Mono Version

[Tom Scharpling]

I thought the mono version of PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN was absolutely riveting through headphones. Instead of watching the usual tennis game that takes place on a lot of 60's stereo albums, watching the tracks get knocked back and forth between channels, it feels like you're right in the middle of the music. I loved it.

Tom.

[Gilly]

Is that the recently released version?

[bruce]

I'm guessing yes Gilly and it is fantastic.

[masterofsparks]

I don't know if they're on CD, but I do prefer the mono versions of the London Records-era Stones LPs. I have yet to hear Satanic Majesties in mono (the vinyl is pretty rare since that was getting towards the end of the era where mono was common), but I'd love to.

I also prefer the mono version of the first Love LP to the stereo mix. I'm pretty sure the CD has both versions.

[bruce]

I don't know if they're on CD, but I do prefer the mono versions of the London Records-era Stones LPs. I have yet to hear Satanic Majesties in mono (the vinyl is pretty rare since that was getting towards the end of the era where mono was common), but I'd love to.

I also prefer the mono version of the first Love LP to the stereo mix. I'm pretty sure the CD has both versions.

The Love LP does have both versions and the Stones albums are floating around in mono form. I've got a few in my collection.

[masterofsparks]

the Stones albums are floating around in mono form. I've got a few in my collection.

I have the Stones stuff on vinyl but I've never seen them on CD. I don't think they did mono versions when they remastered everything a few years ago. Are the copies you have official releases?

Oh, and SF Sorrow by the Pretty Things is another album where I prefer the mono mix. I also second Tom's mention of TKATVGPS by the Kinks.

[bruce]

The Stones cd are of the gray area. I got them from a certain site still in existent the one with the demon.

[dave from knoxville]

Oddessey and Oracle eats it in stereo.  Mono all the way for that one.  Revolver is unlistenable if you have it in stereo and one of your speakers isn't working.  "Tax man" is like bum...............bum..........bum............TAXMAN!  "Got To Get You Into My Life" actually sounds depressing if you can only hear one speaker.

Thank God my stereo came with TWO working speakers!

PS: My pacemaker is useless if the battery runs out

[Gilly]

So what mono albums should I check out? Stuff that is readily available on CD. I did some searching and I don't see much other than jazz, Beach Boys and The Who. Also, has pretty much everything from the 60's been remastered to stereo or has a lot of it been untouched?

[pmuse]

Mono is a waste of time.  So is stereo, at this point.

I met an audiophile at the record store, and he has been re-mastering all of my music into 5.1 using Logic Pro.  He then presses it onto Vinyl and gives it to me to play on a modified Thorens TD-124 in my special music room.

It might sound silly, but stepping into my music room is like taking a time machine 20 years into audio's future.

...If you insist upon listening to mono though, get that Back to Mono Phil Spector comp.

[Josh]

Mono is a waste of time.  So is stereo, at this point.

I met an audiophile at the record store, and he has been re-mastering all of my music into 5.1 using Logic Pro.  He then presses it onto Vinyl and gives it to me to play on a modified Thorens TD-124 in my special music room.

It might sound silly, but stepping into my music room is like taking a time machine 20 years into audio's future.

...If you insist upon listening to mono though, get that Back to Mono Phil Spector comp.

Is his name Heinrich?

[masterofsparks]

Thank God my stereo came with TWO working speakers!

PS: My pacemaker is useless if the battery runs out

Haha! Nicely done.

[Andy]

I had a lot of the "great albums" (digitally) that were special editions with mono and stereo versions.  I finally ended up deleting all the mono versions for the sake of saving space and satisfying my OCD for having my digital music collection be orderly. 

Like Gilly asked: Is there one great example of mono v. stereo that I can find and listen to the two back to back for comparison?

[John Junk]

PS: My pacemaker is useless if the battery runs out

Or if I punch it.

[Andy]

PS: My pacemaker is useless if the battery runs out

Or if I punch it.

or if I heat up my lunch with a microwave around it.