Customer Reviews

Mono Box Set

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have the entire Beatles cd collection released in the 1980s. The reason I purchased the Mono Box was some of the original cd releases were mono but everything after a Hard Days Night was done in simulated stereo so I wanted to get the original 11 albums that were done in mono and hopefully they would be of noticeably better sound quality. I am pleased I now have all the original mono releases up to and including the white album and the one cd of "past masters" not originally released on albums. However, I do not recommend this collection to casual Beatle listeners. Unless you are going to sit and isten to these songs with either headphones or alone in a quiet environment the original cds from the 1980s are probably sufficient for you. The cost of these boxes is such that people who expect to be blown away by them are in for a reality check and probably over time will be disappointed they spent all that money for subtle differences and slightly brighter sound.

If you think you know the Beatles' music, think again: the mono mixes presented here reflect not only the way the albums were originally mixed, but reflect also the way all the singles released in Britain were originally presented to the public. This new box set amounts to nothing less than a restoration of the Beatles' original ideas for their recordings, and, I think, a radical re-thinking of the Beatles you thought you knew. That may be unsettling for some, but it's exciting to try to hear some very familiar music in new ways.

Some of the stereo mixes found on Past Masters 1 and 2 and the second half of the Magical Mystery Tour album were drawn from US or even German and Australian (!) releases, although EMI in Britain presumably did the mixing. In the case of "The Inner Light," no stereo version was available until Past Masters; "You Know My Name" only ever appeared in mono. It has long been known that many of the stereo releases of the earliest Beatle recordings were mock stereo, and they sounded "flippin' lousy" (as Pete Townshend once said). So, sonically, the mono recordings here reflect what The Beatles actually wanted their records to sound like--something that became increasingly important to them as they took more care in the studio.

Second--when you start getting past 1966, the mono mixes become much more interesting, because they are quite different from their stereo counterparts. "Sgt. Pepper" and the "White Album" are essentially completely different albums from the stereo versions. If you want to discover what The Beatles are really about, you need to hear both the mono and stereo versions.

With all that in mind, should you get this set? Most definitely. If you have the old 1987 CD sets, keep this in mind: the first four albums were in mono anyway, and sound as though George Martin had wrapped all the mics in heavy carpeting (especially "Beatles For Sale"): now, you can hear everything (even the squeaks of Ringo's bass drum pedal); the new mono set includes the stereo versions of "Help!" and "Rubber Soul" (restoring the original 1965 stereo mixes--the new stereo set uses remixes made for the 1987 CDs); the 1987 Past Masters discs are either mono mixes or stereo versions that often hadn't appeared in Britain until either the 1973 Red and Blue albums, the late 70s repackages "Rock and Roll Music" and "Love Songs," or not at all.

Moreover, you can supplement this mono set with the new stereo Abbey Road and Let It Be, along with the new Past Masters, vol. 2, and you should have a comprehensive, definitive set of The Beatles as the Beatles themselves intended they should be heard. If you haven't got the 1987 discs (and even if you do), you can always spend a bit more and get the stereo mixes of the the first four, then "Revolver" and beyond to supplement your monos--but the mono set should be regarded as definitive, and leave the stereos for those who really want to have a "complete" discography. Ultimately, it would be nice if EMI makes the mono sets available individually, or offers double mono/stereo sets of each album.

Why care about the British mono releases at all? Well, mainly because that was the original point of reference for The Beatles themselves. In the early 60s they had very little idea what was being released on Capitol, and I don't think they cared too much anyway (which is why that story about the "butcher cover" of "Yesterday...and Today" being some sort of protest is utter nonsense); moreover, the US versions were also reprocessed by people who, as far as I know, had very little or nothing to do with George Martin or any of his engineers (just who is Dave Dexter anyway??). By the time of "Pepper" it was pretty clear that the albums themselves were displaying a sort of integrity that demanded consistency on both sides of the Atlantic--but even then, the US releases contained some significant differences (for instance, the US version of the stereo "White Album" was processed to tone down the bass, because the LP sides were so long that they were harder to master). Audiophiles in the 1960s and 70s tried to find UK pressings of Beatle albums anyway, since they were higher quality records and just sounded better. When EMI re-released the US LPs on CD, it really seemed like a nostalgic cash-grab aimed at North Americans who weren't familiar with the UK releases: I notice that the Canadian LP "Long Tall Sally" hasn't resurfaced yet!

