The Beatles Mono Or Stereo: Which Is Best?
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
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I wish the mono mixes of all Beatles songs were available on streaming services and CZcams.
I'd love to see a list of all the tracks with the preference and then create a playlist of the ultimate versions of each song.
After your comprehensive breakdown, I’ve gone and bought the set myself. My listening habits are a little different. I prefer to keep only my favored version of each album in my iTunes library. Here are my thoughts on the most superior version of each album.
Please Please Me - Mono sounds infinitely better. More punch in L/R channels and no awkward panning. No loss in clarity, unlike in later albums.
With the Beatles - Mono. Same reasons as Please Please Me.
A Hard Day’s Night - This is difficult. To me, some songs sound better in Mono, others in Stereo. I went through each track and kept in my library the version of each that sounded the best.
Beatles for Sale - Stereo, hands down. Mono loses clarity. I actually really enjoy the placement of the channels in the stereo version.
Help - Stereo. The mono loses too much clarity.
Rubber Soul - MONO. Without a doubt. This was the biggest realization for me out of the set. Any difference in clarity is negligible; mono sounds much more full.
Revolver - Stereo. Tough choice, but overall I like the stereo’s clarity. However, this album would benefit the most out of an updated Giles Martin mix. (Particularly tracks like Taxman.)
Sgt Pepper - 2017 Giles Martin mix. Mono was an interesting listen, but I love what Giles did with the album.
Magical Mystery Tour - Stereo, with the exception of I am the Walrus and Flying, which I feel are superior in mono.
White Album - 2018 Giles Martin mix. The music sounds more intimate than ever.
Past Masters - Mono for tracks up through the Long Tall Sally EP. Stereo for later tracks, or 2015 release of “1” versions when available.
Abbey Road - Obviously there’s no mono, but the 2019 Giles Martin mix is phenomenal.
Let it Be - 2009 remaster is currently the best, but very curious to see where Giles takes this album!
As for the Mono vs Stereo debate, I wish there was a way to purchase the mono albums individually, but I believe the Mono set is worth the admission price alone just for Please Please Me, With the Beatles, and Rubber Soul.
Great breakdown! I presume you bought the CD box set, or was there a way of buying digital downloads of the mono set?
Wow you certainly aren't afraid to mix and match, even within the same album! Seems like there are many similarities there with my own choices.
I especially agree about the 2019 Abbey Road remix, it's incredible.
@@AndrewDixonMusic No way to buy them as digital downloads as far as I'm aware. I bought the CD box set, which unfortunately still runs around $150. It looks like the mono albums are still being treated as a sort of "limited edition collectors set," which is somewhat mystifying.
And yes...my preference is to not mix and match albums, but I decided to make a few exceptions!
I agree except for, i prefer Revolver in mono and sgt pepper in mono. The old stereo peppers sounded too tinny. To me peppers in stereo is a pop album. In mono its a rock album. I don’t like the Giles Martin 2018 master. Its way too clean and over produced imho. Hurts my ears. The 2009 mono cd and 2014 mono vinyl are brilliant to me 👍🏻
@KimberleeT I agree! I love the 2021 Let It Be Remix. Hoping a Revolver remix is on the horizon.
@@mrfishmon5517 I like the 2018 on a speaker system. Haven't listened on headphones yet. But I have got drunk and sang every song many times with stacks lol. I play them so loud I forget it's in stereo. My favourite tune is Happiness is a Warm Gun, and its sped up on the Mono remaster.
The early recordings were not stereo. They were pre-mixed MONO. George Martin explains that in his book "All You Need is Ears". The unmixed two-tracks were released as "stereo" and Martin was furious because he wasn't consulted.
MONO! Absolutely. This box set is such a well made collection. It sounds heavenly.
I'll be 46 on a few weeks and I'm just getting into The Beatles more. I've been buying all the remasters that recently came out but if I ever came across a mono version of any of their albums I'll get it for sure
One of the great thing about being Beatles fan is hearing people talk about mono/stereo, original mix, 2019 mix, take 2, take 16536 etc etc. Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️ And yes I totally LOVE If I Fell in Mono! John's voice was heavenly!!!
Very interesting discussion Andrew. Thanks for sharing.
What a coincidence that you did this video. I've been dithering for years about getting the mono versions and it finally arrived at my home today from Amazon. You got me excited to heat them. Great video!
Great timing, enjoy! Is it the vinyl or CD box you've ordered?
@@AndrewDixonMusic I got the cds. I also have the Beatles the US albums on cd as well, and it has mono versions as well.
im finding stereo recordings can get really quite muddy while mono recordings sound clearer and cleaner
Your Revolver remix wish has come true!
During one of my last conversations with Geoff, we talked about the re-mixed versions of the Beatles catalog. In his words... "It's all rubbish! It's crap! The only true mixes are the MONO versions!" I can't agree with him more!!
He's wrong. That's his opinion that the mono (which don't sound as good to me quite frankly) are better sounding.
True mixes don’t mean always better sounding… they’re true cos they’re the ones attended by the Beatles and George Martin. Most stereo stuff was done in a rush without their presence, therefore not the intended result by the artists, hence the “not true” statement…
@@MikeVlcek You make an important distinction. What I, the listener, prefer, may not have been the intention of the artist.
I rather listen to the mono versions of their early albums cause the hard right, hard left is annoying. Sgt Pepper was intended for mono and the mono mixing with the Beatles present. The stereo version the Beatles wasnt present for that mix. One the mono version of Blue Jay Way has a different mix where some of the background vocals are missing. I read where the White album was originally mixed for stereo first, which it was intended and later got the mono mix. It wasn't released in mono in the US.
