The Beatles In Mono First Look!

Analogplanet.com's Michael Fremer looks at the new mono Beatles box!

[@brez9091]

Great job Michael. Nice to know I'm not the only old guy, who still gets a kick out of buying new beatle albums. And a sense of humor too. Thank you very much for taking the time.

[@tripjet999]

Last year, I heard Eddie Kramer interviewed on the syndicated Blues Deluxe radio show (around the JH "Electric Ladyland" 50th-anniversary remaster); he stated that any good recording engineer should begin by learning to record in MONO!

[@richarddunn1520]

Thanks Michael!! You are a Incredible funny and warm hearted human being!! I enjoy watching your videos..Thank-you for bringing lots of joy to my life..Richard

[@AudiophileLaws]

Good to see you Michael. I can't wait to hear and read your review.

[@stevebird9510]

I wanna be like MIKE 👍🐦

[@charlesjacques750]

Your 'Play with Fire' mono video blew me away.

[@galus14436]

I really enjoyed the "In My Room" video

[@stevebird9510]

Keep up the good work MIKE 👍🐦

[@jshdllrd]

Great video!

[@ricobonifacio1095]

wow that thing is beautiful. Had it on cd and it was great, but this takes the cake!

[@davidgena2667]

Waiting for your reviews of each record, Michael!!!

[@davidgena2667]

+Analog Planet I found them, Michael. Thank you so much! Love reading them....so very informative.

[@burtonmj22]

Awesome!

[@brianmedeiros6845]

Great Job play them definitely the right attitude

[@PowerTronMan]

Love it!

[@martetisoy6518]

I was pretty amazed when I see jesus and mary chain Love this band

[@gordonthomson5599]

Love the Beatles

[@brez9091]

Will you be giving your opinion on the sound, and sharing thoughts, on each LP?

[@keatonsmith5669]

Just got Rubber Soul in from Amazon, in mono. I didn't think it would sound as good as stereo, but these reissues are awesome. I got Revolver in stereo at my local record shop, just because it was there and I think some of the songs on Revolver would sound better in stereo. But Rubber Soul sounds great in mono.

[@spaceengineer1452]

"It says here..FU..what?..." You made me laugh.Yr a funny guy :) Thanks.

[@davedavis9693]

you are such a record freak . thanks so much . I don't feel alone now . only 4000 units in my collection . had to stop at some point . otherwise run out of room

[@ducksight]

WHOA thats quite a collection behind you. wish i had the money

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

But you probably will have. Such a collection simply takes a long time to build.

[@bolsesolheim7469]

HE CAN AFFORD IT BECAUSE OF HIS PREVALENT CORRUPTION QUID PRO QUO

[@craigwarner6156]

+Analog Planet hi. I wondered if you could tell me how I can tell if my copy of Paul and Linda McCartney's Ram vinyl album is a 1971 original or a 2012 reissue, or something in between. I picked it up from a charity shop. Thank you

[@plcyman]

love the comment about memorizing the lines from the movie! I had a tape recorder and did the same thing when star wars first came out on t.v.. (circa 1980) I can recite both the original star wars and star trek II. Crazy! Is the mono box set worth it?

[@stevenanderson4315]

love it

[@johnnypocknee2842]

i agree with you records were bought to play i dont understand those who say they are not

[@francisswings]

5 years on from this original video and I’m assuming plenty of comparisons/discussion/plays, if you were starting today at assembling a reasonable budget,mono, Parlophone, collection for listening(heavy emphasis on listening) what would you do?

[@josephcaravella1754]

I love how much fun he has making these videos (the British accent) lol

[@sonicsolaceadriantsmith7118]

