HDtracks American Beauty

I hope it sounds better than the Workingman's Dead 24/96 that I purchased in Oct off HD Tracks. I really don't like the sound or the mix. They remixed many of the tracks for this reissue, completely changing what I consider an essential record for the Dead, and for any serious connoisseur of American rock. The bass seems out of whack with the rest of the instruments, and I wonder if there are phase issues. It definitely sounds more compressed, but have not checked the levels.

Swanny - I know what you're talking about. I think some of the things that I'm hearing that I never heard before may be increased emphasis on existing vocals. Sometimes it even seems like its an alternative vocal track altogether - but it's probably just emphasis. I actually like the alternative mix, as it gives me more insight on what their voices were sounding like at the time. But it definitely is not exactly the same. I can't say much about compression, as the system I'm listening on is good but not great. Let us know if you get it what you think.

I wonder if these releases aren't derived from the surround mixes produced a few years ago, which I think were mixed by Mickey Hart.