Steven Wilson Yes Close To The Edge in Dolby Atmos (out in March!)

[ssully]

Allow me to demonstrate why I am so often unimpressed by Steven Wilson's Yes remixing.

Here are two mixes of the same absolutely classic segment of Yes music: the climax of 'I Get Up I Get Down' from 'Close to the Edge', both found on the new BluRay disc.

one is Eddy Offord's original mix (2025 remaster)
one is Steven Wilson's 2025 stereo remix


Both were rendered to 16/44 and level matched using replaygain. (If you're going to complain downconversion somehow invalidates the comparison, don't bother -- you're just wrong)

I didn't identify the files, I leave you to guess and evaluate.


https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/xksx...ey=1u9iavfh7dmczmy77s22n1glb&st=sapl4fif&dl=0

 

[Thonolan]

I think I know which one is each and... I prefer SW's remix

 

[Mirsset]

For me the 2025 remaster is just too loud.

 

[cornwall198]

Honestly, for me, I couldn't make out the difference. Maybe my old ears are shot!

 

[minimumtumbleweed]

The first one is just louder. Once you get past that the second one brings out the instruments a bit better.

 

[ssully]

It's definitely not that one is 'just louder'. Listen to the first few seconds of the cadenza. That's a *mix* difference. And that will be there no matter what mastering of the 1972 mix you use.

(And the 'too loud' one was brought down by a few db to perceptually match the other other, based on replaygain values.)

I put the same comp up on a Facebook Yes fan* group. The consensus there is interesting compared to here..



*and remember, fan is short for 'fanatic'