Nirvana: compare the mixes!
I found this absolutely fascinating! Listen with a (decent) pair of headphones, if you have 12 minutes to spare, and make your own mind up. I'd bear in mind though that the Albini mixes were not mastered, therefore they 'sound' quieter. However this should not detract from the point made by this video. In effect, this is a 'what could have been' curio. Litt is a tremendous engineer. Hey, he helped R.E.M. to stardom, eh?
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Quiver Search for FATALISTS on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, &c, Wed 9 May 2012, 21:31,
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I know this is going to spark a whole "loudness war debate"
but sorry the remastered mixes of this are far better. It's not just a matter of turning up your speakers, it sounds like it's in the next room.
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Firkinfedup last shat on your wife's tits at, Wed 9 May 2012, 21:41,
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I'll agree with that
Maybe Kurt wanted people to hear it as if through a pillow, but personally I much prefer the clearer version.
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wheresthefish Partly filled with wrong, Wed 9 May 2012, 22:45,
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Agreed
The mix is much wider and splits the individual instruments better.
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Fadgebadger (1 like), Thu 10 May 2012, 9:52,
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OK, I'll bite
I hear the difference and although have recorded a little, I wasn't pulling the strings and don't understand crap about mastering. In my head, I always thought a song had better "production value" but maybe the specifics are mastering.
But it also sounds like more than engineering: ie. adding additional backup vocals.
Do you think Litt's just made better choices, or is it something done on the board?
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BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Wed 9 May 2012, 21:44,
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I dunno man, like I said, it's more of a curio than 'x was better than y!' etc..
I would say though, that even though Litt's decisions were warranted, don't Albini's mixes sound more 'human', and isn't that kinda what Kurt wanted when he commissioned him as an engineer?
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Quiver Search for FATALISTS on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, &c, Wed 9 May 2012, 21:56,
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Maybe
Although I've heard One Republic's original "Apologize" and must admit to liking Timbaland/Timberlake (whoever)'s version much better. Helped them to move stuff around and reach a needed sound. That's why the Mutt Langes, Rick Rubins of the world get the jobs because they take the artist and help them realize their art.
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BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Wed 9 May 2012, 22:07,
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OK, I suppose Ross Robinson's (for example) treatment of At the Drive-In's 'Relationship of Command' made them the touchstone they are now, not to mention the acclaim that the Cure's 2004 self-titled album which got them out of the 'Bloodflowers' laizez-faire attitude they had. A question of perspective, I suppose.
However, I do stand by the - I dunno - 'ethos' of recording a band as human and live and having buzzing amps six feet away from your face. As opposed to a 'slick' version, y'know?
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Quiver Search for FATALISTS on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, &c, Wed 9 May 2012, 22:30,
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Suppose it's all what you're going for.
I can listen to the pureness of Who's Next over and over and never get bored. Similarly, the Live at Leeds album, where they apparently did no redubbing is ethereal.
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BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Wed 9 May 2012, 22:53,
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did you see Albini's AmA on reddit this week?
a good read if you haven't.
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Grundlebiscuit, Wed 9 May 2012, 21:45,
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I tend to stay away from Reddit. Do you have a link?
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Quiver Search for FATALISTS on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, &c, Wed 9 May 2012, 21:47,
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here's the tl;dr
blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2012/05/steve_albini_reddit_ask_me_anything_10_best_quotes.php
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Grundlebiscuit, Wed 9 May 2012, 22:11,
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Grazie!
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Quiver Search for FATALISTS on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, &c, Wed 9 May 2012, 22:21,
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