Lousy Sound on Pearl Jam Avocado CD

2

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  • eyedclaareyedclaar Posts: 6,980
    not to mention how badly offcourse "Masters of War" gets


    Many, many lyrical flubs on Ed's part. Counting backwards from 25 is a bitch! BH is full of flaws but I still like it.
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  • btb002btb002 Posts: 183
    I don't really care much for the sound quality of the cd itself. HOWEVER!!! If you have iTunes, tune the equalizer to classical and a lot of that stuff is filtered out. :)
    You are just a negative mindless pud.
  • BinFrogBinFrog Posts: 7,309
    btb002 wrote:
    I don't really care much for the sound quality of the cd itself. HOWEVER!!! If you have iTunes, tune the equalizer to classical and a lot of that stuff is filtered out. :)


    You can't really filter clipping...
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • btb002btb002 Posts: 183
    BinFrog wrote:
    You can't really filter clipping...

    I know. But in my opinion, and I'm using an iPod not an exotic home listening system. A lot of the extra feedback like on WWS, can be eliminated if you just use the classical setting.

    I know, I'm a main reason for songs being the way they are. But I promise, if CDs didn't get scratched so badly in my car, I'd much rather prefer the CD. Protecting the investment after all.

    And yet, I still feel ashamed. :(
    You are just a negative mindless pud.
  • For all you audiophiles out there (or anyone with a good ear), you will notice that the sound on the last Pearl Jam CD (Avocado) is not so great. When you put it loud, the rockers do not sound full bodied and musical and get noisy. Makes you want to turn down the volume or look to lower the treble.

    Like many modern recordings, this Pearl Jam recording suffered from the problem described here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ

    It's really sad how much sound quality has gone to shit in the music industry. I hope Pearl Jam realizes it and does not repeat this mistake again in the future. Most of their older CD's actually have much better sound in my opinion.

    is this why a lot of people state that records sound much better than cds?
  • NMyTree wrote:
    No, not after the first chorus, after the first verse at the 0.56 mark on the song time display.

    whatever
  • NMyTreeNMyTree Posts: 2,374
    is this why a lot of people state that records sound much better than cds?

    A properly mastered (from original analogue master tapes) vinyl record, played a good turntable and system; will sound so beautiful and musical.

    There's a natural....organic warmth.....richness to a well produced/high quality pressing of vinyl.

    A well mastered and produced CD will sound absoultely wonderful, too.

    There are definitely CD versions of albums (especially by Steve Hoffman) that sound so much better than the poorly produced/poorly mastered, cheaply manufactored vinyl version. Without a doubt! I have several of them!

    Sadly, most of the vinyl records they are doing now-a-days are being taken from digital sources, anyway. Which in my opinion defeats the whole purpose of doing vinyl records!!! The only reason for doing such a thing, woulf be, if the original master analogue tapes are so severely deteriated and damaged. Then I could understand.

    You really have to look around and research what you're buying. There's always ways to find out if a record was mastered from analogue or digital.
  • gobrowns19gobrowns19 Posts: 1,447
    I agree with the sound on Avocado. :( As long as you're not playing it too loud it sounds pretty good. But yes, really cranked it kind of lacks, but what cd doesn't today it seems like?

    I wish I could find the article, but it was talking about how 06 had so much music recorded onto CD 'loud.'
    Happiness is only real when shared
  • Cropduster84Cropduster84 Posts: 1,283
    sgossard3 wrote:
    go back to brendan o'brien! (i know exactly what you're talking about)

    Thats the last thing they want to do after the shit job he's done on Bruce's Magic....although saying that, i guess again its the mastering thats the problem.....
    'The more I studied religions the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anything but himself.' - Sir Richard Francis Burton
  • gobrowns19 wrote:
    ... but what cd doesn't today it seems like?

    I think that the last two John Mayer CD's (John Mayer Trio - Try and Continuum), Radioheads's "In Rainbows", and the more recent Cream Reunion concert CD are all examples of excellent sounding modern recordings. Even Tool's last CD was great. Beck's stuff is usually pretty great too.

