One
Step and Contemporary releases
August
15, 2022
Marc,
I
went onto the Music Direct website to preorder a Mobile Fidelity One Step of Michael
Jackson's Thriller and came upon this information: 1/4"/15ips/Dolby A analog
master to DSD 256. Further down in the description it says master from original analogue
tapes. Then I looked at Hotel California and Eldorado and it said the
same thing. Since they changed Sketches of Spain from 45 to 33rpm, I decided I
would buy it, but the description for it says: 1/4"/15ips analog master to DSD 64.
Does
this mean that these One Steps are now remastered digitally? I know the Michael Fremer has
had a problem with some One Steps, like Couldn't Stand the Weather and Tapestry,
and I listened to an interview where he said MoFi assured him that Thriller would
be done all analog. What is going on here?
I
have come to realize that I must sell four LPs for every one I purchase -- as a goal,
anyway. With this in mind, while I know the six new Craft Recordings Contemporary titles
should all sound incredible, which of them are absolute must-haves? (I will eventually
sell my three Electric Recording Company releases, including Way Out West,
because it will be released later in this series).
Jeff
Levine
Mobile
Fidelity admitted that their releases since 2016, which means all, or almost all, of the
One Steps, were cut from DSD files, not the original master tapes. It sounds like the
master tapes were used to create the digital files, however. I think this is the way
things are now, because tapes don't last forever, and no label wants to continue lending
out its valuable master tapes for just another LP reissue. I don't have a problem with
cutting from digital, but I'm sure some audiophiles are up in arms about MoFi doing it.
The One Steps have always been mostly about the streamlined pressing process and
high-quality vinyl, and both of those things remain unchanged. People forget (or didn't
know to begin with) that some all-analog MoFi LPs were not universally loved. Harry
Pearson downright hated some of them. No one makes the music sound better for every
listener in every case.
As
for those Contemporary titles, I would say that the two Art Pepper and the Benny Carter
are essential. I really like My Fair Lady too -- it's charming, likable music --
so I would consider it essential. It is not that difficult to find used, however; I have a
few copies, in mono and stereo. There's is also an XRCD of it that's very good (there are
XRCDs of the Art Pepper titles too). Given the age of the tapes, having a superior digital
version seems prudent.
By
the way, there is a half-speed-mastered version of Thriller by Columbia itself. I
have it, though I've not listened to it. Maybe finding one would be a good alternative to
the upcoming One Step. -Marc Mickelson
Joining
August
1, 2022
Marc,
I
would like to join your site's reader list. Thanks.
Kerry
Prokupic
You've
been added. To join TAB's reader e-mail list and find out about new articles
first, send e-mail to rl@theaudiobeat.com.
-Marc Mickelson
