Why Hasn't Pink Floyd's The Wall Been Reissued on Surround Sound SACD?

[4-earredwonder]

So Where's THE WALL .... and NO, not THAT one!

 

[Muppet69]

So Where's THE WALL .... and NO, not THAT one!

Isn’t it 40 years old this year? Or is it my imagination?

 

[4-earredwonder]

Isn’t it 40 years old this year? Or is it my imagination?

Yep, and it is already crumbling ...... Hope James Guthrie had luck baking those 'defective' Scotch Masters ........ because there is NO second try!

 

[ar surround]

Yep, and it is already crumbling ...... Hope James Guthrie had luck baking those 'defective' Scotch Masters ........ because there is NO second try!

Ralph, you must be really worried about Animals because you have written this post at 3:30 in the morning!

 

[Muppet69]

Ralph, you must be really worried about Animals because you have written this post at 3:30 in the morning!

I believe Ralph is talking about The Wall tapes as it’s been reported that the tape was very fragile and needed baking. I’m not technically up on these things but I don’t understand how The Wall and most other albums have been “remastered” multiple times in the past or has that nothing to do with the master tapes. How did mofi do an “original master recording” version on gold CD without the tapes that are in bad condition?
Damn it I’ve gone off topic again! Let Animals roam free Woger!

 

[atrocity]

How did mofi do an “original master recording” version on gold CD without the tapes that are in bad condition?

While I am in no way in a position to know, it's entirely possible that the original multitracks (or some subset thereof) are on problematic tape while the final master stereo mixdown is not.

 

[JediJoker]

While I am in no way in a position to know, it's entirely possible that the original multitracks (or some subset thereof) are on problematic tape while the final master stereo mixdown is not.

This is what has been reported.

 

[rontoon]

I don’t understand how The Wall and most other albums have been “remastered” multiple times in the past or has that nothing to do with the master tapes.

It's the multi tracks that are in bad shape, not the masters (used for remastering and such).

 

[Muppet69]

It's the multi tracks that are in bad shape, not the masters (used for remastering and such).

Ah, I see now that makes sense.

 

[bmoura]

That's what we've heard for sometime now.
The poor condition of the multi-track tapes of The Wall make it quite a challenge to remix into Surround Sound for reissue.

 

[Jeffrey Michael]

That’s too bad. The Wall has the potential to sound AMAZING in Surround. It’s too bad they didn’t make copies of Master Tapes back in the day. I’d settle for a first generation tape mix.

 

[jimfisheye]

It's the multi tracks that are in bad shape, not the masters (used for remastering and such).

If you think about the level of production they were doing at the time. Aggressive editing. Mixing and splicing in segue sections all over the place. Just all around pushing it.
In the best of conditions, these tapes might have been in fragile condition. Come to find out the tape stock was flawed to begin with...

Fingers firmly crossed! (Maybe don't hold your breath on this one though.)

 

[hirez]

Maybe on it's 50th anniversary they will have found a previously lost multitrack reel and be able to release a surround download.

 

[windhoek]

Maybe on it's 50th anniversary they will have found a previously lost multitrack reel and be able to release a surround download...

... in time for its 75th anniversary knowing the way things work when it comes to Pink Floyd.

 

[4-earredwonder]

... in time for its 75th anniversary knowing the way things work when it comes to Pink Floyd.

I really think Guthrie gave up on the remix.........by now those multis have melted!

 

[windhoek]

I really think Guthrie gave up on the remix.........by now those multis have melted!

For once, here's hoping you're wrong

 

[JonUrban]

Then why don't they go to the film soundtrack and tweak that up a bit and release THAT on an SACD? There are extra bits and pieces of songs on there, as well as "When the Tigers Broke Free", which is not on the LP (not that it's a great tune or anything. Sorta sounds like something from "The Final Cut")

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Then why don't they go to the film soundtrack and tweak that up a bit and release THAT on an SACD? There are extra bits and pieces of songs on there, as well as "When the Tigers Broke Free", which is not on the LP (not that it's a great tune or anything. Sorta sounds like something from "The Final Cut")

And it's not like they wouldn't sell a bajillion copies.

 

[4-earredwonder]

For once, here's hoping you're wrong

I've been wrong MANY a time, Derek. Actually, I'm partial to the Wall Live in Berlin with all those wonderful guest stars. I have it on DVD somewhere. It's a gas.

On July 21, 1990, Roger Waters delivered one of the most memorable rock events in history with an all-star line-up including Bryan Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Sinead OConnor and the Scorpions just to name a few.

 

[ar surround]

That’s too bad. The Wall has the potential to sound AMAZING in Surround. It’s too bad they didn’t make copies of Master Tapes back in the day. I’d settle for a first generation tape mix.

At the risk of getting banished from this site, speared by a pitch-fork carrying mob, and burned at the stake, I must say that I really don't like listening to The Wall. Yes, it's a great album, but I find it to be very depressing...probably exactly what Floyd intended to accomplish. But WTF, if they somehow manage to do it in surround I WILL BUY IT AND LISTEN TO IT ANYWAY. Heh, heh, heh, heeeeeeeeeeeh! In the meantime, Animals beckons.