Great video ! Bought the mono cd and vinyl set years ago . I was converted ! My ears were blown away ! Although there are many gems in they Stereo mixes . Mono brings so much out of the original recordings . Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band In mono is amazing ! Just bought the 2009 Stereo CD Box set
I have recently heard some really good stereo mixes of the 1st 4 Beatles albums done with new technology and makes stereo versions of the mono mixes. Centered vocals and decent stereo on L/R. I know if they finally remix them at Abbey Road it would be best of both worlds. I found that true of Giles Martin's first remix of Pepper...making a Stereo mix of the mono LP. I think Pepper is still the best of the remixes. Goes without saying Rubber Soul and Revolver need new Stereo remixes. I really like so many of the stereo remixes on the Yellow Submarine soundtack LP released in 1999 Eleanor Rigby is wonderful along with many others. I just hope I live long enough to see all these come out.
As a Lifelong Beatles fan ever since I saw them in Chatham in Jan’63.
I am pleased that I found your report on Mono v Stereo. I HAVE to say that I Much prefer the Mono versions especially of the first albums. I have all the albums The Re- Mastered versions put into stereo - I don’t particularly like.
"The Beatles most southernmost engagement to date" according to my Mark Lewisohn book!
Thank you for your highly informative analysis. As of now I only have the Stereo set, and springing for the Mono set is something I have been debating for quite some time. Based on your description, it sounds like I'm missing out. I think my debate is settled.
Thanks, hope you enjoy it, I feel under pressure for you to! 😀
@@AndrewDixonMusic No need to feel pressure! As a Beatles fan, I feel it is my duty to at least have an opinion about the mono mixes. Now that I’ve had some time to digest them, I’m posting my personal thoughts on each version.
I think Help and Revolver sound a bit claustrophobic. Its like, I need some air, some bigger room…its like they are all playing in a small room on a Bed and breakfast hotel.
Rubber Soul sounds amazing in Rubber Soul, compact, intense, punchy and still warm and velvety. You can also enjoy the incredible transparency in the 2009 CD stereo version.
Your point on "Lucy" is spot on. I have always been a Pepper skeptic but very much enjoyed it more than I used to once I heard the mono mix. Much more lively and less processed feeling.
For the most part, I do enjoy both versions for the different perspectives offered by both the mono and stereo mixes. I have noticed that the mono 45 mixes seem to have a bit more punch than does the mono album versions, which have more punch than the stereo album mixes. I love the Beatles and as long as they are presented in a clean format, I appreciate both versions equally well, with the stereo for the cool effects between the left and right channels and the mono mixes for an awesome, center stage perspective with the power punch often associated with mono versions. Thanks Andrew for your informative reviews on the Beatles mixes and I love how well you explain the albums and I look forward to watching more of your reviews. Big hugs and I wish you a most awesome week!!...Friends, Lloyd.
Please Please Me and With The Beatles were never actually mixed for stereo. The albums were recorded on 2 tracks with mostly instruments on the left and vocals on the right. They weren’t thinking about a stereo mix when they recorded the tracks that way. They recorded that way in order to create a mono mix. So with few exceptions the stereo versions are just transfers of the original 2 track recordings. They didn’t have the 2 track recordings for “Love Me Do” and “PS I Love You” so they were issued in “fake” stereo by splitting the high and low frequencies left and right. After 2009 original mono mixes were used for those 2 songs. Once EMI upgraded to 4 track in late 1963 they were able to make proper stereo mixes.
Thanks for posting! It comes down to personal preference. Up thru the White Album, The Beatles preferred Mono. For me it’s Mono. The sound just packs a punch. Tho I do like the variations between the Stereo and Mono mixes.
As someone who listened to the entire beatles catalogue on spotify first, I'm used to the 2009 stereo remasters. Especially for sgt peppers. My first listen of sgt peppers was such a moving experience and I just can't listen to other versions and pretend its any better.
I think mono 2009 sgt peppers sounds pretty good, but man the stereo sounds so much better to me.
I need a t-shirt,just like that one.😊 Cheers,Sir...well done.
Hey Andrew.. I grew up in Canada with the monos so I have an emotional attachment. Also, I wish the stereo separation would have been less severe on the early albums..There is no sweet spot..it is very dramatic...great video...love your channel..glen kellaway
Cheers Glen!
Andrew, terrific review of the mono vs. stereo mixes, thanks for creating this video. I enjoyed getting your take on the albums side by side, as well hearing commentary on the differences between individual songs. It's also great to hear your enthusiasm for these works; that's something that really comes through in your review, and it's an enthusiasm shared by other Beatles fans.
And you are so right that Ringo's "I've got blisters on my fingers" is essential; I didn't realize that this was unique to the stereo mix. Even though that moment was unplanned, as far as most fans are concerned it's part of the song now (Ringo should get a co-writing credit for HS!).
One thing though, just to add to the mono vs. stereo topic. There's the matter of Help and Rubber Soul having the 1965 stereo mixes as a bonus to the mono CDs. Any take(s) on how the 1965 stereo mixes sound vs. the 1987 stereo mixes (as used in the stereo box set) and how both 1965 and 1987 stereo versions sound vs. the mono mixes of those two albums?
Thanks Andrew! To be honest I don't think either of the stereo mixes for those albums are ideal. The 1965 mixes are very harsh left and right pan (for valid reasons that if I remember rightly I think I discussed in this video but I can't quite remember for sure!).
The 1987 mixes are the ones I'm more likely to listen to but they are a bit heavy on the reverb in places. To be honest I hope we get remixes of them both over the next few years (and Revolver) as I think they could be the best stereo mixes of those albums if done properly.
