So, U2 have come somewhat late to the game in the iTunes Store's offering of "Mastered for iTunes" content. The "Mastered for iTunes" trend began in 2012, and for all practical purposes seems to have not ever gotten much major attention - a few articles can be found using Google, dating back to 2012. I remember reading about it, then, but more recently some media outlets began exploring this format, again, from a critical / technical angle. For example,
https://www.justmastering.com/article-masteredforitunes.phpIn short, the claim is that the original, HD audio raw "tapes" (or digital equivalent) are not scaled down to cd, and then cd ripped to iTunes, but rather, the HD source is taken through a unique mastering process resulting in an iTunes Plus bitrate (256Kbps AAC) track that is somehow superior to a track that's simply been ripped straight from cd.
Visual:
- Traditional Method of digitally compressed files: Master tapes --> Master Copy --> cd --> compressed digital file
- "Mastered for iTunes" method: Master Tapes --> "Mastered for iTunes" digital file.
Some claim that on audiophile equipment, "Mastered for iTunes" tracks rival HD (24-bit) audio (implying that it's "better" than a cd).
From what I can tell, the only U2 material available in the iTunes (U.S. Store, anyway) that is "Mastered for iTunes" include:
- Achtung Baby remasters
- Songs of Innocence
- The Joshua Tree remasters
I'm trying to get a handle on this format, as I am an iTunes user. Most all of my listening is through iTunes either on my computer, or through my iPhone (plugged in to car stereo, etc.).
Having owned all of these albums in as many formats and releases as they've ever been released in, I thought I was getting what the iTunes store offered when I simply ripped my cds to iTunes Plus and then listened to those. However, if everything I'm reading and understanding about "Mastered for iTunes" content is true, then theoretically I am not getting the same mastering and listening experience as if I listen to the purchased iTunes ("Mastered for iTunes") versions of these albums.
On that note, I just purchased
Achtung Baby (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered] from iTunes and listened to it through, in it's entirety. I'm a wannabe audiophile, at best, and don't have the equipment or ears to know what's best, I'm sure. However, I'm always seeking out what is "best" and want to become more of a listening expert in my old age :-)
My only impressions are that it
seems they master them a little bit more "dynamically" (is that the proper way to describe what I'm hearing? [I don't know]). I
think I hear greater separation of sounds (i.e. between instruments). For example, when "Whose Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses?" came on, I noticed some string sections at the beginning of the song in a way I'd never heard it before. I went back and listened to my cd rip, and sure enough, those strings are present, but not as prominently.
Has anyone else dabbled with this format, or formed an opinion about the format, as a whole - or, more specifically, have you listened to any of the U2 "Mastered for iTunes" content and come away with any impressions?
Thanks in advance~
U2Joshua
