"Transferred from original analogue master tapes"

i caught Sharon at a tobacco warehouse in Charleston, she ruled that place for hours….

I believe that it needs to say cut from the original master tapes to be all analog. Anything else could mean a digital transfer from the tape.

What it is supposed to mean is they used the original master tapes to cut the LP. But notice this is a compilation.

So, think about it. Records are cut on a cutting lathe. They don’t stop the cutting lathe between tracks to change tapes. This is why Direct to Disc is so rare, the performance has to be real-time continuous. Same goes for cutting from tape. The only way they can use original master tapes on a compilation LP is to first make a copy of the master tape tracks they want to go on the LP.

Then think about how record labels handle their tapes. The original master is the first tape of the mix-down. As such all the tremendous investment of resources is distilled down to that one tape. Studio execs abhor risk, and this is major monster risk. First thing they do is make a copy, at least one, and away goes the master to a vault makes the one in Indiana Jones look all neat and tidy.

Merely finding one of these Ark’s of the Covenant is an archeological epic. Tracking down a slew of them to make a compilation? Dream on!

I could go on. And on.

Bottom line. What does "transferred from original analogue master tapes" mean?

Marketing. That’s what it means.

@sbank 

Good catch. I keep forgetting that they mix cd w/ vinyl reviews.SJ & the Dap Kings have been on my buy list but I keep forgetting to buy.. Merry Christmas

@onhwy61 Thanks for sharing that link. Very cool. For something more extended but similar, have you seen the Muscle Shoals film? It's really good.

@millercarbon Good point! Maybe that VMP TSOP box set would be worth the high price after all. That or find a few good used OGs and just stream the compilations. 

@tomic601 Lucky dog, never got to see her live.

Cheers,

Spencer