New Machina II rip - 2021 Transfer

[smashingjj]

Originally Posted by Reyngel

Man, I forgot how good Go is.

Me too. Can't for the life of me remember that it was ever good.

[AveryLoren]

I've spent the day listening on repeat. Pretty sure they just threw the Q101 rip in a DAW and tossed on Ozone, T-racks or something similar.

[Disco King]

>Me listening to a YouTube rip on Bluetooth headphones of an album I last listened to months ago or perhaps more

Ah yes I can 100% hear the difference I'm something of an audiophile myself I think this rip has more push-pull in it

[run2pee]

[Joey Goldberg]

mmmmm... i can practically hear the sweet crevices of the vinyl... the "fresh out quint's oven" vapors just running into my nose like lines of c*caine into a Smashing Pumpkin circa Arising!... it really brings a new "je ne sais quoi" to the production I didn't even know I needed!

sounds good thanks

[VoxUpDoc]

Like I said this was the holy grail, Machina reissue is no longer needed. It doesn’t get any better than this authentic rip.

[eyeboogers]

Strong disagree, it still sounds like muddy sludge. All of the M2 material needs a thorough remix including some overdubs and then a master. It has always sounded unfinished, and not in an endearing indie type of way. Any sonic improvement on these lossy files (I am not sure there are any) is a bit of noise reduction to remove some tape hiss.

Another thing is, those of you who say you prefer M2 to M1, that I cannot fathom at all, since M2 is a bit of a grab bag vs Machines of God being an ambitious and cohesive work. Best thing to do is exactly what the band has promised to do, revisit the entire project and combine the best elements of both into something that tells the entire story.

[VoxUpDoc]

Originally Posted by eyeboogers

Strong disagree, it still sounds like muddy sludge. All of the M2 material needs a thorough remix including some overdubs and then a master. It has always sounded unfinished, and not in an endearing indie type of way. Any sonic improvement on these lossy files (I am not sure there are any) is a bit of noise reduction to remove some tape hiss.

Another thing is, those of you who say you prefer M2 to M1, that I cannot fathom at all, since M2 is a bit of a grab bag vs Machines of God being an ambitious and cohesive work. Best thing to do is exactly what the band has promised to do, revisit the entire project and combine the best elements of both into something that tells the entire story.

Hiboogers,

Yes I was self-mocking as I fell hook, line and stinker for this AI garbo. I like the “unfinished” sound on some of these tracks, but proper mixes would be appreciated.

Machines of God is not an ambitious and cohesive work. That’s where we DISO-flipping-GREE! The story is horseshit. Better to jettison it entirely. And Machina is full of overlong tracks. It has some gold… SIYL, This Time, Try, Wound, TIV, AOI. I of the Mourning & HMM are a slog. WEL is a sequel to Once Upon A Time and it’s nice, sure but thematically doesn’t fit at all in the tracklisting.

But importantly when you’re putting out a comeback album after commercial failure PUT YOUR BEST TRACKS ON THERE. And Machina 2 is where the majority of those tracks sit They’re on average shorter, more radio-friendly tracks. The unfinished production is more interesteing. And they’re just sat on a shelf… some people say it’s my best work.

Machina 2 dunks on M1 by some height.

[topleybird]

Originally Posted by eyeboogers

Strong disagree, it still sounds like muddy sludge. All of the M2 material needs a thorough remix including some overdubs and then a master.

Then oh man do I have some great news for you about what the ol' Corgster's cookin' up

[djzap]

As much as this is most likely NOT a new rip and instead an adjusted Q101 rip, there's no reason to think there's anything 'AI' about it. A lot can be done without AI and I would imagine for this if there was any 'AI' involved it was just to split the tracks, bass, drums, vocals etc. but it could simply be re-EQed and declipped, etc.

There is not much on the AI front for remastering stuff and automated mastering tools are pretty poor.

[AveryLoren]

Originally Posted by djzap

There is not much on the AI front for remastering stuff and automated mastering tools are pretty poor.

They have come a long way in the last few years. Try out EZmix 3's AI tools or WAVES AI tools. It will surprise you.

