Suggestions for Audio Fidelity Multichannel SACD Releases

[rtbluray]

So very true !

I don't know how many times someone chimed in that one or another Chicago Quad discs was unavailable due to MFSL issuing SACD'S !??

This just proves that there are minimal time constaints to the MOFI'S, and likely QUAD ONLY releases may NOT necessarily interfere with all A.F.'S or another label's( WB/RHINO) attempts to reissue what another label has or is in the process of releasing .
Yes I realize the two SACD labels may be more of a problem, but........there is some room to maneuver it would seem.

:sun

So there is some hope afterall.Only time will tell.

I think something needs to be clarified here in regards to 'quad blocking'.
When someone uses that term, they are essentially saying that a reissue label is blocking another reissue label from reissuing the same album on the same format due to exclusive rights contracts with the recording rights holders (aka the major labels).

The most prominent example of this is Mobile Fidelity releasing albums on SACD, which prevents other SACD labels (like Audio Fidelity and Analogue Productions) from releasing the same title on the same format, at least for a certain period of time. (Not to mention that once an album is released on SACD, the demand for other labels to release it on the same format greatly decreases.)

'Quad blocking' would not be an issue if the major labels reissued more Quad mixes themselves. They have the ultimate control over their catalogue, and they can do exactly as they please. This is why the Chicago Quadio box set became a reality. The recording rights holders (Warner/Rhino) made it happen themselves.

'Quad blocking' is also only an issue with reissue labels that reside in the same territory. Mobile Fidelity, Audio Fidelity, and Analogue Productions are all US labels, therefore they are all competing in the same territory.
Sony Music in Japan can release Jeff Beck titles on Multichannel SACD because a) they own the rights to those recordings and b) they are not competing in the same territory as other labels that are trying to release some of the same titles on the same formats.

I hope this all helps to underline the reasons why some releases happen and others don't.

 

[4-earredwonder]

Or perhaps It's more of a 'Gentlemens' Agreement' among the reissue companies not to intrude on one another's turf. The Do unto others as you would have them do unto you .... and nothing more!

 

[bmoura]

I think something needs to be clarified here in regards to 'quad blocking'.

"Quad blocking" can only be defined on QQ Forum, because it was invented on QQ and isn't a term that is used in the music industry.
In fact, I have had questions from visitors to QQ from the music industry asking what the term is supposed to mean.

 

[rtbluray]

Or perhaps It's more of a 'Gentlemens' Agreement' among the reissue companies not to intrude on one another's turf. The Do unto others as you would have them do unto you .... and nothing more!

No, that's not how it works at all.
If a label like Audio Fidelity chooses not to release the same album on SACD that Mobile Fidelity just released (once Mobile Fidelity's exclusive license expires, of course) it's because Audio Fidelity does not see enough potential profit to release that title themselves.

 

[rtbluray]

"Quad blocking" can only be defined on QQ Forum, because it was invented on QQ and isn't a term that is used in the music industry.
In fact, I have had questions from visitors to QQ from the music industry asking what the term is supposed to mean.

IMHO, that's really cool that people from the music industry have enquired about that term based on viewing it on here, but of course it changes nothing about Quad's value (or lack thereof) in the broader music industry. Labels will still subconsciously play a role in confining a lot of great Quad mixes to the vaults and legacy formats (like vinyl and 8-track) simply because they don't care enough about these classic mixes to try and get them released again, which sucks, but it also makes those that do get re-released all the more valuable to our passionate community.

 

[bmoura]

Or perhaps It's more of a 'Gentlemens' Agreement' among the reissue companies not to intrude on one another's turf. The Do unto others as you would have them do unto you .... and nothing more!

It's also a legal agreement.

When a reissue label licenses an album for reissue on CD, LP, SACD or Analog Tape, they sign a licensing agreement with the record label and artist. The license agreement includes terms such as the guaranteed amount that the reissue label will pay to the record label and artist for the rights to reissue the album for a specified number of years.

 

[quicksrt]

Or perhaps It's more of a 'Gentlemens' Agreement' among the reissue companies not to intrude on one another's turf. The Do unto others as you would have them do unto you .... and nothing more!

