Petition for an all-analog, AAA Pearl Jam boxed set of their studio albums

jamesbennettiii

Hi all,

On the backs of the success (both critical and commercial) of the Beatles boxed set that is all analog signal path, not merely digital files printed to vinyl, I think that Pearl Jam should do an all analog box set for their albums that were recorded to tape.

I am talking a truly audiophile endeavour, capturing all of PJ's early studio magic, in all of its glory. Heck, get Steve Hoffman in to master it.

Obviously, PJ is not as big as the Beatles, but I can imagine that a box set of this nature could be a huge seller for PJ in an pre-sale for a month, so everyone had a chance to get one.

It would be a bit of a niche product, but who here WOULDN'T buy one?

Just a thought.

PJfanwillneverleave1

jamesbennettiii said:

Hi all,

On the backs of the success (both critical and commercial) of the Beatles boxed set that is all analog signal path, not merely digital files printed to vinyl, I think that Pearl Jam should do an all analog box set for their albums that were recorded to tape.

I am talking a truly audiophile endeavour, capturing all of PJ's early studio magic, in all of its glory. Heck, get Steve Hoffman in to master it.

Obviously, PJ is not as big as the Beatles, but I can imagine that a box set of this nature could be a huge seller for PJ in an pre-sale for a month, so everyone had a chance to get one.

It would be a bit of a niche product, but who here WOULDN'T buy one?

Just a thought.

I would.

jamesbennettiii

Sorry, I don't know what you mean.

F Me In The Brain

They could sell a box of excrement at this point -- and label it as such -- and I would strongly consider buying. What a sickness!

demetrios

jamesbennettiii said:

Hi all,

On the backs of the success (both critical and commercial) of the Beatles boxed set that is all analog signal path, not merely digital files printed to vinyl, I think that Pearl Jam should do an all analog box set for their albums that were recorded to tape.

I am talking a truly audiophile endeavour, capturing all of PJ's early studio magic, in all of its glory. Heck, get Steve Hoffman in to master it.

Obviously, PJ is not as big as the Beatles, but I can imagine that a box set of this nature could be a huge seller for PJ in an pre-sale for a month, so everyone had a chance to get one.

It would be a bit of a niche product, but who here WOULDN'T buy one?

Just a thought.

Would totally buy one. Maybe 2. Heck, sign me up for 5.

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demetrios

jamesbennettiii said:

Hi all,

On the backs of the success (both critical and commercial) of the Beatles boxed set that is all analog signal path, not merely digital files printed to vinyl, I think that Pearl Jam should do an all analog box set for their albums that were recorded to tape.

I am talking a truly audiophile endeavour, capturing all of PJ's early studio magic, in all of its glory. Heck, get Steve Hoffman in to master it.

Obviously, PJ is not as big as the Beatles, but I can imagine that a box set of this nature could be a huge seller for PJ in an pre-sale for a month, so everyone had a chance to get one.

It would be a bit of a niche product, but who here WOULDN'T buy one?

Just a thought.

Would totally buy one. Maybe 2. Heck, sign me up for 5.

cp3iverson

Basically their vinyl is being pressed using the same digital files that are used on their CDs. Thats not how u get the best sound quality. Too compressed. Vinyl gives u a larger scope for music. PJ doesnt take advantage of it.

The OP is correct.

ambrasjes

do I hear a hell yeah?

HELL YEAH!

buck502000

Triple A all the way, the music on PJ albums is awesome, but the mastering leaves something to be desired.

scott nowland

I would certainly buy it. Hopefully it wouldnt be too heavy to ship international like tenclub said the mystery box was so that people outside of the us could purchase

jamesbennettiii

Pearl Jam, I beg you to put me in charge of something like this. I will make you a lot of money and will deliver the best vinyl box set of the decade.

october22

That would be awesome but no need to make it mono. The only reason The Beatles albums are mono is because they were originally mastered that way.

RobbyD462

I'm in and I have a complete set of originals....
Take my money and make me happy!

dayday

thanks for saying what many of us have been thinking!

Ron Burgundy

+1

They should sit down with Uncle Neil and take look at this! The old man knows what he is doing in terms of sound quality!

jamesbennettiii

october22 said:

That would be awesome but no need to make it mono. The only reason The Beatles albums are mono is because they were originally mastered that way.

You're correct. I didn't mean to imply that it would be in mono like the Beatles set, merely that they would mastered from tape, and not touch a computer. Ron, I completely agree with you.

