A thread in which to discuss the first tranche of Led Zeppelin reissues

Posted by: Kevin-W on 02 June 2014

I thought that as so many Forumites will be getting these in the next day or so we could incorporate all your impressions in one place.

 

If you've got your LPs, CDs, hi-res downloads or Super Deluxe boxes, what do you think? How do you rate the presentation and packaging? What do you think of the extra material? And what of the mastering/pressing?

 

Given the amount of FUD that has been spread here and across the interwebs, these past few months it might be useful that anyone commenting on the SQ actually listens to their vinyl, CDs or downloads first.

 

Am looking forward to hearing everyone's impressions!

Posted on: 21 July 2014 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by ewemon:

This is what a Mastering engineer who has 1:1 safety master tape copies of the first 4 Zepp albums said about the downloads in reply to a post on another forum.

 

"They sound great"??? Sorry, but I beg to differ.
These are not good at all - narrow stereo field, blurred phantom centre losing definition & location and very nasal sounding.
You obviously only ever had crap versions before - so here's a test:
Send me a PM and pick any track from the first 3, and I will make an extract of the remaster & my copy (also 24/96 res) and equalize the level and then tell me these are "great sounding".

 

He has worked with Steven Wilson in the past on some releases that are highly regarded SQ wise.

And who is he, out of interest?

Posted on: 21 July 2014 by ewemon

Neil Wilkes.

Posted on: 22 July 2014 by TomK

And he is?

Posted on: 22 July 2014 by ewemon
Originally Posted by TomK:

And he is?

 

Usually handles Steven Wilsons 5.1 mastering for Porcupine Tree albums. He also worked on the Jethro Tull, ELP, YES,  King Crimson, Status Quo, Imogen Heap, Hawkwind and XTC multi track mixes amongst others so he has a good pedigree.

 

The part I was interested in was the challenge.

Posted on: 24 July 2014 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by ewemon:
Originally Posted by TomK:

And he is?

 

Usually handles Steven Wilsons 5.1 mastering for Porcupine Tree albums. He also worked on the Jethro Tull, ELP, YES,  King Crimson, Status Quo, Imogen Heap, Hawkwind and XTC multi track mixes amongst others so he has a good pedigree.

 

The part I was interested in was the challenge.

He might be a great engineer, I can't comment, but he certainly can't write English. What on earth does "narrow stereo field, blurred phantom centre losing definition & location" actually mean?

 

And the stuff about "nasal sounding" is just bizarre. Each to their own, I suppose...