Michael Jackson's THRILLER on Vinyl Review - Does MoFi 1 Step Live up to hype?

A look at the latest Mobile Fidelity One Step, Michael Jackson's THRILLER on Supervinyl, in direct comparison to a Canadian first pressing. A deep dive into one of the most important pop music records of all time.
#michaeljackson #thriller #vinyl
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[@chumleyk]

MOFI basically admitted that they kill your dog when you're away and replace it with an identical one. The only reason to get their vinyl now is to enjoy blowing money on something to rub a stylus on. Just get a lossless digital audio player, because they erase the soul and INTENT by putting a digital step in their process, whatever the 'quality' of the lazy and safe transfer. The master tape was constructed FOR vinyl and analog, not for digital nakedness. I repeat: IF YOU WANT TO HEAR THE TRUE PRODUCTION OF THE MASTER TAPE WITH ALL IT'S NAKED DETAILS, DON'T GET VINYL, GET A LOSSLESS DIGITAL FILE. Vinyl is moot at that point.

[@MediaSock]

16:12 😂😂😂 I think that best describes an Audiophile, including me.

[@Pokav1deo]

Loved the review and immediately subscribed. Keep up the great work.

[@r423sdex]

Do you listen to records blind and level matched ?

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

I have a CBS Half Speed Master of Thriller that I've always liked quite a bit. Very interested to hear the difference between that and the One Step pressing for myself.

[@Traveler516]

Mike❤

[@oliviajohnjohnolivia8142]

Do not forget Olivia Newton John Physical album and video album that came out 1981 was and still is great just like Thriller.

[@mikemcguinness1304]

Males me laugh how people can think that anyone can improve on the work of the greatest mastering engineer ever . I have both and the og is better . The mofi sounds thin and lacks impact

[@frankshepherd6942]

Just finished listening to the original release then played the MOFI 1 step. It is the loudest I have ever played my system and with no listening fatigue.It got a standing ovation. Your review is spot on except that I think the new version can have every bit as much punch as the original just give it several more decibels of distortion free volume.

[@jasongorber6968]

Thanks! Again, it's just....different. What stands above all is just how goddamn well the thing was recorded in the first place. Oh to have OFF THE WALL in such a presentation!

[@jwester7009]

They should just sell the DSD file from their website for download

[@jasongorber6968]

...and it wouldn't sound like the record at all, given that the master tape was always meant to have additional mastering done.

[@seand67]

Thanks for the commentary & review. I can't wait to receive my copy.

[@jimbullington2862]

Great review! Much more interesting and informative than Michael 45's stereotypical review.

[@jerryandlisa27]

Great review brother! Happy Thanksgiving .

[@jodygoeler586]

Great review. Thank you. I think you nailed the difference between the two releases. I love them both.

[@realhi-fihelplarry8047]

Some say the MOFI lacks soul/boogie, and others say that the detail is more available because of the more controlled sound with better black level background. Hmm.

[@StefanoCipo87]

It depends whether the KZbin’s is biased or not, if you refer to 45RPM channel

[@realhi-fihelplarry8047]

@@StefanoCipo87 Jup. Which kinda makes you wonder how much the gear itself being used for the test matters.

[@StefanoCipo87]

@@realhi-fihelplarry8047 you need a resolving system (not necessarily extremely expensive) to easily appreciate small differences among pressings, but big differences would be apparent on lesser systems as well. However the problem with KZbin channels when they become more mainstream is they start having strong financial interests and are therefore no longer reliable. It’s what I think happened to Mike 45RPM, where lately everything from AP is perfection and everything from MoFi is garbage. Sorry but I don’t buy his reviews anymore. I think I’ll get the thriller one step soon

[@jasongorber6968]

Yeah, it's growing increasingly pathetic how some are grading a record label instead of a release.

[@jasongorber6968]

@@realhi-fihelplarry8047 I think significantly, though I've fought for a setup that's considered revealing of such differences. As I tried to make clear the dollar bin (well, $10 record I've had for 40 years) sounds exceptional. This is most definitely a different presentation, and an excellent one. Good thing I have several copies (including SACD, Japanese, etc) I can pull out when I want to listen. Like KIND OF BLUE between MoFi and Classic/UHQR, let alone six eye, you're getting different facets of a masterpiece of a record. If I only could own one? Maybe the first pressing. But, luckily, I can own several, and with this new one I can better hear the pieces that Quincy and co. put in to make this record what it was, a mastering decision not everyone will even bother to give a chance to.

[@stevemartell8834]

Great review. FYI Baby be Mine and The Lady in my Life weren’t singles

[@SPAZZOID100]

And they should have been.

[@jasongorber6968]

...yeah, I thought one of those showed up as a b-side, but, yeah, it's nuts

[@shawnmyers1880]

Next year 45rpm

[@robetclo2516]

I have ordered a copy in October and still waiting for it. However, let me tell you what I am expecting with this release. It's to hear that album as if I would listen the Master tapes not the way it was released in 1982 wich are equilized for the dance music genre and for Clubs and the top of the sleeve says "Original Master Recordings". If I want to hear the 1982 release mastering I can still go back to that.

[@robetclo2516]

Follow up: I have received my copy today and I am not disapointed and I think it sounds better than the original release as it is more natural.

[@coursecorrection4105]

Thank you for your helpful review

[@sashad3142]

After a few long days of waiting for it, I just recieved my Mofi one-step of I Robot by Alan Parsons Project. I filmed the opening and everything. My first one-step and unfortunately it's warped. Badly. And there's lots of pops and crackles on side B. The return for these seems like more work then it's worth. Really disappointed. Any suggestions?

