Record labels to avoid!

The idea of a recommended labels list was brought up by another member, but I thought I'd try a different angle and first start a list of record labels to avoid. I will try to keep the first post updated as the list gets longer and new items are added.

Record Labels to Avoid:

• The 'Back to Black' series from Universal Music Group - nothing I've heard so far from this series sounds good.
• Anything pressed by RTI - Does anyone have an example from RTI that sounds good?
• Capital Vault reissues. - The Hendrix reissues sound terrible!
• Simply Vinyl - Most LPs sourced from bad digital masters.
• DGG - the last good-sounding records DGG produced were recorded prior to 1970. Check TAS's recommended list. See many DGGs? Generally, they are bass shy, over miked, (the BSO/Ozawa Swan Lake was recorded with 24 mikes.), shrill, and generally unlistenable. I speak only of the LPs, of course. Part of the problem was von Karajan's "interference" with the Tonmeisters who knew better. Unfortunately the later Abbado/BPO recordings were not much better. Strangely enough, DGG's Archiv label fared much better. (BTW, what is "antique" classical music?) Most Archiv's have great sound, and, by today's standards, middle-of-the-road interpretations, which I find preferable. Anything by conductors Karl Richter and August Wenzinger, sonically, are first class. The presentation boxes for t. he Bach Passions and Handel Concerti Grossi and Organ Concertos are beautiful.  A first class label all the way. The earlier, heavy pressings are preferable. Definitely NOT to be avoided!
• Everest - rotten vinyl, poor pressings, a joke, really.  Orange label LPs are the worst.  To think that some of Everest's late '50s recordings (beautifully recorded by the Master Engineer, Bert Whyte - on the early purple and silver labels) ended up botched in the remastering - sad.

4. Simply Vinyl. Most LPs sourced from bad digital masters.

Good idea 

Tell me... what about Music On Vinyl? I have just recorded 2 needledrops:

Billie Jean (Thriller 1982 Holland edition) DR16

VS
Billie Jean (Thriller 2009 Music On Vinyl re-issue) DR12


BTW, I have just found out that on the MOV version the channels have been exchanged!  How could this be...

BTW, I have just found out that on the MOV version the channels have been exchanged!  How could this be...

I quote myself because I just realised that the channels haven't been exchanged really, but the "hee-hee-hee" (0:05) sounds on the opposite channel. I don't know why they've done that to the song

BTW, I have just found out that on the MOV version the channels have been exchanged!  How could this be...

I quote myself because I just realised that the channels haven't been exchanged really, but the "hee-hee-hee" (0:05) sounds on the opposite channel. I don't know why they've done that to the song

Strange. I own a few  MOV reissues and they're very good. Jeff Beck - Blow By Blow is better than the original USA pressing that I've downloaded in 24 bit 96kHz FLAC for comparison: my MOV pressing sounds more focused. Santana and Santana III are also great sounding.
Looking on the MOV website, you can see that Thriller is remastered. Looking better, I've noticed now that some of their reissues are remastered, but that's a minor part of their catalogue. I still wonder what is the point or the reason for the remastering...maybe the 2 tracks masters weren't available?
However, my MOV copies are not remastered, and I feel I can recommend them.

BTW, I have just found out that on the MOV version the channels have been exchanged!  How could this be...

I quote myself because I just realised that the channels haven't been exchanged really, but the "hee-hee-hee" (0:05) sounds on the opposite channel. I don't know why they've done that to the song

In some instances, if the vinyl is going to be remastered and the original 2" 24-track master tape is available, the engineer may miss some of the production notes and pan the tracks incorrectly when mixing down to a new 2-track master. Or maybe the production notes were missing and the engineer tried to guess how the tracks were paned.

Good idea 

Tell me... what about Music On Vinyl? I have just recorded 2 needledrops:

Billie Jean (Thriller 1982 Holland edition) [DR16]
VS
Billie Jean (Thriller 2009 Music On Vinyl re-issue) [DR12]

BTW, I have just found out that on the MOV version the channels have been exchanged!  How could this be...

Welcome to the Forum!

There is a big difference between those two samples. The MOV sample sounds very dynamic, with good separation of the instruments, but it's hard to tell if the audio has been 'enhanced' by MOV during the remastering since the Holland pressing sounds a bit more natural in the tonal balance and dynamics.

I don't have an original pressing to compare to since the three copies I have are all '25th anniversary' reissues. I'll have to record a sample and see which channel the 'hee-hee-hee' is panned to. 

http://www.musicangle.com/album.php?id=903
Why using a digital master (even if good) if you can use a perfect analogue master? 
This make me feel doubtful about the others MOV reissues... 

Good idea 

Tell me... what about Music On Vinyl? I have just recorded 2 needledrops:


 [DR16]
VS

 [DR12]

BTW, I have just found out that on the MOV version the channels have been exchanged!  How could this be...