I love your attitude man, you remind me of the way I think about this whole vinyl revolution and how these 'hipster kids' who think they are equivalent to a Geoff Emerick or a Norman Smith and they know everything about how everything should sound and I really loved when you made the point of, even if we had all the original mixes and whatnot.... it's never going to sound exactly like it did in the '60s, just because what you are playing it back on or through are NOT the same components! And I agree with you that the solid state boards, to me also, sound like they just have more balls!! I always felt that the OG Beatles and Floyd's, though they sounded great, I believe even the band members would have liked to hear a little more meat on the bone! I always found the older tube boards, although the warmth and 2" tape compression was it's own special timbre, they did tend to be a bit thin to me!? Now I know that there are too many variables to be able to pick out one or two specific reasons for that timbre...... in reality, they wouldn't really be able to know or hear the difference because everyone back then had their ears tuned into hearing what limits they could push! Isn't it true that EMI wouldn't even allow mics to have their diaphragms placed near a drum because they were afraid of blowing the diaphragm in a Neumann that cost more than most of those early bands were even worth! I have more respect and always have had more respect for the British and how when they set a rule or regulation.... you either follow it or leave the studio!! It's the respect and discipline that I personally believe they were trying to teach these long hair, running the roads undisciplined young men!! Idk what I'm talking about, but I like to think I can try my best to put myself in the mindset of these guys because rock n roll wasn't even accepted as a form of music for the longest time over there in England, was it??? That's where all the pirate radio stations came into play correct? And all the guys who had enough power to broadcast it from their yachts or boats!?

[@sonicsolaceadriantsmith7118]

Also I was curious as to whether or not you were able to get a hold of any of those remastered 1/2 speed masters that the Stones recently released??? I've been anxious to see what they sound like! Although I didn't purchase the Beatles Box, I did pick up as many mono remasters that I could find that Giles and McCartney worked on because I figured that the closest I was ever going to get to a new Beatles release, would be to get one of these pressings that Giles and Paul did their best to make sound as original as possible! But I do personally like the mono Beatles better than stereo!!! Because to me, they have always been that live straight ahead band that understands dynamics and how to utilize it while playing live... as long as 100,000 women didn't drown them completely out. Talk to you later sir and thank you for your time and mind! 😬👍🍄

[@HenrySylvester01]

That Jesus and Mary Chain album in the background to the bottom left is a nice piece

[@rbruce63]

Mr. Fremer, once early in my life I had a stern conversation with my dad, who achieved 89 years of age on the 14th of July, and he said that "stereo" was an invention, that one doesn't here in separate channels and that mono was how we listened but with the ability of discerning the instruments, choirs and vocals. I dismissed my old man as being obsolete, went on and installed his stereo speakers separate but pointing towards his living room and I claimed with the nerve only an adolescent in the late 1970's that stereo was as natural as possible and that quadraphonic had to be even better as there were "reverberations" on the opera theaters, like ours in Costa Rica, the National Theater...After hearing in these puny little speakers of my computer, the sublime song that you played on The Stones in mono video, I can only say that I will remind dad of our conversation and give him the reason! Dad you won! By the way, there is only one set of the "blue" case in Costa Rica, with the Beatles in stereo, at US$ 250 available. I might think about it and pay it in lay away...

[@rbruce63]

Analog Planet Even with my (dad's, he may and could claim it back after overhaul in Canada by DualCan) work in progress Dual 1010A, Sony STR-AV 550 for receiver and Bose 2.2's for speakers, that I have never, ever heard my records so good and that I would even venture admitting (to my peers and do as I'm known to be an iconoclast by them) that these records sound better than my CDs left (untouched) by the tropical nightmare we call weather in Costa Rica!

[@bolsesolheim7469]

YOUR FATHER WAS TOTALLY RIGHT AUDIO IS ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE FEEDING MUSIC LOVERS SNAKE OIL AND BULLSHIT

[@Thomg1022]

You're all wrong lmao and how can you tell the quality of the sound by hearing it through youtube??? All compressed and digital

[@frmacleod]

I'm looking at buying this box set now -- but confused by some people saying the stereo purchase is better.

[@AnalogPlanet]

Those people are very confused. This set is all analog, cut from the original master tapes. The stereo set is digitally remastered by a committee and really not very good. The Beatles themselves were really all about the mono versions.

[@frmacleod]

@@AnalogPlanet From the man himself!

[@recordsarethebest8248]

Nice!!

[@polski67uk]

I got into the Beatles in 1982,aged 12 or 13.I bought help and a hard days night in mono,because their wasn't many stereo formats being sold at the time in the sixties if you had a hifi you could hear the band on one speaker,and the harmonies/vocals on the other.mono mix was the regular until sgt pepper came out in 1967.if you like rock n roll Beatles or psychedelic beatles,I would stick to mono dizzy miss lizzy,twist and shout john giving 110 percent.big john

[@SluffAdlin]

BTW the Pink Floyd reissues are amazing as well.

