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Originally Posted by PWilson /img/forum/go_quote.gif
At work, so a quick google says it's the 1996 Castle Remaster, which seems consistent with when I bought it. The main track that I use as a reference (more because it's possibly my favourite Sabbath track, and because the flaws are most apparent) is Faeries Wear Boots. After the intro, one would expect the level to increase for the song itself (especially as the opening chords of the main song sound like it's meant to be a bombastic opening). Not so on my copy. Overall loudness stays the same, making the opening much less emotional/impactful. I noticed all of this looong before having heard of audicity or anything like that, so I don't know whether it's compression or simply bad mastering (or the artists' choice).
Also, this is one of the first songs I've heard that made me check that I hadn't blown my earphones (and I believe this was way back when I was playing it out of a walkman, but also on a CD player), as the crackling and distortion was significant. It's been a while since I've given it a good play (a number of years), so I should again to figure out for myself what was wrong, now that I know better. But definitely, long before I knew what I know about CD quality, I was very disappointed with the disc I have.
Oh, also, I recall reading online that the Black Box remasters used a different copy of the master tapes than the Castle ones did, hence a lot less noise. No idea about the EQ though, but I don't like the sounds of what you're saying
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PWilson /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Hahah. Maybe it's not... I've been seriously contemplating the Black Box so I could get definitive versions of everything (esp as I only own Sabbath and Paranoid /shame). Not buying the BB means casually picking out better versions as time/funds allow.
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I just went though and listened to two versions of Paranoid: a wonderfully done needledrop of the 1st US pressing LP and the 1st Japanese pressing (33PD-353) CD, and I heard nothing that you mention in the way of crackling and distortion. I mean, sure, I heard the limitations of the recording and equipment used, but it sounded great nonetheless. Both of the versions I mentioned are regarded as among the absolute best versions of their respective format for that album. The 1996 Castle remaster is regarded as a rather mediocre version, but even then, I have not heard of the distortion you are talking about with that remaster.
By the way, the crescendo that you wanted to happen in Fairies Wear Boots is not going to happen on really any version. It does get louder, but not 1812 Overture louder. It is the recording and neither of the versions that I mentioned have an awesome dynamic on that part either.
I would strongly urge you to NOT buy the Black Box, as all albums in it have a "V" shaped mixing. It is compressed, and the dynamics are squished. I heard it used the master tapes, but if the mixing sucks, using the masters does not really matter.
Here is my advice. You can do it two ways:
1. Go the easy route. Go on ebay, and buy all the Sabbath albums you want that are the 1988 US Warner releases. Generally regarded as good to great (the best as far as Sabbotage is concerned), but not THE best for any albums. Easy to find and very cheap.
2. Go the harder but reference route. Get your hands on my previous recommendations:
S/T: Japanese Twofer (33PD-353) or 1986 CLACD/NELCD Castle
Paranoid: Japanese Twofer (33PD-353) or 1986 CLACD/NELCD Castle
MOR: 1986 CLACD/NELCD Castle
Vol. 4: 1986 CLACD/NELCD Castle
SBS: 1986 CLACD/NELCD Castle
Sabbotage: 1988 US Warner (1986 CLACD/NELCD Castle has some tape issues on two tracks: "Symptom..." and "Megalomania")
I will state the obvious: there is a 33PD-353 on ebay right now if you want to bid on it. I am as well, and I expect it to go for a lot more than most are willing to pay, so I will see how it goes...