Michael Jackson Thriller 40th Anniversary Review of MOFI One-Step vs. OG vs. Half-Speed (Ep. 64)

[@ralfh.5068]

This was the most balanced review I have seen here. The most striking point to me is that you get more details with the Mofi release while losing some subtle elements you get with the OG. I only got a first pressing and will stick with it because that's how it was supposed to sound.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks for commenting. The OG spirit is the real deal for sure.

[@DJGeorgeDisco]

supposed to sound according to Bernie...

[@kyles7087]

Thanks for mentioning Bruce Swedien.. he’s a huge inspiration to me, and played a major role in Michael’s sound. Awesome video ❤

[@adrianlyord5300]

I didn’t know/ realize that he ( Michael Jackson) wasn’t given production credit on the original version/ first pressing of “ Thriller “?! Good information!✊🏾

[@ajay55556]

I have both the OG and the MOFI. I totally agree, so far the most accurate review. My best analogy is MOFI IS solid state amp vs OG is a sweet tube amp

[@FleagleSangria]

Solid state vs tube? huh?

[@Grooverski]

Very balanced take and breakdown of both versions. Well done. 👍

[@adrianlyord5300]

Wow that’s really cool that you grew up in Gary, Indiana… not to mention that you saw The Jackson 5 before they were “ Famous “ ! I’m a Drummer myself and I lived in East Chicago, Indiana in the early eighties! I enjoyed your video and your conversation and I’m going to subscribe to your channel! Thanks 🙏

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Hey Adrian! I worked for a short time at Union Tank Car in East Chicago in the 70’s. Small world :)

[@FleagleSangria]

Keep doing detailed reviews like this David. The next best thing to actual clips.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks John

[@gregoryhausinger1114]

I have the 40th release from Walmart. MJ has the tiger pup visible on the front cover. I paid less than 20usd. This version is one of the most 3 dimensional albums I own (out of 300ish). I was almost certain that I had accidentally switched to Dolby surround as the instruments were in no way attached to the speakers, and the sound was so smooth and natural that I would have thought I was listening to an SACD. I'm sure the others reviewed here have their merits, but for the money I was shocked by this walmart item. Spin on you crazy diamonds!

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Good, balanced review - well done. Michael45's "never-another-MoFi-release" seems to me exaggerated or unvarnished (but every person he's/her choice) And one thing, I take away from this: The DSD step in itself doesn't spoil the sound quality (I'm aware it was digital from the beginning). The differences - I think - was mostly mastering choices. And as you rightly asks: What if Bernie Grundman had mastered this? One can only dream...

[@federico1888]

It wasn't digital from the beginning...the master tape and the original vinyl are fully analog

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

@@federico1888 Ups - I mixed it up w. the 1/2 speed (which has a digital step) 🙄

[@budsmoker4201120]

The problem is they made it seem like it was cut from the master tape which would make it a limited pressing warranting the price. But If it was a dsd then they can cut as much as they want.......... FOMo doesn't work anulymore............. F Mofi. Besides the OG is better. I know I have it.

[@jamesfairbanks3624]

Excellent review and great perspective. You had me at the intro. Please release more content. I would recommend working on the videography. I waste a lot of time on KZbin watching vinyl reviews and such and you got it man!

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks so much. Any ideas on how to improve videography? Remove my face? :) seriously, always open to my audience input….

[@nickzark4]

Great review . Thank you. Have mofi. Enjoyed it very much ( great photos in video )

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks for the comments and noticing the photos! I figure people need to see more than just my ugly mug! Happy New Year!

[@nickzark4]

@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion happy new year . Your wisdom and your experience is needed . Especially from one who lived so near in Michael Jackson .

[@JannemanVaarwater]

Michael did the howling!??! -No way 😳 !!

[@hawkmoon369]

You are right you feel and hear and vinyl is more about music you do not need to notice everything in the sound field even though it exists its felt.

