Box Set Complete: SPOILERS

depthcharge wrote: Sign me up!

Music Complete Boxset signed

Perhaps it was the universe responding to those brutal AU shipping fees.

Woohoo, u dirtah---angel ! Congrats

You might be the only owner of signed copy in Oz..!!??

I bought 2 boxsets but both turned out blanko...

Motherwell Ordah wrote: I like to think that the designs on each of the 5 vinyl within the box set relate to 5 singles from the album. We've already had Restless as per sleeve 1, TF as per sleeve 2. Continuing the theme High Line, Academic and Superheated with the corresponding designs from each vinyl.

Hopefully with extended mix 2 of each of these - for me Academic extended is the best piece on the boxset but they are all class in their own right, will take another in-house take rather than half arsed remixes every time.

they're not in house mixes... all of them were done with outside mixers.

new order's own mixes are very basic, and simplistic.

later -1

Sideways To The Sun wrote:

Sound-wise — I probably have tin ears or something, but the over-heavy compression some are complaining about is not bothering my auditory centres, either on the album or the box — certainly not to the extent that I would attempt to 'remaster' any of it myself. But then I've always preferred to listen first and decide whether I like something rather than let the way the waveforms look colour my judgement. I appreciate that not everyone feels the same, though...

well, i listen to them first too... and i can still tell that everything is mastered way too loud, and has a 'flat' sound just like everything in the last 2 decades.. the waveforms just confirm that.

unless you listen to them on headphones, or a good stereo, you wouldn't probably notice.

or unless you are listening on cheap earbuds, or mp3's version, you wouldn't care either.

i'd rather have the actual music, as near to what is was originally supposed to sound like, hence the remastering of the tracks.

later -1

steinomite wrote: While someone from Mute was assisting me with a digital download issue, I took the opportunity to politely comment on the perceived quality issues with the box set. Their response was actually quite informative and has had me rethink my opinion on the item. I don't want to quote them verbatim, but the essence of their response was as follows:

• Mute and Peter Saville spent a long time reviewing options for the box set, looking at traditional designs and things Mute had previously released.

• After examining the options, Peter wanted to do something completely unique that had not been done before.

• His idea was to mimic an archival box used by museums and even the British monarchy for archiving items. These types of boxes are typically constructed in the 10s and 20s, as opposed to the 100s and 1,000s.

• The "Music Complete" boxes were hand assembled using of the thickest available acid-free cardstock (i.e., so the contents inside won't yellow). So, the materials were not cheap, nor was the construction thereof.

• The type of materials used had not ever been folded at this size/dimension previously, which required the very specific positioning of the wire stitching/staples.

• It was not intended to stand up comfortably with the rest of one's record collection, but be an objet d'art on its own.

• Per the label representative, the project was done working closely with Saville and very much in keeping with the original ethos of Factory, Joy Division, and New Order.

Just thought I'd share these comments for what they're worth. And just a note from me personally, the whole 33 vs. 45 RPM misprinting - that happens A LOT on records across the board.

-Mike

AGREED! 😎

steinomite wrote: The staples have to have been put in by a programmed machine though surely? They may be ugly (matter of opinion) but they are exactly evenly spaced and placed at exact measured spots.A human/humans couldn't get hundreds of the things over numerous box sets all exactly in the right spot and also without putting them in at a wonky angle on occasion.

I used to work for a printing business and we had stapling machines which were controlled via remote so the staple angle would be locked in place, but then you'd hold the materials down by hand on top of a printed measuring grid for reference. We also had similar machines for cutting and drilling holes. You're correct about there inevitably being a mistake if doing several hundred by hand, but we'd always produce a few extra as replacements in case there were any errors.

negative1 wrote:

Motherwell Ordah wrote: I like to think that the designs on each of the 5 vinyl within the box set relate to 5 singles from the album. We've already had Restless as per sleeve 1, TF as per sleeve 2. Continuing the theme High Line, Academic and Superheated with the corresponding designs from each vinyl.

Hopefully with extended mix 2 of each of these - for me Academic extended is the best piece on the boxset but they are all class in their own right, will take another in-house take rather than half arsed remixes every time.

they're not in house mixes... all of them were done with outside mixers.

new order's own mixes are very basic, and simplistic.

later -1

Hmm. Yes i know who mixed the extended versions. Outside mixers? Do you mean its not New Order - well theres a long list of those involved in the album who are not New Order. The continuity in the extended mixes as part of the overall Music Complete project, result is in keeping with the sound / feel of the original, thats obviously been the brief by the band and undertaken by those who were for the most part involved in the album. In-house.

Don't understand what you mean when you say NO own mixes are very basic and simplistic, care to explain?

Motherwell Ordah wrote:

negative1 wrote:

Motherwell Ordah wrote: I like to think that the designs on each of the 5 vinyl within the box set relate to 5 singles from the album. We've already had Restless as per sleeve 1, TF as per sleeve 2. Continuing the theme High Line, Academic and Superheated with the corresponding designs from each vinyl.

Hopefully with extended mix 2 of each of these - for me Academic extended is the best piece on the boxset but they are all class in their own right, will take another in-house take rather than half arsed remixes every time.

they're not in house mixes... all of them were done with outside mixers.

new order's own mixes are very basic, and simplistic.

later -1

Hmm. Yes i know who mixed the extended versions. Outside mixers? Do you mean its not New Order - well theres a long list of those involved in the album who are not New Order. The continuity in the extended mixes as part of the overall Music Complete project, result is in keeping with the sound / feel of the original, thats obviously been the brief by the band and undertaken by those who were for the most part involved in the album. In-house.

