 - Another version of Kind of Blue?
2:00 - Jacket comparison with original release.
5:38 - Mastering background to the various releases.
6:25 - Mono version timing.
9:09 - The tapes used makes this issue special: they used the original 3-track tapes.
13:19 - This release sounds different in the piano (in particular) which beats all others.
13:50 - Quality control issues with the latest Analogue Productions release.
18:17 - “Blue & Green” distortion comparison with 4-track reel-to-reel.
19:54 - “Blue & Green” distortion may be due to your setup!
21:50 - Conclusions & tips
![Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon (50th Anniversary) [2023 Remaster] {Full Album}](/img/n.gif)
I bought mine from AS. I went through 2 copies before I got a good one. 3rd time is the charm they say.
Finally, someone telling the truth about this UHQR, mine sounds terrible. I need to buy more vinyl from them to get it replaced.
Well, I know what opinions are like...
This is connoisseurship at its highest level and that you are wiling to share your knowledge is so refreshing when most people feel the need to protect their knowledge lest others surpass them.
Hats off to you on both counts! I’m sure your channel will be a huge success.
Regarding 45RPM’s Michael Ludwig (here 12:00), I’ve watched dozens of his videos and I don’t get why people hold him in such high esteem.
He’s useful for finding interesting albums/artists, but his over use of superlatives: “great”,, “fantastic”, “marvellous”, “beaut-ti-ful” drives me crazy, because they are meaningless without an explanation as to why he thinks such high accolades are deserved.
His recent review of the Errol Garner boxset “Liberation In Swing” is typical Ludwig...it looks like a very interesting collection, but after watching his video I have no idea if they’re truly “audiophile” recordings or not. All I know is he thinks it’s a “great” and “beautiful” collection, he doesn’t help me explain to my buddies why they should buy it...at the level of the music/recording/mastering.
He seems as much a stamp collector as he is an audiophile, which is not to judge/demean his interpretation of our hobby, but only to highlight that it makes sifting through his recommendations much harder for those of us who place the quality of the recordings and masterings foremost in our purchasing decision, than considerations of the packaging and need to complete a collection.
YES !! by the way :: a record collector is one thing; a Music collector another one thing :-)
Very good segment. I'm new to your channel as I just discovered you and soon subscribed.
I have a few comments. Like others, I purchased the AP UHQR version of "Kind Of Blue" and was disappointed in the record surfaces. I found the surfaces to be extremely noisy, clicks and pops, but most distressing was the level of distortion I experienced at the very beginning of "So What" and especially with "Blue in Green" in particular, which was distorted throughout.
So, I contacted AP and eventually was sent a brand new replacement record. I might add that AP was nice enough to FedEx the replacement second day air and it actually arrived early on a Sunday morning.
As for the replacement, I first cleaned it on my Audio Desk Systeme Ultrasonic vinyl cleaner. What I've experienced is no pops, no clicks and no distortion. While the surface is not quite as silent as say my MOFI first steps, I'm very pleased.
In term of sonics, I find this version of Kind Of Blue to be spectacular and is the best version I've personally heard by far. The level of transparency, air, space, detail and the soundstage width and depth are remarkable. It easily surpasses the MOFI version, I own, of Kind Of Blue.
Looking forward to seeing your next segment...
I have no distorsion on my system. But what i have is a lot of pops on blue in green. I personally won't send it back just because of it because returning it from europe is a too huge work. What i have noticed is that the pops are not on the same spot, some are, after a vaccum tube cleaning time. Don't really have a clue but the sound on this record is wonderfull and the space opens up when the sound starts.
Great Video! The album is Grant Green - Grantstand, I think
Sharp eyes! Thanks for watching.
FANTASTIC VIDEO!! Thank You!!
I own both classic records 2lp and the new uhqr. I agree that the new uhqr is not the quietest lp on the planet. I also must say that I actually like them both. I actually like the classic lp where the one side is at the 'wrong' speed. The tones are a little different, but 'correct' or not, I actually like the way it sounds as well. I wonder if anyone else has ever commented on that?
Thank you
It was the 3 track recorder that was used during the recording of side A that was running slow. When the stereo and mono mixes were made they used that 3-track master. That is why both the stereo and mono are running fast.
I really would like to know if the original "stampers" for many rock records from the 60's and 70's are still in someones vault, so you could release those albums 100% like the originals?!
Great video - thanks for taking the time to do this.
I appreciate your thoughtful video, but yes, MM was doing gatefolds with session photos far before Chad did. The AP Blue Note 45s, Verve 45s, and Riverside 45s are all cheap, single pocket sleeves. It took MM's output to force/inspire AP to up its game in that regard.
Thanks for weighing in, Jeff! I have a many of the Blue Notes in single pocket sleeves, but I wasn't sure when the gatefolds (e.g. Muddy Waters Folk Singer) began in relation to MMJ.
