Half Speed Mastering

Imagine you are in machine filled room for hours, all alone with a pair of headphones strapped to your head. You’re listening to music, but it’s unlike any music anyone else has ever heard. It’s slow, monotonous, and the words are unintelligible. It’s a day in the life of an audio engineer creating a master disc at half-speed.
Find out more at JoyOfVinyl.com
Written & Produced by Rick Coste
To learn more about Rick and his work go to RickCoste.com

[@bobbyyounger7632]

By far the best vlog on this half speed master top[ic ......very informative and entertaining !

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I appreciate that!

[@leon9021]

Reposting on this video: As far as I know, half speed didnt birth out of ambition to search for higher fidelity directly, but to solve a problem of cutting head overheating and began at Decca in the 60s. Stan Ricker then tried to sell people on the idea that Half Speed sounded better in the 70s. So I would hardly agree that "Time" and "Money" are the main reasons its not used. It requires a very different understanding of what to listen for, loses an octave in the spectrum which needs to be EQ adjusted for and doesnt seem to produce as good sounding records as it should if everything said about it was true. I can hardly find a half speed cut that beats a standard cutting from a renowned mastering engineer. The only company having some success with it is MFSL, mainly in the 2010s and onwards. But Im pretty sure MFSL stopped doing half speed cutting when Stan Ricker died which is, you guessed it, in the 2010s. Overall, mostly a gimmick in my eyes.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I'm glad you reposted this @Leon. I had no way to carry over the comments when I upgraded the video from audio to actual images. I appreciate your reposting!

[@werk4408]

I agree that it can be a gimmick in some cases but entirely dismissing it is wrong imo. Incredible sounding Half Speed mastered records are out there, regardless if they're better than the "standard" version or they just sound great on their own. Dire Straits's BIA HS master is fantastic, some people might prefer the MOFI for more bass or the Chris Bellman cut for brighter top end but the HSM version Abbey Road did is certainly the one with the most nuances and air in the treble. Its a different sounding master and there's nothing wrong with people having options. The HSM Ambient series by Brian Eno that came out in 2018 are also great sounding. Sade - This Far boxset features all six albums and all are Half Speed mastered. Every single one sounds beautiful and some do sound better than my old copies in terms of mastering. By far my best and most favourite HSM record is John Martyn's Solid Air released in 2016. I did compare it to the standard edition that came out exactly at the same time and its not even a competition. The HSM edition does everything better. Never selling mine and going forward imo that is the definitive version of that album, doubt even a 2xLP 45rpm cut could improve things any more. Definitely not all albums or types of music are suited to Half Speed mastering but the ones that are certainly can work very very well. And yes I'm well aware Miles from Abbey Road has had done some pretty bad HS masters in the past, but I reckon he still has plenty of time to perfect his skills.

[@leon9021]

@@werk4408 The question is if these things can just be achieved through good modern mastering. If barely any half speed cut beats out other great normal cuts what is the point? With such a track record it seems pointless beyond a waste of time. Im not saying it cant sound good, a fantastic recording like BIA or Solid Air will be great almost no matter what you do with them, this is all about comparing though. I very much doubt the Solid Air HSM is better than the UK original for example.

[@NickP333]

@Leon Exactly. Well said and explained in detail.

[@werk4408]

@@leon9021 No idea if the UK original of Solid Air will sound better, most likely it will sound different. One thing that seems to be a product of HS mastering is tamed sibilance. There's practically none of it in the Solid Air and Brothers In Arms HS cuts. In my books that's a good thing. And its one thing that you can't do with conventional mastering afaik. Plenty of albums could benefit from this, as we all know the vinyl format is very unforgiving of this particular issue, and from my experience how cheap or expensive your setup is doesn't influence the issue quite that much in the end. Again I see it as just another flavour of mastering. Nothing can be perfect. After all bad examples are out there for records mastered with half speed as well as ones mastered conventionally.

[@michaelackley5773]

Great video great information..thanks

[@fredbissnette3104]

it absolutely helps , I have a presto style lathe and if I cut 45s at 33 I get more resolution and the same for 78s if I cut a 78 at 33 with the audio slowed down I get a nice sounding record compared to cutting in real time, the difference is noticeable

[@tarotoculus]

Congrats on the new book!