Don't understand what you mean when you say NO own mixes are very basic and simplistic, care to explain?

if you listen to any of the mixes they have done of their own songs or been involved with.

they usually do just a basic 'extend' or convert to instrumental/dub mix.. rarely making the song enhanced.

here's a small sample:

temptation / hurt basically longer versions of the each song

Engineer – Pete Woolliscroft

blue monday / the beach : Engineer – Michael Johnson Engineer [Assistant] – Barry Sage, Mark Boyne Producer – New Order

basically no frills versions of both songs

thieves like us - again, just a longer version

Engineer – Mike Johnson Mastered By – MEL Producer, Written-By – New Order

thieves like us (instrumental) [on murder] again, basically the same song, no vocals

perfect kiss / kiss of death

Engineer – Michael Johnson Producer – New Order Written-By – New Order

similar versions of the each song, but extended and rearranged

regret - the new order mix Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Owen Morris

a slightly longer version of the song

etc.

the vast majority of their remixes involves outside remixers who created vastly remixed, and different versions of the songs..

========================================================================

gareth jones had involvement with 4 of the extended mixes, and none of the album, so they were going to outside producers and remixers for some of the tracks...

if you want to involve everyone that is remotely related to the tracks, i think that waters down what you call in house.

this is a big collaborative project, and is not like any of their other albums, which had a much smaller set of engineers and producers.

i don't see it as being very cohesive in production, unlike previous albums.

later -1

negative1 wrote:

here's a small sample:

temptation / hurt basically longer versions of the each song

Engineer – Pete Woolliscroft

The 7" and 12" versions of Temptation were recorded together in a single take, but then chopped into two segments. The 12" isn't just a longer version, it's actually the latter half of the recording. It's quite an odd approach to recording, but I guess they were on a budget. Hurt was done in one take as well, but just mixed differently into two different versions.

depthcharge wrote: Sign me up!

Perhaps it was the universe responding to those brutal AU shipping fees.

Congratulations. The universe didn't give me the same response, but that expensive purchase was definitely worthwhile.

Moderne Decay wrote:

negative1 wrote:

here's a small sample:

temptation / hurt basically longer versions of each song

Engineer – Pete Woolliscroft

The 7" and 12" versions of Temptation were recorded together in a single take, but then chopped into two segments. The 12" isn't just a longer version, it's actually the latter half of the recording. It's quite an odd approach to recording, but I guess they were on a budget. Hurt was done in one take as well, but just mixed differently into two different versions.

right, i remember that.

however, sometimes people think the 7 inch of hurt is a different mix.

discogs: Hurt on the original UK 7" is not a simple edit of the longer UK 12" version, but is in fact a different mix.

anyways, now i wonder if the 'everythings gone green (edit)' on the procession 7 inch is different from the 12 inch in structure,

produced by : martin hannett

that would also have been an example.

later -1

Moderne Decay wrote:

negative1 wrote:

here's a small sample:

temptation / hurt basically longer versions of the each song

Engineer – Pete Woolliscroft

The 7" and 12" versions of Temptation were recorded together in a single take, but then chopped into two segments. The 12" isn't just a longer version, it's actually the latter half of the recording. It's quite an odd approach to recording, but I guess they were on a budget. Hurt was done in one take as well, but just mixed differently into two different versions.

Thought Stephen put that rumour to bed stating it was actually two different takes/recordings?

I wonder if Bernard has sung transmission live, I think it would be a great joy to end the night after temptation and crystal, close range ,and dream attack , special, ruined in a day , everything else on the set list, 10 more, and academic and the game must be squeezed in somehow . As for the box for downloading the variations, I live in a miniature home so the box must multitask . If it is analog analog analog it is worth hearing on something phenomenal to match the songs. neworder is the best and fan friendliest band , and analog is the most friendly format. Also as a thought , if neworder played Vegas for a few months a whole bunch of songs could be heard live , and I could drive over in a few hours. If in London , or the Faroe Islands for safety, those many many dozens of songs would be a lot of fun to hear , having been honed. Skye is ok too, as an homage to the bunny men.

God,

I haven't posted anything for years. But I'm back now.

Does anyone know if the Box Set from Amazon and Recordstore will have the digital downloads as well?

As a purely voluntary service, I have been dedicated in checking that the box set mixes have not been posted on any illegal download sites. Of course if I were to find that they were, and verify them, I would report them to the appropriate authorities, as due diligence requires. But you have all been very good people and have not shared them on any such sites, at least so far as I have been able to determine. Good show chaps.

Andy wrote:

Moderne Decay wrote:

negative1 wrote:

here's a small sample:

temptation / hurt basically longer versions of the each song

Engineer – Pete Woolliscroft

The 7" and 12" versions of Temptation were recorded together in a single take, but then chopped into two segments. The 12" isn't just a longer version, it's actually the latter half of the recording. It's quite an odd approach to recording, but I guess they were on a budget. Hurt was done in one take as well, but just mixed differently into two different versions.

Thought Stephen put that rumour to bed stating it was actually two different takes/recordings?

I don't ever remember reading about that. I've always just thought that the 7" fades right as the 12" begins. Maybe if I'm bored enough this weekend, I'll mess with some of my music software and run them through a compressor to hear if they can actually merge together or not.