[@mikechivy]

"no. they used digitization and it sounds like an absolute piece of shit" - Fremer- everyday

[@samelean9752]

You have many records sir!

[@timallen3166]

Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and love of music. I have a few questions about a cache of Beatles lp's I stumbled upon. Are you familiar with EMI Odeon? The label is sky blue with EMI Odeon in white font with a black background. Are these pressings counterfeits? If not, are they worth buying and what is the sound quality compared to Parlophone? Some of the record titles are With the Beatles, Something New, Beatles '65, Sgt Pepper's= blue labels Magical Mystery Tour = Green Apple label with EMI ODEON

[@Darrin.Crawford]

Hello Michael...just LOVE your videos and seminars. I have recently wanted to re-start my vinyl collection that I had years ago. No offence to people who love the Beatles Mono Boxset, however, I am in the market for the Stereo vinyl boxset and since I have read many times that the European version is way superior to the US version I wondered (since I am from Canada)... How do I tell with/from a sealed copy of the box from any local store or ordering from Amazon which one is from Europe and which one is the US?? Are there any indicators that I got the pressing from Germany? Here in Canada it states on the individually sold albums on it's promo label that it is from Capitol (US) Also, what should I be paying for the box? Here in Canada I found a sealed for $319.99 and also I have seen some on Amazon for $289.99 ...again not knowing where it was actually pressed. I would be grateful for ANY help or insight you can provide. Darrin

[@djverde5548]

do you know the weight of all the box? is it very heavy? or its ok to carry in a carry on?

[@biffnarzilla4649]

The "sepia"-like tone on the "with the beatles" cover IS due to age. The sulfur compounds used to produce the original cardstock have begun to react with oxygen in the air to produce the off-white color.

[@jan3019]

is this the german pressing? i like the box set that you got

[@davidberkman495]

Terrific! It's a Fremerized box...

[@stevenanderson4315]

love it

[@jljohnnysjeeplife]

Your impersonation was spot on, absolutely hilarious. Nice Collection

[@tobinmummert8374]

Very kool video!!!! I'm getting my box set in about 3 weeks!! Can't fucking wait!! I couldn't make a video of such an important event in my life. I will need to be in my audio sound room in silence and alone so I can concentrate and love the experience!!!!!!

[@JonPickles]

Hi Michael. A question for you. Which was the fist BEATLES album to be imagined for stereo rather than had fault stereo but imagined for mono?

[@JonPickles]

+Michael Fremer thanks. I might investigate the mono then. Certainly revolver and the white album. Revolver sounds pretty good in mono.

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

The book that comes with the mono box has something to say about that as well. Abbey Road was the album were Mono was abandoned. Yet the "The Beatles" (White Album) while still mixed in mono first has a very distinct stereo mix which ends up making it worthwhile to own both versions. All other albums the mono version beats the stereo.

[@RoyUnit]

4:01 lol! "My God! You use your records for their intended purpose? How dare you enjoy things!"

[@claudec2588]

I have the Stereo Box Set and I really do wish I had the Mono because that's how I originally heard this music. But I can't afford the Mono. So stereo is better than not having it.

[@Thomg1022]

Claude C the stereo box was more expensive than the mono one

[@seanrogers9858]

Darklands in the background hell ya

[@56dinosaur]

Having never before seen video footage of Mr. Fremer, or heard him speak, the thing that surprises me is that he has a sense of humor; something that I didn't expect from an obsessive collector, the father of the vinyl revival fad. Still, I should note, that when I tried to join his forum(before his website changed ownership), my application was rejected, never confirmed. That's odd, to be banned before I could join. Perhaps being banished from Steve Hoffman's forum is reason to be automatically rejected for membership in Fremer's forum. Have it your way, Mr.Fremer. The unboxing videos are good, but I preferred the official Apple Records unboxing video.

[@56dinosaur]

But, I think that Mr.Fremer IS American. His accent is a Northeastern accent, Possibly a Boston accent.

[@56dinosaur]

I'll try again in the near future. As I said, this occurred on your old website, before the ownership change. Thank You.