A few other notes: the four "Yellow Submarine" songs are unnecessary here, since they are just mono reductions of the original stereo tracks. "Magical Mystery Tour" is the (for once, superior) US release of the UK double-EP MMT and the 1967 singles--but as the singles were in mono in Britain, those songs only appeared in stereo in the US. If you're really fanatical, you can re-program the tracks to conform to the original UK double-EP order. "Hey Jude", of course, was never an official Beatle album, but something Capitol/Apple cobbled together in 1970 out of "Hard Day's Night" leftovers and 1966,68 and 69 singles. I know many people who had this record, and regarded it as their favourite Beatle album, but the CD releases have made it superfluous (although it did mark the first appearance anywhere of "Paperback Writer," "Rain," "Lady Madonna" "Hey Jude" and "Revolution" in stereo).

Now--when is EMI/Apple going to get around to releasing the Star Club 1962 tape, the full Get Back sessions, the 1977 Hollywood Bowl LP, and other goodies that would round out a healthy Beatle collection?

I spent about an hour doing random comparisons of the mono and stereo versions of songs from the two sets. My son and I both found the mono versions generally more appealing, and in many cases much better. I note as well that the staff at the store I was at and most critics/reviewers seem to share the same view. Although the critics, I suspect, favour the mono because that is the format to which the Beatles themselves applied their artistic talents in production and is therefore more "authentic". I am not fussed about artistic authenticity myself--I just found the mono versions sounded better. That said, the stereo version is still fantastic.

I'll be brief here, mainly because this is The Beatles and this music is so ingrained into everybody's minds now. I was very happy with my purchase of The Beatles in Mono, despite the price. I was not lucky enough to get a first run, but Amazon hooked me up with the second run when it was in stock.

The Beatles in Mono is, as far as I know, a complete collection of every mono mix they'd ever done. The Beatles were hands-on with their mono mixes, where George Martin and his staff tended to helm the stereo mixes. This is, therefore, the mixes that the Beatles intended you to hear back in the 60's. Playing them remastered on a modern stereo today makes them sound that much more fierce and aggresive, noticeably different from their stereo counterparts. In addition many of the actual mixes are drastically different. "Helter Skelter" is the one in particular that jumped out at me. It sounds like a completely different version of the song. Really refreshing after only having the stereo version for 20+ years!

There are some Beatles albums not included in this set, but that's OK. Let It Be, Abbey Road, and Yellow Submarine were not mixed in true mono. Those mono mixes were just "fold downs" of the stereo mixes. I guess if you were dying to hear them, you can make your own from The Beatles in Stereo set. What is included here is a new compilation called the Mono Masters (a companion piece to the Past Masters) which includes all the non-album mono mixes, and some previouly unreleased ones like "Across The Universe".

This box set is for anyone who calls themselves a true Beatles fan, anyone who wants to own the versions that the Beatles themselves mixed, or any completist.

Is it worth the price? Well, the packaging is very nice, each CD is housed in its own little duplicate LP packaging. That means you get the full booklet from Magical Mystery Tour and all the goodies enclosed within the White album. Very nice. The CDs slide in and out, which may not be to your personal taste especially after spending this much money. The call, ultimately, is yours. There is also an exhaustive booklet to consider.

5 stars from me!

Anyone reading this either owns the box or is looking for it. We already know the mono vs. stereo debate and likely agree that several albums in the Beatles' canon, including SGT. PEPPER sound better in mono than stereo. Further, PLEASE PLEASE ME and WITH THE BEATLES in mono far outshine their wide stereo mixes. Lastly, the rock songs of other albums, namely THE WHITE ALBUM, REVOLVER and RUBBER SOUL scream louder and harder in the one-channel mix.

