Confirmed some of my analog fears in a chat I just had with record store owner here a couple days ago. Record Store Day has been corporatized. Big box stores do it now. He was vague, but sounds like he is roped into contractual aspects of it and is mandated some things. But the aspect that concerns me is the vagueness on product.

Some high end vinyls do hype the "from original master tapes" or something like that, an assurance of analog chain purity. But most old stuff being churned out is digital in the middle (ADA) or new stuff that is digital on the front end recording, middle mix part digital, and only analog at the end product vinyl. DDA.

Why does this matter? Because once an A-D conversion is made, the analog aspect goes away. Whatever warmth, depth, that is associated with analog is extracted by digital conversion. It can't be put back. Gone. Digital is sampling the analog at frequency steps, assigning values to frequencies and amplitude, and turning into math. The reverse happens to convert to analog to your ears from a digital source.

So why buy digital converted records? Imaginary sound quality. Being "cool". NOT the convenient format of use for sure. It is smoke and mirrors and a rip off.

So I got confirmation, yes, I saw this correctly. It is even worse than I thought. This guy is into punk style rock as his personal listening (and band) and he said most of that stuff is MP3 to vinyl, not even higher end real digital source.

I bought last TTB and GA's last one on vinyl, they sound fine, but I wonder on mix and production methodology. TTB I would bet is not true. GA "could" be, as recorded on tape in studio. But would not surprise me if mix was corrupted. Record lists no details. To me, if it IS pure analog, they will hype that fact, if smart.

To each their own.

Happy hunting tomorrow!

I already made sure i'll get the 4LP ABB Atlanta Pop Festival set and my wish list for tomorrow is the
2LP set from the Dickey Betts Band, the Rory Gallagher live in France vinyl and the Gov't Mule 12".

Hey Dutch, did you spin up that Atlanta set yet ? I’ve got one but it’ll be a few days before I get it in my mits ..... i’m looking forward to it 😊

Confirmed some of my analog fears in a chat I just had with record store owner here a couple days ago. Record Store Day has been corporatized. Big box stores do it now. He was vague, but sounds like he is roped into contractual aspects of it and is mandated some things. But the aspect that concerns me is the vagueness on product.

Some high end vinyls do hype the "from original master tapes" or something like that, an assurance of analog chain purity. But most old stuff being churned out is digital in the middle (ADA) or new stuff that is digital on the front end recording, middle mix part digital, and only analog at the end product vinyl. DDA.

Why does this matter? Because once an A-D conversion is made, the analog aspect goes away. Whatever warmth, depth, that is associated with analog is extracted by digital conversion. It can't be put back. Gone. Digital is sampling the analog at frequency steps, assigning values to frequencies and amplitude, and turning into math. The reverse happens to convert to analog to your ears from a digital source.

So why buy digital converted records? Imaginary sound quality. Being "cool". NOT the convenient format of use for sure. It is smoke and mirrors and a rip off.

So I got confirmation, yes, I saw this correctly. It is even worse than I thought. This guy is into punk style rock as his personal listening (and band) and he said most of that stuff is MP3 to vinyl, not even higher end real digital source.

I bought last TTB and GA's last one on vinyl, they sound fine, but I wonder on mix and production methodology. TTB I would bet is not true. GA "could" be, as recorded on tape in studio. But would not surprise me if mix was corrupted. Record lists no details. To me, if it IS pure analog, they will hype that fact, if smart. Apparently, Derek and Susan have invested in a vintage console they have outfitted SWAMP RAGA studios (on their property in FL). They use all vintage recording gear (including Duane's Marshall at times) to record the band and are analog purists and are vocal about the quality of true analog. Matter of fact...either the insert or the sleeve has a picture of the two inch tape they are using to record. May be Made up Mind...not their latest Let me Get by? I really appreciate them going to these lengths to record...it is certainly not the cheapest/most convenient, but imo the finest way to capture their sound for posterity. Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings do the same w/ their label...love that these artists are so invested in their product.

To each their own.

Hey Dutch, did you spin up that Atlanta set yet ? I’ve got one but it’ll be a few days before I get it in my mits ..... i’m looking forward to it 😊

Well, i'm no audiophile and haven't invested time in finding out if this release has been digitally corrupted as well (see bird72's post) neither did i have time to compare it with the original 2CD release but so far i can say: to my ears it sounds great. Considering the fact of cause that these recordings were made way back in 1970 during a massive festival. So far i listened to side A (first show) and side F (second show) and they sound both as well. Can't recall for sure but weren't a few songs on the original release of lesser quality then the rest? Like i said both sides sound damn fine. Vocals up front. Piercing guitar. Other instruments including Thom Doucette's many harp fills clear in the mix. Duane kicks ass of course but my first reaction was: these recordings are a testament of the fantastic vocals by Gregg Allman. Still very young but sounding confident and gutsy like an elder statesman of The Blues. Unfortunally this is not a box set neither is it a (multi) gatefold sleeve but it has a nice 8 page 12"booklet (identical to the original release) and the black wax looks pretty and prestine.