That's the first explanation of stereo vinyl issues I've heard that has made sense. All the Beatle albums on Capitol were stereo. In the early days we listen to them on a portable record player that mono anyways. In the late 60's we got a stereo console like what you described. Then when I got into high school my parents bought me a cheap component stereo where you could move the speakers around
I have invested in a 2M Mono cartridge since I enjoy the Mono mix so much. Thanks for your review.
Would be interested to know how much of an improvement you hear with the new cartridge!
Great video Andrew. I've just bought the Beatles in Mono Cd box and currently working out which albums and tracks I prefer in mono or stereo. Obviously Rubber Soul is a no brainer. Can't believe how much better the mono is there. Though with 'Got to get you into my life' it gets tricky. The brass is panned badly in stereo, but then Ringo drum fills are much clearer in stereo (last a bit in mono). The quest continues for perfect combinations ! 😂
Completely agree about Yesterday in mono! I had the same experience and believe this was the version that made people want to cover it worldwide.
Although I just found your channel Andrew, this video was very timely, as I just got a copy of the Mono Boxset a few months ago, as well as The US Albums Boxset, and have been listening to only the mono versions of the albums since then. As someone who listened to the Beatles only in stereo for decades, I actually found it jarring to go back and listen to the stereo versions again, especially the first two albums and Rubber Soul. I have to say that I agree with your breakdowns of each one of the albums completely, but again, would give even more points to the mono versions of the albums I just mentioned. It would be great, as someone else mentioned, if you would do a track by track comparison of each album so we can put together an 'ultimate' mix that combines the best stereo/ mono versions of each album.
Stereo Helter Skelter doesn’t have the soaring guitar towards the end that mono does. That’s my favorite part and it’s why mono wins for me.
According to Martin "Help!" was the first deliberate stereo recording -- and it was a first for him also.
Andrew Dixon brilliant as always !!! Will there be a part 2 to this fantastic show ??? Don't forget to mention apart from "I got blisters on me fingers " the Yellow Submarine mono 'and we live a life of ease ' echo that is not on the stereo version.... again thank you for these marvelous musical mystery tour programs we have ALL come to know and LOVE forever your number 1 fan and 'all the BEST' as a great artist says !!!
Thanks Christopher! No part 2 to this I don't think, I shall go in different directions next!
I think they're both great box sets, I'm glad I bought them when I had the chance.
Great list Andrew, great list indeed. I personally tend to go for the later Beach Boys stuff from the 70s and 80s. I love The Light Album from 1979 and in particular Al Jardine's Lady Lynda and Good Timin. Get ha Back from The Beach Boys released in 1985 harks back to earlier BB harmonies. That's Why God Made The Radio released to mark the 50th anniversary in 2012 is also a great album. I'm sure that I would include a lot of the tracks that you did, but would also include my favourite later tracks.
Thanks Jeremy, I don't really go beyond Carl and the Passions/So Tough/Holland era so I don't know much of those you mention.
I agree with Rubber Soul I have a 1965 UK mono and it trounces the later stereo I used to have. However I prefer the early 70s stereo pressing of Revolver than the original mono.
At the time these were released, I bought the stereo set,but I was always interested in the mono box set, a few years later I picked up a mono box set,& I gotta agree that the mono box set is superior,
I was lucky enough to pick up a bunch of original mono albums in a jumble sale in the late 70's and so I grew up with the mono mixes. I much prefer 'Sgt Pepper', 'Rubber Soul' and 'The White Album' in mono. My copy of 'Revolver' sounded terrible so I always preferred that in stereo but would be interested to hear a decent mono version.
Great video as always.
I have mostly the stereo versions...Now I want the mono versions as well!!
Thoroughly enjoyed this.
The songs from Yellow Submarine on Mono Masters is not superfluous. At the time of release in 1969, Yellow Submarine was sold in mono, but it was a fold-down from the stereo and not a true dedicated mono mix.
The appearance of those songs as well as Across the Universe in the set mark the first time that these songs have ever been available in their dedicated mono mixes.
Mind you, these are not new mixes. They were mixed for mono in the late 60s, but for some reason not released.
Thank you for this breakdown! In my less scientific experience, in general, I like the richer, fuller, bigger sound of stereo. What I don't like, are lead vocals panned hard left or hard right...Background vocals I can deal with. Also, stereo can sometimes create this feeling of all these disparate parts, where mono can give you the feeling of a tighter, more cohesive band.
I watched this with interest, as I’ve been trying to put a YT series together about the mono/stereo differences and it’s been good to hear your thoughts. I thought I might just add a little clarity about why the stereo of the first 2 albums is so weird. They were using a two track tape machine, with the intention of creating better mono mixes, and as such although they performed live, all the vocals were routed to 1 track, the Right speaker in stereo, and all the instruments on the left, ie the other available track on the tape. In later years, George Martin claimed he didn’t know that Parlophone were going to put out a stereo version. The thing about the sideboard stereo record players was mentioned by George M, but he was describing Rubber Soul and Revolver, by which time they were using 4 track tape machines and could be a bit more flexible. But in 1962/3 Abbey Rd didn’t have a 4 track tape machine. The first song they did in 4 track was IWHYH at the end of 63, and then the sound in stereo, and mono IMO, improved a lot. But in 1987 George M was told by EMI that the first 4 albums were ready for CD release and he told them that they absolutely were not going to be released in stereo, so EMI agreed to mono reissues of those albums . GM then applied subtle tweaks to the stereo mixes of the rest of the albums. I’ve addressed PPM (the song and the ending) and Money, on the first first video of my series. If you’re interested, the link’s here. czcams.com/video/hSkQFwfxny0/video.html
Great vid. For me, I only like the stereo mixes on vinyl. The digital/CD versions feel way too isolated when I'm in my car. Certain things like drums and vocals should be blended between speakers but it's always isolated to one side. It's not bad when you're playing it with two speakers close together though.
