Heptones "On Top" CD Poor Sound?

[Rootsman]

On this CD

[cover=324,372]

The sound is very poor, very low base and it sounds rather tinny. Is this a problem with all the CD issues of this album with this cover artwork?

Its just I used to have this CD a few years back with a different cover and don`t recall it having these sound issues.

Have I just been unlucky with this purchase ie its a "one off" problem or is it likely that if I was to pick up another copy that too will sound the same.

Thanks

Dave

[blakbeltjonez]

if it's a CD from the same manufacturing run, it will very likely suffer from the same poor audio quality. unlike records, CD's are usually very consistent and it's highly unlikely that a manufacturing problem would generate something that isn't a bit-for-bit copy of whatever was used for the master.

records can suffer from a number of variables that come from operating a press, especially manually - vinyl formulation used, age of the stampers for the record, press time, temperature, etc. etc.


sounds like it's poor mastering, or a copy of a copy of a master tape - a not uncommon problem with Studio One re-releases, especially the records.

[Nicholas]

The problem is that all the tracks are "in opposite phase", it means when you're mixing the left and right channels in mono, there's not much sound left.

Curiously, here on the CD the better sounding track is "Pure Sorrow", which on previous vinyl re-issues (circa 1980) was dubbed from a poor vinyl copy while the other tracks were probably from master tapes.

N.

[Return of Jesco]

Wonder if it would sound better if you changed round the wiring on one of your speakers to get back in phase... probably not though!

I've got one of the vinyl reissues, mid nineties vintage, not too bad but not outstanding either (except song/performance-wise).

[Rootsman]

Thanks for the feedback.

Funny enough I have several of the tracks from the "On Top" set on other CD`s and they all sound for better than they do on the Studio One CD.

As Studio One "On Top" is the source of these tracks I couldn`t understand why the other CD`s have the better sound.

Think what i`ll do is try another copy and see if it sounds any better.

Thanks again

Dave

[nickfa]

My 15 track studio one cd sounds ok,better than the another copy I had on Kingston something or other label.Fattie fattie on studio one is pretty bad sound wise
nick

[blakbeltjonez]

The problem is that all the tracks are "in opposite phase", it means when you're mixing the left and right channels in mono, there's not much sound left.

Curiously, here on the CD the better sounding track is "Pure Sorrow", which on previous vinyl re-issues (circa 1980) was dubbed from a poor vinyl copy while the other tracks were probably from master tapes.

N.

sounds like someone at mastering time tried to fiddle around with a mono source to try and make it sound more stereo instead of leaving it alone - that would explain the lack of low end.

[Thomas]

Hi Rootsman,

I have a CD of "On Top" on Sonic Sounds. It's recorded from the LP (occasional light crackle) and the bass sounds good. However, track 2 Pure Sorrow sounds quieter than the rest of the tracks.

[hot milk]

yeah i got a 90s CD issue of this and it's crap, i never play it. zero bass, totally spoils the tunes.

[jayb]

i love this LP - have got the original UK studio one, an early US studio one reissue (circa 1979), and the Buddah US studio one issue - all sound slightly different but all sound great - which brings me to the point - why not transfer a good vinyl copy to CD?