[@rachelsghost]

Told with great detail and conviction, David. Very informative and dare I say... nuanced. Fun video snippets for emphasis. For me energy over fidelity when it comes to Thriller. 😊

[@bpabustan]

So this is like what is being talked in the Beatles lps. If you want to study what's going on, listen to the stereo mix, if you want to party, get the mono.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Good summary!

[@budsmoker4201120]

Just listened to my dad's OG thriller. ImO it is the best sounding one.

[@basilandrigsby]

Thank you for that excellent review. I heard a needle drop of this and even through KZbin I could hear exactly what you’re talking about. I have the OG in great shape and sounding excellent. The MoFi From what you’ve said and what I’ve heard, is close to what Quincy and MJ would have heard in the studio before Bernie worked his magic gluing the whole thing together. I’m gonna get it as I need to be educated. 🤓

[@DJGeorgeDisco]

this is why I think the MoFi is far superior than Bernie's interpretation.

[@claudenebritt1166]

Loved the video and the analogy. “Wring the towel”!! Such a great album - every variant will sound great.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks for mentioning the wringing of the washrag. I was the visual that hit me when thinking of how much more (or not) one gets with these reissues as the Originals are often so good.

[@TONEScott]

Excellent, excellent excellent 100% - TONE

[@Atodaso]

Great video! Thanks for the thoughtful insight!

[@stevewestman7774]

Very very well done David. Great breakdown. ❤

[@jlcougilljr]

Hello David, hope your doing well sir. hey, i never knew you are originally from Indiana, i actually was born and breed and still live in Muncie. i'm passing on the thriller issues but i am trying to save my pennies for the Aja UHQR which i would hope could possibly surpass my Cisco pressing ,or, i may take that money and purchase several copies of the SD catalog when AP is able to put out the individual albums in 45rpm, and i may just end up buying the individual albums in 45rpm because i'll still get the great sound and then be able to buy at least 3 or 4 of those 45rpm issues instead of just one of the UHQR's, and THAT would really give me a lot more bang for the buck. and don't forget brother, Steve Lukather did a lot of the guitar work as well on Beat It along side with EVH.. keep up the awesome vids my friend, looking forward to possibly some live vids from you this weekend. \m/ \m/

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

That you my Hoosier friend! Steve Lukather and many other greats were on that LP. I only mentions Eddie because his guitar work was the ONLY thing Bruce S did NOT record because Eddie wanted his guy. But Bruce said he wouldn’t have agreed to record it any way due to the extreme volume. Maybe Eddie ran into that issue before or knew of Bruce philosophy about Loudness. All the best this holiday season on the I-69 corridor.

[@novisnick6928]

Perhaps MOFI thought Bernie would “Rat them Out”!and thats why they didn’t approach him. Just saying. I can’t say enough about how well you review LPs. Another great video under your belt David, thank you.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thank you my friend. I try to approach a review a bit differently since there are hundreds of reviews to pick from and I’m proud to have you as a channel supporter. All the best!

[@kyles7087]

Yes I did know the howls were Michael. Great video mate!

[@junichiyaegashi8448]

Hi David. Great video today. I have my OG copy and I don't intend to upgrade it. Well, I learn something new today. I know MJ would use lots of recorded elements... I just didn't know that it was that many...

[@FleagleSangria]

This is an unusual release for me. I usually want a reissue that matches or beats the best before it. But I dont think the original can really be beaten. My mind reset to having a different but just as great presentation. With the Mofi I am sitting in the middle of the band and singer in the studio. With the og I have Michael and the band on stage before me. Two differebt experiences. Both worthy.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Amen! Interesting situation with this one for sure. The MOFI made me appreciate how great the OG and HalfSpeed were from 1982.

[@fendergibs]

Bruce also recorded Rhyme & Reason by Missing Persons in 1984

[@TOMKHOMION]

THANK YOU

[@preservedmoose]

OG means "original gangster" - I have no idea why people use that. Nice review.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

I agree ORG would make more sense to me :). Thanks for the feedback and watching!

