New Skylarking Options

[Andrew Swainson]

I'm more into the content. Isn't it about the music?

This Skylarking re-issue is, and has always been about the music don - getting it to sound as good as possible. After nearly a quarter century all those original vinyl copies must be a little worn.
I agree there's nowt wrong with the original sleeve - as far as XTC are conccerned it's as iconic as they come - and I expect there will be a good few people who won't like the new sleeve. It's just in this instance the original idea for the sleeve artwork was vetoed by Virgin at the last minute - the photos were all done at the time and still available so Andy thought it would be good to resurrect the idea. As a raison d'etre the packaging is of no consequence really.

This post has been edited by Andrew Swainson: Jul 5 2010, 10:26 AM

[Jeff Truzzi]

I'm intrigued, though, Jeff: if the band thought it sounded strange compared with the sound in the studio, where did the issues creep in? Was Todd responsible for the final mix, and would this "error" have been audible to him?

The issue apparently happened during the mixing stage, I suspect some outboard processor (at least) being miswired. And my understanding of the history is that the Skylarking mixes used were Todd's third attempt at mixing. By then, maybe Todd wasn't listening as critically as he should have been.

It is a testament to the quality and power of the songs, performances and the music itself that the often discussed 'sound' of Skylarking (which I had ascribed to a possible mis-allignment of the 24-track Dolby SR unit) didn't hinder it becoming XTC's best selling album.

[donavan]

This Skylarking re-issue is, and has always been about the music don - getting it to sound as good as possible. After nearly a quarter century all those original vinyl copies must be a little worn.
I agree there's nowt wrong with the original sleeve - as far as XTC are conccerned it's as iconic as they come - and I expect there will be a good few people who won't like the new sleeve. It's just in this instance the original idea for the sleeve artwork was vetoed by Virgin at the last minute - the photos were all done at the time and still available so Andy thought it would be good to resurrect the idea. As a raison d'etre the packaging is of no consequence really.

Fair enough Andrew, I take your point. My point is it is a snapshot in time and all the imperfections are a part of that. I sort of like that idea. If you've got a big nose, sticky out ears and a lisp and I like you then I like you for what you are. And you are still probably 10 times better looking than me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) But like I said I take your point and it will probably sound fab. I guess we can now have the best of both worlds, eh? Cake and eat it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by donavan: Jul 5 2010, 09:41 PM

[Keltik]

The issue apparently happened during the mixing stage, I suspect some outboard processor (at least) being miswired. And my understanding of the history is that the Skylarking mixes used were Todd's third attempt at mixing. By then, maybe Todd wasn't listening as critically as he should have been.

It is a testament to the quality and power of the songs, performances and the music itself that the often discussed 'sound' of Skylarking (which I had ascribed to a possible mis-allignment of the 24-track Dolby SR unit) didn't hinder it becoming XTC's best selling album.

This is why I asked the question earlier whether TR might have "top end" deafness ( as I do in one ear). This is a decreased sensitivity to higher frequencies caused by exposure to loud noises ( as Mr. Rundgren had in vast quantities during his live career). The effect in my case tends to find me boosting the higher ranges on the EQ to compensate and make the sound a bit "sharper" . Conversely, I notice I tend to back off on the lower frequencies to reduce the overall volume. It's just a dumb keltik-style theory, I guess, but as a fairly autocratic studio boss, it's unlikely anyone around Rundgren would have had the temerity to tell him the mix sounded a bit suss. I also notice that the more tired I get, the worse the effect. Perhaps by the third go he'd had the arse with it and just ignored the effect. Who knows? Perhaps this new turn of events will see him make a statement on the issue?

[Jeff Truzzi]

I wouldn't hold my breath.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I sure am interested as to what will be on the second vinyl. Original mixes? Demos?
And I also hope Virgin comes around and authorizes an APE Skylarking CD release.

Hmmmn...this discussion almost makes me want to put some Skylarking tracks into ProTools and see what the phase meter says.

[Keltik]

Hmmmn...this discussion almost makes me want to put some Skylarking tracks into ProTools and see what the phase meter says.

Make it so, Number One.

[Jeff Truzzi]

Make it so, Number One.

I just dropped "The Meeting Place", "1000 Umbrellas" and "Season Cycle" into ProTools and put the phase meter on the master fader. All positive polarity, albeit with occasional suspicious shifts towards the center - indicating possible phase anomalies either in certain frequencies or with certain mix processors.

[saturnboy]

I just dropped "The Meeting Place", "1000 Umbrellas" and "Season Cycle" into ProTools and put the phase meter on the master fader. All positive polarity, albeit with occasional suspicious shifts towards the center - indicating possible phase anomalies either in certain frequencies or with certain mix processors.

OK Scotty, but how long until we have the warp drive back online? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Per Aronsson]

Sonically improved Skylarking? Sweet! Hey Per, you seem to be the master of Ebay and technology here, having seen your badass soundsystem. Can you tell me the best way to go for a turntable nowadays? Anyone?

Oh, it´s almost impossible to give advice. So many different turntables out there. I suggest you visit a good audiodealer and specify what you need and how much you are willing to pay.

It´s the whole combo that counts. Turntable, arm, cartridge, cables. Oh, and you also need a RIAA in your amplifier. Modern amplifiers don´t have it so you may have to buy a separate one.

This post has been edited by Per Aronsson: Jul 6 2010, 02:35 PM

[Andrew Swainson]

If you've got a big nose, sticky out ears and a lisp and I like you then I like you for what you are.

You bin lookin' at my Facebook page then?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[hummingbird]

Oh, it´s almost impossible to give advice. So many different turntables out there. I suggest you visit a good audiodealer and specify what you need and how much you are willing to pay.

