Scarpia wrote:
The sad fact is that DG recordings are generally the most over-manipulated, over-engineered in the industry (compared to the 2 or three microphone techniques used by purist labels). The statement that "the technical medium should become inaudible" in DG recordings is laughable, in my opinion.
This is generally true (alas) but there is a bright side for DG. The 'decline' in DG's sound really only became noticeable after about the 60s. Up until then DG's philosophy - whether by necessity or design - seemed to be "let the music speak for itself". And many of their recordings at that time were naturally balanced and seemingly without engineer manipulation and control-board quirks that diluted their later efforts.
I'm not sure exactly what happened to this philosophy but perhaps DG was trying to carve out a niche for itself beside juggernauts Decca and Philips, who seemed to be picking up many accolades in those days for their recorded sound.
What I find truly terrifying is that old Decca and Philips recordings are now coming out under the OIBM banner. Does this mean they will be taking those Decca and Philips recording, which are dramatically superior to anything DG ever did, and make them sound like DG sh*t?
I fear this might be the case, unfortunately. I've had competing issues (old and new) of a particular Philips disc that wasn't necessarily "improved" by Universal's remastering (most likely OIBM under a different moniker for Philips) but did have a vastly changed aural perspective from the original. Unfortunately the orchestra came out sounding metallic and scratchy - NOT an improvement. I have to say though I eventually let go of the original disc because the
piano sounded so much warmer and clearer in the newer edition. But it's too bad the one (the orchestra) had to be sacrificed in order to make the other (the piano) sound better. Perhaps a Marston or MOT at the helm of Universal's remastering arm might be the answer to all these remastering woes. But don't hold your breath.
Of course, when it comes to Philips, generally the less of this OIBM nonsense the better, I say.