[@budsmoker4201120]

It use co opted. Words can have more meanings than one. Don't get me started on Bat......lol

[@lisaglesil8672]

Thanks for a great video!

[@The_Music_Sanctuary]

New to your channel and appreciate your in depth review of this album, cheers.

[@adrianlyord5300]

If I’m not mistaken I heard that Quincy Jones first presented the “ Thriller “ mix to the heads of Sony/ CBS Records and they said it wasn’t ready for release… because they weren’t satisfied with the quality/ sound of the master?! Is this true?!

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

I’ve heard that too but never been able to fully substantiate…

[@davidbagnall335]

Great Video ! I love "Off The Wall" and after listening to your video a good comparison would be the two Lionel Richie albums that were around at the same time as Thriller in the 80s. Great Video !

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks!

[@jerrysnead2842]

Nice review. Is there a video detailing your system?

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Yes it’s in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5vCoJ6qha5rd80

[@ConcertBuddie]

Nice work David. Enjoy those factoids a ton. The feedback I’ve gleaned from others who have the MoFi is similar to yours: nice…but necessary? The absence of Bernie on this new release was always puzzling, but like the MoFi mess earlier this year, it feels like another example of their unadulterated arrogance. THEY know better than their consumers and they MUST know more than BG (yeah right). Put another way, it would have been #betterbyBernie. Cheers! 🍻

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks Chance. It appears Bernie may have mastered the standard 40th release if Discogs is correct. That’s odd because I recall him saying he wasn’t contacted about remastering it but the question was directed from a MOFI perspective and he may have meant they didn’t contact him. MOFI uses their own team pretty exclusively because they want to use that UltraGain2 Analog system in mastering. Not sure Bernie would use someone else’s black box and put his name on it. MOFI has chosen a lane to ride in and they will have to put out some pretty compelling or newer releases to grow their customer base. The loyalists are out or on the fence.

[@BradVinylRush]

Awesome review David and I very much appreciate the background information! Your review was great in pointing out the subtle nuances. I watched Steve Westman's latest video where Nathan Goss pointed out that MoFi's tend to require a volume boost to level match with comparable OG pressings. His initial review reflected other opinions on the lack of punch etc. but when he volume matched, it compared very favorably. I had the same experience as well when I compared with my Japanese OG, which I think sounds better than the US OG as the vinyl is quieter. Did you volume match in your H2H as that may change your opinion like it did mine?

[@kelboodha]

I did as well, this Mofi pressing is quieter, add a little volume to it and holy cow!!! Very accurate solid fast bass with wide open sound stage. The compression effect seams completely gone

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

My db meter comparison showed the MOFI was 3-4db quieter than the OG. Sorry I failed to mention that. Typically audiophile releases are mastered at a lower level to get better cutter accuracy. Also then your equipment will need a volume boost which takes it more into the power “sweet spot” of amplification. This is clear when you realize you don’t then need your loudness button on to boost the low end when the amp is in the first 20% or so if it’s full volume. That is so standard for these audiophile releases, sorry I failed to mention it.

[@mickwilliams910]

MFSL went out my door after the poor Men at Work releases. From poor cover artwork to heavy surface noise on both discs, I'm done. I've gone back to the original pressings and thankfully there are still fresh copies out there.

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

I've got an 82 pressing, the CBS half speed master and now I've picked up the One Step. I actually have yet to listen to the One Step, but I'm anxious to see if I agree with your assessment.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks for watching, let me know!