[@56dinosaur]

***** I'll try again (to join your forum) in the near future. As I said, the problem(in joining) occurred on your old website, before the ownership change or merger. Thanks for responding.

[@56dinosaur]

Michael, I again tried to join the Analog Planet forum, but your system doesn't accept my e-mail address. Unfortunately, it's the only e-mail address that I've got. This problem probably traces its origins to my failed attempt to join your forum in the past. Oh well, I tried!!

[@vinylcity1599]

56dinosaur vinyl is not a fad! it never went away!

[@petermaxwell2965]

Analogue records are the art of the people..

[@davidpaul4484]

hi ther im asking you if you remember a place in NewYork named upstairs records. and if so,can you contact me so i have a question about the place that sold turntables there too. please write me.

[@TheZooman22]

Records are meant to be played. I recently bought "Highway 61 Revisited" , by Bob Dylan. It was in NM condition, and guess what- I play it. It is very difficulty to listen to it when it is in the sleeve.

[@craigwarner6156]

+Analog Planet oh brilliant. Thanks very much. No barcode and its mint everywhere and looks unplayed. Someone obviously kept it very well. I paid £4.99p.

[@RefugeetheDJ]

This guy should have been on Crate Diggers

[@mikechivy]

"Let me show you my 10,000th free album. Sounds great"

[@trackingangle929]

I buy more records than you do. Jealous troll

[@rogerhudson9732]

I think of my stolen mono 'please please me' LP and want to weep.

[@Beatgeneration2010]

The 'with the Beatles' and 'Meet the Beatles' have one thing in common, the Cover. Completely different track listings

[@garrycleak3055]

My inner nerd spys The Jesus and Mary Chain Dark Lands sitting on the floor, one of my all time favourites.. ;-)

[@darrenjones3784]

What accent is he trying to do?

[@kennethgerber8363]

I loaned Michael some first U.K. Beatles albums a couple of years ago. Different takes on sound . He said at the time my MONO Please Please Me DECCA pressing was the BEST he ever heard . The guy probably has a million dollar playback system ,but balked at $300. on an original 1963 pristine copy. Go figure . However. I totally understand from I’ve heard that this mono box set is impeccable. I was hoping he would turn me on to high end buyers of the original U.K. pressings. Don’t know what went sideways . I totally disagreed with him on the Italian mono Revolver, best sounding Beatles album ever ...

[@larryshaver3568]

it would certainly be age ,the acid in the paper causes yellowing

[@pov_music]

Fremer's attempt at a British accent seems to switch between Australian and Michael Caine every few seconds.

[@7karlheinz]

I know I'm going to sound like a "KZbin" rube, (or boob, in keeping with the Beatle theme!), but, why are some YT videos uploaded in parts?

[@MarkRoberts-bj2me]

Stumbled across this vid. FYI, all Beatles Mono Box LP's and CD's were manufactured in Japan. Notice the resealable plastic sleeve protecting each album cover. That is de rigueur Japanese packaging. The U.S. is not equipped to manufacture a reissue that is nearly identical to the original. The Japanese culture is fanatical about such things. It's very possible that "Made In Japan" does not appear on sets meant for export.

[@AnalogPlanet]

Sorry Mark. but these mono LPs were manufactured at Optimal in Germany. I've been there. You can find the video on this channel. Plus I went to Abbey Road and watched this box set being produced!

[@MarkRoberts-bj2me]

@@AnalogPlanet I should have left out the LP's since I don't own them. Appreciate the correction.

[@theoldmet]

Harry Moss didn't cut the new mono record. It was cute if they did that as a sort of tribute, but really, only a real Harry Moss mastered record should bear his imprimatur.

[@joef542]

you look like Walter from fringe lol thats not a Diss love your videos

[@fretboardmaster70]

Is this your best Spinal Tap Nigel Tufnel impression? I thought you would ask "just how much more White can the White Album be? Like your post by the way. Peace and regards. Chris.

[@efhess]

Hello Mr. Fremer. I've been watching your video's for a couple of months now and I wondered something and I wanted to ask. When I bought my very first record I dropped one of the LP's to the ground vertically from about 50 cm's because of the inner sleeve's position then it fell onto the A side. Would it decrease the sound quality for permanent? And one more humble question, :) What do you think or if you have any idea of unpopular German systems? Like Blaupunkt turntables (they're made in Japan I think) and Loewe amps. Many respects.

