HiRez Poll Simple Minds - SPARKLE IN THE RAIN [Blu-ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[rtbluray]

Please post your thoughts and comments on this new Blu-ray Audio edition of the album "Sparkle in the Rain" from Simple Minds.
This new Blu-ray Audio edition was available exclusively through the SDE online store and includes brand new Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround mixes from Bob Clearmountain.
The Blu-Ray also includes Steven Wilson's 5.1 surround mix originally released in 2015.

 

[Matt Wilson]

As I just stated on the thread devoted to this release, the new mix bests Wilson's old one, but the volume was so low I had to crank it up like six extra numbers.

9

 

[fourml8r]

As I just stated on the thread devoted to this release, the new mix bests Wilson's old one, but the volume was so low I had to crank it up like six extra numbers.

9

that is common on Atmos releases due to the wider dynamic range it needs to accommodate Atmos.

 

[Matt Wilson]

that is common on Atmos releases due to the wider dynamic range it needs to accommodate Atmos.

Interesting. I wasn't playing the Atmos mix though, it was the 5.1. So the volume is affected on all mixes on the blu ray?

 

[sjcorne]

Interesting. I wasn't playing the Atmos mix though, it was the 5.1. So the volume is affected on all mixes on the blu ray?

The 2024 5.1 was rendered from the Atmos master file, so the low volume carries over.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

The 2024 5.1 was rendered from the Atmos master file, so the low volume carries over.

Fortunately, the 5.1 DTS-HD MA stream does not have any DialNorm...

 

[fourml8r]

Mine finally arrived. First listen using Atmos was WOW. So much detail that I missed on the previous 5.1 version (which is great in itself). Will hold off voting until I do another listen, but it will be a very high vote.

 

[sjcorne]

First listen using Atmos was WOW. So much detail that I missed on the previous 5.1 version (which is great in itself).

Agreed, there are definitely some things in the Atmos mix I've never heard before - like the backing vocals in the height speakers at the end of "Speed Your Love To Me." It also fixes my main gripe with the 5.1, which was that the vocals in the center channel get kind of swamped by everything else. The album is still a bit fatiguing to listen to (I suppose that's just the nature of the source recordings having a dense, midrange-y sound), but it really opens up in surround. I hope Clearmountain eventually gets to do Once Upon A Time in Atmos as well, since that's the one he originally co-produced and mixed back in the '80s.

Reviewed over at IAA: https://immersiveaudioalbum.com/simple-minds-sparkle-in-the-rain-5-1-surround-sound-dolby-atmos/

 

[bayards]

Just had to crank volume up - a lot! How come other Atmos mixes never need this. Mix is fabulous and am happy! Full Atmos rig.

 

[Oldschoolsoundengineer]

Gave it an 8 in the end. I think Clearmountain's new mixes suites this album much better than his approach at New Gold Dream. The improved clarity of the main vocal and drums works well here, as opposed to NGD where they didn't fit in with the rest of the mix. Still no big fan at his center centric approach though. Steven Wilson's old 5.1 mix isn't among his best IMO, but it is still pretty enjoyable and more true to the original than the new ones.