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@joestradamus75]

how much better is it truly?

[@tablettwentytwo1750]

I trust there exists a logic between the old 16 and two 3rds rpm 'talking' discs, when rpm is doubled it (more or less) equates to 33 and one 3rd rpm. Likewise with 33 and one 3rd rpm added to the (usually ) 7inch 45rpm speed gives us (more or less) 78rpm. I recall an article of yore that suggested 78rpms were recorded at 50 inch per second reel to reel tape? Naturally, the higher the tape speed resulting in less hiss transference in order to make a master/ stamper configuration. Some of the later 50s 78s I own (usually EMI) distributed labels were pressed on swish o flex, vinyl, with no shellac content, allowing them the flexibility of the new vinyl 45, but without the sound compression. Interesting Channel Sir. Cheers El

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Cheers @Tablet Twenty two !

[@neilfisher7999]

As Spock would say, fascinating...............

[@xyanide1986]

I think half speed mastering certainly requires the lathe to operate at half the speed, but the engineer checking audio at half speed doesn't make a lot of sense unless scraping for little flaws and timing stuff in the mixing stage.

[@tantalo45]

Greetings Rick, hope everything is well. Question: I just bought an audio technica lp 60x, it sounds really good, but it took me a couple of days to notice, the speed is a little faster, I did the speed test, and it is running at 34.31 rpm and 46.04 rpm; with some records it is more noticeable than others(for example, when I play my copy of dark side of the moon I barely notice the problem). With some albums I don't mind too much, but with others a little bit. Do you think I'm risking damaging my records playing them with that issue? I only have like 2 weeks with the turntable. Thanks.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Happy holidays! I'm sorry to hear that. It won't hurt your records but it does sound like a speed control problem with the motor. Especially if its audible to you. When it comes to speed, I was once told by a turntable guru I respect to trust your ears. If you only have a couple weeks with it, did you get it somewhere where you can exchange it? I've either recommended or bought that model for friends and family and haven't had that issue.

[@tantalo45]

Thanks Rick, Happy Holidays to you as well. I think I still have time to return it, also it has a guarantee. I'm going to think what to do about it @@TheJoyofVinylRecords

[@tantalo45]

Hello Rick, I solved the problem myself, there are 2 holes on the bottom of the turntable, one says 33 the other 45, with a tiny screwdriver and a RPM app in my phone I was able to adjust the speed for both; I moved it from 34.31 and 46.04 to 33.26 and 45.50 which is more in the normal range@@TheJoyofVinylRecords

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

@@tantalo45 Wow - I just learned something new! Thanks for getting back to me on that. I didn't realize that option was there. Very good to know.

[@preopdollop]

I'm very disappointed in the two brand new half speed masters I've bought. Issues with cracks/pops on the "Back To Black" Amy WInehouse album which also sounded even worse than the US standard pressing (I'm in the UK). The Abba one wasn't any better. All looks very nice with the certificate and all but what's the point if the sound is crap? My 80's half speed masters sound much better so really disappointed with these new ones.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I have seen a marked drop in quality as well @Ian Marshall. Not only with the ones you've mentioned but across the board with new records. Pressure on the industry to meet demand is one factor. Jack White recently urged the major record companies to start building their own plants again.

[@VinylPro]

... WHY NOT DOUBLE SPEED ? WITH THE SAMER QUALITY OF THE "CUT" ::: I MEANT

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

There are 45 speed 12" discs which a supposed to enhance audio quality. Judas Priest's "Sad Wings of Destiny" was re-released this way a couple years ago.

