Stephen Michael
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- Jan 8, 2025
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Mine being delivered tomorrow
SDE Blu Ray #32 and #33......Simple Minds Sparkle in the Rain and New Gold Dream! Released February 7th, 2025
- Thread starter Juggsnelson
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Bummer...
So, in preparation for these two discs arriving tomorrow I got my 'music back-up' HDD out of the cupboard yesterday. Long story short there was only around 4GB of disk space left on the thing so I've had to buy myself a new 6TB portable USB HDD from Amazon.
Fortunately the new HDD arrived midday today so I'm busy transferring audio files from the old HDD to the new one... But it's a slow process!!!
So, in preparation for these two discs arriving tomorrow I got my 'music back-up' HDD out of the cupboard yesterday. Long story short there was only around 4GB of disk space left on the thing so I've had to buy myself a new 6TB portable USB HDD from Amazon.
Fortunately the new HDD arrived midday today so I'm busy transferring audio files from the old HDD to the new one... But it's a slow process!!!
Last edited:
My discs have arrived...
Me two
my shipment is on the way ---how do they sound ?
After one casual listen to Clearmountain's Sparkle Atmos mix, I'm pretty happy with it. Lots of guitars and keyboards in the side and rear speakers, plus some fun details up in the heights like the synth brass in "Waterfront" and the 'sha-la'la' backing vocals in "Street Hassle."
As expected, it is very different from the 2014 Steven Wilson 5.1 mix. On the plus side, the lead vocals in the center channel are more prominent and better-integrated with the rest of the soundstage. All the bass parts seem to be mixed discretely to the center as well, most notably at the beginning of "Waterfront."
There's also a bit more variety in how the instruments are positioned from song-to-song. The 5.1 pretty much always had the guitars in front and keys in back, but this version keeps you guessing. The first track has the keys in side right and guitar in rear left, then the arrangement flips for "East At Easter" with the intertwining guitars locked to the sides and big synth pads pushed to the back.
That said, there are some aspects of the 5.1 mix that I prefer. For example, a lot of additional vocal layers that SW put in the rears to very cool effect (like the double-tracked 'I will be there...' in "Up On The Catwalk" and 'run till we come...' harmonies in "Speed Your Love To Me") are now upfront instead. I also really liked how the big drums were spread out all around you, in both the front and rear speakers, whereas they seem more weighted to the front in the Atmos mix (though the cymbal crashes in "Waterfront" are elevated into the front heights, which is pretty cool).
As expected, it is very different from the 2014 Steven Wilson 5.1 mix. On the plus side, the lead vocals in the center channel are more prominent and better-integrated with the rest of the soundstage. All the bass parts seem to be mixed discretely to the center as well, most notably at the beginning of "Waterfront."
There's also a bit more variety in how the instruments are positioned from song-to-song. The 5.1 pretty much always had the guitars in front and keys in back, but this version keeps you guessing. The first track has the keys in side right and guitar in rear left, then the arrangement flips for "East At Easter" with the intertwining guitars locked to the sides and big synth pads pushed to the back.
That said, there are some aspects of the 5.1 mix that I prefer. For example, a lot of additional vocal layers that SW put in the rears to very cool effect (like the double-tracked 'I will be there...' in "Up On The Catwalk" and 'run till we come...' harmonies in "Speed Your Love To Me") are now upfront instead. I also really liked how the big drums were spread out all around you, in both the front and rear speakers, whereas they seem more weighted to the front in the Atmos mix (though the cymbal crashes in "Waterfront" are elevated into the front heights, which is pretty cool).
Only starting my first listen but I am really digging the vitality of the bass in Promised You A Miracle.
Hooray for some better reviews!
I ripped Sparkle last night, only the Bob Clearmountain 2024 as I have the 2014 SW and the original CD.
It was nice to see that Bob did the 2024 and Steven the 2014 as I did not know that.
Any news as to the why of using the two mixing personalities?
I can say comparing the numbers the 2024 mix has higher Dynamic Range numbers compared to the 2014.
Hope to get the Atmos listen in soon.
It was nice to see that Bob did the 2024 and Steven the 2014 as I did not know that.
Any news as to the why of using the two mixing personalities?
I can say comparing the numbers the 2024 mix has higher Dynamic Range numbers compared to the 2014.
Hope to get the Atmos listen in soon.
Are you comparing the stereo mixes to each other?
Listening to New Gold Dream while I renew my passport. (You can do that online now!) Another nice, tasteful mix from Mr. Clearmountain.
So, unless I'm mistaken, the new blu-rays of Dream and Sparkle have everything that the old ones did and more, correct? There's no reason to hold onto the old ones?
So, unless I'm mistaken, the new blu-rays of Dream and Sparkle have everything that the old ones did and more, correct? There's no reason to hold onto the old ones?
Not sure exactly what you are asking except the obvious.
New Gold Dream-1982 CD 16bit/44.1Khz DR's are 9, 10's, 11's, 13.
New Gold Dream-2025 SDE#32 2025 stereo with vocals 24bit/48Khz Dr's are 14's, 15's, 16's.
Sparkle SDE#33 2025 stereo w/vocals 24bit/48Khz DR's are 13's, 14's, 15's.
I did not rip the stereo when I purchased the 2014 Blu Ray and I do not a original CD.
I have not listened to any of the above, focusing on Atmos listen as I write.
Played Sparkle last night. The 2024 mix is definitely better than the 2014 one (which I also played), but the volume was terribly low.
I checked my rips, not really listening but the SDE # 32 & 33 2025 (technically they are called 2024) vocals which are 24bit/48Khz are much more volume down then the 2025 Instrumentals which are 24bit/96Khz.
Listening now SDE#32 New Gold Dream Atmos. Released 2/7/2025.
These are called 2024 Mixes-Bob Clearmountain.
Blu Ray rip-MKV file-24bit/48Khz-DR's are 13's, 14's, 17.
These are called 2024 Mixes-Bob Clearmountain.
Blu Ray rip-MKV file-24bit/48Khz-DR's are 13's, 14's, 17.
My 2 discs, with slip cases arrived just now. The outer box was torn up a bit. Discs are both OK, both slip cases are crumpled on the corners. Ugh....
My copies are waiting at the local post office. The posties have stopped dropping them on the outside doormat for some reason. Really not sure why.
It's to be a swelteringly hot day today (it's been a long hot summer), so I'll head out early for them.
It's to be a swelteringly hot day today (it's been a long hot summer), so I'll head out early for them.
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