The Smiley Smile Message Board

My goal here is to try and gauge opinions regarding what you feel to be the best sounding MONO version of "Pet Sounds" on cd.  It seemed only natural that this board have a discussion about this topic because of the stature the album holds and the fact that there are SO MANY cd releases of this single Beach Boys title, especially in the compact disc era.

I have been a member of the SH forum for nearly 6 years and not too long ago did a similar thread over there.  The sentiment there is that the Hoffman mastered discs are the end all/be all.  And it's hard to argue otherwise (in public) on that message board. 

Part of my reason for wanting to start this thread is because I recently purchased the DVD-A of "Pet Sounds", released in 2003.  To my ears, the 24/96 PCM mono is the best the album has ever sounded.  The most natural, flat, transfer I could hope for.  I have dithered the 24 bit files to 16 bit for cd burning purposes (for the car) and it sounds so natural.  The next closest I would have to say is the 2001 two-fer. 

There has long been a lot of information (and mis-information) about the mastering of "Pet Sounds" on cd and (hopefully) this thread will also bring some of that to light.  For example, there is a misconception on certain afore mentioned forums that all cd's of this album mastered by Mark Linett are no-noised to death and contain re-mixed song intro's.  Naturally, to someone wanting to have the closest thing to what it sounded like when Brian finished mixing in 1966, this would be disconcerting.

To the absolute best of my knowledge, the following cd's mastered by Linett contain the original, unaltered mono mix: (1997) Pet Sounds Sessions (Disc 4) , (2001) Capitol two-fer & (2003) 24/96 PCM from the DVD-A.  1) Tape his is ever present on all three releases, 2) There are definitely no re-mixed intro's present and this is illustrated in the afore mentioned tape hiss, no splices can be heard.

That said, both the 1990 Capitol release and the 2006 40th Anniversary release use the copy that Linett made in 1988, per his own liner notes.  There are definitely re-mixed intro's on at least 2, maybe 3 songs.  As well as quite of bit of No-Noise used.  These are not ideal, in my opinion, if you are seeking out the cleanest and best way to hear PS on cd.

The Hoffman discs have their own problems, in my opinion.  The 1993 DCC, while sounding very warm, does have a very low-end heavy sound that clearly (from what Linett and I believe BW himself have said) is not present on the master tape.  I have always understood that Hoffman mastered this disc with tube amps to warm up the sound.  Maybe that answers why it doesn't sound "natural" to my ears.  Not to mention that I have always noticed that the DCC disc has a slight lead in that should not be there on "Don't Talk".  Drives me crazy.  The 2009 AF disc has drop out issues going.  I've only heard the disc once, enough to know I didn't want to own it - ahem. 

Anyway, I'm kind of starting digress, I really can't wait to get into a good discussion about this.  I would like to learn as much I can about the masterings too, I'm sure I don't have 100% of my facts straight because they are pulled from multiple years of reading posts by people with built in biases.

My personal feelings:

DCC Gold is best.

Greenline Japan second.

The DVD-A was too "in my face".

p.s. I'm not a Hoffmanite. I just think he did a really nice job with this one.

Fair enough, I still own mine so that's saying something I guess.

Dcc is kinda bass heavy

Mark L. says the best MONO version is the 40th Anniversary CD+DVD combo. I don't have it to offer up an opinion.

I've read that too.  I have to kindly disagree with him.  I believe I have read that the 40th Anniversary CD uses the 1988 copy he had worked on in lieu of the original CD release.  I has, in my opinion, entirely too much use of no-noise and uses the same re-mixed intro's spliced onto specific songs (WIBN and GOK, for sure).

His minimalist approach to the 2001 two-fer MONO and the DVD-A 24/96 PCM MONO are where it's at.

I have a love-hate relationship with the DCC Gold Disc version...the sound is the clearest of all the mono CDs I've heard, yet I HATE how Banana and Louie are on their own track instead of being banded with "Caroline, No."

The worst mono I've heard? The 1990 Capitol CD...which, btw, was the one that got me hooked on Pet Sounds on Christmas Eve 1990.