Welcome to the Forum!

There is a big difference between those two samples. The MOV sample sounds very dynamic, with good separation of the instruments, but it's hard to tell if the audio has been 'enhanced' by MOV during the remastering since the Holland pressing sounds a bit more natural in the tonal balance and dynamics.

I don't have an original pressing to compare to since the three copies I have are all '25th anniversary' reissues. I'll have to record a sample and see which channel the 'hee-hee-hee' is panned to. 

I think the "hee-hee-hee" was originally located on the right channel. I recorded 2 more needle drops of this song:

Billie Jean (Thriller 1982 Japan pressing)


Billie Jean (2008 Thriller 25)


Thanks for the welcome 

Good idea 

Tell me... what about Music On Vinyl? I have just recorded 2 needledrops:

Billie Jean (Thriller 1982 Holland edition) [DR16]
VS
Billie Jean (Thriller 2009 Music On Vinyl re-issue) [DR12]

BTW, I have just found out that on the MOV version the channels have been exchanged!  How could this be...

Welcome to the Forum!

There is a big difference between those two samples. The MOV sample sounds very dynamic, with good separation of the instruments, but it's hard to tell if the audio has been 'enhanced' by MOV during the remastering since the Holland pressing sounds a bit more natural in the tonal balance and dynamics.

I don't have an original pressing to compare to since the three copies I have are all '25th anniversary' reissues. I'll have to record a sample and see which channel the 'hee-hee-hee' is panned to. 

I think the "hee-hee-hee" was originally located on the right channel. I recorded 2 more needle drops of this song:

Billie Jean (Thriller 1982 Japan pressing)
http://belenhernandez.com/needledrops/BillieJean1982Japan.mp3

Billie Jean (2008 Thriller 25)
http://belenhernandez.com/needledrops/BillieJean2008Thriller25.mp3

Thanks for the welcome 

I don't feel so bad. My 25th anniversary pressing of Thriller has similar sibilance problems like yours. I'll have to keep my eye out for an original pressing.

How about Sony Legacy vinyl? I picked up a Steve Vai LP reissue and it sounds thin, compressed and squashed. It's the only album I have that's pressed by Sony Legacy, so I can't comment on how good or bad their quality is.

Anyone else have any experience with Sony Legacy?

How about Sony Legacy vinyl? I picked up a Steve Vai LP reissue and it sounds thin, compressed and squashed. It's the only album I have that's pressed by Sony Legacy, so I can't comment on how good or bad their quality is.

Anyone else have any experience with Sony Legacy?

I've got the 2010 Sony Legacy reissue of Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced", remastered from the original analog tapes by Eddie Kramer and George Marino at Sterling Sound. It's great, with a powerful and huge rock-solid sound, and not compressed at all, with the drums standing out of the mix. My copy is the USA version, thus it should have been pressed at RTI, but I'm not sure about that, since there's no indication on the record.
However I don't have any other Sony Legacy LP, so I can't comment on their overall quality.

MOV seem to be a really mixed bunch.. I just picked up a copy of Bowies Heathen which is pretty flat and undynamic.. Yet a release of Opeths Blackwater Park I have is superb with subtlety in the vocal and percussion that I never picked up from the CD.. Pulps Common People is another horrible release from them..

Southern Lords -  Earth is my first buy from the label.. Very impressed - superb dynamics...

All my K Scope releases have been superb.. (Steve Wilson solo -Porcupine Tree)

I don't feel so bad. My 25th anniversary pressing of Thriller has similar sibilance problems like yours. I'll have to keep my eye out for an original pressing.

Yesterday a bought a very well-kept copy of Thriller at "Fira del disc de Barcelona". Again, Holland edition. I have several copies of this album but I could not resist to buy this one because it is really in mint condition and after all it's the largest selling LP of all time. What more can I ask for for only 5€ ($6.50) I have just made a video on which I showcase a piece of my current system and, of course, the LP. I hope you enjoy it. BTW, the sound has been recorded with an external microphone:

Watch in 720p!

I don't feel so bad. My 25th anniversary pressing of Thriller has similar sibilance problems like yours. I'll have to keep my eye out for an original pressing.

Yesterday a bought a very well-kept copy of Thriller at "Fira del disc de Barcelona". Again, Holland edition. I have several copies of this album but I could not resist to buy this one because it is really in mint condition and after all it's the largest selling LP of all time. What more can I ask for for only 5€ ($6.50) I have just made a video on which I showcase a piece of my current system and, of course, the LP. I hope you enjoy it. BTW, the sound has been recorded with an external microphone:

Watch in 720p!

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (Vinyl)

Wow, that sounds nice! No sibilance problem at all, nice clean highs and punchy bass. Those Sony ES speakers are really unusual and rare. Sounds good!   

I've been itching to make a live recording of my living room system, just to see how it would turn out. Maybe this week some time...