Stereo Pet Sounds

[the captain]

I do believe I'm going to give ol' stereo Pet Sounds a (headphones'd) listen today. I'm inspired. We'll see what happens. And by we, I mean I. And by see, I mean hear. And by what happens, I mean what happens.

[the captain]

I'll say this, it's a pleasure to listen to Brian's single-tracked You Still Believe in Me right now. I'm not saying I necessarily prefer it, but it's gorgeous, and a reminder how amazing his voice used to be. I know Carl tends to be the favorite, but for my money Brian was the best pop singer of that era.

[the captain]

OK, I'm not changing my vote: I prefer mono. But the thing is, threads like this really are great for bringing up things you haven't tried in a while. I don't know the last time I listened to PS in stereo. And whether I like it more or not (not), it is a cool perspective and fun way to listen.

[Chris Brown]

I prefer the stereo, mainly because you can hear the instrumentation more clearly, bringing out intricate parts that were completely buried in the mono mixes.  Like Brian said in one of the booklets that came with the box set, more of what was there is there.  As others have said here, the mono mixes just sound muddy to me.  I appreciate them for their historical significance, and the fact that they are Brian's mixes, but they make the album sound very dated.

The stereo mix may not be the original artifact, but it was constructed with great respect for Brian and his original vision.  The only thing that really bugs me is the lack of Brian's double tracked lead on "You Still Believe In Me," but the other changes (like Brian on the bridge of "Wouldn't It Be Nice"...I can't stand Mike's singing on that part) don't bother me.  The clarity of sound just makes the whole experience better for me.   

[Dove Nested Towers]

I go back and forth. Now, I prefer the stereo version but not too long ago I preferred the mono.

I feel the backing vocals are a little more noticeable in stereo, and that is what I like.

HOWEVER...For EVERYTHING (except Surfin' USA for some reason) before, say, TODAY I think the mono is far, far, far superior. So much that I have to make albums with the songs from the box set mixed with the songs from the (stereo) reissues.

 I generally prefer the new stereo mixes of Today and Summer Daysslightly over the mono.

The new stereo mixes of Please Let Me Wonder, Let Him Run Wild and Wendy on the Warmth of the
Sun comp are absolutely awesome! Today always seemed a little muddy to me, and there's a SOT boot with outasight stereo mixes of She Knows me Too Well, I'm So Young, Don't Hurt my Little Sister
and In the Back of my Mind that's terrific.

[Cal]

I use to listen to the duophonic version on vinyl and then I was crazy about it in stereo for a while. I do think mono however is one of the best ways to listen to it, like a lot of BB albums. SS is mono is something else!!

Has anyone done a needledrop from a pristine version of the duophonic  lp version of PS? I know Dr. Ebbetts and Mirror Spock haven't, but does this occur in the Beach Boys collectors world at all like it does for the Beatles vinyl?

Regards,
Cal

[Dr. Tim]

To answer BicycleRider:
I realize that the limitations of the bounce down process limited the stereo possibilities of the tracks, but it didn't prevent stereo mixes of Surfin USA, Surfer Girl, Little Deuce Coupe, All Summer Long, etc.  So why the sudden change to duophonic?  The Beatles had the same limitations (actually more because they didn't get 8 track until after Brian was using it for SDSN, Pet Sounds and Smiley/Wild Honey) but always released stereo versions, even though they are pretty bad stereo (Rubber Soul in particular, sometimes with vocals one channel, instrumental another, etc.).

The early BB recordings were often done in 2 or 4 track form which permitted stereo mixes, at that time done as a matter of course by the studio engineers once the mono versions were done.  Once Brian decided everything would be mono only he used the multi-track decks (4 track, then later 8 track) to do a bounce-down pre-mix of the instrument tracks to one mono track, then have the remaining multiple tracks handy to layer vocals on.  As Desper, Britz and others have said, that was one of Brian's innovations.  To go back and do a new "stereo" instrument mix, then layer on the vocal tracks recorded on the other overdub reel in stereo, would have been out of the question as techincally impossible (and would cost too much money back in the day).  Like I said, some version of this technique was in common use by 1966.   For example, RCA was too cheap to buy an 8-track deck so the Monkees had to do "Headquarters" on 4-track, bouncing the instrument mixes to two tracks to free up two other tracks for vocals, solos, etc., then mix.