I have a similar quibble with the DCC.  It's incongruous that DCC did that.

My first was also the 1990 Capitol disc.  I could probably do a long thread about what it was like to fall in love with PS (as we all could,  I imagine).  Long story short, I got it in the summer of 1996 and it changed my life. 

Awhile ago, I compared of few favorite versions to see for myself which one was king.  I came up with...

1.  Audio Fidelity is best.
2.  Bonus Disc from the PS Boxset (my personal fav for many years)
3.  Then it's the DCC/Greenline tied, I think

The DCC sounded a little jacked-up.  The AF was the one that I felt had it in all places -- lows and clear highs and just more natural -- super clean.  But I need to do a more thorough comparison to include all the versions.

Interestingly enough, I brought with me on recent car ride, the 40th Anniversary CD/DVD "Fuzzy Green" set -- just for fun and something different.  I always remembered it being loud and aggressive and gritty -- I hated it and never listened to it -- but I  totally dug it!!!  It sounded the most alive and clear I had ever heard Pet Sounds sound.

I don't know if it was just a weird day or my Bose (blows) system, or what.  But seeing that Mark L. likes this version best...hmm.

I will rethink this and definitely include it in a more thorough comparison.  *By the way, as for my favorite version right now it's the Stereo MFSL.  It's not the mono, I know...but just for the record!

So what's the best mono one for vinyl?

(I actually HATED the mono disc that was in PSS! Sounds distorted...clearer than the '90 disc, but distorted...)

Best mono for vinyl? I haven't confirmed this (yet) myself, but word on the street is that the 1972 So Tough twofer actually has the best vinyl Pet Sounds pressing.

I'll tell ya what, though...the mono-stereo vinyl that came out in 2006...the mono vinyl sounds absolutely horrible in that set...

1. 80's Capitol Green Label

2. Carl & Passions 70's 2-fer

I haven't heard the DCC vinyl, though. But green label probably just as good but will cost a fraction.

So lower the bass levels on your stereo, dear Henry, dear Henry....

CD:  Japanese Greenline or DCC
Vinyl: two-fer with CARL AND THE PASSIONS

The current mono pressing of PS is not too bad.  Digitally sourced, but I think it's above redbook standard and the pressing quality is good, of similar quality to the TSS vinyl.  Though the CATP twofer pressing is usually the one I reach for, just for the psychological benefit of knowing it's all-analog. 

He's right.

Both are very good pressings, but the DCC is considerably better.  Unfortunately, I'm probably going to sell mine since I need the money more than I need another copy of Pet Sounds.  I have too many as it is.

DCC & Audio Fidelity were my favorite, and I don't even like most of Hoffman's work. Greenline is a close second, if you're short on cash I'd grab that.

Unfortunately the album will never be a true sonic masterpiece, but I think it sounds pretty damn good on the DCC & AF versions. I only prefer the DCC to the AF because I own the vinyl of the DCC, and I love it.

Just finished up a little session comparing...

Greenline
Audio Fidelity
DCC
40th Annv "Green n' Fuzzy"
PS Box, Disc 4

I have to say I'm quite impressed with both the Greenline and the 40th Annv "Green n' Fuzzy."  The "Green fuzz" sounded very clear and perhaps sourced better -- but it does lose points on compression.  Compression does hype up the sound and bring some wonderful power and presence to otherwise buried elements.  But as compression often does, screws with the dynamics.  So, vocals can find themselves at war with a background at times.  It's not quite as loud as I thought it was, however.  So overall I was very impressed by it -- when you want a little more compression and density, it's quite a fine listen.

The Greenline though wins on so many fronts.  Namely tonality.  It's more mid-rangey, but doesn't lack extension -- bass and treble are just fine.  What it does is really well is make a wonderfully concise listen.  By keeping the focus on vocals and the ethereal backgrounds, things never get hyped or distorted.  Clarity, balance and listen-ability are its focus.  It probably does the best at keeping the mix's idiosyncrasies in check.  As a result of its control and clarity its probably the most neutral and audible.