    As far as DVD concerts, I have yet to find a DVD with better sound than Eric Clapton's "One More Car, One More Driver". If you have a nice 5.1 system, this is the DVD to use when showing it off to your friends.

    On the other hand, I found Springsteen's "Magic" (although the songs/performances are awesome IMO) and the latest Velvet Revolver CD to have a lot of the sound issues we have been talkin' about in this thread.
  • i would think with ed being the vinyl freak that he is, would have pearl jam's releases come out the best they could sound.
    *~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*

  • i still think the overall production of the last three albums is pretty bad.
  • eyedclaareyedclaar Posts: 6,980
    i would think with ed being the vinyl freak that he is, would have pearl jam's releases come out the best they could sound.

    Yeah, but he's overly paranoid about his music coming across as over-produced and too commercial. I think they make their records sound less than great on purpose.
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  • totally agree...the album would be way better if it were mixed better


    IMO Vs. is their best produced/mixed album...with Yield at a close 2nd
    "Well, I think this band is incapable of sucking."
    -my dad after hearing Not for You for the first time on SNL .
  • BinFrogBinFrog Posts: 7,309
    NMyTree wrote:
    A properly mastered (from original analogue master tapes) vinyl record, played a good turntable and system; will sound so beautiful and musical.

    There's a natural....organic warmth.....richness to a well produced/high quality pressing of vinyl.

    A well mastered and produced CD will sound absoultely wonderful, too.

    There are definitely CD versions of albums (especially by Steve Hoffman) that sound so much better than the poorly produced/poorly mastered, cheaply manufactored vinyl version. Without a doubt! I have several of them!

    Sadly, most of the vinyl records they are doing now-a-days are being taken from digital sources, anyway. Which in my opinion defeats the whole purpose of doing vinyl records!!! The only reason for doing such a thing, woulf be, if the original master analogue tapes are so severely deteriated and damaged. Then I could understand.

    You really have to look around and research what you're buying. There's always ways to find out if a record was mastered from analogue or digital.


    Get into SACD and DVD-A. It's a whole new world. The warmth of vinyl, and quite often in 5.1 surround sound. I will be an SACD/DVD-A fan far past the date that the format wars implode. It's sad how few people know about the hi-fi formats. They are a thing of beauty and everyone I play them for has their minds blown.

    180G vinyl is a nice little hobby to get into as well.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
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  • BinFrogBinFrog Posts: 7,309
    i would think with ed being the vinyl freak that he is, would have pearl jam's releases come out the best they could sound.


    Rush are studio wizards, and their 2nd to last album "Vapor Trails" suffers from really bad clipping issues, worse than Avocado.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • BinFrog wrote:
    Get into SACD and DVD-A. It's a whole new world. The warmth of vinyl, and quite often in 5.1 surround sound. I will be an SACD/DVD-A fan far past the date that the format wars implode. It's sad how few people know about the hi-fi formats. They are a thing of beauty and everyone I play them for has their minds blown.

    180G vinyl is a nice little hobby to get into as well.

    I compared the DVD-A versions of th following recordings and in every case found the remastered CD versions to sound better to my ears: The Doors (their debut), Love (The Beatles), How the West Was Won (Led Zeppelin). At first listen, the DVD-A versions gave the impression that they might sound better because of the bigger bass and more up front vocals. But if you listen carefully, some of the great musical information was lost in the DVD-A mixes. The CD versions had a more balanced presentation and natural sound and let you hear more of the subtle details of the recordings. The bass, while less prominent, was tighter more natural, more detailed and less bloated on the CD versions. Also, you could hear more instruments on the CD's because the vocals were less exagerated. I have not tried SACD though. Just my opinion.
  • i dont mind it
  • NMyTreeNMyTree Posts: 2,374
    BinFrog wrote:
    Get into SACD and DVD-A. It's a whole new world. The warmth of vinyl, and quite often in 5.1 surround sound. I will be an SACD/DVD-A fan far past the date that the format wars implode. It's sad how few people know about the hi-fi formats. They are a thing of beauty and everyone I play them for has their minds blown.