I tend to like the 60's mono mixes and later post 60's stereo mixes the most. I do like the 60's US stereo mix of I'm Looking Through You with the false start and the 60's US Stereo mix of Strawberry Fields.
I also like that false start I'm Looking Through You, I;m not sure I'm familiar with the US stereo mix of SFF, unless that's just the same as what appears on the UK version of the album?
For Me personaly is their early stuff mono for sure. Rubber soul and revolver is a toss up amd is a song by song toss up. Like here there and everywhere absolutely has to be stereo. From sgt pepper and nEwer i generally say all stereo.
Hey Andrew, here's something for ya. When I bought "Revolver" back in 66 (Mono) here on the states I could not figure out then as I still can't figure out now what the hell McCartney is saying at the fadeout of "Got to get you into my life". The stereo version the last thing you hear is Paul singing "Every Single Day". The Mono version you hear "Every single day of my life". Then what does he say? I don't think we will ever know unless we get isolated mono vocal. Take care, stay safe.
I'm note sure, I had a listen and I couldn't quite make it out
@@AndrewDixonMusic "I buried John, miss him, miss him"?
I recall an interview I read featuring John who stated that the band left the stereo mixes up to Mr. Martin because of their appreciation of the fans. During the 1960's Stereo was a new format. This new format made the albums more expensive ($1 US for mono and $2 US for stereo plus the teenagers may not have access to the stereo equipment do to the cost), and the lads did not want to spend their time mixing an album that would be economically unattainable to the teenagers. Mr. Martin saw the future of recorded sound was stereo, and he did not want the Beatles left in the past because of the mono. So, he mixed the first 11 albums in stereo without the bands advice. Eventually, as is obvious, the band concentrated solely on stereo starting with Abbey Road.
Hello, the facts are right but i doubt that the intention behind the decisions are as you describe them. Stereo was in the 60ies something that 5.1 is nowadays. Many people just did not have the gear at home. MONO was just the standard for popular music. As is stereo 16/44 today. For EMI, issuing albums in both formats was somehow the norm, even if only few copies of the stereo were sold. Please Please Me was issued in stereo in 1963 already. However, memories are fading and Sir George sometimes did not remember quite well what and why something was done. I read an interview in the listener magazine (around 2000) and he states that MONO was just „the thing“ and this is it.
False. Martin explains all of that in his book "All You Need is Ears". The so-called stereo of the first 4 LPs were pre-mixed MONO. It was the standard to record all the music on one track, all the vocals on the other, then mix them together. That is not "panning," because "panning" requires the same sound to be recorded on two (or more) tracks.
The years of demands that the first 4 be released in "stereo" were made by dunces who knew (and some still don't) know anything about recording methodology. That falsehood persists.
And as Martin writes, the UNMIXED two-track recordings were released as "stereo" by EMI without consulting Martin -- he was furious. The first LP deliberately recorded in stereo was "Help!", and that was also a first for Martin.
As for the idea that Martin mixed the first 4 in stereo somehow for the fans: he writes that only some 12 per cent of households in Britain owned stereo players. In fact the market was MONO, and recordings were mixed in MONO for radio airplay, which was also MONO, and which was the most important means of promotion.
Stereo recording began during the 1950s. But during the 1960s, especially but not only with the British recordings, FAKE "stereo" was made of MONO recordings and sold for a dollar or two more than the mono. And if one listens to them, or even actual stereo recordings from the mid-1960s and later, they often lack the energy and punch of the mono. In the US the first ACTUAL stereo "Beatles" LP released was "Magical Mystery Tour" (except for the singles added to make that EP into and LP). And in the US "The Beatles" ("White" LP) was only released in stereo.
Great video, very thorough! I agree with most of what you've said in terms of preference. 1. Help! in mono is a bit muddy, specifically on Side A, but I think it's worth it for Yesterday alone! 2. I miss Ringo yelling about the state of his fingers on my mono The Beatles. 3. Paperback Writer makes you remember this is a rock n' roll band we are listening to! However, I think I prefer the inclusion of the Yellow Submarine mono mixes on the Masters compilation as I don't really think of Yellow Submarine as a real album anyway, and I have no desire to even own a copy (I don't). So my vinyl Beatles collection is as follows; The mono box (actually bought piecemeal, so no book, sadly), Let it Be...Naked, and an original Abbey Road. Plus some fun stuff like LOVE, but I don't actually own any of the Stereo Remasters.
Let It Be Naked and Love are 2 I would very much like to get hold of on vinyl at some point.
On Help, I prefer mono for Ticket To Ride because the intro is LOUDER.
Loved this video, and disagreed with some of your choices which made it all the more fun for me whilst watching LOL! Great stuff. By the way, "She's Leaving Home" was actually at the correct speed on the stereo version, but sped up for the mono. Giles also sped it up for the anniversary mix of course.
It would be very dull if we all agreed 100% ! I even had a couple of disagreements with myself while I was making it....
@@AndrewDixonMusic Oh indeed it would! My mono favs are; Please Please Me, With the Beatles, Rubber Soul, Sgt. Peppers and Magical Mystery Tour...I think. Blimely, I'm getting another one of my Beatle attacks...I'll have to listen to them all now. Stay safe!
Mono trounces Stereo.I didn't know the difference before until now.Thanks Andrew.One year late though,in watching this video.
The interesting thing about For Sale is that in the new version (2013?) George's guitar parts like the video mentioned 'i dont wstp' are buried like they are in the mono version. The old stereo had Georges guitar really upfront like you said.
Early on the Beatles had very few tracks to work with. Higher end equipment was used for more serious music than pop songs.