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion will do :)

[@automatedelectronics6062]

What I noticed about the new Mofi version is that it sounds cleaner and with less surface noise, but it lacks the punch of the OG. The SACD version is impressive also. Have you listened to the "Thriller 40" MPO pressing? The only issue here is the vinyl quality as, outside of Pallas and Record Industry, they don't use the same quality of vinyl as our premium U.S. pressings. I have the 2nd gen OG version(with MJ acknowledged in the production), the 25th Anniversary Edition, the new Mofi edition and the new MPO pressing(plus various CD versions). I had the opportunity to not just do an A-B comparison but an A-B-C-D comparison. Concentrating on the opening track, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' ", what I noticed right away is that the OG, although with the most punch, had sibilance as well as the 25th Anniversary version. The Mofi and "Thriller 40" versions had no sibilance. The "Thriller 40" version levels are obviously a little lower, but it has good punch. It uses the Bernie Grundman mastering(noting that Bernie didn't cut the OG lacquers), the lacquers for this version were cut in Germany and pressed in France on lighter weight vinyl. For me, the MPO pressing has a better sound field due to the Grundman mastering but is more distracting because of the more surface noise in the quieter passages and in-between tracks. Concerning the Steely Dan "Can't Buy A Thrill" album. I am still waiting for my UHQR copy to arrive(MD finally shipped it), but as well as having the OG(Santa Maria) pressing, I have the new Universal release and the original QS Quadraphonic release. Although I do have quadraphonic equipment, playing the QS mix played in stereo is awesome! After listening to the QS mix in stereo, the original stereo mix will sound like mono. With their hit "Do It Again", I have both the stereo/mono promo 45 and the rare stereo store stock 45(both pressed by Columbia, Santa Maria on premium vinyl), although they sound better than the LP version, nothing outshines the QS Quad version. Sometimes Columbia, Santa Maria would press some stereo 45's from outside contracts maybe by mistake. Another example of this is "Sweetheart" by Engelbert Humperdinck on the Parrot label.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks for these details. I wondered about the standard M40 as it does have BG on it, but I too hate surface noise! How would you compare the MOFI SACD vs. One-Step (aside from zero noise on SACD)? I got mine but haven’t played it yet being out of the country presently. On SD CBAT, I think I got a bad copy as it was not quiet and had some distinct pops that wouldn’t come out. I bought another copy here in EU hoping to get better results. I too have the Command Quadrophonic of the 3 SD LPs and enjoy that they mixes are different and fuller. I have 4 channel and it really opens up on that QS surround! Thanks for your helpful comments!

[@automatedelectronics6062]

@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion I'd have to say the SACD is probably better than the Mofi one-step, but man do I love my records! The SACD's are one step less than the one-steps. They'd already done their tape and mastered to DSD, so they don't have to convert it to analog, run it through an analog board and then convert it back to digital, maybe? I've had problems with the Mofi one-steps in the past and had to get exchange copies. These were usually 45 rpm sets with 2 records and only one was bad. On the Mofi one step of "Fragile" by yes, I'd ordered one from MD and another from Amazon. MD doesn't want the old record(s) back and they sent me a replacement for the one record which was noisy and the replacement was good. The other record wasn't up to my standards and Amazon would only exchange the entire box. But they send out replacements before they require you to return the bad one, so I was able to make the best set out of 2. Craft is new to this one-step process and maybe their first was the Miles Davis "Relaxin' " album. Talking about excessive surface noise! I bought it direct so I contacted them. They didn't know what to do about it and they couldn't understand how there could be something wrong with it. I made a couple of short mp3 samples of the problem areas. They couldn't hear anything wrong but it was plain as day to me. Next, I sent them a screen shot of the graph of the tracks playing, which clearly showed the pops and ticks. Now they could deny that there was something wrong and they sent me a replacement record sealed in the album cover like what came in the box. It played alot better.

[@tubinonyou]

Killer review free of MoFi-gate bias. Nice work. In general, is it true that half-speed masters suffer in the low end?

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

This is a fact of the physics of the octave change which occurs. Look up Kevin Gray and Half-Speed mastering on KZbin for a clear description. Now the truth is, many systems don’t get down to where the problem occurs so it is real but often not “heard”. It also has the possibility to up the brightness a bit…. Thanks for your comments!