    180G vinyl is a nice little hobby to get into as well.

    I've been into DVD-Audio and SACD for like.......5....6 years. I have a shitload of them. But it's the same thing. some sound amazing, others, not so good at all. I seem to love more of my DVD-A than my SACDs.

    My R.E.M DVD-A sound beautiful! Love them! Fleetwood Mac -Rumors, on DVD-A .........awesome! Grateful Dead ....American Beauty and Workingman's Dead; both blow me away with how beautiful they sound.

    Then I have a few others that suck barb wire.

    SACD ........Alison Krauss and Union Station........Sweet!!!! A masterpiece!! But so are their CDs and DVD-Video!

    Yeah, I have a nice collection of 180 gram and some 200 gram vinyl. Sssswwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
  • NMyTree wrote:
    All Or None:

    Even the first short, bluesy guitar lead, after the first verse and chorus; is flat. But that's not the real fuck up.

    At 3:20 of the song time display, is when Mike goes into the extended guitar solo. Horrible. Flat...out of key and he picks a few really bad notes, there. Listen at 3:20 ........3:46 .....and 3:48.


    Man Of The Hour:

    Listen for the bridge which starts a crescendo at around 2:18-2:20.

    There's this annoying high-pitched feedback that starts at a very low volume, then slowly builds and peaks at the 2:28 mark of the song's time display; then kind of subsides but lingers for another 10 seconds or so as a high frequency distortion.

    Annoying as hell! Such a beautiful song, played in an acoustically perfect venue and ruined by that:(



    Thin Air:

    Right after the first verse there's a pause (guitar break), at 0:56 on the song time display where Stone does this little riff; which leads into the next verse where Ed sings the " byzantine is reflected in our pond " verse.

    Stone completely fucks up that riff and for the most part misses it. He made what seems like a desperate effort to fill something in; then decided to just wait out the timing pace. The audience even cheers the fuck up...lol.

    Then right after the song ends, Stone actually plays the riff twice; as if to say..."See I can play it, I just fucked up...that's all" :D And Ed makes the comment about how the Hall is well known for revealing even the smallest fucks ups and that there was no way you weren't going to notice that one, lol.

    Still one of their best shows despite these small errors, and remember a band like Pearl Jam are at their best when they play a show that has energy and feeling, not just when they play every note to precision!
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  • BinFrogBinFrog Posts: 7,309
    I compared the DVD-A versions of th following recordings and in every case found the remastered CD versions to sound better to my ears: The Doors (their debut), Love (The Beatles), How the West Was Won (Led Zeppelin). At first listen, the DVD-A versions gave the impression that they might sound better because of the bigger bass and more up front vocals. But if you listen carefully, some of the great musical information was lost in the DVD-A mixes. The CD versions had a more balanced presentation and natural sound and let you hear more of the subtle details of the recordings. The bass, while less prominent, was tighter more natural, more detailed and less bloated on the CD versions. Also, you could hear more instruments on the CD's because the vocals were less exagerated. I have not tried SACD though. Just my opinion.


    I only have a few of either format that are truly not good at all. Then there are a few mediocre ones, but then there are the stellar ones. I whole-heartedly disagree with you about Love and HTWWWon compared to the CD versions. I think both are clearly superior in DVD-A format, at least on my system.

    It sounds to me like you may have setup issues with regards to 2 thinks:

    1) Improper cutover frequency on your subwoofer
    2) Poorly balanced speaker output

    I've played versions of CD vs SACD/DVD-A for non-audiophiles (aka people who tell me they guarantee they won't notice a sound improvement) and each time they are blown away by the hi-fi version immediately. Dark Side of The Moon is a great example. The CD version sounds great, but put in the SACD and it's no contest (I'm curious how the new quadraphonic DVD-A mix sounds....I've heard mixed things).

