HiRez Poll Bowie, David - THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS [Blu-ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[BillSamm1]

Blasted this one loud, as it deserves. I agree with others that Ronson's lead parts could have used a tweak. I also prefer a bit more discrete separation but overall, it sounds terrific. Likely the best I've ever heard this album sound, especially after years of those craptastic Dynaflex pressings. Still baffled by the omission of a 5.1 mix in favor of two of the same 1972 mixes in different resolutions that are indiscernible to my aging ears. I give it an 8. A must buy nonetheless.

 

[JediJoker]

If you look for the Ryko cd issue it has Velvet Goldmine plus some other outakes and demos.

And an inverted stereo image.

 

[califcab]

Just received this along with a bunch of other new Atmos mixes from Rhino - and it is easily the best. Blows the 5.1 SACD away. I gave it a 10. Would have like the "hey mans" mixed a little louder on Suffragate City, but this disc has great punch throughout other than that.

 

[SomethingAnything]

Like many of us, I wasn't sure what to expect given the comments from the bloke himself were rather disconcerting. But the mix is highly enjoyable.

My formative years were in the UK, and unlike Oz, there tended to be music allegiances back then (probably still is). So when this album came out, I was well and truly in the T Rex/Bolan camp. I know this album now of course, but not as thoroughly as some, so those comments on important aspects that should be faithful to the original mix are less of a loss for me.

Tangential review drift: I came in on Pin Ups, would you believe (I know, so late!). I love everything about that album and have loved many a good covers album ever since. From there on for the next decade, I know every note of every Bowie album intimately. How I would especially love Atmos mixes of Diamond Dogs and David Live. Please God, make it so!

Until then, I have this. Ten.

 

[edisonbaggins]

Strong 9. This Atmos mix elevates the music, for me.
Life in Surround Review

 

[bdhpe]

Strong 9. This Atmos mix elevates the music, for me.
Life in Surround Review

Great review and you should feature your son more often!

 

[LTW]

What a gorgeous mix. A lot of care went into unique placement on every track. Each song feels a little different and I love the space created with all the 'floating' objects placed between speakers.

 

[DrKlahn]

Alright @edisonbaggins I watched your review and will have this over the weekend. You better not lead me astray

(thanks for your reviews on the channel)

 

[jimfisheye]

I listened to some of the HD copy of the stereo mix and that 5.1 remix ahead of this. This new 7.1.4 mix sounded really good immediately! Good balances and presence. The vocal is really compressed though and pretty altered from the original vibe. Then a few other things started sounding too polite.

I didn't like the 5.1 remix and still don't. The presence is very low - so, ok turn it up. There are some moments but it's still a little thin next to the stereo original.

Most of the sound in this new 7.1.4 remix is really well balanced and behaved where some things might have been a little crunchy in the original stereo. The vocal aggressively leveled and the polite thing are questionable though. Other than that the mix is a 10/10 sounding mix. Maybe the original is just meant to be listened to louder. It does say to do that on the album cover.

 

[Matt Wilson]

9

A classic album with an almost perfect surround mix (can't hear it in atmos, just 5.1). More '70s Bowie would definitely be welcome in surround.

 

[himey]

it's very front-centric

Are you still having this impression?

 

[Mesozoic Mike]

L:istening in 5.1. I didn't own this previously as I was never much of a Bowie fan. This disc has made me appreciate Mr. Bowie a whole lot more. I think it sounds great and now I'm hoping for more Bowie in surround.

 

[himey]

more Bowie in surround

Young Americans is great.

 

[wheeler98]

I agree with other posters here. I too would’ve loved a little more horsepower on Ronson’s lead. Other than that Mrs Lincoln, this is the best of the Rhino atmos and gets a 10 here…

 

[wavelength]

Bowie’s voice is the ️

That's how I feel about it too. I'm listening on a 5.1 system. The atmos fold down mix is not that impressive but I'm really enjoying David's vocals.

 

[DrKlahn]

I gave it a 9. It's not quite at the level of the very best Atmos mixes out there, but I can't imagine it sounding better. Very good use of the format. Exceeded my expectations. 7.2.4 setup.

 

[splinter7]

Vote: 9
Setup: Atmos - 5.1.2 (mid ceiling)

This fidelity is superb. As others have stated, it is hard to think this ever did or ever will sound better.
Not much more to add.

 

[The56Kid]

Based on the 5.1 mix Ken Scott did in 2003, I fully expected this to be a similar failed attempt at a multi-channel mix by an engineer that shouldn’t be allowed to do one. Well, I’ll be damned if Scott didn’t get it right the second time around!

No ATMOS for me, but the Dolby TrueHD fold-down sounds excellent when properly cranked and Scott’s mix does a very good job distributing the various instruments between my 5 speakers. Color me corrected and impressed. A solid 9 for me.

 

[Ken_Scott]

Hello, Ken Scott here, I just wanted to stop by and thank you all so much for your comments, even the rough ones, about my first foray into the world of ATMOS. I have to say that I'm proud of what Emre and I did and it is so gratifying to see that others enjoy it too. It was never meant to be better than the original just different so I just have to hope that going forward both versions are available. Once again, thanks.
Cheers,
Ken

 

[JediJoker]

Hello, Ken Scott here, I just wanted to stop by and thank you all so much for your comments, even the rough ones, about my first foray into the world of ATMOS. I have to say that I'm proud of what Emre and I did and it is so gratifying to see that others enjoy it too. It was never meant to be better than the original just different so I just have to hope that going forward both versions are available. Once again, thanks.
Cheers,
Ken

Welcome! Incredible to have you here on this forum with us. Your work as a producer and engineer has been the soundtrack to so many of our lives. I think you know @Stephen W Tayler, who is also here, and whose 5.1 mixes have become a recent forum favorite. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we hope to hear more Atmos mixes from you soon!

MODS: This introduction from Ken Scott and the subsequent discussion not only needs, but deserves its own thread.