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Patricia Barber and Stereophile

Has anyone listen to PB's new CD? I just purchased it, upon rave reviews. I have not owned any of her other cd's, but soon will. The recording sounds great in regards to timbre and detail. It really captures the late night club sound. And, the bass is deep!!!!! Oh, of course the music is wonderful. Although, this is not the reason for my post. My concern is that the mix is really problematic. The drum kit is at least 10 to 12 feet wide and the bass player at times sounds like he is sitting on the drummers lap. The perspective is equal to standing 3 feet in front of a drummer. At times I feel that I am on stage. In reading the review in "Stereophile" there was no mention of this strange mix. This is not the first time I have encountered obvious "objective" problems with their music review. One of their recent reviews of a new funk band, I forget their name but it is the one with the cover including a dollar bill theme, gave it 5 stars in sound. Well, a friend of mine brought it over and I listened to it. IMO the low end was as muddy as the Colorodo River in the spring. As well as the over all sound was somewhat fuzzy. Now, I don't listen to all of their reviews and honestly I only catch the few that I like, however, their credibility has been compromised. Again, I'm not talking about the subjective matters of liking the music. I talking about the overall sound quality of the recordings. Has anybody listen to these cd's, what is you perspective and how well do you feel "Stereophile" does with their music reviews? Again, overall I love the new PB cd, it just the unnaturual soundstage I am talking about.
ramstl
Post removed 
sean
6,231 posts
 
While microphone placement is what plays with the soundstage the most, you might be surprised at how much both the studio electronics and the components in your system can affect this. Given these variables and the differences from system to system, it's quite possible that this problem may be manifesting itself to a greater extent in your specific situation. I don't have the disc to compare results with you, but i have noticed drastic differences in air, ambience, depth and width of soundstage, imaging, etc... just by swapping amps within a system. Sean >
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Can't wait to hear her new CD. From her previous stuff, I like Cafe Blue the best. JAB, what was she like when you met her? She would seem to have quite an interesting personality from her music.
ramstl OP
342 posts
 
Sean, with respect to my system set up, believe me it has nothing to do with my system. I do plently of live recordings and use my system to reference how accurately I have captured a band. I have taken great pains to ensure that my set up is the best it can be. I wouldn't have placed this post if the first principles of set up were wrong. Having the cymbals spread way right and way left is not accurate. The drum kit should not blanket the band. This is obviously a multi-track recording with an inaccurate sound placement of instruments. You could swap until your hearts is content and it would still be inaccurate. If it is correct, then 2000 hrs of my mastered tapes as well as the 1500 albums and 1000 other cd's that I own are wrong. Sean, listen for yourself, I'm sure you would agree. Anyway, what I'm looking for is "people who have heard this and other cd's with obvious flaws that "Stereophile" has missed the boat on."
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,074 posts
 
I completely agree, they blew this review in regards to your complaint. I have had great success following there R2D4 discs but this one and a few others got away. I was listening to the new Holly Cole last night for the first time, on one piece the drum was in the upper right hand corner of my room. My system is very good and most recordings are about 3' above the floor, not this one. It really makes me mad when they screw up a great sound. Maybe mid-fi has it's rewards, You can't complain with a good Best Buy system! TRY CAFE BLUE!!! The gold disk is far better than the aluminum, The vinyl is even better yet!
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