It´s the whole combo that counts. Turntable, arm, cartridge, cables. Oh, and you also need a RIIA in your amplifier. Modern amplifiers don´t have it so you may have to buy a separate one.

Thanks Per. They do not advertise turntables, only the digital converter turntables. Probably only the high end audio manufacturers still make regular turntables I guess. I would never have known about the RIIA in the amp too, not that I have any idea what that is. Around here, the good audio dealers have all closed shop. There is a Bose outlet nearby that I'm hoping will have something.

[Per Aronsson]

Hummy, the RIAA is a built-in phono preamplifier. RIAA stands for Recording Industry Association of America. So it´s all about a standard for how to amplifie the signal from the turntable.

If your amplifier is quite new you probably need to get a separate phono preamp.

[Mr Tein]

per not only am i going to do that I shall be buying a gas lamp to read the cover by and driving to the record shop in my traction engine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Jeff Truzzi]

OK Scotty, but how long until we have the warp drive back online? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Hummy, the RIAA is a built-in phono preamplifier. RIAA stands for Recording Industry Association of America. So it´s all about a standard for how to amplifie the signal from the turntable.

If your amplifier is quite new you probably need to get a separate phono preamp.

Being into turntables and tech talk, I have fortunately inherited this pristine little platter from my older brother:

NAB TEST RECORD
(NAB stands for National Association of Broadcasters)

Side A - Monophonic
Level Check (Band 1)
Wow and Flutter (Band 2)
Frequency Response (Band 3)
Rumble Reference Level (Band 4)

Side B - Stereophonic
Phase and Balance (Band 1)
Spot Frequency Test (Band 2)
Separation Test (Band 3)
Level Check (Band 4)

…with exciting liner notes such as:

Side B: Phase and Balance (Band 1)

This group contains a lateral 1000 cps (oldspeak for 1Khz) tone recorded at a velocity of 7 centimeters per second peak, a right channel 1Khz tone and a left channel 1Khz tone both recorded at a velocity of 5 centimeters per second peak, followed by a vertical 1Khz tone, recorded at a velocity of 7 centimeters per second peak. The lateral signal may be used to establish channel balance to within 0.25 db at 1Khz. This lateral signal shall produce equal in-phase voltages at the reproducing system outputs, and conversely, the vertical signal shall produce equal anti-phase voltages. Individual channel identification may be made by playing the left and right channel recordings of this group. Reference Sections 3.40, 3.45, 3.60, 3.70, 3.75 and 4.10 of the NAB Disc Recording and Reproducing Standards, (March 1964).

Put THAT in your Warp Drive and smoke it!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Mr Tein]

None of this will ever make the Nolans sound good though...

[Keltik]

None of this will ever make the Nolans sound good though...

But you can take comfort in the fact that it will be a very high-quality bad experience!

[Per Aronsson]

Okay, for anyone not interested, here is my vinylrig:

 continuo2.jpg ( 13.37K ) Number of downloads: 9

First of all a turntable have to be heavy and this one weighs 22 kilo. Compared to other high end turntables Continuo is cheap but kills all of them...

 cantus_blue.jpg ( 87.94K ) Number of downloads: 5

A parallel tracking arm makes shure that the cartridge has the right angle all the way. (A pivot arm is only correct at two points on the record.) This arm can be tricky to adjust but when it is correct, it just lift out the music wonderfully.

 clearaudio_insider.gif ( 11.59K ) Number of downloads: 1

Maybe the best cartridge ever made...

Add to that I have a phono preamplifier with Nuvistor tubes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuvistor

The whole shebang is standing on a airfilled shelf and tuning feets from Harmonix.

Ha, it felt good to brag a little!

This post has been edited by Per Aronsson: Jul 7 2010, 07:03 AM

Attached File(s)

 continuo2.jpg ( 13.37K ) Number of downloads: 3

 

[Bimble]

Being into turntables and tech talk, I have fortunately inherited this pristine little platter from my older brother:

NAB TEST RECORD
(NAB stands for National Association of Broadcasters)

Side A - Monophonic
Level Check (Band 1)
Wow and Flutter (Band 2)
Frequency Response (Band 3)
Rumble Reference Level (Band 4)

Side B - Stereophonic
Phase and Balance (Band 1)
Spot Frequency Test (Band 2)
Separation Test (Band 3)
Level Check (Band 4)

…with exciting liner notes such as:

Side B: Phase and Balance (Band 1)

This group contains a lateral 1000 cps (oldspeak for 1Khz) tone recorded at a velocity of 7 centimeters per second peak, a right channel 1Khz tone and a left channel 1Khz tone both recorded at a velocity of 5 centimeters per second peak, followed by a vertical 1Khz tone, recorded at a velocity of 7 centimeters per second peak. The lateral signal may be used to establish channel balance to within 0.25 db at 1Khz. This lateral signal shall produce equal in-phase voltages at the reproducing system outputs, and conversely, the vertical signal shall produce equal anti-phase voltages. Individual channel identification may be made by playing the left and right channel recordings of this group. Reference Sections 3.40, 3.45, 3.60, 3.70, 3.75 and 4.10 of the NAB Disc Recording and Reproducing Standards, (March 1964).

Put THAT in your Warp Drive and smoke it!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Must be a right bugger if you scratch that........

[Keltik]

Okay, for anyone not interested, here is my vinylrig:

 continuo2.jpg ( 13.37K ) Number of downloads: 9

First of all a turntable have to be heavy and this one weighs 22 kilo. Compared to other high end turntables Continuo is cheap but kills all of them...

Is that thing made of basalt? It looks like it. Amazing!

[Per Aronsson]

It´s Granite, Kelters. And it even sounds better than it looks...