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I have been doing some reading online, and it seems that the near-consensus on the Rykodisc reissues of Zappa albums is that the original vinyl mixes are superior. I find this odd, as I greatly prefer the remix of Hot Rats.
I have the original LP, but I really do prefer the remix. Does anyone know if it's been released on vinyl? Or if there are plans to do so?

don't know if its been released on vinyl, but i also LOVE the remix of Hot rats, my ears are just getting used to the original but i do prefer the remix, and i am afraid to say i also love the remixed money but hate the ruben and the jets remix...

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http://www.facebook.com/hakantunamusic

The remix! no contest!

Now, fuck off!!

Aren't you a nice person?

uh no.

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Make your checks payable to QUENTIN ROBERT DeNAMELAND, Greatest Living Philostopher Known to Mankind.

Easy. The original. It's more dynamic, so it has to be!

...Right?...

Well, here's the thing...

It's hard for me to give an honest appraisal as to which is "better." The other day, I tried to pretend I had never heard either one and compared them back to back. And, after much deliberation and against my purist leanings, I'd have to award RYKO the victor. FZ knew how to best utilize whatever technology was available to him at the time, and the '87 mix just sounds fuller overall. Not to mention, the RYKO version has the extended version of The Gumbo Variations.

I do think the original sounds more "live." It also seems to have better instrument separation, IMO. I'm a drummer, too, so of course I am biased toward the "drums-up-front" mix of the original.

That said, the RYKO is the version I first heard (I'm a late bloomer) and enjoyed for years since. I think the original just sounds better right now since it's newer (to me, anyway) and so drastically different. My first exposure to the original mix was the 200g vinyl reissue from 2009 (the Bernie Grundman remaster). It blew me away.

I'm truly happy to finally have a digital version of both for posterity's sake.

Long story short? GET BOTH!! And, although it goes without saying, own it on vinyl!

Goddammit, I love Zappa!

I feel this way about a few of the 2012 CD releases. Chunga's Revenge sounds better (to my ears) on the original Ryko release. The 2012 Chungas may be the original vinyl mix, but the high end is completely lost in the process compared to the FZ remix.

I do appreciate very much Gail and Co. re-releasing all the titles on CD, but in some cases the sound quality is worse than the remixing done when Frank was alive.

So what we have here is the Frank remixes vs. the Gail remixes. And Frank is winning on certain titles.

Can you be more specific as to which titles you think "Frank is winning on"?

Yes I'd Like To Know More Too . Of The 21 That I Have So Far There's Only One That I'd Call A Draw (Sleep Dirt) Just Because Having The Vocals IMO Is Awesome (Love The Original Without Them Too ).

Cuckoo !!!!!

And incidentally: I have far more use for the Money remix than I ever will the Rats remix.

You should consult a doctor to get your ears checked then. Seriously.

Th.

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Active forum member since 2005 - R E T I R E D from this forum in 2013

Let's see...

Original Ryko = Bad transfer with lots of digital reverb added, compression dropouts in the right channel, overly bright EQ, "smeared" stereo image

New Remaster = 24-bit master tape transfer with no additional processing, flat EQ like the original LP, clear wide stereo image

You can see how someone would think you are retarded. So the remaster has less treble...ever heard of a treble knob? Try turning it up.

+1 on dat!!

Turning up the volume also helps. The less treble, the louder you can crank it without shattering glass.

Or your eardrums.