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Site Related => Discography & Releases => Topic started by: U2Joshua on May 29, 2017, 06:22:32 PM

Title: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: U2Joshua on May 29, 2017, 06:22:32 PM
I'm liking these "masters."  On that note, I find it delightfully interesting that Rattle and Hum is referred to as a "Remaster" in the Digital Booklet.
(https://gm1.ggpht.com/dnTQ4y0IvgHzs42-xJRf4nGyOmF28gP6Z3WKfcx5b5nXyUYtiW_mxx8PQiWf41l76rV064i51GAe26z7lDeZRNst-s0AM7TUFj-6BtZBBrVUHrABQokpYsbU3GKgwbEzfGsFL1d1EhPLWpb14-WfhH1sPE95iH-cSHTMICfd0OwoaWbc6Clt57q98UynawAL00PTlV_0p_FD_IBQ8yF2LzsfDzO-UeJUdcKgA5OoHXrKLEzLqKSQJeCChED-BwLK4XyMfFnjz0kVsZtfuk__oWZzg424D2cv-h2cCSrOCAmGCpHkwe0Lz5rqmG5B1cFusxbcJpu-iBsPGeMk6097atmoiZ2b6_GW4GVLthZ22PoEgF-C6aQ4rjOKTIx1khRMxarlf0Y_oAc5-EMbZ7ByspRr2F9iXK-hTE9yPRafbvWBZtUEpTqywaYTYWDU9A0pa8LxS8uoTMQZMjAv3-bPGvjIL-2b1UejUQLh4PJZXLdSlXZsQudYuCXt-7reVx1IXUlb3uRHSP-YctR9T0zT1gFInVrgt8r15Xwg2P1a5ailT0pdh3AcaQr5gLSIfeB48BoA8PW3Rxxu24ETqpdqH0_6K66PSOKKxr48XgpNaE7rLqiy7p5l63IkQnIe3PqHBl8WO2LpeiFjhG5h-dmnXmBVh3orYwldCSytU1sEJ0soTCNy_A=w566-h418-l75-ft)

Generally speaking, I'm not able to discern significant differences from original album cd releases and their subsequent Remaster releases.  However, I believe I hear greater difference between any cd versions of U2 albums and their MFiT treatments.

In particular, I hear striking differences on NLOTH and ATYCLB.  There are/may be others, too..., but I've not listened to all of them, yet.  But with No Line and All That there is much greater dynamic detail.  The bass is bass, the vocals are vocals, the guitars are guitars, and drums are drums...  cleaner, clearer separation between elements.  Hard to call these "differences" "improvements," right out of the gate, but I do like them.  NLOTH is much less "harsh" to me (in a good way).
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: U2Joshua on May 30, 2017, 12:51:29 PM
Okay...  Songs of Innocence sounds like a different album :o
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: Brad on May 30, 2017, 01:44:54 PM
Okay...  Songs of Innocence sounds like a different album :o

I will definitely have to compare the two versions. They have not remastered the deluxe edition bonus track that we know of, correct? The deluxe edition and SOI+ are still showing 2014 copyright dates on iTunes.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: U2Joshua on May 31, 2017, 04:33:33 PM
Okay...  Songs of Innocence sounds like a different album :o

I will definitely have to compare the two versions. They have not remastered the deluxe edition bonus track that we know of, correct? The deluxe edition and SOI+ are still showing 2014 copyright dates on iTunes.

Correct (that's my assumption, too).

The implication, I think, is that while MFiT was birthed in 2012, many technical articles allude to the idea that the technology is only as good as the engineer using the process.  That is, I think they're becoming more skilled and more adept at using all that MFiT has to offer.  So, even though Achtung Baby got an MFiT release,, as well as SOI, recently they've gone back in and are exploring the fullness of what MFIT offers and are getting better masters than the original MFiT efforts.

I think this corroborates some of Bono's ongoing comments about The Edge staying in the studio, way too long, and not coming up for air, or to see the light of day, etc.

Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: miryclay on May 31, 2017, 08:40:15 PM
Thanks for these posts. It is rare that someone explains audio with being a d*** but you seemed to have done that. I really hear it in drums for Fast Cars on HTDAAB.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: U2Joshua on May 31, 2017, 11:52:12 PM
Thanks for these posts. It is rare that someone explains audio with being a d*** but you seemed to have done that. I really hear it in drums for Fast Cars on HTDAAB.

Thanks for the kind words.  I'm no authority on the matter, but as a hobbyist I take a keen interest.  ...just trying to figure all this out, and admittedly there's a good bit of speculation.

I will say, though, that the more I'm listening to these MFiT albums, on my iPhone, playing through my car stereo, the more convinced I am that these are great!

Listened to "October" on October tonight, and it just sounds great.  Sounds like a much newer recording than 1981.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: George on June 01, 2017, 11:29:27 AM
I will say, though, that the more I'm listening to these MFiT albums, on my iPhone, playing through my car stereo, the more convinced I am that these are great!

Listened to "October" on October tonight, and it just sounds great.  Sounds like a much newer recording than 1981.

Are you saying that the lossy remasters sound better than the lossless CD versions?
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: U2Joshua on June 01, 2017, 12:29:26 PM
I will say, though, that the more I'm listening to these MFiT albums, on my iPhone, playing through my car stereo, the more convinced I am that these are great!

Listened to "October" on October tonight, and it just sounds great.  Sounds like a much newer recording than 1981.

Are you saying that the lossy remasters sound better than the lossless CD versions?

To my ears (in some cases), yes.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: George on June 01, 2017, 12:55:14 PM
I will say, though, that the more I'm listening to these MFiT albums, on my iPhone, playing through my car stereo, the more convinced I am that these are great!

Listened to "October" on October tonight, and it just sounds great.  Sounds like a much newer recording than 1981.

Are you saying that the lossy remasters sound better than the lossless CD versions?

To my ears (in some cases), yes.

Interesting.

Have you listened to the music without using iTunes/iPhone/iWhatever?  Does this mastering process take advantage of something specifically built in to the Apple world?  In a sense, would a CD burned from these files still sound better than the original?  If so, is it really "mastered for iTunes" or is it just mastered differently?  (I'm not expecting actual answers to the last bits as I don't expect anyone to have done this yet)
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: Brad on June 01, 2017, 01:46:47 PM
I have the MFIT versions, the "Complete U2" versions, and my own CD rips all loaded up on a Pono, but I haven't actually gotten 'round to doing any listening yet.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: morgan1098 on June 02, 2017, 09:54:56 AM
Interesting that the MfiT versions of Pop, ATYCLB, and R&H had the Edge's involvement. Those were rumored to be the next releases in the CD reissue series a few years ago, although that plan was obviously abandoned. I'm guessing Edge's involvement dates back to that period.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: Aaron on June 12, 2017, 01:20:33 PM
Interesting that the MfiT versions of Pop, ATYCLB, and R&H had the Edge's involvement. Those were rumored to be the next releases in the CD reissue series a few years ago, although that plan was obviously abandoned. I'm guessing Edge's involvement dates back to that period.

They were rumoured to be, but weren't next on the list at all from what i was told...  The remastering group had no intention on doing any albums post "Zooropa" at the time that they were dismantled.  The next project they were planning on working on was a new release from the archives, collecting non-album related audio.  I spoke in detail to them about what the plans were, and would love to reveal more, so I'm going to have to go back and ask if i can talk about what they told me.  The feeling at the time was that the remaining albums had all been done digitally and didn't need the tweaking that other work did.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: morgan1098 on June 12, 2017, 04:35:07 PM
Interesting that the MfiT versions of Pop, ATYCLB, and R&H had the Edge's involvement. Those were rumored to be the next releases in the CD reissue series a few years ago, although that plan was obviously abandoned. I'm guessing Edge's involvement dates back to that period.

