Blue Note Tone Poet Series album question...

[dragonhead]

Hi everyone. I just received a copy of Blue Note’s Tone Poet Series release of Lou Donaldson’s Mr. Shing-A-Ling and I am really confused. I put it on and immediately I realize that all the symbols, high hats, most of the highs are coming from my right channel. I thought I blew the left channel tweeters out but after troubleshooting, I realize it’s the record. If you have this album, are you experiencing the same issue? Is that how the original master is recorded? I’d appreciate some clarity about this album. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jeff449]

I have that record too, and that's how mine is. It must be the way the master was recorded. If you didn't know, in the 1960s, recording engineers had a limited number of tracks to work with. Common reel decks were 2-, 4-, or 8- (if you had $$) track at the time. My guess is that Rudy had a 4-track in 1967 for this album, but I could be wrong. Overdubbing was limited to reduce tape hiss. So drums were all on one track here probably (which fed into the right channel). Mixing it into both channels would have meant introducing more tape hiss and losing some sound quality. So you're stuck with "hard panning": instruments are either right, left, or center.

 

[dragonhead]

Thanks, Jeff! I thought something was wrong with my system. I’m just glad I don’t have a bad tweeter. Be safe and see you around the forums.

Juan

 

[BamaBilly]

Thanks, Jeff! I thought something was wrong with my system. I’m just glad I don’t have a bad tweeter. Be safe and see you around the forums.

Juan

I have it and yes, same thing. I think it sounds really good though, such a good record.

 

[Go Giants]

Tough to beat the Tone Poet series for quality presentation and sound quality. I feel like Im getting my money's worth when I buy them.