[@basilandrigsby]

Sounds like its a 'final' mix... The day before before the 'FINAL-FINAL' mix...and the Grundman Mastering

[@pytaniedodcf9230]

And which of you prefer the real ARTISTS' (who made the Original Pressing) version to reproduced currently "version 40" - probably just for the money?

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

No doubt these are all about the $$$ but I can say the care and outcome of the AP Steely Dan Can’t Buy a Thrill showed how one can genuinely gain a great amount by an audiophile mastering and pressing some right. :)

[@deaniepops1]

I have this on cd and blew me away... I hope they bring out the bad album out too. 🤞

[@joewhip9303]

What you are hearing on the MoFi is more faithful to the actual master. What you are preferring is the EQ tweaking by the mastering engineer, BG.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Probably the case as there is more focus and tweaking on original release with artist and producer to get the feel, effect and emotion they desire at the outset. That aligns to my translating the “new” sounds discovered in the MOFI and then being able to perceive (hear them now)’in the OG. They were always there but hidden or overpowered by other sound “priorities”. Thanks for your input.

[@joewhip9303]

@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion yes, I just attended a presentation by Greg Calbi of Sterling Sound where he demonstrated what he does. Listening to the unmastered files vs the final product was very interesting.

[@chev3893]

Is it really that easy to get an OG of THIS album!???... If yes, WHERE!!!??? Thnx!!! I have my MOFI and I love it! but I know that only the OG, Hal-speed and MOFI's are the really good ones to consider, not those digital pressings with weird extra songs... So at the end, having all these 3 or at least Mofi's and the OG pressing is what really matters, right?

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

There are literally hundreds of copies for sale on Discogs.com with a variety of pressings to choose from…

[@shawnmyers1880]

Is the 40th vinyl at Walmart and the one at target just the repressing of the 25th anniversary?

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

40 shows mastered by Bernie Grundman and lacquer cut by Daniel Kriege which I believe wasn’t the case for 25th…

[@russellthomson1020]

Thank you this is my comment. There’s a definite difference between both versions of The original one is in your face come straight here is a different string that I love the new one. I have the mobile cd there’s more space in the mobile to breathe. You can enjoy it more. I do had the high speed thriller. It’s different I feel like the mobile better but it is still a great album from there is definitely a dance album but the Mobile gold cd you can hear in the car sounds better I got 95 I also got the half speed master CBS

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Thanks for your inputs. I actually bought the SACD And didn’t realize it was in the same package as the LP so I will listen to it when I return home and post a comparison review. Thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@bshah4831]

I agree I felt the MOFI Thriller lacks soul.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

That’s a simple and excellent way of describing it. Thank you!

[@seand67]

Great analysis. When it's all said & done, 'Thriller' doesn't get much play with me anymore. I may pull it out when reminiscing about the good old days, but that's it. I heard the MoFi release and wasn't THAT impressed. This isn't an album that I'll SIT and enjoy. It's a dance album. You're not supposed to sit and analyze it. Just get up and move with the groove. At any rate, I returned the MoFi joint and will continue to enjoy my regular pressing from time to time....Not as often as a jazz LP per se

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Understand. It’s more nostalgia for sure and the OG really gets the job done. The MOFI is interesting and ironically enhanced my appreciation for the originals. That’s a weird outcome. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@awrogers3013]

I’ll take Mike over Melinda. Melinda bought the Evans box but isn’t that into jazz. That should tell you the depths of the wade

[@dominickguzman7901]

Dominick Guzman michael jackson Thriller 40th anniversary

[@77MovieFan]

New or old, the most important factor that has to be there no crackle, pops, scratch, if I hear one of this during the song I´m out, i hate that. Getting an original first press without these problems is not easy or cheap. Whenever I buy old or first presses I almost NEVER get them in the shape they get offered and even with 10times waching in ultrasonic machine doesn´t get them to a new clean pressing. This new pressing has to be very bad that I take the negatives of the old pressing. I had these, Skid Row first 2 albums, the newly done LPs are total waste of money, there is nothing there anymore, that is way I took the first pressings