[Bicyclerider]

Not really - although "stereo" versions of Smiley Smile and Wild Honey were released on boot, which were the electronically rechanneled versions.

What we need are needledrops of Brian's original mono mixes of Surfin USA, Surfer Gir, Little Deuce Coupe, Christmas album, Shut Down Vol. 2 and All Summer Long, all of which have never been released on CD!

[Cal]

Not really - although "stereo" versions of Smiley Smile and Wild Honey were released on boot, which were the electronically rechanneled versions.

What we need are needledrops of Brian's original mono mixes of Surfin USA, Surfer Gir, Little Deuce Coupe, Christmas album, Shut Down Vol. 2 and All Summer Long, all of which have never been released on CD!

Oh boy, I'm surprised this hasn't been done yet! I'm trying to coax some folks on the Bootlegzone that do needledrops eventually to do some early Beach Boys titles. The Beatles vinyl mixes are well represented over and over -- yet  NOTHING from the Beach Boys (or at least of high quality) so far. Argh!

Regards,
Cal aka "Beatle Bob"

[pobbard]

I fell in love with the mono mix first, but when I reach for the album now, I always go for the stereo version.

Hearing PET SOUNDS in stereo is like seeing the Sistine Chapel after it was restored. The original was still amazing, but all sorts of things became visible/audible after the restoration/remix.

[Winston Wrong]

Hi, new here..

I respect the mono original, but my main listening environment is at work via headphones and the Stereo remix is perfect in this regard. The sound is far more dynamic and revealing.. the mono version sounds so closed-in using direct comparision.

Never heard the 5.1 version, maybe this would take it to the next level (perhaps not..)

Is it true that there is ANOTHER remix/remaster of Pet Sounds on it's way?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Never heard the 5.1 version, maybe this would take it to the next level (perhaps not..)

Those who have say it's more 4.0 than 5.1.

[CMP]

Back in the 70's I used to listen to Pet Sounds only on headphones - the Duophonic one - Have all the copies on CD, PS Box set, and felt cover edition etc...
I have noticed that there are little details missing here and there (i.e. I used to get a kick out of Brian yelling "STOP THE TAPE!!" in WIBN as the tempo is slowing down). If the Duophonic version was created using the original mono mix then this would explain why the mono mixes on the CD's have never rang 'true' to my ears.  (Did the original L.A. master have this WIBN artifact prior to it being 'damaged at Warner's??) Mark's stereo version is great, especially on a good pair of phones.

[Mahalo]

On the mono version of IJWMFTT about 5 seconds in there is a strange organ type sound that I do not hear on the instrumental or stereo versions of this song. Anyone know what that is? Or am I just hearing things.

[Daniel S.]

(no one's proposed that a new mono mix from the multi's be done). 

That is a f#%$ng great idea! Why the hell didn't they do that for the 40th anniversary?

[matt-zeus]

I was a big fan of Pet Sounds from the mono version that I had but when the boxset came out the stereo version absolutely blew my mind, just hearing WIBN in headphones was a revelatory experience, I still listen exclusively to the stereo version as that's the one my ears prefer.

I'm no purist so any stereo remixing is fine by me, I even liked the Beatles remixed stuff (Yellow Submarine Songtrack, Let it be naked etc), and would rather they remix their whole catalogue like that, its not as if the originals are going to disappear.

On the subject of remixing though I wasn't generally a big fan of the recent 1970s Genesis remixes, I was excited to hear them but those albums sound pretty amazing as they were really (especially 'Selling England by the pound') so the new ones didn't do much for me.

[sockittome]

I'll cast my vote for the stereo mix of Pet Sounds.  Like others have stated, I respect Brian's original mono mix, but hey, that was the 60's and stereo was still somewhat of a novelty.  We're in the '00s now and stereo has been the norm since the very late 60's. 