10:57 - I love the sound of the tape switching on for the crowd noises. I think they did that deliberately. Number one, they wanted to get away from the Beatles image by pretending to be another band. Another band would have switched=on crowd noises. I also love the ending of Lovely Rita on the mono mix. The mono version of the whole track, really, because the drums and bass are more pronounced and prevalent. What's great about the remix in 2017 is that for every track on the album, the very best elements of the mono and stereo mix are combined and spread out for a greater number of tracks than just 4 with a lot of mixdowns. I've really enjoyed this clip, Andrew.
Thanks Clarence! For the 2017 Pepper my favourite part is the intro to Lovely Rita, the clarity is amazing compared to previous versions!
@@AndrewDixonMusic I just played that bit. I just noticed there are two acoustic guitars instead of just the piano. One guitar is picjed, the other is strummed in the background. Amazing! Lovely Rita is such a key track. It sounds like the opening number of the third act of a play. After the philosophy and the gentle whimsy of Within You Without You and When I[m Sixty Four, it's all out farce with sleeping with a meter maid, then what happens the next morning. Those are the two big rousing numbers until the finale is set with possibly the most thunderous encore any band or orchestra has ever played.
Back to Lovely Rita, I've often wished I could isolate those harmonies underlying "when are you free to take some tea with me". This is on the level with harmonies of "This Boy", "Yes It Is", "Nowhere Man", "Because" and "Sun King" Only the Beatles could have ever produced that sound. It adds to my pride of being a Beatlemaniac.
Enjoyed your review. Have a great day!
Overall they sound better in mono. Some songs sound better in stereo but mono is definitely the better of 2 evils. Its nice to have that clear separation on some songs in stereo but they definitely have more punch in mono. I always think of it this way. In stereo the Beatles are a pop band. In mono they are rock band
My first introduction to the Beatles was please please me in mono an original 63 gold label pressing the majority of my Beatles vinyl collection are in stereo and for me the differences aren’t too noticeable when I listen apart from if I fell from hard days night which I always thought was strange why it cut out. Though I do have mono copies of please please me, hard days night and rubber soul.
Sorry mate you said you grow up listening to mono thus your tendency to put down stereo sound you're bias!!! For my money stereo will always sound better....Andrew DZ
On the official youtube Beatles channel you can listen to ‘Revolver’ both in stereo (2009 remaster and 2022 mix) and in mono (2022). If you compare them you’ll find that the mono versions often sound overdriven and distorted. Just check ‘I Want To Tell You’ or ‘Good Day Sunshine’. I wonder why? And is it the same on vinyl?
I haven't listened to my Beatles LPs and EPs for about 25 years. Bought from 1979 onwards, so probably mid-70s pressings except for a few originals. Those grooves were tracked first by the coffin-shaped family radiogram and eventually by a Linn Sondek. Like most folk back then I assumed stereo was more realistic than mono without ever thinking it through, and retailers stocked to feed that bias. Stoopid. So now I'm curious. I'll have to check which if any are mono, hoping now that I failed to find stereo copies in 1979. Also interesting to see whether the new Revolver superdeluxe analogue mono rates above the stereo - - once I can bring myself to pay the mugging price Apple are charging. It's hard to listen to 'Good Day Sunshine' with a swollen jaw and a black eye, but that's what customers will have to do after Apple have beaten us up and down the high street.
Cool video. I have the stereo box set and the Beatles U.S albums. They sound great. I've also purchased the Mono Box Set. Unfortunately it turned out to be a bootleg copy of low quality.
Damn, hope you can find a bargain on a proper box at some point 👍
In the stereo version of the song Please Please Me, in the last verse John fluffs the line “I know you never even try, girl”, then laughs at the first “Come on”.
In the stereo version of the song Help, John sings “But now these days are gone”, and “And now these days are gone” in mono, and the first “Now I find I’ve changed my mind” is sung differently.
The stereo version of Yellow Submarine excludes the echo of “...a life of ease” shouted in that naval captain shout.
I always love these mono/stereo discussions. Like you, I definitely prefer the first 2 albums in mono. I also like the Rubber Soul mono version way way above the stereo version, the mix seems to have reverted back to the heavy vocal/instrument split I do like the stereo versions of A Hard Day's Night and Beatles For Sale. I also much prefer the mono Pepper which has far more oomph!
Most of all though, I love having and hearing both the mono and stereo versions. They all have their own personalities and differences which are great to hear!
I agree with you about Helter Skelter!
Thanks Andy, I agree about the personalities, e.g. when I hear mono Pepper it makes me want to do stereo next to get that "version" of the truth, then I'll want to do the mono again!
@@AndrewDixonMusic I love how Giles Martin has at long last combined the best elements of each mix to do a whole brand-spanking-new version of Sgt Pepper.
I HATE the mono/stereo discussions because of the constant misuse of the term "panning".
@@ClarenceFisher But what happened to the blendings of the tracks to connect them?
Only very recently have I explored the mono versions, videos like these brought them to my attention. I think now I prefer the likes of Lovely Rita and the entirety of A Hard Day's Night in mono.
Andrew I cant agree or disagree with your conclusions and I should pay more attention, as I havent done a comparison. I have my go to vinyl mono boxset. But I also have, the mono cd boxset, the stereo USB stick, the stereo cd boxset, so really I should compare i keep saying I'm going to compile my best versions into one comprehensive set ( likely on USB stick.
Thanks Andrew for another thought provoking video.
I would never profess to have much knowledge on The Beatles inner circle but I do have a problem with Tony Barrow’s opinion.
I think George Martin was a little like a strict teacher at High School being friendly, somewhat approachable but had a disciplinary approach towards his/her students . George Martin knew how he wanted The Beatles to behave in the studio and wasn’t afraid of letting them know he was in charge especially in the early years. This could have led to Tony Barrow believing that George was an aloof and not very personable.