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

You’re right about the risk in finding a super clean OG! And I appreciate the value of quiet vinyl a lot as well. The Mastersound CBS HalfSpeed was the quietest until the MOFI came out. But again, bigger $$$…

[@77MovieFan]

@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion Clean and quiet is the only way for me, i hate the scratchy sound or when pops are coming during the song. It is not a normal thing to me, that sound doesnt supposed to be there, its a tech problem, total weakpoint of Vinyl. Rarely i get them 100% quiet If they werent in the first place, as If the pops where somehow in the pressing itself, they look totally Clean but still pop. Ultrasonic often doesnt help

[@lucullus6127]

So, in other words, at the end of the day, the OG simply makes more fun , right ?

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

That’s a great way to put it. The MOFI gave me an appreciation for some new Sonics and I hear them (realize they’re present) now in the OG.

[@lucullus6127]

@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion ...yes, glad to hear. The same experience happened to me with the Santana ABRAXAS Mofi One-Step : i have sold it later because my Columbia US 1st pressing (-1H / -1E , handetched), the one with "reversed channels", simply makes more fun ! 😉

[@quoc-cangtran2260]

original remains original!.. by overdoing it’s not the same now each other will expertise in they way to give a sense to buying theses new editions hoping they will be superior in someway…

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

The OG's often hold up amazingly well against most of these re-issues. There are some revelations which can come from well-done reissues, but the truth is, the intent of the team that put a project together at the time knew best what the artist intended.

[@kelboodha]

Has MOFI ever used Bernie or any other mastering engineer that’s not in-house?

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

MFSL used Stan Ricker who was independent “back in the day” but I think since Music Direct bought them it has been nearly exclusively their engineers. That is probably the easy answer to why they didn’t use BG and Sony wouldn’t send the tapes so there is that whole logistical nightmare. I still think BG would have provided a better end product.

[@Gez492]

It seems to me that the original tape was simply copied to DSD 256 then cut, so how would Bernie Grundman extract anything that isn't already there. Sorry but in my view you are talking about maybe the opposite, taking something away i.e. not as true to the original master tape as MOFI but its what we have all been used to for 40 yearsI The OG is made loud so its obviously more compressed. I have the OG and the onestep as of yesterday and I absolutely agree as a former DJ I played the Albums many times over club systems and its the OG will be the one but with my home resolving HIFI system, I can now say that sitting down of an evening I prefer the MOFI. I think everybody is entitled to their view but Michael is I think allowing still obvious issues with MOFI to cloud his otherwise clear and fair reviews. The Onstep is a very very good version and I applaud them going in a different direction it gives us all more listening options and for these reasons I'm absolutely with Melinda on this.

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

There are some auditory influences in the use of the UltraGain2 system MOFI uses for sure. The equipment the signal passes through influences the sound signature and there are adjustments available to a limited degree. BG remaster of Steely Dan shows was a great remastering can do (Can’t Buy A Thrill). I agree the MOFI provides that more detailed and dynamic range rich experience.

[@borisspantic1333]

This is all same sound -listen and go on

[@jari2018]

digital is boring and on vinyl wont change it

[@mikewinburn]

Nicole done

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Nicely? Spell check hell :)

[@mikewinburn]

@@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion - - hahahaha... yes, you guessed it right, sorry bout that. I'd correct it, but you've given me such a good laugh w/ the correction, i'll leave it hoping others get the laugh, too. Yes, nicely done, indeed! :) hahaha (sorry, i was in bed typing w/ one finger on my ipad - and no glasses when i watched :) )

[@audiotomb]

Why do grown men little kiddy music?

[@SafeAndSoundTXAudioExcursion]

Some of us never grew up :)