@@cantherhines You're so welcome. The mediocre single pocket jacketd were a source of complaints, as MM was releasing their reissues concurrently at one point. But it was AP that picked up on the 45rpm idea in the early 2000s, after Classic Records had started to do it with Kind Of Blue. As I recall, it was with their 2LP reissue, which included the sped up as well as proper speed Side 1. And then they put the alternate take of Flamenco Sketches on Side 4, cut at 45rpm. It is clearly superior to the sides cut at 33, and the response to that side was considerable in the audiophile community. This led to them putting the entire album out at 45rpm.
Anyway, AP has certainly put out some wonderful stuff at 45rpm, but it took a long while for them to put the same level of care into their jackets.
MoFi does a fairly poor job of reproducing cover art. While the sound of the OneStep Ah Um is spectacular, the reproduction of the cover art borders on the atrocious, particularly with regard to reproducing the photo on the back (which comes across as a bad digital scan).
@@jeffbellin8224 I agree with you about the MoFi reissues. I'm not a fan of the box or the reproduction of the original jacket images. I'd much rather have a nice tip-on jacket.
Uhqr is the best , vinyl will always have flaws but that shouldn't put you off getting a copy of this uhqr just stunning.
I pre-ordered the UHQR pf KOB but sadly had to cancel due to not having enough money. I have the MOFI 45 box and SACD.
Blue in Green is a pressing issue. I went through this on my 33 and after a 3rd replacement, I have a 99.9% quiet copy. I don't care about random noise, it happens but this was insane. Had the same problem on the 45 and I just sold it for cheap and disclosed the issue. At these prices, it is absurd to have to go through this. It makes me uncomfortable approaching AS about this many issues. What is intriguing is why this issue occurs in the same place. What is it about this section that plagues this record?
There is a lot of noise from the left channel on Side 2. Contacted Acoustic Sounds twice and they never responded.
Enjoyed my copy thoroughly.
I just received my third copy. Haven't listened to it yet (got it a week ago!) cause it stresses me out! My 2 other copies were Surface Noises Galore! Hoooorrible! That kind of distraction on Blue in Green is impossible to swallow! I'm now summoning enough courage to listen to this new copy they sent me. In the end, up until now = very bad and frustrating experience especially after all the hype this reissue got! Definitive one? Hmmmm... really don't think so!
2:00 - Jacket comparison with original release.
5:38 - Mastering background to the various releases.
6:25 - Mono version timing.
9:09 - The tapes used makes this issue special: they used the original 3-track tapes.
13:19 - This release sounds different in the piano (in particular) which beats all others.
13:50 - Quality control issues with the latest Analogue Productions release.
18:17 - “Blue & Green” distortion comparison with 4-track reel-to-reel.
19:54 - “Blue & Green” distortion may be due to your setup!
21:50 - Conclusions & tips
Thanks for watching! Did you have a question that I didn't answer in the video? Let me know, and I'll try to answer here or in the next one.
@@cantherhines thanks for following up. I sometimes make note of timestamps in the comments to interesting content. It saves me searching for it again in future!
I didn’t have a question, but now that you ask: If the mastering’s the same as the 1995 release, then what are the different sonic characteristics that would entice me to buy this latest version? Am I correct that it’s the clarity and separation of the instruments or also something else?
@@GodfreyMann Chad Kassem set out to make the ultimate reissue of Kind of Blue, so he did a number of unusual things that differentiate this from the previous release. If you are interested, he made a video where he gets into the details of all of this. The short version is that the "clarity vinyl" is a special formulation that is supposed to reduce the noise floor, the records were hand-pressed on a computer-temperature-controlled manual press that has the hydraulic supply located in another room to try and achieve optimal flow of the vinyl over the stamper to achieve as perfect an impression as possible. In addition to the details of the actual vinyl medium, the packaging and new liner notes are more deluxe than the original Classic Records reissue. That said, some are claiming it is not really an improvement. I'm very happy with mine but I don't hear a huge difference over the Classic Records version.
@@cantherhines thanks, that helps a lot. I’ll check out his video and the Classic Records version.
Thank you for taking the time to provide the time stamps and descriptions. I added them as bookmarks in the video description.
Not sure anyone has commented on the record in the back yet. Is it Grant Green's Grantstand ? Thanks for the video. Cheers.
Interesting video thanks
Mine has the crackling which is annoying but to send it back is too much of a hassle.
Great info
Great video! I think I got lucky, mine plays perfectly, no pops no static etc at all, it’s probably the quietest vinyl I own. Wondered what you thought of the MOV mono pressing, I enjoyed that.
Further to my earlier rant on Michael Ludwig, a further comparison with your video here is in order.
Firstly, your exposition of the differences in mastering tapes (two verses three), the speed and timing with stereo/mono contains real knowledge the proof of which is in our ability to get out our stopwatches and test it for ourselves, or hear the differences you describe in different releases. I’ve rarely gained such knowledge from Ludwig.
Additionally, you clearly explain how this release sounds better in concrete terms that are far more useful than Ludwig’s “great”, “fantastic”, “beautiful”. Even when he does become more audiophile in his descriptions e.g. in his latest video comparing Eric Dolphy’s “Out to Lunch” album, where he talks about soundstage, attack and leading edges, that’s good but still abstract, whereas you cut to the chase: e.g. Bill Evan’s piano playing is clearer than in any other release...SOLD!