    I have a few benchmark discs I always bust out:

    Bucky Pizzarelli: Swing Live (SACD) - absolutely sonic perfection. The one disc I would play for someone who wants to hear just how good SACD is. You are at the jazz club watching them if you close your eyes. It's truly awesome.

    Talking Heads: Remain In Light and/or Speak In Tongues (DVD-A). "Crosseyed and Painless" in pure insanity in surround sound

    Eric Clapton: Slowhand (SACD). "Lay Down Sally" is just sooooo crisp.

    Dire Straits: Brothers In Arms (SACD). Yes, it was recorded digitally originally, so technically it is not true SACD, but my god "Money For Nothing" in surround sound cranked up is a religious experience....when the drums climax during the intro and the guitar kicks in....jeeze.

    Aerosmith: Toys In The Attic (SACD): Like above, if only for the intro to "Sweet Emotion" alone this disc is worth the price.

    Dave Brubeck: Concord On A Summer Night (SACD) - What a great recording. You can actually hear crickets adding their own sounds to the music at parts. Very cool.

    The Doors: LA Woman (DVD-A) - Riders On The Storm with the intro lightning is crazy. Plus you really hear the background whispers.

    Bill Evans: Sunday At The Village Vanguard (SACD stereo). So warm. Nice improvement over the CD version.

    Miles Davis: Kind of Blue (SACD) & In A Silent Way (SACD) - Both sound amazing for their time. The work they did on KOB to take a 3 channel source and spread it out to 5.1 is absolutely amazing.

    Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon (SACD) - Perfection. It's like hearing it for the first time.

    Blue Man Group: Either of the discs you can find on DVD-A. Some great sounds and surround mixes.

    Holst: The Planets; Walter Susskind (conductor) (SACD) - Fantastic mix. Very warm.

    Klee, Ingensand, Bruckner Orchestra: Orchestral Spectacular (SACD) - Just some cool music like Thus Spake Zarathustra and music from Fantasia.

    Erich Kunzel /Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - Great Film Fantasies: Star Wars/Harry Potter/Lord Of The Rings (SACD) - Star Wars music in hi-fi: awesome.

    Joe Satriani: Strange Beautiful Music (SACD) - Chords Of Life is jaw droppingly good.

    Medeski Martin and Wood: Uninvisible (DVD-A). Near perfect sound.

    The Who: Live At The Albert Hall (SACD) - You are in the arena. Nice little guest appearance by Eddie. Sounds great.

    Queen: A Night At The Opera (DVD-A) - While not flawless in sound, you get to hear Bohemian Rhapsody in surround sound and it is gorgeous. Like Dark Side, it was meant to be heard this way.





    I'm a little it enthusiastic about the formats if you can't tell. These are just a few of the ones that I have that I commonly bust out for people when they want a demonstration.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
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  • BinFrog wrote:
    It sounds to me like you may have setup issues with regards to 2 thinks:

    1) Improper cutover frequency on your subwoofer
    2) Poorly balanced speaker output

    I'll try the DVD-A's again just out of curiousity and will double check my configuration settings.

    I believe my sub cutover setting is at about 40hz (my front speakers go down to 30HZ).

    As far as "balanced speaker output", I'm not sure what you mean. The output volumes for all my speakers have been calibrated and the speaker settings are properly configured.
    That I know for sure.
  • BinFrog wrote:
    Bucky Pizzarelli: Swing Live (SACD) - absolutely sonic perfection.

    Can this CD be found in stores or only at a specific web site? Thanks.
  • BinFrogBinFrog Posts: 7,309
    Can this CD be found in stores or only at a specific web site? Thanks.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005O12R/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • BinFrogBinFrog Posts: 7,309
    I'll try the DVD-A's again just out of curiousity and will double check my configuration settings.

    I believe my sub cutover setting is at about 40hz (my front speakers go down to 30HZ).

    As far as "balanced speaker output", I'm not sure what you mean. The output volumes for all my speakers have been calibrated and the speaker settings are properly configured.
    That I know for sure.