[@YPO6]

+efhess if the vinyl is not scratched or dusty then it's perfectly ok.

[@efhess]

There is dust but dust can be cleaned off and just one minor scratch but it's hardly seen sometimes I can't even find where is it. I knew the dust and scratch factor but I was just courious about if is it possible to make damages in grooves without scratches and without 'chewings' on grooves that caused by the stylus. Thank you!

[@efhess]

+YPO6 Do you also have a knowledge about my other question? The unpopular German brands?

[@YPO6]

efhess I know those brands, Braun is quite popular here in Finland, mostly home and personal appliances like toothbrushes, shavers, food mixers etc. Loewe has been selling those "luxury" televisions here at least over 20 years, but quite unknown to larger masses in here.

[@efhess]

Haha! You're saying hell no then. :D

[@oobujoobu1971]

Michael sure knows his stuff, and it's good to hear him describe how right they got this new set. But why the sarcastic comments to Pete Nash for his equivalent video? Unnecessary and spoiled it for me. And the English accent is terrible, nothing like.

[@rbruce63]

I'll look into the Pete Nash video to see where is the beef between these two!

[@andybetts1484]

I actually think his English accent is so bad, it's good......

[@TheZooman22]

I agree... either you get Michael or you don't. Those of us who do ( all 100 of us) laugh.

[@kevinl6231]

Dick Van Dyke

[@maurice4407]

hi great video, want to sell the box set ? :)

[@twinsmm1]

Just asking. Why would someone buy mono as opposed to stereo? ...and I don't mean the mono box set or stereo box set. Just basically why would there be a preference for mono over stereo?

[@notfound-rr6ph]

Basic terms Stereo just sounds weirder for The Beatles, since its meant to be Mono. Now I just personally prefer Mono over Stereo for most all of my records, because it generally sounds a whole lot better as one for my system. Basically its almost always personal preference when it comes to Stereo or Mono, its just Mono is far more liked in the record collecting community because almost all bands wanted their music to be listened to in Mono. Stereo is just a gimmick to make more money, in my opinion it doesn't even add anything to it. Just makes the experience stranger. P.S. Sgt. Pepper is better in Mono because of the difference they made in the Stereo print ;)

[@Joseph_Mario1]

how long did you rip the sleeve on the stereo one

[@Joseph_Mario1]

Analog Planet the part at 0:43

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

Some people prefer black and white films. Amazing isn't it?

[@Lucky60sKid]

back in the day the mono & stereo mixes were quite different - e.g. some tracks were different takes of the same songs (in particular the Revolver album)

[@chupathingy5862]

Hey, I found that box set at my local record shop for $400.

[@jimrick6632]

I THOUGHT THE BEATLES RECORDED ON CAPITOL????????????

[@segasonic9117]

I finally got around to buying some of the individuals of these. Beatles For Sale (my favourite of my mums first press AU records when I was a kid, she also had original With The Beatles and Sgt Peppers) which has yet to arrive and A Hard Days Night (stereo, boo!), Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Pepper 50th (again, wish it was the mono), The Beatles and 1962 - 1966. I am frankly staggered by how terrible these pressings are! Not what I expected from The Beatles! It's UNIVERSAL and the only other modern "new" record I own is Bon Jovi New Jersey and now These Days which arrived today. NJ is awful with fill errors galore and discs were scuffed to hell. These Days is even worse but I would expect that from Bon Jovi as they get no respect at all. Did not expect it from a Beatles releases/s, I am appalled. I have emailed Amazon AU about exchanging but I bet the next lot will be the same.

[@alfching2499]

There’s far too many How to listen to The Beatles best people on KZbin,there’s only one way with your ears and in mono.

[@boogiewoogie9770]

I spy Darklands...

[@djbryanladd]

Stereo Central rip

[@SluffAdlin]

I give my mother shit all the time because I inherited her original Beatles records from the 1960s, but she did not take care of them at all. Lucky, the records themselves don't skip, but the do have some scratches and the covers themselves are in horrible condition with doodlings of a 16 year old crazed fan (my mom) all over them.

