What M/C albums sound like they're were originally concieved as M/C ?

Rachael B · 10-04-2004, 11:04 PM

3 quickly come to my mind: Zappa's Quadiophiliac, Flaming Lips Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, and Hiromi's Brain.

Forget old stuff that's being mixed to M/C unless it's stuff like Zappa's that was born in the very brief quad thang in the early 70's. What new albums sound like the stereo mix was just an obligatory thing offered up with the multi-channel pie?

Phil A · 10-05-2004, 12:13 AM

Well besides stuff like the Alison Krauss live album, "The Window" by David Elias comes to mind. I actually prefer it in multi-channel vs. 2-channel which does not happen all that often. Greta Matassa "Live at Tulas" is another one that sounds that way. Perhaps even "Blue Country Heart" might be along those line too?

Rachael B · 10-05-2004, 01:15 AM

Phil, It's been quite sum-whilst since I listened to Blue Country Heart in M/C. I usually remember if the M/C mix really rubbed me wrong. I don't need much of an excuse to listen to again, anyway! I ran it in stereo a few weeks ago.

Greta, again, eh...actually, remembering your previous recommendation, I ordered it over the weekend along with some other goodies. I'll get it soo-oooo-n.

I like the David Ellias M/C mix too but I'm not all that moved by him as an artist.

These are hard to think of....for me.

Phil A · 10-05-2004, 10:48 AM

Rachael, there aren't that many multi-channel mixes I can say I love on hi-rez. On most things I prefer the 2-channel. I do like Blue Country Heart in multi-channel. When I was at the Home Entertainment expo in NY a few months before the release of either the Stones stuff on SACD or Jorma Kaukenan's album Sony had a demo room (that would hold about 20 people) with 5 Eggleston speakers, their XA-777ES, 5 Manley Neo Classic monoblocks, top of the line Transparent wiring to demo SACD. So I suspect that at least Blue Country Heart was something that they had multi-channel in mind during the recording process. It is one of the few non-classical or jazz DSD recordings. The Tilson Thomas SF Symphony Mahler recordings are probably another one of those that had multi-channel in mind. I have the 1st and 6th symphonies. Some of the old RCA Living Stereo classical stuff is in 3-channel. I have a few but not listened yet as I just got them back from a friend I lent them to along with the 2000ES CD/SACD changer I bought for the basement as he sold his high end player and may be interested in the 9000ES. I suspect those Living Stereo things might be good in 3-channel The David Elias disc is one of those I actually like the multi-channel more than the stereo. I have a few of the Telarc classical recording that might be the same way. Hopefully, engineers will thing about these things when musicians are actually in the studio vs. an afterthought.

Rachael B · 10-05-2004, 01:50 PM

Phil, it is hard to name some...

People of the world attention, this is a voice speaking to you from millions of millimeters away. Doesn't anybody else have a feeling about this? Or, is this a very small field to be standing in?

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Rich Malloy · 10-05-2004, 02:32 PM

Quote:

3 quickly come to my mind: Zappa's Quadiophiliac, Flaming Lips Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, and Hiromi's Brain.

Not long ago, I would have said the same about "Yoshimi", and then I started listening to the stereo track! Long story, but basically equipment issues forced me to try out the stereo track... and now I find I prefer it. Particularly "Fight Test", which never sounded very good in surround on my rig, but I think the whole album has a greater impact in two-channel.

I switched to the multichannel mix recently... and then switched back!

Phil A · 10-05-2004, 03:16 PM

Rachael, I also like some of the AIX Records stuff I have on DVD-A. Definitely top notch recordings. The last thing I got was Guitair Noir by L. Juber. The good point about stuff like that is that it is nice to have some great recorded demo stuff. The bad point is that they are not commercial releases by mainstream name artists.

If I find a multi-channel mix that I don't dislike, I will play it on one of my other systems to see it it is just my main system. My bedroom system has 3 identical speakers in the front. I just finished putting together the basement system. I have yet to find one that where I preferred the stereo on my main system and then ended up playing it on another system, either my own or a friends, that changed my opinion. I have had things grow on me that I did not initially like, perhaps a bit more aggressive in the rears than my tastes, but the type of music makes it OK (e.g. Roxy Music).

PaulDA · 10-05-2004, 03:59 PM

I would offer Pvt. Brubeck Remembers as one where the M/C is quite nice (even if it's a solo piano album). It's a direct to DSD recording. The stereo tracks are like sitting at a table, about 2/3 of the way back from the stage in a small jazz club. The m/c tracks are like sitting on stage with Dave, awash in the piano.

Kris Deering · 10-05-2004, 06:39 PM

Most of the AIX recordings were conceived in 5.1 and recorded specifically for the DVD-A format. Amazing recordings.

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band XXL was also recorded specifically for 5.1 DVD-A and sounds absolutely incredible. Easily one of the best high resolution discs I've heard to date.

I am going to have to check out the Alison Krauss SA-CD release. I keep hearing it mentioned in forums as sounding great.

10-05-2004, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band XXL was also recorded specifically for 5.1 DVD-A and sounds absolutely incredible. Easily one of the best high resolution discs I've heard to date.

That one and BFB's "Swinging for the Fences" are reference quality, IMHO.

FWIW, I recently took a listen to the 2CH mix of XXL, and found that the low end just took a walk...definitely seemed like there were some different EQ choices compared to the 5.1 DVD-A mix.

Not sure that this has anything to do with the 2CH mix being given less attention than the MC, but on my rig, the difference was not subtle.

BGL

Kris Deering · 10-05-2004, 08:26 PM

Does your 2-channel output have a different crossover? Sometimes people's setups are set for full range with 2-channel and they don't get the low end kick that they get with a sub in the mix.

I haven't tried the 2-channel mix but I will check it out tonight!