I love the spacious feel of the stereo mix;  it makes me feel like I am right there in the studio.  It's an experience, an event!

BTW, I just read a tutorial by Steve Hoffman over on his site where he has some pretty negative things to say about the stereo remix of Pet Sounds, and apparently that is why it is generally dissed on his message board.  I've got a great deal of respect for Mr. Hoffman, but I have to strongly disagree with those comments. 

[Ebb and Flow]

It depends on my mood, but I generally prefer listening to the stereo version.  More clarity, easier to pick out parts.

However, I'm not exactly a fan of the mix on a few tracks.  There's too much reverb put on the vocals, and it isn't spread out enough on a few tracks, particularly concerning the vocals.  I'd love to have access to the multis and create my own mix. 

[Chris Brown]

I'd love to have access to the multis and create my own mix. 

See, now THAT is what they should have done for the 40th Anniversary.  We already have enough mixes done by others, but allowing fans to remix the album to their liking would be incredibly innovative.

[Alex]

The stereo mix is the only one I ever listen to. It's so much clearer sounding than the muddy mono mix. Plus, I've got two good ears, why can't I use them both to their full listening potential?! There are still a few tracks from Today and Summer Days that still need stereo mixes, I love the stuff that's already been remixed for Sounds of Summer and Warmth of the Sun. Stereo Smiley Smile and Wild Honey would also be nice.

[P.J.]

To me it all comes down to the tag of "God Only Knows" the original mono mix is as close to emotional perfection as there will ever be in pop music.

[P.J.]

I'd love to have access to the multis and create my own mix. 

See, now THAT is what they should have done for the 40th Anniversary.  We already have enough mixes done by others, but allowing fans to remix the album to their liking would be incredibly innovative.

I'd vote for that! Big box sets of Pet Sounds (and SMiLE [wishful thinking, I know]) multitracks.

[rab2591]

'Wouldn't It Be Nice' sounds far too muddy in the mono version...there is almost too much going on. The stereo version separates the instrumentals and really clears up the mud. Other than 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' I have to say that I prefer the rest of the cd in mono.

Listen for the double vocal in 'You Sill Believe in Me' or the background vocals in the chorus on 'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times' - stunning in mono. The stereo seems to take away the sound whereas it is all in one powerful place in the mono version. 'Let's Go Away For Awhile' is fine in stereo, but the drum line is far more powerful in mono.

I have to say that the sound engineers did a dang fine job with the stereo version. Unlike the Beatles 'left ear the vocals, right ear everything else' approach, you can really tell they took their time with this re-master. I love listening to the stereo backing tracks in the Sessions set, but I prefer mono when listening to the album as a whole.

[runnersdialzero]

To me, an album like Pet Sounds is absolutely meant to be heard in stereo. I've always preferred the stereo version, although the mono mix is definitely worth hearing and should be preserved in every possible way.

The mono mix always sounded, as others have said, too muddy. And honestly, I think the "God Only Knows" tag with the alternate vocals blows the original away in every possible respect - Carl's vocal beats Brian's on that part, Bruce sounds great in both, and Brian sounds bored and tired on the original but absolutely fantastic on the stereo mix. I'm gonna say I enjoy Brian's vocal for the "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" bridge more than Mike's, too - not out of principle, I just feel like Mike's vocal is too harsh for that section of the song.

Keep in mind Brian had to hastily mix this on did so a tiny little speaker - being a purist just to be a purist, in this case, doesn't really work. I won't say anyone is "wrong" for preferring the mono version, absolutely not, I've just seen people go on and on about why the stereo version is "wrong" in other threads.

[rab2591]

The stereo version is amazing (I had only remember hearing 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' in a very awful mono form (from the 20 good vibrations cd) for years so you can imagine my joy when I first heard that song in re-mastered stereo).

I can see the pros of both versions - my main pros for mono are the vocals in 'You Still believe In Me' and the centered form of 'Let's Go Away For Awhile'

On a related note:

Does anyone know where I can find this version of 'Wouldn't It Be Nice':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--cqAI3IUI

Brian's voice sounds WAY more clear than on the mono-stereo cd release.