If this was true (and I believe it is) than it would go to show how George seriously he believed in the “Fab Four” and how intent he was on making the group taking their talent seriously and helping them get the success’ they did.
Maybe with Tony Barrow it was a case of a clash of personalities 🤔.
Just the opinion of someone who has been a Beatles fan for about 58 years.
Andrew I'd love you to do this but with the anniversary editions too
Great video! I agree with nearly everything you say here. However! The reason those far-superior mono mixes of the “Yellow Submarine” tracks- plus “Across The Universe”- are on “Mono Masters” is because the Beatles had intended to release them as a “Yellow Submarine” EP which would have played at 33 1/3 rpm. A master tape was assembled but the release was canceled. For me, the addition of these mixes is THE highlight of the compilation.
The reason the stereo mix of the song “Please Please Me” is such a mess is because of two reasons:
1. It’s a completely different take of the song (the brains at EMI destroyed the multi-track tape of the single version).
2. For the the harmonica bits, George Martin had to synch up the 45 with the stereo mix. Hence the reason there are drastic drops in the sound on that channel. Because the two versions aren’t exactly played in the same tempo, the synchronization goes haywire at the end of the song. Slamming it with reverb “sort of” covers it but not very well. Besides, as you know, stereo mixes were done as an afterthought.
By the way, “Paperback Writer” is definitely untouchable in mono! The stereo mix is useless. Same applies to “Ticket To Ride”, “Day Tripper” and “Revolution”.
I enjoy listening to the Please Please me album in mono. Ggt. Pepper's - the 2009 remastered mono version on cd - also sounds great to me. For the rest. I much prefer the stereo mixes only.
If you’re lucky to own a good sounding hifi system then both versions sound great in my opinion. I’ve got the 24/44.1 bit Stereo albums and they sound superb. My 80w Naim amp really gets a grip on the bass and the pace and rhythm of the music 😎👍
Hey Andrew, hope you're safe and well over there. This is a great video mate. I agree that the mono versions of the first 2 LP's are preferable given the 2-track technology at that time. I tend to play the monos more of those. However I also listen to my monos with a Grado MC+ mono cartridge mounted on a second turntable (saves rebalancing the tonearm on the swap over), and this has enhanced the listening experience for me. It's especially true on my older original 1960's (Aussie) Beatles monos, where any surface noise is greatly reduced compared to on the stereo setup.
I'm assuming you've used the remastered versions of these albums? The original US MMT stereo LP had the last 3 tracks on Side 2 that were 'fake stereo'. The new remaster changed that. Also there were some tidy ups of certain tracks, such as the fix of the right channel dropout on the original stereo version of "Day Tripper". I was a bit like you with the mono Pepper. I grew up with the stereo version and didn't hear the mono until after I bought an original Aussie one in 2007 (it was the 40th anniversary and I'd played the stereo earlier in the day). The differences were quite startling, particularly Paul's scat vocal in the "Pepper Reprise". I was like 'eh what's this?'. Plus the different laughter at the end of "Within You..." and "She's Leaving Home" being pitched faster. Sorry I'm rambling lol.
Overall your video was very enlightening, as usual. Thanks again. Cheers mate.
Great comments Peter! I did compare to the 2009 remasters yes
@@AndrewDixonMusic cheers mate. 😎
Hi Andrew and thanks again for your awesome music review channel. I was wondering if your could do a video sometime comparing the original mono 45 record mixes to the original mono LP mixes and have you noticed more impact from the 45 vinyl versions? I do enjoy the various different mono and stereo versions as it gives a fairly wide option for how we can hear these timeless tracks. The 2 things I prefer from mono are to me what usually results is more impact and a more center like stage perspective as everything is in one mix and sounds centered in the sound field between the speakers. I look forward to watching more reviews as you create them. Thanks again handsome guy for your reviews and have a most awesome week!!...Friends, Lloyd.
Thanks Lloyd! It's a good idea but not really something I'd have enough knowledge on to do justice to!
Happy Wednesday Andrew and that is no problem. I am enjoying your reviews as you create them and I look forward to watch when I get time. Big hugs and have a great day!!...Friends, Lloyd.
Hi Andrew. I do have a mono mix of Abby Road on reel to reel tape I got from a used thrift shop years back and it came from a radio station that no longer needed the tapes when digital was taking over. I am sure it is just a fold down from stereo but it actually(to my ears) sounds almost as powerful and filling as a true mono mix. I would love to have it here on my CZcams site but the tracks are not currently allowed on by the label owners. If one day it is, I will add them to my lineup on my site here. Have an awesome day and I look forward to your reviews!!...Friends, Lloyd.
Hi Andrew! Sorry I've been missing your videos! I prefer the mono versions. That's how they were meant to be and that's what I own. God bless!
Hi Daisy! Have you got the vinyl or CD versions?
@@AndrewDixonMusic Hi Andrew! I have the cd boxset and a few lp's.
I remember listening to Beatles mp3s in stereo and something was always off for me. It sounded kinda bleak and unfocussed to me, despite using higher bitrates. Not like I remembered from the radio or from commercials etc. I didn't even know but then realized, that I heard them in mono all the time before and so I simply assumed stereo was the standard, just like everywhere else. I was wrong. 😄
I wish I wouldn’t have missed out on the Mono stuff! I didn’t know they were going out of print, I assumed they would stay in perpetuity like the 2009 remasters. I bought revolver and the white album and then put everything else off. I finally tried to get around to picking up Pepper and Rubber Soul and was horrified to learn that they were 150-200 dollars each! Hope they do a repress someday because Mono is the only way to listen to some of these albums…
Excellent video. But you didn't state wether you prefer the '65 or '87 mixes of RB and Help! :D
Cheers, I probably prefer the '87 versions overall mainly just because I'm more familiar with them and the stereo separation isn't as extreme. Just a shame about all the reverb!