Forget the Pono stuff - do this set. Honestly, PJ, put me in charge of this. I will do it, and it will be a huge success! Just give me the tapes!

jamesbennettiii

This would be my proposal:

1) Mastered and cut from the original master tapes (never to touch a computer).

2) Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray (that way, you scoop up the Hoffman market - which is massive, and really, underestimated. There have been 200+ million visitors to his forum (though, they're not unique visitors), and there are TONS of people there that would never buy a Pearl Jam set, who definitely WOULD if it was mastered by SH and KG). I would venture a guess that PJ could sell 500-1000 sets on that forum alone, never mind Ten Club members.
Those two guys are basically known in the business as THE guys for music restoration/mastering.

3) Pressed at Pallas (like Neil Young's records) on 180-200G LPs, depending on the cost.

4) Each album pressed across 2 45 RPM LPs, for the deepest cuts for Ament's bass.

5) Each album has original artwork, faithful to the originals on heavy card stock, with double gatefold sleeve.

6) Unique book, with essay by Cameron Crowe, or whoever would be willing, on their love of vinyl, and the tremendous nature of this set.

LET ME DO IT!!

BIGDaddyWil

jamesbennettiii said:

This would be my proposal:

1) Mastered and cut from the original master tapes (never to touch a computer).

2) Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray (that way, you scoop up the Hoffman market - which is massive, and really, underestimated. There have been 200+ million visitors to his forum (though, they're not unique visitors), and there are TONS of people there that would never buy a Pearl Jam set, who definitely WOULD if it was mastered by SH and KG). I would venture a guess that PJ could sell 500-1000 sets on that forum alone, never mind Ten Club members.
Those two guys are basically known in the business as THE guys for music restoration/mastering.

3) Pressed at Pallas (like Neil Young's records) on 180-200G LPs, depending on the cost.

4) Each album pressed across 2 45 RPM LPs, for the deepest cuts for Ament's bass.

5) Each album has original artwork, faithful to the originals on heavy card stock, with double gatefold sleeve.

6) Unique book, with essay by Cameron Crowe, or whoever would be willing, on their love of vinyl, and the tremendous nature of this set.

LET ME DO IT!!

Best idea ever!!!!

callen

jamesbennettiii said:

This would be my proposal:

1) Mastered and cut from the original master tapes (never to touch a computer).

2) Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray (that way, you scoop up the Hoffman market - which is massive, and really, underestimated. There have been 200+ million visitors to his forum (though, they're not unique visitors), and there are TONS of people there that would never buy a Pearl Jam set, who definitely WOULD if it was mastered by SH and KG). I would venture a guess that PJ could sell 500-1000 sets on that forum alone, never mind Ten Club members.
Those two guys are basically known in the business as THE guys for music restoration/mastering.

3) Pressed at Pallas (like Neil Young's records) on 180-200G LPs, depending on the cost.

4) Each album pressed across 2 45 RPM LPs, for the deepest cuts for Ament's bass.

5) Each album has original artwork, faithful to the originals on heavy card stock, with double gatefold sleeve.

6) Unique book, with essay by Cameron Crowe, or whoever would be willing, on their love of vinyl, and the tremendous nature of this set.

LET ME DO IT!!

James you sold me. Actually think you should be hired for PJ.

Excellent post.

2 Box sets please.

I Am Analog

lolobugg

jamesbennettiii said:

This would be my proposal:

1) Mastered and cut from the original master tapes (never to touch a computer).

2) Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray (that way, you scoop up the Hoffman market - which is massive, and really, underestimated. There have been 200+ million visitors to his forum (though, they're not unique visitors), and there are TONS of people there that would never buy a Pearl Jam set, who definitely WOULD if it was mastered by SH and KG). I would venture a guess that PJ could sell 500-1000 sets on that forum alone, never mind Ten Club members.
Those two guys are basically known in the business as THE guys for music restoration/mastering.

3) Pressed at Pallas (like Neil Young's records) on 180-200G LPs, depending on the cost.

4) Each album pressed across 2 45 RPM LPs, for the deepest cuts for Ament's bass.

5) Each album has original artwork, faithful to the originals on heavy card stock, with double gatefold sleeve.

6) Unique book, with essay by Cameron Crowe, or whoever would be willing, on their love of vinyl, and the tremendous nature of this set.

LET ME DO IT!!