...because the essence of jazz is the interplay between the musicians as they improvise in real-time and this appreciation is heightened when the instruments are more clearly separated.
Lastly, as to why Ludwig thinks “Out to Lunch” *must* be in every audiophile’s collection, he never gets around to explaining. He just asserts it must be...that’s anti-knowledge BS.
If you ignore his superlatives and assertions, then what are you left with? Very little substance IMO.
You've failed to understand that Michael's first language isn't English so he finds it difficult to come up with a lot of audiophile descriptive terms. He's admitted as much in his videos. I agree though that his knowledge is limited and again he admits this.
Michael actually reaches out to YT viewers better than most because he doesn't BS anyone, he's not a critic and neither is he a reviewer. He's simply expressing a genuine love for his records and talks freely without trying to bamboozle the audience...whether you think he has substance or not, is your opinion but you've missed the point.
@@jamesdwright he has all the audiophile terms he needs, because he uses them in the video I referenced...so his level of English is not the problem.
Furthermore, in Here’s This Thing’s video, he used *PLAIN* English to tell us why he thinks the recording is better than any other version: “the piano sounds better than any other version”.
Ludwig can do either with the English skills he has because he’s demonstrated he has the capacity, but he *prefers* to stick with his limited repertoire of superlatives...it’s a choice.
@@Markymarkvinylnut I can see why his enthusiasm and sincerity is endearing, and if that’s enough to keep you entertained then I’m happy for you, but it strikes me as a very low-bar by which to hold someone in such high esteem.
My preference is to value substance over enthusiasm but I guess must be a bit odd...at least compared to the average YT viewer, for which I’m extremely grateful.
TH-cam said "watch this", so i did. i enjoyed it, even though i have no idea about the technical stuff. i then went and peeked at your other videos, hoping to see a "this is my Kind Of Blue collection" video, but discovered there is not :(
as someone that has been a sportscard/comic collector for many decades, i am becoming fascinated by the record community. i have barely learned what a "six eye" means (but i do! :), sooooooo.... any chance we can get a Kind Of Blue collection video? i am imagining that you own a hundred copies! lol
Kob uhqr was my first and last with uhqr. Especially with the ridiculous packaging- the box, pamphlets, all of that crap .. it’s just added cost for nothing, and almost impossible to store correctly with the rest of my LPs. Just a simple, beautiful, gatefold premium type LP cover would’ve been good enough for me.
Wanted to add .. it took me 4 returns to finally get an acceptable LP. Terrible QC. Lots of non-fill
@@dsonyay4 copies to get a good one, I would have been pissed as well, wow, especially at these prices!!!
Subscribed
Hi, the mono master was lost but Sony did a mono reissue about a year ago. Do you know what is its source and if it’s any good?
The recent Legacy mono was a fold down from the stereo tapes, as I recall reading. The mono tapes don't seem to exist anymore.
Thanks a lot
Has other UHQR vinyl pressings had this problem with static?
No, but this is a new formulation. The Clarity Vinyl for KoB is more clear, and the previous releases used a formulation that's a more milky color.
Who is JUG you ask? It is the nickname of Gene Ammons.
From WIKI…
In 1944, he joined the band of Billy Eckstine (who bestowed on him the nickname "Jug" when straw hats ordered for the band did not fit).
Thanks for letting me know about that!
When I hear people complaining about distortion (aside from pressing defects that are obvious) I can’t help but suspect a lot of audiophiles are being conditioned to demand perfection from records that weren’t recorded perfectly from the beginning.
stampers = Mother
Kind of Blue again? That's been discussed to death. Nice copy though.
Nice video! I am still waiting for my copy to come. Acoustic Sounds customer service has alot to be desired. Thinking of cancelling and just holding out for the 45rpm 2xlp version of this. In my opinion, wet cleaning is absolutely necessary!!!! In every case... whether it's a $2 or $200 lp , used , new, poly- lined vs. paper sleeved, import, or domestic...no matter, I ALWAYS wet clean. I think 99 % of comments on Discogs about any pressing of ANYTHING having "surface noise" is because of people not cleaning records the right way. You gotta submerge that shit. 🍻
The clarity vinyl is not nearly as quiet as it needs to be. I find AP silver series black vinyl to be much much quieter. I may never buy a uhqr again, because of the noisy supposedly best vinyl ever. MoFi’s one step compound is also much quieter. I hope Chad is paying attention. Buuut, we know those who succeed at his level can be very unwilling to accept that he may need to change this to quiet the surface noise. We’ll see.
I would guess grant green grantstand?
Hi I’m in the uk. I had a noisy copy unexceptionable. Eventually got a replacement. I got the first one ultrasonic cleaned. Wouldsay it came up near perfect and sold it with no problem. I do think they should have released the 45 version at the same time. Also I wonder how much better it would sound if analogue productions done the one step process.
just get an original 6 eye mono and be done with it!
Sooooo not soo perfect then I'll stick with my Classic Records editions then
Sounds like a bust! A lot of money for garbage!