Vinyl lovers - What’s a ‘half speed master’?

BrainofBGA
BrainofBGA Australia Posts: 4,558
in Other Music
Was going to grab a record online and on its description it includes that it’s a ‘half speed master’. As a complete vinyl novice what does this mean? 
Melbourne #1 '98
Melbourne #2 '03
Melbourne #3 '03
Melbourne #1 '06
Melbourne #3 '06
Melbourne '09
Melbourne '14
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Comments

  • MedozK
    MedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,212
    edited February 2022

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbVx-e9i1Uk
    Post edited by MedozK on
  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,550
    buy it. thats what it means.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • 2-feign-reluctance
    2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,462
    There’s a complete CCR LP set half speed mastered I’ve had my eye on. 
    www.cluthelee.com
  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,550
    2-feign-reluctance said:
    There’s a complete CCR LP set half speed mastered I’ve had my eye on. 
    love my song remains the same.....

    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • BrainofBGA
    BrainofBGA Australia Posts: 4,558
    mickeyrat said:
    buy it. thats what it means.
    That’s all I needed to hear!
    Melbourne #1 '98
    Melbourne #2 '03
    Melbourne #3 '03
    Melbourne #1 '06
    Melbourne #3 '06
    Melbourne '09
    Melbourne '14
  • BrainofBGA
    BrainofBGA Australia Posts: 4,558
    It’s Kiss’ Destroyer 40th Anniversary. Bought it! 
    Melbourne #1 '98
    Melbourne #2 '03
    Melbourne #3 '03
    Melbourne #1 '06
    Melbourne #3 '06
    Melbourne '09
    Melbourne '14
  • MedozK
    MedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,212
    I stay away from them unless it is something I REALLY want and don't mind it being a digital file.
  • MedozK
    MedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,212
    edited February 2022
    2-feign-reluctance said:
    There’s a complete CCR LP set half speed mastered I’ve had my eye on. 
    Save up and get the AAA Analogue Production set..... perfection. Maybe one day they will repress it.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    MedozK said:
    I stay away from them unless it is something I REALLY want and don't mind it being a digital file.

    Didn't know that.  Are all half speed master from digital files?
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • MedozK
    MedozK Tennessee Posts: 9,212
    edited February 2022
    99% of the time yes. You can go back to some of the very early half speed masterings that used tape, but not really anymore.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    MedozK said:
    99% of the time yes. You can go back to some of the very early half speed masterings that used tape, but not really anymore.

    Good to know, thanks!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,550
    2-feign-reluctance said:
    There’s a complete CCR LP set half speed mastered I’ve had my eye on. 
    love my song remains the same.....

    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • 1ThoughtKnown
    1ThoughtKnown Posts: 6,155
    brianlux said:
    MedozK said:
    I stay away from them unless it is something I REALLY want and don't mind it being a digital file.

    Didn't know that.  Are all half speed master from digital files?
    Nope. I’m a fan.

  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,705
    edited February 2022
    I got the Day for Night (Tragically Hip) half speed master, and it's one of the best vinyl buying decisions I've made. The sound of it is so superior to my original copy, it's stunning. I'll never play the original again. Thank god I got the OG for a really good deal, because they are normally pricey AF... or at least were, before the the half speed master was released. Not sure what that did to the inferior OG's value.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,884
    MedozK said:
    I stay away from them unless it is something I REALLY want and don't mind it being a digital file.
    This is my position as well.  Abbey Road does a lot of half speeds, including the Stones reissues.  But they are digital.  It doesn't necessarily make them the same as a cd because the digital transfer since the resolution is superior to a cd.  But I will stay away if there is an original or a true analog repress. 

    Regarding CCR, the AP masters are out there and are used for more 'standard' issues.  I have three of them (Green River, Cosmos, Bayou) and they are amazing.  They are simple reissues (simple sleeve, etc.) but sound fantastic. I have not seen a Willie and Poor Boys though.  But the rest are in the $20-30 range.  
  • LukinFan
    LukinFan Florida Posts: 29,119
    Bob Marley has some half-speeds that I was thinking about checking out. 
    www.RLMcDaniel.com

    1996: Ft Lauderdale
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    2004: Kissimmee
    2008: West Palm Beach, Bonnaroo, Columbia
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    2012: Music Midtown
    2014: Memphis
    2016: Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Jacksonville, JazzFest
    2018: Wrigley 1, Fenway 1
    2022: Nashville
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    2024: Baltimore
    2025: Hollywood II
  • dankind
    dankind Posts: 20,841
    I have most of Bob Marley’s catalog on non half-speed masters (the 2015 reissues for the most part), and they all sound great.

    For that reason, these seem like a marketing scheme more than anything. 

    If it ain’t broke …
    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • Cropduster-80
    Cropduster-80 Posts: 2,034
    edited February 2022

    a half speed and the source are two different things right?

    Half speed is supposed to extract more information.  I assume if it’s a digital  source then that’s a different discussion 

    Comparing apples to apples a half speed vs non half speed from the same non digital source, which sounds better?

    anyone know what kid a mnesia was sourced from for the half speed? In any case the pressing was awful but that’s probably unrelated it being half speed 
    Post edited by Cropduster-80 on
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,884
    edited February 2022
    Cropduster-80 said:

    a half speed and the source are two different things right?

    Half speed is supposed to extract more information.  I assume if it’s a digital  source then that’s a different discussion 

    Comparing apples to apples a half speed vs non half speed from the same non digital source, which sounds better?

    anyone know what kid a mnesia was sourced from for the half speed? In any case the pressing was awful but that’s probably unrelated it being half speed 
    Yes you're right,  but I don't know that I've seen any half speed from analog.  Not because it's not possible,  but because the titles and Abbey Road seem to be digital. 

    High end press from analog tends to be 45, not half speed from what I've collected. 
  • Cropduster-80
    Cropduster-80 Posts: 2,034
    edited February 2022
    mrussel1 said:
    Cropduster-80 said:

    a half speed and the source are two different things right?

    Half speed is supposed to extract more information.  I assume if it’s a digital  source then that’s a different discussion 

    Comparing apples to apples a half speed vs non half speed from the same non digital source, which sounds better?

    anyone know what kid a mnesia was sourced from for the half speed? In any case the pressing was awful but that’s probably unrelated it being half speed 
    Yes you're right,  but I don't know that I've seen any half speed from analog.  Not because it's not possible,  but because the titles and Abbey Road seem to be digital. 

    High end press from analog tends to be 45, not half speed from what I've collected. 
    This is all very interesting.

    how would you know when shopping records? It’s not like they are making it clear half speed master… sourced from digital 

    Or it it just safe to assume unless clearly stated otherwise that it’s digital.  I’ve only got a few I know of that were advertised as half speed so it’s not something I’m actively seeking out but I did assume it would sound better. Maybe not 
    Post edited by Cropduster-80 on

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