Well yes, there is an unwritten agreement to try and stay away from a title another company just reissued. MFSL, AF and APO all respect each other in that way.

 

[rtbluray]

Well yes, there is an unwritten agreement to try and stay away from a title another company just reissued. MFSL, AF and APO all respect each other in that way.

But does this 'unwritten agreement' really have more to do with respect than it does with the likelihood of diminishing returns?

 

[4-earredwonder]

But does this 'unwritten agreement' really have more to do with respect than it does with the likelihood of diminishing returns?

I would assume BOTH.

 

[quicksrt]

But does this 'unwritten agreement' really have more to do with respect than it does with the likelihood of diminishing returns?

It is both. My conversation with Marshall went into this issue in some detail. He respects MFSL and said that their product is very fine quality. But staying away from previous MFSL titles like he has, and even up to ten years later avoiding them (EWG), means that there is a financial reason to avoid those already out in DSD.

They do make exceptions like we all do.

 

[François]

'Quad blocking' is also only an issue with reissue labels that reside in the same territory. Mobile Fidelity, Audio Fidelity, and Analogue Productions are all US labels, therefore they are all competing in the same territory.

We need a European multichannel SACD reissue label !

 

[Robert van Diggele]

We need a European multichannel SACD reissue label !

or a webstore that sells popular titles in stereo/multichannel combo for reasonable prices.

 

[fredblue]

We need a European multichannel SACD reissue label !

Dutton Vocalion in the UK are doing this already!

They just need to ramp up the release schedule and broaden their remit perhaps and we will be in clover!

 

[fredblue]

or a webstore that sells popular titles in stereo/multichannel combo for reasonable prices.

downloads or physical product on discs?

 

[Robert van Diggele]

downloads or physical product on discs?

good question, I meant downloads, to reduce production and distribution cost.

 

[jasong]

a unwritten agreement not to release a title, above and below any legal constraints imposed by a licensing agreement, could be a legal issue as in constaint of trade. conlusion and conspirancy.

 

[fredblue]

a unwritten agreement not to release a title, above and below any legal constraints imposed by a licensing agreement, could be a legal issue as in constaint of trade. conlusion and conspirancy.

probably.. but then this is the music biz we're talking about here..

 

[fizzywiggs41]

Dutton Vocalion in the UK are doing this already!

They just need to ramp up the release schedule and broaden their remit perhaps and we will be in clover!

I wish they would broaden their horizons ? Expand their musical genre.

 

[fredblue]

I wish they would broaden their horizons ? Expand their musical genre.

indeed Fizzy Wizzy!

..maybe Dutton Vocalion will explore other styles or genres "one day tomorrow"..

Yours Quadfully,
Fredgar Winter

 

[sperezmore]

My Suggestions :banana::banana::banana:



AMERICA - Holiday
THE CAPTAIN & TENNILLE - Love Will Keep Us Together
EAGLES - On the Border
EAGLES - One of These Nights
EARTH, WIND & FIRE - That's the Way of the World
EARTH, WIND & FIRE - Spirit
BILLY JOEL - Piano Man
BILLY JOEL - Turnstiles
BLACK SABBATH - Paranoid
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - Creedence Gold
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - All The Girls In The World Beware!!!
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - Shinin' On
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - We're An American Band
GORDON LIGHTFOOT - Sundown
JACKSON 5 - Greatest Hits
JIM CROCE - Photographs & Memories / His Greatest Hits
LOGGINS & MESSINA - Native Sons
THE MANHATTANS - It Feels So Good
BARRY MANILOW - II
BARRY MANILOW - This One's for You
BARRY MANILOW - Tryin' to Get the Feeling
PAUL MAURIAT & ORCHESTRA - Best Of Best
PAUL MAURIAT & ORCHESTRA - Love Themes Collection
RARE EARTH - Get Ready
SANTANA - (Any album)
SEALS & CROFTS - Diamond Girl
SEALS & CROFTS - Summer Breeze
BARBRA STREISAND - (Any Album)






Regards,