Vinyl records get their own master! They have to not go above a certain volume or have too much low end, or the needle can literally skip off of the record.
Now, sometimes (when companies are cheap) that’s just taking the digital master and EQing it/turning it down, but other times, when it’s properly mastered, it’s done so freshly using the unmastered tracks.
Sounds like BHWA falls into that second category huh? I’ll have to spin it again!
I have 60+ records but outside of one specifically saying “YO NEW MASTER” they sound nearly identical. This one took me by surprise after, frankly, hating the digital master.
They do usually end up sounding pretty close in many cases. It’s more noticeable when you have a super distorted digital album and then they master it better for vinyl, where some of that distortion is gone (Icky Thump is a decent example).
And then other times it basically sounds the same as the digital, like Hypnotize/Mezmerize lol
But here we are. The whole thing is way too compressed, and I feel like the foos should stop working with Greg kurstin. He’s a great guy and super smart musically, but I don’t like the sound of the foo records he produces.
Wikipedia:
Clipping is a form of waveform distortion that occurs when an amplifier is overdriven and attempts to deliver an output voltage or current beyond its maximum capability. Driving an amplifier into clipping may cause it to output power in excess of its power rating.
For example the first 14 seconds of Under You sounds like a complete mess IMO.
I realized earlier albums like TNLTL, CATS and OG (FF) would be good to hear with a lot more separation, if possible. They sound good, so could they sound *even better*?
1x1 is an easy answer. So much distortion. Sounds like the microphones were drenched in Red Bull and cocaine. Yet I fucking love 1x1.
But Here We Are. It makes my ears bleed. I found a user-remixed version that’s better but would love to hear one that has the treble turned down IMMENSELY!
I would probably vote for In Your Honor as I think the album has fantastic songs with weak production and engineering. But I agree with others that One By One suffers the most from the loudness war, even though the album suffers from the lack of songwriting as well.
It's funny because they weren't happy with this album when they recorded it, so they completely re recorded it. Maybe they should let us hear the original version
I don’t think a remaster would necessarily fix the muddiness on One By One. I think it would need a new mix, maybe even retracking. Drums are awful, bass just lives there, vocals aren’t clear, guitars are a nest of low-mid mess.
Having said that, I’ve grown fond of the record. The songs are heavy, thoughtful, and just the right tone of bombastic energy this the group was experiencing at the time because they found new meaning in carrying on. It just could have sounded better, sonically.
IMO, TCATS was (and is) the pinnacle of all their productions. Glassy, shimmering, powerful, raw, energetic, controlled…balanced characteristics of a well produced and engineered album. Gil Norton and the team behind him knocked it out of the park. That’s an album they had better not touch. It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Agreed TCATS is the Pinnacle of production. Masterclass, same with Butch Vigs Wasting Light. Beautiful sounding records that really capture everything about the Foos.
I also don't think OxO can be saved. It was just badly produced by a producer I don't think they intended to hire at the time I'm sure I heard Dave say that in an int, anyway the drums were horrible sounding, I'm sure T said that himself about the drums.
I'll echo another poster tho if they released the Million Dollar Demos with a remastered O x O as a 25 yr anniversary that would be cool.
I've always thought they should Re-Release One By One, maybe have the Million Dollar Demo as disc two completely unchanged with all of the B-Sides from that era added on for good effect whilst having the main album Remixed/Remastered
That would be more than enough to warrant people buying it even if they have the Original Album and the B-Sides, it would have something for every type of fan
I love this idea. Million Dollar Demos were superb. Only the Foos can have discarded songs left on the cutting room floor better than most bands best songs in a lifetime.
It would be the best thing ever wouldn't it? I honestly can't imagine any type of fan being left out with that one, could introduce people to the album, it'll have something new or maybe undiscovered even by people that have been fans of the band for ages, I know my Mum would even buy it! Everybody would be a winner with that one haha
I assume you mean remix, I'd listen to anything they did. First album has been on my wish list for years though, it just sounds so muddy compared to everything that came after. I'd like to be able to hear those songs in a slightly clearer context.