[ninsp]

who cares if it's AI, it sounds amazing

[topleybird]

Apologies, because I believe this has been addressed before—possibly hundreds of times in the "Machina reissue a go" thread—but why hasn't someone with really high-grade equipment done a new rip in all the years since MII was released? Did Agnew accidentally sit on his copy or something? I saw T&T's comment that the way the records were likely pressed means they're easily damaged on each play, but I'd hate to think the holdup here has been a bunch of recipients choosing to hoard pristine copies rather than get the music properly released.

[New Art Rioter]

Isn't the material purposefully a bit lo-fi anyway? Would it make for a gigantic improvement to what's out there?

I don't think there's vast difference in the rips and Real Love on RA

[T&T]

Originally Posted by topleybird

Apologies, because I believe this has been addressed before—possibly hundreds of times in the "Machina reissue a go" thread—but why hasn't someone with really high-grade equipment done a new rip in all the years since MII was released? Did Agnew accidentally sit on his copy or something? I saw T&T's comment that the way the records were likely pressed means they're easily damaged on each play, but I'd hate to think the holdup here has been a bunch of recipients choosing to hoard pristine copies rather than get the music properly released.

I get their desire to hoard.

Eric Agnew has offered to let someone re-rip the version he has if they had a laser turntable (so no needle comes in contact with the record, and thus no damage). I don't think anyone's stepped up. I know a few audiophiles, and I don't know anyone with a laser record player. they cost $20k

[andrewface]

Been a while since I listened to Machina II. My gawd it’s so good. How did this album never see the light of day. What a damn shame.

[ninsp]

umpf MII is just pure ear sex

[ninsp]

Lucky 13 is so pissed off

[VoxUpDoc]

Lucky 13 should’ve been a single.

[topleybird]

Eric, if you're reading, I would be happy to take your MII copy to my local laser record player store; I think there's one across from the Mattress Firm and TGI Fridays

(Thx, T&T Music Factory)

[ninsp]

Originally Posted by VoxUpDoc

Lucky 13 should’ve been a single.

It's just so bizarrely angry, something about it just makes me want to punch a wall.

[FoolofaTook]

I totes forgot how much I love this album. Go-LMGTWTY-Innosense-Home is pure bliss.

[run2pee]

Put me in the camp of people that find the Machina/II/friends and enemies material as on par with the MCIS era. It’s timeless stuff

[houseofglass11]

Originally Posted by T&T

I get their desire to hoard.

Eric Agnew has offered to let someone re-rip the version he has if they had a laser turntable (so no needle comes in contact with the record, and thus no damage). I don't think anyone's stepped up. I know a few audiophiles, and I don't know anyone with a laser record player. they cost $20k

We need to get that shit over to pbthal. He does the best vinyl rips.

[enthusaroo]

Originally Posted by topleybird

Eric, if you're reading, I would be happy to take your MII copy to my local laser record player store; I think there's one across from the Mattress Firm and TGI Fridays

(Thx, T&T Music Factory)

"laser record player"

aka

CD player

bro Virgin just put it on a CD.. you nerds and your vinyl will never understand

[enthusaroo]

Originally Posted by FoolofaTook

I totes forgot how much I love this album. Go-LMGTWTY-Innosense-Home is pure bliss.

it certainly blows the past 18 years of SP out of the water...

except for Gossamer
I bet Gossamer might even be an idea Billy had during Machina 2. That's why it rocks

[VoxUpDoc]

Originally Posted by ninsp

It's just so bizarrely angry, something about it just makes me want to punch a wall.

It’s also a stripped back performance relying on a raw guitar hook and drumming.

Seven Nation Army was a huge hit a couple of years after. Lucky 13 had a much better chance of airplay and resonating with trends of the time.

Drop Lucky 13 as a radio single instead of TEG.

Leading into Let Me Give The World to You as the lead single.

[djzap]

I'm pretty sure they recorded his vocals on Lucky 13 to a sped up version of the track, so when they played it back at regular speed it sounds strangely deeper and tonally odd.

[ninsp]

Originally Posted by djzap

I'm pretty sure they recorded his vocals on Lucky 13 to a sped up version of the track, so when they played it back at regular speed it sounds strangely deeper and tonally odd.

That makes sense. Whatever it is it is a cool effect.

Also, on another note, still have never found a song that gives me the same “feeling” as In My Body.

[jimmy drevpile]

Originally Posted by run2pee

Put me in the camp of people that find the Machina/II/friends and enemies material as on par with the MCIS era. It’s timeless stuff

I am with you