[@NoEgg4u]

I have purchased several half speed mastered pressings, and none of them sounded very good. I tossed them all, and will not roll the dice with any more. The team at Better Records decries half speed masters, and they have tested far more than I have -- and, I trust their ears. The problem is probably not with the technology. Rather, the problem is with the incompetent personnel in the studios. It is like having a high quality canvas, highly praised brushes, and top quality paints. But then someone with little or no eye for painting creates a mess. That canvas will let you see more into that mess. With a half speed mastered pressing, you can hear more of what the studio personnel did wrong in their mixing and mastering. One mistake with an equalizer in the studio, and nothing can correct that sound. I have a hot cut (RL / SS) pressing of Led Zep II. I heard it on my local high-end store's flagship system. It was not to be believed. I have heard several high-end stereos, and many very well recorded songs. But nothing came close to that hot cut pressing. I am mentioning it because it was mastered at normal speed. My takeaway is: 1) Half speed mastering is a marketing gimmick. 2) Half speed mastering will improve the sound quality, but only if everything else is done right (which is rare). As it stands, we have the potential for better sound quality, in the hands of studio personnel that do not have an ear for soundstaging, dynamics, and realism. When they add compression to a song, it will sound compressed on a half speed mastered pressing, or digital, or anywhere. The recording medium cannot fix bad mixing and mastering.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Was that hot cut Zep II from Better Records?

[@NoEgg4u]

@@TheJoyofVinylRecords Yes. By the way, I replied twice, and both times my comment got tossed twice. I had include additional information, and some word or phrase seems to be triggering a filter setting. Hopefully, this reply will survive.

[@Fontsman-14]

You've just got to see what Kevin Gray says about half speed. It has no audio advantage and in some ways it is worse. 45rpm is his choice. Same with Bernie Grundman.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

A few months after making this video I had a chance to see Kevin's take on it. Eye-opening. I should do an update

[@mccarthyd6603]

Enjoy your channel....but....think you are wrong on Half Speed Mastering....total snake oil! Fancy terminology for a process that has no value on playback. Kevin Gray...the finest in the business says this is just a gimmick...and I would take his word any day on mixing as he is a legend in the industry. I was continuing to get burned again and again by Miles Showell and Abbey Road over the years....finally after the recent Rolling Stones remasters I realized I was done with this scam....they sound AWFUL! Just my 2 cents....keep up the great work on your channel 👍

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thanks for checking things out @Dan Mccarthy. I'll see if I can find anything on Kevin Gray's take on it. If you happen to have a link please send one along. Cheers!

[@Drivehead103]

​@@TheJoyofVinylRecords I saw the same video where Kevin gray was not speaking highly of half speedmaster. Only problem is I would not know how to post it on here even if I could find it.

[@niclaslindman]

Have look in a Nedis Profesonal Phono amp are a Mic in tjat also so can Use as a video Mic IF like and 100$ are Nedis a Good buy ?? Have a Technics 3210 turntable and a Sony 1080 Reciver so Like have a match That when so many chose från att this in a Store tjere live are also Others byt Pricetag are 150$ more pay and Wonder IF Get bryter are Not anything bit MM and Nothing more som Wonder What is difference beacouse not see in Spec any for Phono just a bit more can do with Nedis phone amp than can do with other have and cheaper look brand up a s they do a lot of Studies tech cable and much more so should in my head Be some in KZbin Know about Nedis are not found any test on them yet is Big tech brand in most studio tech ?????????

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I don't see much in the way of reviews for the Nedis as well. Not familiar with it myself. I'm sure someone will post something at some point.

[@Licoricedisc]

Half speed mastering is a gimmick, nothing more. If you look at most of the titles that are half speed mastered not using digital, the source material is impeccable, as again, half speed mastering is a gimmick and any flaws in the source are amplified. Yes, there are many great sounding records that were half speed mastered, but it is not because of the process, it is because of the source, which usually, has been altered from its Analog origins into Digital. Look at all the crap that Abbey Road puts out. More than half of what they put out is garbage and they should be ashamed! They are selling to those who don't know any better, can't hear the difference and purchasing because of 'Half Speed Mastering'. I would MUCH rather purchase the same title mastered by Bernie Grundman, Ryan Smith, Kevin Gray etc. over what is put out by Abbey Road and even MoFi, as given the same vinyl used, same pressing plant etc., their product will sound better because of both their skill and the fact it was not a Half Speed Mastered record. Here is an interview with Kevin Gray and his thoughts about Half Speed Mastering: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJO5qWCbbs5ki80

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

Thanks for the link @licoricedisc !