    Try setting the cutover to 80hz and see how that sounds for the surround sound discs. What kind of woofer do you have?
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • BinFrogBinFrog Posts: 7,309
    BinFrog wrote:


    From http://www.chesky.com/core/details.cfm?productcode=SACD223&productcategoryid=3 :

    Stereophile's "RECORDING OF THE MONTH - March 2002" "...Pizzarelli's quintet, with instrumentation similar to that of Goodman's small ensembles, plays the Swing Era style with expertise, authenticity, and passion...for listeners who have previously lived in a two-channel world, it is new. It is the difference between perceiving the event from an external vantage point and being there. And once you've been there, it's hard to go back." - Stereophile "The big thing you'll notice about this disc is the level of realism...you will enjoy what I truly believe to be the most realistic recreation of an acoustic performance I have yet heard on a commercial release...It's astonishing...My advice would be to put on this disc at night, turn off the lights...and listen...Suddenly, you're in Makor, a New York jazz club, listening to Bucky and the band playing before a live audience in February 2001. What you'll hear when you arrive is a spirited performance by some very accomplished jazz musicians...Everyone is impressive on this recording...a 'must-have'...it's the best DVD-A or surround SACD I have heard to date." - Audio Revolution Join Bucky Pizzarelli, Bernard Purdie (drums), Peter Appleyard (vibes), Allen Vache (clarinet) and Michael Moore (bass) in a Manhattan Jazz club for a swinging concert without ever leaving your living room! Within the comforts of your own home, Swing Live will place you in the best seating position in the venue, and with the accompanying crowd interactions and sonic realism of this recording, you will be transported into the intimate setting of the Jazz performance. Sit back and enjoy the energy and enthusiasm Bucky and his quintet exude as they perform directly to you! "...so clean and natural that it easy to forget that I was listening to recorded music. From the high clarinet notes to the bass drum's rhythmic thump to the audience's shuffling, each sound was distinct and equally well crafted." - Home Theater Magazine "Here's another special treat for jazz aficionados...You are right there in this remarkable recording that includes jazz club ambience and audience. A superb example of live jazz recording at its most effective 'you are there' presence." - ClassicalCDReview.com
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
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  • BinFrog wrote:
    What kind of woofer do you have?

    Thanks for the link - I'm gonna pick it up. To return the favor, here are a few great CD's to check out with incredible sound:

    http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/cds/03152.php
    http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/cds/03852.php
    http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/cds/02632.php

    I have the JL Fathom F113 subwoofer.

    Sorry I took this thread so off topic from Pearl Jam.
  • BinFrogBinFrog Posts: 7,309
    Wow, you have an incredibly nice subwoofer. Right on!
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • NMyTree wrote:
    A properly mastered (from original analogue master tapes) vinyl record, played a good turntable and system; will sound so beautiful and musical.

    There's a natural....organic warmth.....richness to a well produced/high quality pressing of vinyl.

    A well mastered and produced CD will sound absoultely wonderful, too.

    There are definitely CD versions of albums (especially by Steve Hoffman) that sound so much better than the poorly produced/poorly mastered, cheaply manufactored vinyl version. Without a doubt! I have several of them!

    Sadly, most of the vinyl records they are doing now-a-days are being taken from digital sources, anyway. Which in my opinion defeats the whole purpose of doing vinyl records!!! The only reason for doing such a thing, woulf be, if the original master analogue tapes are so severely deteriated and damaged. Then I could understand.

    You really have to look around and research what you're buying. There's always ways to find out if a record was mastered from analogue or digital.


    Do you know if the vinyl version of Pearl Jam's latest studio album sounds better than the CD version?
  • On the other hand, I found Springsteen's "Magic" (although the songs/performances are awesome IMO) and the latest Velvet Revolver CD to have a lot of the sound issues we have been talkin' about in this thread.

    The LATEST Velvet Revolver CD? Try the first one, but yeah, I agree, their second one is pretty terrible soundwise as awell.
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