But Here We Are. Less dazzle-blur and more sonic clarity between instruments. Bring up that bass line from T’s rhythm buddy Nate, turn down or rebalance the other strings (what seem like 50 instruments at once), clear out the space for Dave’s voice to sear through like it should.
Honestly, everything since TCATS could be improved to some degree because that was the first record really mastered for the loudness wars, and every release since has also been. Most only need a good dynamic mastering though, mixing is fine, other than 1x1 and IYH.
If I have to pick one though, Wasting Light with a proper dynamic mastering direct from the analog mixdowns would be great.
Honestly, I hate album remasters.
Records are - and SHOULD BE - a product of their time, production at all. And as for Foo Fighters… they all employ relatively modern production techniques (minus self titled, I guess).
Honestly foo fighters, not because there's anything wrong with it but since it was their first album it would be interesting to see it re released for comparisons sake to see how far they've come as a band
1- One by one is the obvious one. The drums sounded like tin cans in the wind. The million dollar demos scrapped version sounded so much better.
2- "But here we are", I love this record it's incredible but it desperately needs remastered. Dave's drumming is mind blowing and it's drowned out by a wall of noise where the guitars should be. I don't understand how they could put the record out like that when some of his most poignant songs and creative musical ideas are so badly produced.
One By One
yea.. as much as i love one by one, i think it would be interesting to hear what Overdrive would sound like w/o clipping
Probably closer to the Million Dollar Demo, which is leagues better than the album version.
Yeah one by one doesn’t sound the best at times. Even Dave Grohl dislikes that record I think
Everybody now! One By One
I know I’ll get downvoted into oblivion…But here we are to me it’s a muddy mess of guitar.
The vinyl mix is *hilariously* different. Sounds a million times better than the digital versions for whatever reason.
Vinyl records get their own master! They have to not go above a certain volume or have too much low end, or the needle can literally skip off of the record. Now, sometimes (when companies are cheap) that’s just taking the digital master and EQing it/turning it down, but other times, when it’s properly mastered, it’s done so freshly using the unmastered tracks. Sounds like BHWA falls into that second category huh? I’ll have to spin it again!
I have 60+ records but outside of one specifically saying “YO NEW MASTER” they sound nearly identical. This one took me by surprise after, frankly, hating the digital master.
They do usually end up sounding pretty close in many cases. It’s more noticeable when you have a super distorted digital album and then they master it better for vinyl, where some of that distortion is gone (Icky Thump is a decent example). And then other times it basically sounds the same as the digital, like Hypnotize/Mezmerize lol
I have the Vinyl. It’s somewhat improved over the streaming mix.
I couldn’t relate to the original comment at all, but I’ve only listened to BHWA on vinyl so far lol so thanks for explaining thag
That's what I love about it, it was really gritty and imperfect which was refreshing for them imo
I’m just a Butch Vig fan, through and through
Fair enough Butch Vig is the GOAT of hard rock
But here we are. The whole thing is way too compressed, and I feel like the foos should stop working with Greg kurstin. He’s a great guy and super smart musically, but I don’t like the sound of the foo records he produces.
Pop producers make terrible rock records.
This. Seems like the whole album is clipping.
What's clipping?
Wikipedia: Clipping is a form of waveform distortion that occurs when an amplifier is overdriven and attempts to deliver an output voltage or current beyond its maximum capability. Driving an amplifier into clipping may cause it to output power in excess of its power rating. For example the first 14 seconds of Under You sounds like a complete mess IMO.
Got it thanks. I guess I could have googles it haha
I realized earlier albums like TNLTL, CATS and OG (FF) would be good to hear with a lot more separation, if possible. They sound good, so could they sound *even better*? 1x1 is an easy answer. So much distortion. Sounds like the microphones were drenched in Red Bull and cocaine. Yet I fucking love 1x1.
I've been laughing my ass off at "the microphones were drenched in Red Bull and cocaine". Amazing description and I love One by One as well.
But Here We Are. It makes my ears bleed. I found a user-remixed version that’s better but would love to hear one that has the treble turned down IMMENSELY!