Scotiadave, i don't think you will be dissapointed. For every ABB fan and vinyl lover: this set is essential!

On another note: compared to many other releases i thought that The Dickey Betts Band 2LP set Live At The Lone Star was rather pricey (i paid 40 bucks) but bought it anyway and without regret: this sounds AWESOME! It's authorised by the artist and sourced from Pre-FM. I wanna say it again: it sounds AWESOME. Dickey with Warren and Matt on fire and guest spots by Rick Derringer, Mick Taylor and Jack Bruce! Doesn't get much better then that. It's on blue vinyl. Side 4 with Spoonful (sung by Jack) and Southbound is already worth it!

I am glad people are enjoying records, new and old, and don't want to be the naysayer of doom. As an ex engineer who learned digital in the 70's I tend to be yea or nay, no middle ground audio analytical. Also as someone who had a suitcase Sony combo reel / cassette deck my brother in law bought in Nam for me. It is all good. It is about enjoying music. Just sharing what I know as facts. I'm sure there are good new vinyls also.

Hey Dutch, did you spin up that Atlanta set yet ? I’ve got one but it’ll be a few days before I get it in my mits ..... i’m looking forward to it 😊

Well, i'm no audiophile and haven't invested time in finding out if this release has been digitally corrupted as well (see bird72's post) neither did i have time to compare it with the original 2CD release but so far i can say: to my ears it sounds great. Considering the fact of cause that these recordings were made way back in 1970 during a massive festival. So far i listened to side A (first show) and side F (second show) and they sound both as well. Can't recall for sure but weren't a few songs on the original release of lesser quality then the rest? Like i said both sides sound damn fine. Vocals up front. Piercing guitar. Other instruments including Thom Doucette's many harp fills clear in the mix. Duane kicks ass of course but my first reaction was: these recordings are a testament of the fantastic vocals by Gregg Allman. Still very young but sounding confident and gutsy like an elder statesman of The Blues. Unfortunally this is not a box set neither is it a (multi) gatefold sleeve but it has a nice 8 page 12"booklet (identical to the original release) and the black wax looks pretty and prestine.

Scotiadave, i don't think you will be dissapointed. For every ABB fan and vinyl lover: this set is essential!

Thanks for all that, i’m looking forward to giving it a spin.
Record store Day has no doubt been taken over by the big business lot - it has resulted in very little money ending up in the hands of the store owners - they have to buy it all in advance out of their own money, and they are then stuck with anything that doesn’t sell. There was some choice Belinda Carlisle left in my local shop
I’m also going to resist entering into a vinyl debate, they are nice items - I enjoy owning them.

I'm curious, the Mountain Jam with Johnny Winter, is it the 28 minute edited version that came out on the official release cd or the full 38 minute version that was available in the "trading circle" back in the day?

Still working through the stack I bought yesterday. Wow to get all 12 selections on my wish list. Broke but happy.

Also got the granddaughter to go she is so into vinyl in the last year.

Did get the only Betts copy within an hour’s drive.
The bigger pleasant surprise is the Pompeii release finally from the mind and archives of Corky Laing. Wow. Btw Betts is on this one too along with Clapton.

Right behind it is Hot Tuna live from Berkeley 1969. Tasty acoustics.

Of course ABB Atlanta will be under the stylus soon.

What a day.

Mike

[Edited on 4/23/2018 by ABB1973Mike]

I'm curious, the Mountain Jam with Johnny Winter, is it the 28 minute edited version that came out on the official release cd or the full 38 minute version that was available in the "trading circle" back in the day?

As soon as I get to spend time with mine , i’ll check that out. Well remembered!

I'm curious, the Mountain Jam with Johnny Winter, is it the 28 minute edited version that came out on the official release cd or the full 38 minute version that was available in the "trading circle" back in the day?

As soon as I get to spend time with mine , i’ll check that out. Well remembered!

Hello Oldcoot and Scotiadave, i just played both sides and it's the "regular" 28 minutes version. Side F fades during the end of the Drums section an side G starts with Berry's bass solo.

Thank you Dutchfan:)