[@uriahbolanos6555]

Too much and too good information about the beatles records and vinyls in general, thanks for share it with us Michael. I think you´re kinda of living institution. Best wishes.

[@guzutz]

no book,,,

[@stefan.bar88]

Why would you want to listen to them in mono? Just curious...

[@therubbersoul]

All instruments in one side with bass and drums barely being heard and vocals on the other side, or all instruments and vocals being mixed together with all the mixing done well. Bass and drums is stronger too

[@astrotrance]

Same reason people like vanilla ice cream, plain cheese pizza, black coffee, etc. Humans have evolved to find pleasure in denying ourselves pleasurable indulgences. This is in response to what used to be a scarcity of resources. People that couldn't handle rationing during the winter went out to find food and froze to death. Those that were content to stay behind and survive on what little was available had more offspring and their genes passed into the future. So when listening to a mono record instead of stereo (or surround), part of your brain is literally patting itself on the back for demonstrating moderation and ensuring your survival.

[@matthewhetzler4912]

Stefan, you are assuming the mono version is a mere fold down of the stereo mix. This is not the case with the Beatles recordings. In the case of the Beatles, they are dedicated mono mixes (which, in my humble opinion, are superior to the stereo mixes- which came later).

[@debessar95]

The Beatles In Mono vinyl box set 2014 got a digital treatment as they mentioned in leaflet for Please Please Me. Thus, this is not an analog mastering at all. Don't be fooled by the name. All the vinyl purists have been exposed as a bunch of...

[@trackingangle929]

I watched them cut these from tape at Abbey Road, shmuck.

[@debessar95]

@@trackingangle929 From what tape? Original master tape? You introduced yourself correctly.

[@thomasdudley6514]

I only really go for exact repros now a days after getting tons of boots even pirates and when i can fork out for real ones sure all good but at the end of the day its the music that counts thats why all you boomers and post boomers formed all them rare garage bands which i will.pay. alot of money for then the fames but im a 67 baby i listin to the music of the year of my birth .

[@johnholmes912]

i have the early albums in mono whch i bought in britain in the 60s.................i doubt that these will sound as good

[@trackingangle929]

They sound better than the originals in many ways especially on bottom, and not quite as good in other ways. Unlike you I've heard them.

[@Beatgeneration2010]

Who on earth were you imitating? He sounds more Australian than English?????

[@johnllewellyn-jones8400]

Just say that.

[@peartfaldo]

6:20. What breed of dog do you have? Sounds like a Terrier

[@alexeijolkin7851]

Yeah, that's right - BTR 2-track tube tape recorder and REDD tube mixing console. Not much overdubbing if any. Very much live like performance on these records. The stereo mixing was absolutely horrible nightmare to listen, with all pure song vocals only in one channel and all music instruments only in the other, so you better to stick to mono.

[@bradt.3555]

Well tubes suck, especially new ones, all are very non linear, (why we use them in guitar amps, they make great distortion) and old ones are running out and may have been handled rough over the years. Put them in today and in a week could drift outa spec. S.S. nowday's is just fine.

[@user-yb4gs7ur8n]

Привет всем... Англичане вы хорошие люди, но Пора по русски изъясняться....🤨🧐🤔😐😏

[@nortoniglesias3060]

I don’t think this guy is married never saw his woman in the background....Hmmmmmm!!!!

[@erikmolnar6585]

Grow up jerk, quit making fun of that man! Haha. You are a lucky man.

[@thomasdudley6514]

Yeah the popular trendys call us loosers but we are orginal they are the plastic people still are even in the 80s when it was horible

[@smalltown4855]

looks rubbish

[@trackingangle929]

says small mind

[@smalltown4855]

@@trackingangle929 No, not really, it just looks like crap.and I mean literally it looks like crap, same colour as Diarrhea.

[@swansong007]

Tosser

[@AnalogPlanet]

You are?

[@rstvmo]

Terrible, unbearable to watch. Disservice to the Fabs.

[@rstvmo]

word skillz

[@davidgena2667]

Michael: Would you recommend The Beatles Anthology on vinyl? I didn't realize you could get it on vinyl and would be interested to know your opinion of the vinyl versions. Thanks much!