My thoughts here are about the packaging: each LP sleeve is faithfully reproduced down to the poster in THE WHITE ALBUM and the paper cut-outs in PEPPER. A plastic sleeve protects each digi-pack. Also included is a colour booklet chock full of rare photos and a good essay persuading the listener that these are the Beatles mixes that the band intended, created in the days when mono reigned the music-buying market. So, yes, a great package.

My only beef is the price: $299 at the full retail for these 13 discs (PAST MASTERS is 2 discs) equals $23 per CD. Now, that's if you can even find this box in the first place. Given the limited quantities demand has driven the price past $500 in some places. For $299 I would've liked to have seen each box individually numbered. I'd also like to know just how limited this edition is. Care to 'fess up, Apple and EMI?

I'm one of the lucky ones. I found my box at a decent price and love playing the music and, yes, handling the CDs like they were Faberge eggs. Well, toys really. If you're a Beatles freak then this one of the best toys you can find...at a good price.

Exept for Yellow Submarine and Abbey Road The Beatles allways did their final mix in MONO.So if you want to hear how they wanted it, that's the occasion.

For example Taxman . On the stereo mix, you hear the bass, drums, gtr all at the left, the ring and the solo gtr at the right and the lead vocal in the center. Kind of odd mix.. On the mono you hear the whole band straight in the center that sounds more rock and united..

Some mono mixes are very different from the stereo mixes. She's Leaving home is not in the same key, the numbers with reverse guitars are also different..If you,re a BIG fan of the Beatles this is a must. If you just like the Beatles the stereo mixes are not that bad..

I don't know how many times I have bought the Beatles catalogue. Initially, then again when I got a better turntable, since the originals were all worn out! Then I bought some Japanese pressings, then the initial CD releases, then the Stereo Box set, and now, the Mono Set!
The Mono set does sound better on MOST of the albums, in comparison to the Stereo set. I think the early stuff gets the most improvement. As we get to Revolver and Sgt. Pepper, I think it's a question of different, not better. There is no right or wrong opinion.
As for the Mono set being better for 'pub owners', a 'mono' switch on their amps usually does the job for them! It's rare that pubs with multiple speaker set ups play their canned music in stereo! It's usually always in mono!
If you have the money, buy this set. Then save up your money for another Beatle assault in 2012, when the 50th anniversary of their hitting the market hits! It's going to be huge. It is in the works already, count on it!

Sorry I took so long to write ,the Beatles box set was in perfect condition and came way faster than I expected.Thanks again,I will spread the word.The sound quality is stunning. This is an absolute must have product if you are into music at all. You will hear music you never heard before and with more clarity and depth.Thanks again PS Ringo really does know his way around the kit.

I will not address the music because it is self evident. Having heard Rubber Soul in 'stereo' (too much left-right), I knew Mono was the way to go. I have absolutely no regrets -especially with the new price for Mono. The sound is just short of excellent (see below).

The only way I could imagine a better sound would be on 'audiophile' vinyl or Super Audio CD (SACD). Bob

All The Beatles albums up until and including "The Beatles" or white album as it is known, were mastered in Mono with the group members involved in the process, they did not get involved in the "stereo" and as Lennon pu it; you haven't listen to Sgt. Peppers unless you listen to it in MONO, this Box is made in Japan, NOW it the difference from the one for sale in Japan, it doesn't have the OBI and the japanese lyrics book that we are acostume in all japanese releases, so the quality should be better that the stero counter part, for europe and north america it will be made in the EU, maybe they do a good job, but I'll stick to the MONO, the Pepper and White Album are different in many ways and in my opinion better, and the art work is a replica of the original in all aspects, Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road and Let it be are originals Stereo mixes so I'll be getting those separetly, as per the stero mixes before the white album, mmmmmm I don't know, instruments on one side, voice on the other, it loses the dinamic of the intended orginal mix by Martin and the Boys, they spent lots of time in the MONO mixing process. your choice though. Hector Gull Oakville.