Dude, you kinda have my mouth watering with this idea.
viva 45pm!!!!

cp3iverson

Hoffman would be a great choice

jamesbennettiii

I know it sounds crazy, but, PJ, I'm a project manager, and I am 100% willing to take this project on.

Everyone here wants one. Show your commitment to quality, analog vinyl. Enough with the digital file pressing onto vinyl. It's a no-risk adventure!

cp3iverson

I would repurchase all 10 albums on vinyl just to hear them at their greatest quality. Theres only 1 or 2 studio albums by them that id classify as "very good" on vinyl.

ikiT

I'd want it if it was presented (like, sign me up! 33 1/3 is beyond fine) , but...

Don't sleep on the 94/24 hi bit rate digital. Don't get me wrong, I'm a complete effing audiophile snob with a shitload of vinyl, tape, a huge digital library, the sweetest tube amp you could imagine, period correct speakers, the whole 9...and I was super skeptical too, but if care is taken in preparing the file and the file is properly presented, HI RES FLACs can and will totally blow you away.

I just got an offer for the newly analog only Beatles White Album and Magical Mystery Tour in MONO.

http://www.popmarket.com/?cid=nl:1008841163&utm_medium=email&utm_source=generator-popmarket&utm_campaign=email|1008841163|20141003&utm_content=nllink-3c2eaedc-Header Image

If there wasn't a trip to Memphis planned...

jamesbennettiii

the tiki bomb said:

I'd want it if it was presented (like, sign me up! 33 1/3 is beyond fine) , but...

Don't sleep on the 94/24 hi bit rate digital. Don't get me wrong, I'm a complete effing audiophile snob with a shitload of vinyl, tape, a huge digital library, the sweetest tube amp you could imagine, period correct speakers, the whole 9...and I was super skeptical too, but if care is taken in preparing the file and the file is properly presented, HI RES FLACs can and will totally blow you away.

I just got an offer for the newly analog only Beatles White Album and Magical Mystery Tour in MONO.

http://www.popmarket.com/?cid=nl:1008841163&utm_medium=email&utm_source=generator-popmarket&utm_campaign=email|1008841163|20141003&utm_content=nllink-3c2eaedc-Header Image

If there wasn't a trip to Memphis planned...

I have no doubt that 96/24 would sound great. However, most people don't have a 24/96 DAC. Maybe in the future.

What I am proposing here does not negate the quality that 24/96 can bear on the music. What I am proposing here is THE definitive analog set, that when you're done with it, long after Pearl Jam has retired, without enough care, you're going to pass to your kids down the generation.

You can't pass a file down to your kid. (well, you COULD, but it's not going to be the same thing is it?).

This is a quote from the Miles Davis reissue of "Kind of Blue", from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs:

"Mobile Fidelity 180g 45RPM 2LP Box Set is Definitive Analog Version and Intended to Be Passed on to Generations"

This is what I am proposing.

What kind of tube amp do you have? Post pictures of your setup, if you will.

jamesbennettiii

I should say : my kids would take this type of set out of my cold dead hands...but you know what I mean.

ikiT

I run a Fisher 500C (it's a a fuse blowing hot mess right now...) with AR2s that are older than I am. That setup, when glowing properly, can help something as vanilla plain sounding as a mass produced cassette with dolby B sound like a 3 dimensional experience.

Hopefully now that each of my kids has their OWN turntables, they'll buy their OWN vinyl.

AndySlash

are we even certain some of these albums (post riot-act, namely) were recorded to analog tape in the first place? that would be a pretty big determinant in whether or not this project was feasible.

jamesbennettiii

AndySlash said:

are we even certain some of these albums (post riot-act, namely) were recorded to analog tape in the first place? that would be a pretty big determinant in whether or not this project was feasible.

AndySlash, you are probably correct for anything post Riot Act, though, a lot of people's interest drops off past that. Something to think about.

ikiT

jamesbennettiii said:

I have no doubt that 96/24 would sound great. However, most people don't have a 24/96 DAC. Maybe in the future.

It's mind blowing the audio quality you can get TODAY with a networked junker computer that has a digital sound output, either optical or coaxial (or a cheap add in soundcard), a relatively inexpensive "home theater" type of receiver with a digital sound input, either optical or coaxial (either new or for about 20 dollars at a thrift store), and 2 decent speakers. Absolutely mind blowing.

jamesbennettiii

Bump