Currently, the best listenable version of this CD is the 'unmastered' version (which is really a different mix altogether in some instances) available at: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FBKM7IOB
I decided to run a test to see if the vinyl version of californication was in fact the same digital master as the CD. This was to counter the arguments post by these forum goers:
"Of got Californication on vinyl, and it sounds the same as the (terrible) CD. You get to hear an analog reproduction of digital clipping, why I record company allowed it to be released on vinyl in that state I have no idea."
from http://www.hometheaterforum.com/forum/thread/249591/rhcp-stadium-arcadium-cd-lp-mastering-comparison
"The vinyl sounds the same as the CD, with all the clipping reproduced accurately. :(
from: http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/archive/index.php/t-106260-p-2.html
I recorded the vinyl from my Sony turntable into my M-audio profire interface, into logic software, and compared the waveform with the CD version. Here are my results. Track: Parallel Universe. Two different waveform zooms.
The top waveform in the images is the vinyl, the bottom the CD.
You can see he waveforms are NOT the same, which means they are different masters. Some peaks get through on the vinyl which are clips on the CD. Sonically, the vinyl sounds more open and has space, and I did not hear the clipping. The CD is cold and flat. It is also a VERY loud vinyl though - you can listen to it without speakers, the resonance of the turntable itself is so loud. It appears they have been passed through the same limiter/compressor to remove the bulk of the dynamic range ... however the transients that got through the attack time of the limiter were preserved on the vinyl, and on the CD they simply clipped.
hmm... i should do some sound samples
This is great. I've been considering buying a turntable for a while. Partly just because i love the format, and secondly because im not a massive fan of brick wall mastering. How noticeable to the naked ear would you say the difference is?
ReplyDeleteCheers
Hi,
ReplyDeletethat´s very interesting. I bought the vinyl edition a few days ago and also couldn´t really hear a difference. At some points the vinyl seemed to be wider and more open, but that´s all.
No, the vinyl IS the same master. What you see above is, as has been mentioned, digital clipping re-produced on an analogue medium. It just doesn't look the same as digital clipping, but it sounds exactly the same. If you zoom in till the screen is filled by about one second of the waveform, you'll see the clipping (straight lines), just that those straight lines are not horizontal but a little diagonal.
ReplyDeleteYou would find this to be the same if you ripped the CD by putting it into your stereo system, connecting your stereo system to your computer and hitting "record input" in Audacity (or whatever program you use to rip your vinyl records): Digital clipping reproduced by an analogue medium (in this case, the stereo system).
can't believe what you read on the internet holds true here. the above post is true however…recording the analog format will never look brick walled unless you pass it through a digital limiter or clip it. therefore, comparing waveforms is pointless. your best bet is to use your ears.
ReplyDeletesigned, a professional mastering engineer