@@AndrewDixonMusic I find it hard to disagree! Great channel Andrew!
I've been wondering if there are even more differences on releases from outside the UK. Also the stereo version of Thank You Girl on Mono Masters CD with the extra harmonica was the first time I'd heard it 50 odd years after the mono. I find the biggest difference in sound quality is Beatles For Sale, the mono sounding almost like a mono radio broadcast. If your a fan though you really want them all.
As you mentioned Andrew in this video the stereo Beatles albums mixed by George Martin & possibly Norman Smith too were partially an experiment & also for themselves to hear the way Beatles instruments were placed in stereo( and for the few who had stereo systems then). I think Martin had mentioned during the 1987 cd releases that the first four Beatles Lp’s were meant to be heard in mono rather than stereo. Lennon had mentioned in a interview that when you take the mono mix & remix to stereo it takes the guts right out of the sound. I agree with you about most of the Beatles albums- the edge going to mono, however I do like the stereo mixes even w/the hard left & right separation. Help/Revolver/White Album /Sgt.Pepper I prefer the stereo mix. Beatles for Sale & Rubber Soul mono or stereo. Also the mono mixes have anomalies the stereo mixes don’t have, on Revolver- Good Day Sunshine at the end of the song theres an extra beat Ringo does on the bass drum or the snare that comes to mind & plenty of differences on the mono White Album too. Bottom line mono was the way George Martin & the Beatles intended the listeners to hear their music & where most of the creative sound was done for. Half dozen & six of the other luckily we have the choices of what Beatles we want to hear depending on how we feel like listening. Thanks for your stereo/mono review- very enjoyable & detailed.
I forgot to mention & I agree w/you on A Hard Days Night slight edge goes to mono mix over stereo mix on this one. Thanks for hearted comment!
I never knew the Beatles cared more about mono till lately, bit scary will have to hear them on youtube and compare..
If you can go through headphones, try Paperback Writer in stereo followed by mono, then same for Yesterday. They are 2 massive hitters in mono.
On some early stereo mixes, I’m thinking of Help! in particular, there are some weird things going on like drums panned to one side and vocals to the other. It may be that this was changed for the stereo cd releases in 1987, which were remixed then by George Martin.
Yes it wasn't as hard panning in 87, and plenty of reverb added in some cases. Still lots of room for improvement I think!
At home, just for fun, I remixed the stereo version of “Rubber Soul” using DeMix Pro. It came out pretty good. Although I’m sure that Giles Martin will do it better since he’ll have all 4 tracks to work with and Peter Jackson’s advanced technology.
There were different reasons for the hard panning. I can see it being needed with two track master tape recording, which was up until I Want To Hold Your Hand, but once they started using 4 tracks, they should have put the drums and bass right down the middle. I heard some 3 track tape stereo recordings from the US, and they had no problem putting that third track right down the middle. And it seemed to vary from album to album. Rubber Soul they hard panned vocals and instruments for some reason, but on previous LPs, they had a balanced distribution of instruments. Later LPs, they varied whether they had drums down the middle or on one channel, sometimes within the same LP.
It is NOT "panning" which requires that the same sound be recorded on two (or more) tracks. It is pre-mix MONO: the standard was to record all the vocals on one track, and all the music on the other track, and then mix the two into MONO. The market was MONO, radio airplay was MONO.
Really enjoyed this resumè of the two albums, Andrew. You know the bit you were talking about in ‘If I Fell’? This is how I hear it: McCartney and Lennon are obviously singing together at the mic. They hit the line ‘our new love’. McCartney pushes out the word ‘NEW’ with a little too much force. They look at each other and McCartney starts laughing and doesn’t get the word ‘vain’ out. Have a listen and see what you think!
Good theory Dom, I'll have a listen! Although, that would suggest also that the mono and stereo mixes feature different vocal takes to each other, time to crack open the Lewisohn sessions book and see what he says!
Andrew Dixon -they definitely do contain different vocal takes to the mono recordings as that little vocal slip doesn’t happen on the mono version. Maybe the stereo versions were treated slightly less seriously than the mono mixes. I’ve read that The Beatles weren’t as keen to turn up to the stereo mixes. Lennon even said that when they brought out the blue 67-70 album he hated the stereo mix of Revolution, claiming they’d turned it into a piece of ice cream! Yes, see what Mark Lewisohn says re ‘If I Fell’.😁👍🏻
Personalmente nunca tuve ninguna expectativa con Beatles en Stereo, todos sus discos los conocí en los 60s y los escuché en un tocadiscos monoaural. Siempre escucho sus discos mono, cada nueva mezcla los aleja de mi memoria auditiva, a veces siento como que estoy escuchando una banda tributo....creo que estoy demasiado viejo para "descubrir" otros Beatles .
Definitivamente puede ser muy difícil acostumbrarse a algo que tiene diferencias con lo que hemos conocido toda nuestra vida, y puede ser difícil juzgar estas diferencias objetivamente.
