News

(Corrected) Beginning to Get Answers on Bert Jansch Vinyl Mystery (Apologies to Lurssen Mastering)

Michael Fremer  |  Nov 13, 2012

My apologies to Gavin Lurrsen, who did respond immediately to my email via email. Unfortunately his email got trapped in the overaggressive corporate spam filter.

Lurssen is naturally protective of his business and excellent reputation so he was not too happy with the story, which speculated about how the LP ended up being mono. It was not our intention to defame anyone. We simply want to get to the bottom of the chain of events that led to this unsatisfying result.

In his email Mr. Lurssen said he was responsible for producing the MP3 for the digital download that I wrote sounded "fine" and in stereo. He also was responsible for creating the high resolution digital files used to produce the LPs, though on that count he was somewhat cryptic.

What I've learned from this experience is that mastering engineers are somewhat protective of both other mastering engineers in the fraternity and of course of their clients.

I did hear from the record label and not surprisingly they weren't happy with the story because they thought I should get all of the facts before writing it. I feel my first responsibility is to you, the reader.

I have reached out to L. Nix mastering but have not yet heard back. When we get all of the facts we'll report further!

COMMENTS
marmaduke's picture
Submitted by marmaduke on Tue, 2012-11-13 18:30

It is obvious from the post on this album and the Legrand Jazz release that even the pros have trouble with this remastering biz from time to time.

The Catch -22 is that on the one hand you do not want to spend your money for a possible questionable release, but neither do you want to get a copy deep into the release.

So what do you do?

Wait or plunk down your $20-$60 per disc and hope for a favorable review?

I have done it both ways and I have no idea which is better except if I wait, I still have my money when they let the dogs out. 

deckeda's picture
Submitted by deckeda on Wed, 2012-11-14 08:01

Here's what the labels seem to want have happen:

MF: Sounds wrong, is it?

Label: Yes, no, we don't know right now; this is an unexpected question.

Meanwhile there's a review to publish and the product has already been sold to other customers.

Stay strong, Michael. Whether or not it was made correctly shouldn't be a question you have to run by the label prior to publication. What could they say, "No, it's stereo"?

****************

What I learned from buying Rufus Wainwright's defective "Out of the Game" LP is that mastering houses (Sterling) and pressing plants (presumed United?) have generally private contracts and so won't point fingers at each other. And both entities will push it all back to the label (Decca), so if you can't get hold of anyone there it's a dead issue.

(For anyone else wondering what I'm referring to, side 3 of "Out of the Game" was stamped with side 3 of Florence + The Machine's "Ceremonials". It's unknown if all the U.S. pressings are like this, and as far as I'm aware Decca hasn't uttered a peep.)

MichaelHilary's picture
Submitted by MichaelHilary on Wed, 2013-05-29 00:53

I think we will have to be alert next time and not let this things happen.

niljainiam's picture
Submitted by niljainiam on Tue, 2013-06-04 23:49

“If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him.”
salwar kameez

X