[@suntigerrock]

Cant wait to listen to it. Thanks for your impressions. Great job.

[@recordmanjohn]

Tapes don't deteriorate that fast

[@jasongorber6968]

They do when they're played over and over....

[@booom4849]

@@jasongorber6968 Cause they are now so careful about those tapes, they will still sound the same in 20 years, and then even better digital technology will be available to get another safety master, like DSD1024.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

@@booom4849 LAST is a company that makes high end tech fluids for preservation and cleaning analog tape and vinyl products and recently they came out with Tape Preservation Fluid and that product is the key other than storage alone to keep tape from breaking down and flaking away ..It is not cheap either .

[@VIDSTORAGE]

I have 50 year old Ampex cassette tape of the Allman Bros Idlewild South and it still sounds good ..

[@ManosPairis]

I got the vinyl one step and the sacd edition of this. It's the thriller so I got both. I agree completelly with what you say with this edition. I feel for the people that believed it was all analog from mofi but wasn't, yes they were not completelly honest, BUT the quality of those records vinyl or cd/sacd is undiniable. I personally don't think is such big issue.

[@scottbennett3119]

So glad I watched this video! Very informative, now I get the why some ultra purists are whining. I agree with you, it is great to have both.

[@kevinkantell7381]

Frank Sinatra at the Sands Las Vegas with BB King and Quincy Jones killer Album And to top it off they went into the studio 🎙️ and made the same songs on both albums absolute 🪙 gold! One live and the other studio!👍

[@thetrentmeister]

I picked up this version myself and personally love it. Thanks for the great video!

[@artmanjohn2]

I got the CBS Master Sound 1/2 Speed Mastered LP of Thriller, it's pretty awesome too! Have you heard it? If so, love your opinion!

[@kguy2know]

hey there I also have that CBS 1/2 speed master, I love them. I think that thriller is great. i also just got the Mofi Thriller and it's quite good as well. I love them both. I also have 1st issue with MJ co producer cover and I have no complaint there ( but i will say i would go to the CBS half speed over my OG, I thought it was punchier. I listen on Fluance RT-85

[@SPAZZOID100]

The EQ is all wrong on that pressing.

[@kguy2know]

@@SPAZZOID100 maybe it depends on what your listening to it with. When you say the EQ is all off, what does that make it sound like/ When i listen to mine it's punchy, bright, It makes me want to listen to the whole album

[@nerourke]

Digital “master” will deteriorate. Take Bernie Grundman’s word for it.

[@r423sdex]

No problems, they have been digitised.

[@SPAZZOID100]

I love that no compression was used during mastering. Eagerly awaiting the 45RPM version.

[@jasongorber6968]

Me too (sigh...)

[@booom4849]

If I'm correct, the Mofi uses more compression than the OG. Compression means loud and quiet sounds are getting closer together, such that fine details are more noticeable.

[@FORMATFIZIKAL]

@@booom4849 its the other way around. fine details can be found on both low and high frequencies. If its compressed, the low can now be a mid frequencies and the high can become distorted. anything in the middle can sound punchy, its just actually louder. Essentially, both are not wrong.. its just different.

[@booom4849]

@@FORMATFIZIKAL Interesting perspective, I'll think about it. I'll get some experience with compressors soon.

[@FORMATFIZIKAL]

@@booom4849 let us know. I could be wrong, but that's my observation with Audacity.

[@The_Music_Sanctuary]

I like your review, but what is with all the mumble jumble to describe 1 word..."SOUNDSTAGE"....

[@jasongorber6968]

Hopefully there to provide nuance about what sets one apart from the other, context for why some are particuat agrieved by this release, and to provide details beyond knee-jerk audiophile jargon. But, if you like..."SOUNDSTAGE!"

[@MrElad101]

Great review.

[@djchancla2451]

Taylor who

[@awrogers3013]

No

[@awrogers3013]

You just wasted 150 bcks

[@DocFUNKist]

When I see all these videos reviewing the MoFi record of thriller… and all have such contrasting opinions… and I do mean world apart views… this makes me feel you’re all just a bunch of clowns 🤣

[@The_Music_Sanctuary]

nailed it....

[@jasongorber6968]

Or, you know, some of us are right, others wrong, and some just here to call people names. Fact is this is a different presentation of this album, why not listen and decide if you thing this particular release is worth your while, and leave hyperbole about other stuff aside. Thanks for watching!

[@BustaBunny3045]

Youre a clown too

[@Pokav1deo]

What a poorly thought out comment. Everyone has an opinion. It doesn’t make people clowns.

[@jeffreyflick4501]

They have a scam gig for getting free vinyl

[@taralewis9916]

Save your money

[@SPAZZOID100]

Why???

[@taralewis9916]

@@SPAZZOID100 125 bucks for a digital. My original is just fine

[@jasongorber6968]

@@taralewis9916 well argued

[@donaldsanborn8921]

As usual, an informative and detailed review! Yes, no matter what one thinks of the singer's personal life/behavior, there's no denying that "Thriller" is a terrific song and album. Don't forget Vincent Price's monologue at the end of the title song--that adds quite a bit! The cassette of that album was the first pop album of my generation that I was allowed to have--it was my 13th birthday present. (I probably still have it someplace.) In any event, you have me intrigued by MoFi 1 Step (which I honestly didn't know about.)