The PS box, Disc 4 is similar in some ways to the Greenline.  It's doesn't push too much and exudes a slightly darker quality, which I find compelling.  The mids maybe slightly more recessed than the Greenline, giving it a little more distance.  The recessed signature pulls you into it more.  It's more cavernous.  In the end, the PS Box, Disc 4 is a more mysterious, darker and perhaps creepier sounding listen.  More autumnal, if that's what you need at the moment.  I really do like it.

The Audio Fidelity is controlled but has a more muffled and chesty, sound.  The quality of its bass is wonderfully rich and full.  It's a higher quality bass, more musical and melodic than the others.  It doesn't just rumble and sings.  It doesn't crowd out the other elements, which gives it a delicate and supple quality. This, coupled with the very airy and well extended, highest of the high-end treble -- gives this version a very high quality and rich sound.  It sounds like it was mastered on better equipment (costing thousands!)  But the recording quality of the master tapes just fights revealing these finer qualities.  It surely doesn't give it up easily.

Lastly the DCC is similar to the Audio Fidelity, but the bass is even more bubbly.  Fast and bulbous!  The upper mids and highs are more present and perhaps slightly compressed to remove some of the muffled/chesty-quality of the Audio Fidelity.  It's a little crisper but slightly less controlled or dirtier than the Audio Fidelity because of it.  I can see why many prefer this version, though, since it does make the best of many worlds.  The bass is very edible.  It's a very wet sounding version -- in contrast to the PS Boxes colder, autumnal sound and the Audio Fidelity's warmer, dry sound.  It's damp and fresh, perhaps?

Verdict
Right now... I'm in for the Greenline.  Basically, I'm just not as familiar with it's sound and want to get to know it better.  It really stood out from the others because of its laid back, yet present mids.  I think it offers a lot.  I think the "Green n' Fuzzy" scores a lot of points too - which really surprised me!  It does suffer from the compression -- which ironically helps it in a lot of spots.  I was quite impressed by it and will be listening to it more, too.  In the end...all is well.

EDIT:  I want to add, that on higher-end systems I really expect the DCC and Audio Fidelity to pull away from the pack a bit.  Their more athletic qualities, if you will, would probably excel on bigger, better systems.  Namely in the areas of extension.  Especially in the bass-regions, where a nicer system would make use of their abilities.  Of course, all the discs would benefit from a better system -- but I'm just saying that I'm familiar with the limitations of my system and the quality of DCC/AF mastered discs as well.  So I fully expect these two discs to have more to offer.

My disc of choice for the mono "Pet Sounds" is the (rapidly withdrawn) "Green Line 2800" Japanese CD with 3 bonus tracks.(CP28-1003)

i dig my CATP 2-fer Pet Sounds a lot.  Maybe someday i'll get the AF on vinyl

Ok, this is only semi-related, and may be kind of stupid to ask, but I heard a mix of WIBN the other day I hadn't heard before (unless it was screwy EQ settings). The intro seemed loud and kind of...compressed? Additionally, the lead vox were VERY loud and up front, like the BVs and backing track were an afterthought. They also had a kind of, I dunno, screaming or really different sound to them. I just kinda sat there trying to figure out what the hell I was listening to. Does anybody have an idea?

Might have been the single version. Did Brian's vocal sound kind of whiny? And did Mike's bridge vocal sound very hollow and start out single-tracked, then all of a sudden become double-tracked?? If so, that's definitely the single mix.

Which, for some reason, was on neither the GV nor PSS box sets...heh...weird...I have all the albums from Surfin' Safari to Stars And Stripes, the three main box sets (GV, PSS, SS), the Brother Years volume of "greatest hits," the archival releases, pretty much all CD issues of Pet Sounds except the 1988 Japanese pressing, etc., and not a single CD in our collection has that mix.

That is an Alt version that was used when the single version was misplaced. I believe the first place it showed up on was Made In USA in 1986 and then later on Still Cruisin'. It may be on oher comps, as well.