[S Clark]

A friend loaned me his Japanese pressing from 1981.  I've got an early 6 eye original pressing to compare to... except there was no comparison.  The Japanese 18AP 2056 Sony was superior in every possible way.  My original is in pretty darn good condition, probably NM-.  Outside of the $300 Analogue Productions, which pressings do you have and like?

[SET Man]

Hey!

   Well, hold on to your hat! There's another one coming! It is very pretty though.

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/148512

Buddy



   

[S Clark]

Hey!

   Well, hold on to your hat! walletThere's another one coming! It is very pretty though.

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/148512

Buddy
 

So, $100 for a record.  And what's even more insane is that I considered getting on the waiting list.  If a Japanese pressing like my buddy's is going to run about $50, maybe $100 new isn't such a bad deal. 

[garyalex]

I have the MoFi 45RPM version.  It sounds better than the other 4 copies I have.

[mlundy57]

Got mine in. Worth the money for sure.

[S Clark]

Good to hear that.  My friend got notice that he won't get his until late summer... so he sold his spot in line to me.   

[lazydays]

A friend loaned me his Japanese pressing from 1981.  I've got an early 6 eye original pressing to compare to... except there was no comparison.  The Japanese 18AP 2056 Sony was superior in every possible way.  My original is in pretty darn good condition, probably NM-.  Outside of the $300 Analogue Productions, which pressings do you have and like?

If the LP is in stereo, it's just OK. I used to have access to a friend that had a studio master recording of those sessions, and boy was it different. Jimmy explained to me how the sessions were recorded, and I then understood. The correct way is a revert back to mono, as they were in a circle with a single mic hanging in the center. Actually it might have been better with a complete surround sound system; placing you in the dead center of the music. Myself; I'm perfectly happy with the Classics or Mosaic recordings in 45 rpm. Yet the real study is Bitches Brew!! Jimmy told me once that he learned something new everytime he heard it. Yet as much as I like that recording, I still find that I like the 58 sessions better than the others. Guess it's just whatever makes you feel good at the time. My girl friend thought the samething about Kinda Blue till she heard the 58 Sessions in a dark room.

There ought to be a strictly Miles davis thread on here!
gary

[firedog]

If the LP is in stereo, it's just OK. I used to have access to a friend that had a studio master recording of those sessions, and boy was it different. Jimmy explained to me how the sessions were recorded, and I then understood. The correct way is a revert back to mono, as they were in a circle with a single mic hanging in the center. Actually it might have been better with a complete surround sound system; placing you in the dead center of the music. Myself; I'm perfectly happy with the Classics or Mosaic recordings in 45 rpm. Yet the real study is Bitches Brew!! Jimmy told me once that he learned something new everytime he heard it. Yet as much as I like that recording, I still find that I like the 58 sessions better than the others. Guess it's just whatever makes you feel good at the time. My girl friend thought the samething about Kinda Blue till she heard the 58 Sessions in a dark room.

There ought to be a strictly Miles davis thread on here!
gary

I don't think your friend's description of the recording is accurate. It was recorded in three channels - left, right, and center - and also in mono. Two tape machines of each type. Both mono and stereo masters were made. Three channel tape recording was pretty common back then. It was thought to be needed for proper stereo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kind_of_Blue#Recording
https://www.analogplanet.com/content/analogue-productions-launches-25000-copy-uhqr-miles-davis-kind-blue-1

There were seven mics used: https://www.analogplanet.com/content/best-ever-kind-blue


So both mono and  stereo versions can be accurate. The original stereo master tape mixed down from three channels isn't useable.  And apparently the original mono masters no longer exist. Today there's also a 90's stereo mix done from the original three channels often used in place of it. And if allowed, other mixes can be made from the original three channels.

And btw, the early stereo pressings have side one off speed, as it was only much later discovered that one of the tape machines was operating at the wrong speed. (They used two three track machines so they'd have a safety copy). That source has been used to correct the speed on versions since the 90's.

 

[lazydays]

I don't think your friend's description of the recording is accurate. It was recorded in three channels - left, right, and center - and also in mono. Two tape machines of each type. Both mono and stereo masters were made. Three channel tape recording was pretty common back then. It was thought to be needed for proper stereo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kind_of_Blue#Recording
https://www.analogplanet.com/content/analogue-productions-launches-25000-copy-uhqr-miles-davis-kind-blue-1

There were seven mics used: https://www.analogplanet.com/content/best-ever-kind-blue


So both mono and  stereo versions can be accurate. The original stereo master tape mixed down from three channels isn't useable.  And apparently the original mono masters no longer exist. Today there's also a 90's stereo mix done from the original three channels often used in place of it. And if allowed, other mixes can be made from the original three channels.

And btw, the early stereo pressings have side one off speed, as it was only much later discovered that one of the tape machines was operating at the wrong speed. (They used two three track machines so they'd have a safety copy). That source has been used to correct the speed on versions since the 90's.

he was there! Plus I've heard the same story from others that never knew Jimmy.  There is a Stereo version out with Miles in the lead, but was recorded in Michigan. Then there is the Wallace Rooney version; which I think is better. Yet I've never seen that one on anything but CD. You are right about the recording speed, but it's not nearly as much as some folks claim; just a little brighter.
gary

[firedog]

The fact is that there are the original 3 track stereo tapes in existence, so to say the only accurate way to listen to the album is in mono is by definition incorrect.
And there wouldn't be three track tapes in existence without more than one mic being used.

There are pictures from the recording session easily findable on Google that show multiple mics being used. You can also see the musicians not all in a circle with one mic. Even some versions of the album cover show this.

Your friend's so called master copy is at best a later generation safety copy, not the master.

The fact is that other people that were there and the studio notes made that day back up what I say.
"He was  there" - maybe. But apparently if he was, he edited his own memories to accord with what he wished had gone on.

And even if he was there, it doesn't mean he knew/understood everything that was going on. Clearly he didn't know 3 track tapes for stereo were being used.