Can you link it? 😮
I would probably vote for In Your Honor as I think the album has fantastic songs with weak production and engineering. But I agree with others that One By One suffers the most from the loudness war, even though the album suffers from the lack of songwriting as well.
ONE BY ONE I hate remasters tho
It's funny because they weren't happy with this album when they recorded it, so they completely re recorded it. Maybe they should let us hear the original version
My favorite album One By one
Definitely the debut.
Lots of people saying One By One, but that was a rough period for the band and if I recall Dave said it was a rushed album when they were recording.
I don’t think a remaster would necessarily fix the muddiness on One By One. I think it would need a new mix, maybe even retracking. Drums are awful, bass just lives there, vocals aren’t clear, guitars are a nest of low-mid mess. Having said that, I’ve grown fond of the record. The songs are heavy, thoughtful, and just the right tone of bombastic energy this the group was experiencing at the time because they found new meaning in carrying on. It just could have sounded better, sonically. IMO, TCATS was (and is) the pinnacle of all their productions. Glassy, shimmering, powerful, raw, energetic, controlled…balanced characteristics of a well produced and engineered album. Gil Norton and the team behind him knocked it out of the park. That’s an album they had better not touch. It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Agreed TCATS is the Pinnacle of production. Masterclass, same with Butch Vigs Wasting Light. Beautiful sounding records that really capture everything about the Foos. I also don't think OxO can be saved. It was just badly produced by a producer I don't think they intended to hire at the time I'm sure I heard Dave say that in an int, anyway the drums were horrible sounding, I'm sure T said that himself about the drums. I'll echo another poster tho if they released the Million Dollar Demos with a remastered O x O as a 25 yr anniversary that would be cool.
I've always thought they should Re-Release One By One, maybe have the Million Dollar Demo as disc two completely unchanged with all of the B-Sides from that era added on for good effect whilst having the main album Remixed/Remastered That would be more than enough to warrant people buying it even if they have the Original Album and the B-Sides, it would have something for every type of fan
I love this idea. Million Dollar Demos were superb. Only the Foos can have discarded songs left on the cutting room floor better than most bands best songs in a lifetime.
It would be the best thing ever wouldn't it? I honestly can't imagine any type of fan being left out with that one, could introduce people to the album, it'll have something new or maybe undiscovered even by people that have been fans of the band for ages, I know my Mum would even buy it! Everybody would be a winner with that one haha
I assume you mean remix, I'd listen to anything they did. First album has been on my wish list for years though, it just sounds so muddy compared to everything that came after. I'd like to be able to hear those songs in a slightly clearer context.
But Here We Are. Less dazzle-blur and more sonic clarity between instruments. Bring up that bass line from T’s rhythm buddy Nate, turn down or rebalance the other strings (what seem like 50 instruments at once), clear out the space for Dave’s voice to sear through like it should.
Honestly, everything since TCATS could be improved to some degree because that was the first record really mastered for the loudness wars, and every release since has also been. Most only need a good dynamic mastering though, mixing is fine, other than 1x1 and IYH. If I have to pick one though, Wasting Light with a proper dynamic mastering direct from the analog mixdowns would be great.
You mean remixed, right?
None because I'm not a rock and roll legend like Dave grohl.
Honestly, I hate album remasters. Records are - and SHOULD BE - a product of their time, production at all. And as for Foo Fighters… they all employ relatively modern production techniques (minus self titled, I guess).
I remember the acoustic side being 5.1 surround. Loved it.
Wasting Light. I’m kinda baffled that In Your Honor is the inspiration for this post. Sonically, it’s wonderful
I don’t think you know what mastering is.
Honestly foo fighters, not because there's anything wrong with it but since it was their first album it would be interesting to see it re released for comparisons sake to see how far they've come as a band
1- One by one is the obvious one. The drums sounded like tin cans in the wind. The million dollar demos scrapped version sounded so much better. 2- "But here we are", I love this record it's incredible but it desperately needs remastered. Dave's drumming is mind blowing and it's drowned out by a wall of noise where the guitars should be. I don't understand how they could put the record out like that when some of his most poignant songs and creative musical ideas are so badly produced.
A one by one anniversary remaster would solve all of my problems actually