They were rumoured to be, but weren't next on the list at all from what i was told...  The remastering group had no intention on doing any albums post "Zooropa" at the time that they were dismantled.  The next project they were planning on working on was a new release from the archives, collecting non-album related audio.  I spoke in detail to them about what the plans were, and would love to reveal more, so I'm going to have to go back and ask if i can talk about what they told me.  The feeling at the time was that the remaining albums had all been done digitally and didn't need the tweaking that other work did.

People always trot this image out as evidence of... something. I guess you could argue that the AB set was the next in this series, but that was more of an "anniversary set" and, more significantly and controversially, was NOT remastered.   :(

(http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bag.jpg)
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: God, Part II on June 12, 2017, 08:42:05 PM
So irritating that when I'd finally read enough online to confirm that these are new mixes with overt sonic differences compared to their CD counterparts, the $5.99 sale ended. As much as an uber fan as I consider myself to be, no way can I bring myself to rebuy their entire catalog at $10 a title. Ugh.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: Panama Jack on September 18, 2017, 12:34:02 PM
First time poster here!  8)

Is there any rumor of these new MFiT masters getting lossless releases sometime in the near future, either digitally or on CD?
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: God, Part II on September 18, 2017, 03:29:06 PM
Is there any rumor of these new MFiT masters getting lossless releases sometime in the near future, either digitally or on CD?

I'd be happy to be wrong but since these masters are specifically for and by iTunes, which doesn't offer lossless versions of any of its music at this time (that I'm aware of) and is in direct competition with CDs for your media dollars, I'd say it's unlikely digitally and nigh impossible for CD.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: George on September 20, 2017, 10:18:44 AM
I'd be happy to be wrong but since these masters are specifically for  and by  iTunes, which doesn't offer lossless versions of any of its music at this time (that I'm aware of) and is in direct competition with CDs for your media dollars, I'd say it's unlikely digitally and nigh impossible for CD.

It's done by them?  Interesting.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: God, Part II on September 20, 2017, 01:03:48 PM
I'd be happy to be wrong but since these masters are specifically for  and by  iTunes, which doesn't offer lossless versions of any of its music at this time (that I'm aware of) and is in direct competition with CDs for your media dollars, I'd say it's unlikely digitally and nigh impossible for CD.

It's done by them?  Interesting.

Forgive me if my phrasing was clumsy. I don't mean to say that Apple engineers specifically make the MFiT masters, just that they dictate the rules whereby a master submitted to them qualifies for the MFiT credential.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: Aaron on September 30, 2017, 01:58:08 PM
Is there any rumor of these new MFiT masters getting lossless releases sometime in the near future, either digitally or on CD?

I'd be happy to be wrong but since these masters are specifically for and by iTunes, which doesn't offer lossless versions of any of its music at this time (that I'm aware of) and is in direct competition with CDs for your media dollars, I'd say it's unlikely digitally and nigh impossible for CD.

Apple doesn't do the mastering.  They have a program developed that must be followed by a mastering engineer in order to qualify for the program. The mastering itself is still done by whoever U2 chooses, but it has to be someone that meets Apple's standards. Apple requires a file submitted be at least 24-bits, with a sample rate of at least 44.1K from the mastering engineer.  They then do the conversion to their own file formats.

If you look back at our original article on the MFIT releases you'll see the following:

Mastering: Scott Sedillo, Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood
Audio Master Transfer Director: Declan Gaffney

Sedillo and Gaffney are both long time U2 associates, and they would have been working for U2 on preparation of these masters.  If U2 wanted to release these in another format the original mastering job is likely available to them to do so.
Title: Re: 05/26/2017: Mastered for iTunes releases
Post by: Panama Jack on October 01, 2017, 11:23:27 PM
If U2 wanted to release these in another format the original mastering job is likely available to them to do so.

I was hoping that the 44.1/16 FLAC versions that 7digital started selling this summer were the same new masters / remasters that were used for the new MFiT releases, but alas, they're just the same old CD masters we already have. 

(I tested by buying "The Troubles" which had a mastering glitch on the original release that was reportedly fixed in the new MFiT version.  If 7digital was using the same new masters that were used for the MFiT versions, then that glitch would have been fixed, but unfortunately it's still there, so that tells me they simply used the original CD versions).