The primary motivator for the creation of stereophonic recording was to capture the wider sound of a larger musical entity, like an orchestra or a jazz big band. The idea of a smaller 4 piece rock band releasing stereo recordings would have been seen as ludicrous overkill. The thinking was, mono was sufficient to capture the essence of such artists. From 1962-‘63, the Beatles never foresaw a time when they would be releasing stereo product for the public. 2-track was used to record vocals & instruments on separate tracks, to perfect the balance on the mono mix. The 2-track was not created with the intention of being used on stereo LPs. With that said, the growing profitability of the stereo market could not be ignored. And so, stereo albums were put out to take maximize income, even if they were just the raw 2-track. More proper stereo mixes were made when 4-track was adopted in 1964. But as you correctly point out, mono mixes (the ones that would most likely receive AM radio airplay & be purchased by adoring teens) was what the Fabs were more personally concerned with perfecting. The stereo? They were content with letting EMI staff engineers take care of that, all the way up to the White Album.
OK, in the mono versions, yellow submarine tracks were added only because they were prepared for release as an EP version, completely deleted afterwards
"Being limited by the technology back in the day" in 1963 was a cheap excuse by EMI to say that they didn't invest on buying then modern day technology...
As early as by 1958 big record companies like RCA and smaller ones like Audio Fidelity were already offering great stereo hi fi sounding records without any hard panning...
And even as late as by 1968 EMI studios were still recording on 4 track machines (when all modern studios were already recording on 8 track machines) and 16 track machines were ready to be introduced... The Beatles themselves recorded half of the White Album at Trident studios on 8 track machines...
Not really good for "The Greatest Recording Organization in the World" as they claimed to be back in the 60s...
At least we can thank EMI for recording The Beatles in stereo beginning with their very first album when all the other great bands didn't get their albums recorded in stereo prior to 1966...
I first heard every Beatle album until Abbey Road in mono on a really crappy flip-top record player with a 4" oval speaker and a penny on the arm to keep it from skipping. It was still magic and wonderous, a testament to their incredibly great recordings.
Mono vs. stereo? For me, whatever the Beatles intended us to hear is what is best.
I have since, of course, heard them all in "glorious" stereo on the best possible system, however... well, you know.
she's Leaving Home wasn't slowed down for stereo, it was sped up for mono.
I depends what kind of mood I’m in. I listen to both.
Hi Andrew.
In general I agree with you, but I prefer the mono Revolver.
The White Album ..... definitely the mono one, despite Don't Pass Me By sped up a little and the missing blisters on Helter Skelter.
Since the vinyl mono box set has been released, I listen more often to the mono versions.
And not only The Beatles in mono, but other bands as well like The Kinks or The Rolling Stones.
By the way, today i got the Bob Dylan Rough And Rowdy Ways vinyl (released on vinyl today) and it sounds amazing.
Hi Pe, I'm also listening to the mono versions a lot more these days. I;m not surprised Bob on vinyl sounds great, even the CD sounds really good!
Hi Andrew. I totally agree with you on all points. I grew up with all the albums in stereo. Rubber Soul always had that empty space in the middle, which was frustrating. The mono version is just perfect. You mentioned a possible remix of Revolver. I guess you have it now. What are your thoughts? It is so damn great with all the bonus material. I really enjoyed your video and also have both mono and stereo sets, as well as my dear late dad's original vinyls which are gold!
Hi, thanks for that. I did several videos covering the release of Revolver, this would be the main one in terms of a review: czcams.com/video/g33RXHDmpXc/video.html
What version of we can work it out sounds better? In stereo they separate the vocals of John and Paul so the stereo version would be the better mix. Also the latter beatles albums employ various instruments that benifit from a stereo overhaul so we hear all the added overdubs that get lost in mono. While my guitar gently weeps would sound better with the guitar solo coming out of one channel while the vocals would be hidden in the background. I guess at that point 5.1 blue ray has the advantage over any stereo or mono mix found on lp's.
I think Help and Revolver definitely have some of what you mention there with the mono mix being a little muddy in places with the stereo versions having more clarity.
I might do a dedicated We Can Work It Out session tonight, see what I think! I did listen to the 1+ remix a couple of weeks ago and it sounded really good, but not like a 1965 recording anymore.
I woud like a stereo vinyl boxset from the master tapes (as the mono boxset)... Is all what the world need...
Thanks for the info but I am in my 70's & my hearing is not great so I will be sticking to my remastered stereo cd's..
Thank you for the good review!What do you think about the difference between the song help in mono and stereo? It sounds like it's a different lead vocal take on each mix?
my faves
PPM - mono but I do love the German stereo press Die Beatles
WTB - mono
Hard Days Night - mono (but the stereo is nice too)
BFS - stereo
Help - stereo, particularly the German 70's pressing
Rubber Soul - mono
Revolver - stereo
Sgt Pepper - mono
White Album - stereo (I like the UK release that was pressed in France by Pathe Marconi)
Of course you got to have Mono Masters too - which is great!
missed MMT - prefer the stereo. Mind you with all the Beatles albums it's great to have both mono and stereo in your collection
Looks like we're not far off agreeing across the board!
I like mono up to and including the White Album.
According to George Martin -- "All You Need is Ears" -- only about 12 per cent of British owned stereos. Their first consciously recorded stereo LP was "Help!"
I was 13 when the Beatles debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. Capital Records offered both mono & stereo versions of there records but my brother & I bought mono versions because that's what our portable hifi was. Besides, stereo was a whopping $1 more money! We wore those albums out in a few years, grew older, got jobs bought a nice stereo & replaced mono albums with stereo. Ya got to remember a portable hi fi doesn't sound all that great compared to a nice stereo so that's why we favored the stereo versions. I always thought Capital just took the 4-track tapes & put voice on one channel & instruments on the other.
Both Help! Rubber Soul got remixed in 1987 for the CDs, and those remixes got a remaster in 2009, also the 2012 vinyl release. Help! has a very good distribution BUT a lot of echo that wasn't on the original mix back in 1965. IMO most of the albums are just better in mono, except for "Help!", "Beatles For Sale" "Magical Mystery Tour" and "The White Album"