New Wave Outpost Forum

by **Jeffrey** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:47 am

I applaud Blank & Jones for their commitment to release lost 80's dance records. I'll admit, that sometimes the volume level bothers me, but sometimes it doesn't. It's cool that they're (hopefully) listening to the feedback of what people are saying. However, I lament the fact that the "Retro: Active" series has disappeared. These compilations definately inspired the "So 80's" series. I so wish "Retro: Active" would come back. They seemed to really care about their CD pressings.

Still, I love these Blank & Jones comps though. It's better to have something rather than nothing.

Jeffrey

by **Neil Kelly** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 6:16 am

A reply already. I'm impressed and think that some people on here may be misjudging the facts... question: loudness war? since the Hubert Kah so8os artist edition we are using complete different technology and also another studio to do the mastering for our so8os series. please check the following releases as references for the upcoming so8os8: Artist Editions: Culture Club, Hubert Kah, Sandra, Billy Idol, Falco plus so8os 7. or maybe you ask people who own these cds...

I personally have Billy Idol, Culture Club and Falco but i don't scrutenise over these sounds issues so cannot comment.

by **moni** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:45 am

The only CD of theirs that i have actually bought was the OMD one and even though it's a great compilation apart from that Brides Of Frankenstein crap i feel it was mastered too loud.

by **Bellenger1981** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:47 pm

[quote][i]Originally posted by moni[/i]
<br>The only CD of theirs that i have actually bought was the OMD one and even though it's a great compilation apart from that Brides Of Frankenstein crap i feel it was mastered too loud.
[/quote]
I agree. The OMD one is too loud. It's not as loud as some of the earlier so80s volumes, but it is still up there. Nonetheless, of the Artist Editions mentioned above (in which a new approach has been taken to the mastering), I have Culture Club, Hubert Kah, Billy Idol, and Falco. I agree. They are not nearly as loud as the earlier so80s volumes, and I actually think that the mastering is very well done on these releases. Yes, they are still brick-walled, but it is not overdone, in my opinion. In fact, they are just about perfect to my ears since I like dynamic compression on my CDs, provided that the music stays true to its original sound.

I'm glad that they accepted the feedback and the loudness factor has been addressed. I'm thinking that most people will be pleased with the new mastering approach. Also, I'm glad to read that original masters will be used for all tracks (amazing!), and we have three discs of 12" mixes instead of the usual two discs (with the third being a mixed compilation).

by **Neil Kelly** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 5:49 pm

Thanks for your input Bellenger1981. Good to hear that they are better. I thought that the OMD one (which i also have) came after the Culture Club one. I will check my Word doc i created with all these type of releases and dates. I agree about the third CD, said as much on their Facebook page... 'I like dynamic compression'... Can you explain that to me please cause i don't understand why you would like it but obviously there's a good reason

by **yipyipcoyote** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 6:50 pm

Got the OMD and Culture Club and personally think they're BOTH too loud and compressed. On "White Boy" I thought there was even distortion due to volume overload but I will check again. I find that I'm still listening to my vinyl rips rather than these ruined original masters[:p]

by **Bellenger1981** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:58 am

[quote][i]Originally posted by Neil Kelly[/i]
<br>Thanks for your input Bellenger1981. Good to hear that they are better. I thought that the OMD one (which i also have) came after the Culture Club one. I will check my Word doc i created with all these type of releases and dates. I agree about the third CD, said as much on their Facebook page... 'I like dynamic compression'... Can you explain that to me please cause i don't understand why you would like it but obviously there's a good reason
[/quote]
Culture Club "So80s" was issued in 2012, and OMD "So80s" was issued in 2011.

As for liking dynamic compression, it's just a preference. Often, if the music is not compressed, at least somewhat, it sounds too flat to my ears. I like my music to sound punchy and yes, loud. I know that the Bob Ludwig 2011 remasters of Queen's back catalogue received both great reviews and negative reviews. In my opinion, those remasters are the perfect example of what I look for in remasters. They are loud, yet they are not harsh, in my opinion.

by **Sean** » Sat May 04, 2013 11:26 am

One thing that I've learned through the years is that 80's extended mixes or remixes of non-New Wave songs sometimes can change the complexion of the whole song. I've like some songs in recent years that I wouldn't be caught listening to in the 80's. So my point is, let's give all these tracks a chance, sometimes you may be surprised. The good thing is that they are not putting the same old songs that you see on all the other cd's. [;)]

by **elviscaprice** » Sat May 04, 2013 7:14 pm

Personally, I've never been a big fan of remixes of 80's New Wave tunes, now or then. Every once in a great while though one of these remixes makes a dull song magical. But if it was already a great tune more often not. [8D]

by **Sean** » Sat May 11, 2013 12:50 am

Received the comp yesterday. This time does not sound too crazy loud to me. I think the remastering is rather good on this one or maybe I'm just getting used to it. What I did like about this is they now have 3 unmixed disc as I never really cared for the continuous disc. The Space Monkey track only is worth shelling out the dough. [:D]

by **Sean** » Sat May 11, 2013 12:52 am

The Instant Mix of Hit That Perfect Beat is quite cool. I don't think I've heard this version before.

by **Bellenger1981** » Sat May 11, 2013 7:22 am

[quote][i]Originally posted by Sean[/i]
<br>Received the comp yesterday. This time does not sound too crazy loud to me. I think the remastering is rather good on this one or maybe I'm just getting used to it. What I did like about this is they now have 3 unmixed disc as I never really cared for the continuous disc. The Space Monkey track only is worth shelling out the dough. [:D]
[/quote]
I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive. I like the idea of 3 unmixed discs now, too. We'll have some very good future volumes coming our way if Blank & Jones continue with this 3-CD unmixed format. Most promising is the chance of more "unreleased on CD" 12" mixes from the original master tapes. I love how they dug up Katrina & The Waves' "Walking On Sunshine [Extended Mix]" for its CD debut. It's amazing to think that it had never appeared on CD previously, considering that it is a classic hit.

by **Sean** » Sat May 11, 2013 10:45 am

Yeah, the Katrina & The Waves extended version is quite cool.

by **Fred Taghon** » Wed May 15, 2013 3:46 am

The tracks on these So80s compilations have been hit and miss since a good handful have often been from vinyl sources.

BUT this volume 8 is quite obviously ALL from either master tapes or digital sources!!! The sound quality is quite impressive this time around and now I'm actually excited about future editions! I had the Instant Mix of "Hit That Perfect Beat" on the 90's compilation CD of the same name, but WOW, the one here sounds even better - so clean and crisp!!!

by **moni** » Fri May 17, 2013 7:37 pm

The sound is a lot better on this volume but why in hell did they have to put shit like Tiffany on it.

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So 80s Volume 8

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