If Mr.Shirley re-mastered AMOLAD so its like FF...

One of the reasons these arguments get ugly is that sound is in the ear of the beholder, and if I try to compose a more technical argument it, A)makes me sound like a know it all dick, which I am not, and B ) ends up not making sense to people since it gets too technical for everyone's own good, and C) doesn't matter anyway because if someone else digs the sound and thinks it's great then it shouldn't matter what I or anyone else thinks.

I would never tell someone how to enjoy their music, or what music to enjoy.  I personally have some issues with the production of AMOLAD, and DOD especially, but those are my issues, and I'm aware of that. :)

I'll try and find you some more concrete evidence of Steve's hearing damage.
 
One of the things i've noticed, which isn't bad, is that Shirley's recordings sound current, where Birch's sound timeless.
 
I was under the impression that Steve was involved, hence why he took over duties when Birch left on the two Blaze albums.  Which is why the bass is so loud the the guitars are so thin.  He isn't the best producer, for sure. 
 
He begins getting credit as a co-producer on NPFTD.  He obviously had say in the outcome before that, but I don't think Steve was nearly as involved until that point.

I didn't realize this was such a divisive topic here, and wouldn't have pushed it had I realized it would get messy.  I like this forum because people seem to be respectful of each other, so again, I apologize if I have riled anyone up.
 
Twarkle said:
It's a well known fact that Steve has hearing damage , just Google it.
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insert: had a hand in the productions, credited or uncredited.

;)

Twarkle, different points of view are what a forum makes so interesting. But when people make statements, I sometimes like to know more about it, that's all. Everything's cool.
 
Forostar said:
insert: had a hand in the productions, credited or uncredited.

;)

Twarkle, different points of view are what a forum makes so interesting. But when people make statements, I sometimes like to know more about it, that's all. Everything's cool.
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Cool man.  You are obviously right that I am making an assumption that his hearing damage plays any role in the final product, without any tangible way to prove that.  I suppose I should amend my statement by saying "it's my theory that..."  As far as proof of that damage I will admit as well that I am having trouble finding it on the net.  I read it in Bass Player magazine several years ago and thought it would come up in a Google search.  Obviously I was mistaken about that.
 
Have you heard The Final Frontier already? Because I wonder what you think about the sound.

I haven't, by the way, but I am interested in your opinion.
 
Twarkle said:
He begins getting credit as a co-producer on NPFTD.  He obviously had say in the outcome before that, but I don't think Steve was nearly as involved until that point.
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Sound wise it's obvious that something happened during 90s one don't even have to read the credits.
Maybe it smoothly started during 7th Son though, but certainly not before.

When I think of Birch it's never Fear of the Dark or No Prayer, it's always the 80s; Powerslave, Somewhere In Time, etc
 
I posted this in anoher Thread - but I would really like TWARKLE's response seeing that he appears to have a great understanding of this:


A little off topic.. but pertaining to the leak..

Is there (will there be) a noticeanble difference in the sound quality of this leak as compared to the CD istself.. Im sure this has been asked before, but I dont have time to surf all past topics/pages for info.. I also know that there are a host of variables that need to be known to give a concise answer..

That said, what are the determining factors of leak sound quality (as it pertains to TFF leak) and can a general concluion be drawn to said sound quality..

Thanks in advance to anyone taking time to respond to this.. CHEERS.
 
It's a well known fact (forgive me, here we go again) why No Prayer sounded different from SSOASS. A change in the sound was wanted. The nineties were soundwise a different era for many bands.

Still I find that every Birch produced album sounds different from the other, even in the eighties. E.g. On POM the rhythm guitars sound louder/fuller in the mix than e.g. Powerslave. I can hear the bass better on Powerslave than on Piece of Mind. That's a choice when mixing the album, right?

If Birch recordings have such a trademark sound, I would have difficulties with describing it. What was his specialty? Any thoughts?

Just like with Shirley, I think that his power was to create good circumstances to make the band sound like they wanted at the time. He created good conditions to record a band. But soundwise? Maiden is the sound. And Harris has a hand in it. Or is Shirley doing the mixing totally alone nowadays?
 
Forostar said:
Have you heard The Final Frontier already? Because I wonder what you think about the sound.

I haven't, by the way, but I am interested in your opinion.
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I have heard the MP3's and I really liked what I heard, though to my ears MP3 is not the best way to listen.  I really love the production on Bruce's vocals and the fact that he is out in front of the mix.  It sounds like it's going to be a my favorite of the Shirley productions.  More importantly I absolutely love the music on the album.
 
A very interesting thread! I will admit that I am not an audiophile, and I have been able to tell some differences. But usually it comes to "sharper" or "muted". For instance, AMOLAD sounds "duller" than DOD did. And TFF sounds sharper, but not as crisp as BNW or DOD. But that's as far as I take it. I assume the muted production on AMOLAD comes from or adds to the darker feeling of the album, whilst BNW was supposed to be upbeat and chipper (Hey Bruce and H are back, everyone dance!).
 
So a better decision was made concerning the vocals. I wonder if the deaf man took it.

*runs*

:)

Seriously, this sounds very promising. I have read only good reviews until now (still haven't checked all the topics on this forum). My expectations are sky high.
 
LooseCannon said:
A very interesting thread! I will admit that I am not an audiophile, and I have been able to tell some differences. But usually it comes to "sharper" or "muted". For instance, AMOLAD sounds "duller" than DOD did. And TFF sounds sharper, but not as crisp as BNW or DOD. But that's as far as I take it. I assume the muted production on AMOLAD comes from or adds to the darker feeling of the album, whilst BNW was supposed to be upbeat and chipper (Hey Bruce and H are back, everyone dance!).
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I think the "muted" feeling you are talking about on AMOLAD is due to lack of mastering.  The CD is overall "quieter" because the final mastering process is where the gain is increased, usually to the point right before audio clipping.  As an example, Metallica's Death Magnetic has too much gain, and clips when on decent volume on decent systems.  I think DOD is one of my favorite Maiden production's because it's the last one mastered, and has a great crunchy guitar sound and bashing drums. 
 
I find Virtual XI's guitar sound pretty warm. A weird description perhaps, but that's what I thought when I played the album today. Reminded me of SIT, which sounds different of course, but the overall sound of that album is also pretty warm, if you ask me.
 
Forostar said:
I find Virtual XI's guitar sound pretty warm. A weird description perhaps, but that's what I thought when I played the album today. Reminded me of SIT, which sounds different of course, but the overall sound of that album is also pretty warm, if you ask me.
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I'd definitely agree that VXI sounds more like Somewhere in Time than any other album.  I just wish Nicko played his drumset like a normal Nicko, and that the guitars were louder/thicker in the mix.
 
Yes, I know what you mean, Foro. Again, I like VXI and the way it sounds; with chaosapiant's addendum to the drumming. That, and the way Blaze sings, are the things I am not a huge fan of. I maintain that nobody told Blaze it was going to be a happy sounding album; the boots from the tour sound so much better with the VXI songs.
 
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