Oxygene Update
Ok, here’s an update on the JMJ Oxygene New Master debacle.
After doing a little research, it appears that these are the main differences between the CD version, the 2D CD & DVD version and the 3D CD & DVD version…
Version 1 is a regular Redbook audio CD in stereo, of the studio version of the New Master.
Version 2 is a regular Redbook audio CD in stereo (not SACD as claimed on the website) of the studio version of the New Master and a DVD that comes with the regular 2D version of the “Live In Your Living Room” concert with 5.1 Dolby & PCM stereo audio. It also comes with the studio version of the New Master in 5.1 DD/DTS & PCM stereo on the DVD.
Version 3 comes with the regular Redbook audio CD, in stereo, of the studio version of the New Master and a DVD that contains both the 2D and 3D versions of the “Live In Your Living Room” concert with 5.1 Dolby and PCM stereo audio but no version of the studio recording of the New Master in 5.1 DD/DTS or PCM stereo.
So this claim about the 2D version on the Oxygene 3D website is clearly false….
New Master Recording of ‘Oxygene’.
Re-recorded, mixed and mastered in High Definition 24bit/96KHz.
Presented on Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD).
As is this claim about the 3D version….
New Original Master in 5.1 Surround Sound & PCM Stereo & Animated Visual.
Add that to the fact that to own a 5.1 recording of the studio album and the 3D version of the film, you have to buy two different products, it seems that EMI and/or JMJ are keen to exploit fans in the most cynical fashion. Surely the 3D DVD set shouold include everything on the 2D version plus the Stereoscopic version of the film ?
Your comments on this would be welcome. I am certainly considering raising the SACD claim with someone in a position to take action.
What also annoys me is the constant reference on the website and on the CD/DVD liner notes to the film being “High Definition”. Sure, it may have been recorded in an HD format, but it is presented on regular DVD, with 576 lines of resolution, not on HD-DVD or BluRay with the minimum 720 lines for HD compatibility.
Another cynical ploy to gain sales by quoting all the latest HD buzzwords.
I have always admired JMJ for his adoption and support of new and emerging technologies. His Aero album was a great example of this. Sadly, whether it is his own doing or not, Oxygene – The New Master is a shambolic and shameful marketing exercise.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly….
Three more titles entered my surround music collection this week and the difference in quality and presentation couldn’t be more obvious.
First up we have the Good….
Their eponymously titled 12th album, containing the classic tracks, Mama, That’s All, Home By The Sea and Illegal Alien, is part of the Genesis Remastered catalogue that is seeing the light of day at the moment. Two sets have already been released, spanning 1976 to 1998. The final chapter, 70-75, will be available in September.
Presented in a similar way to the Depeche Mode remasters, these albums each have two discs. One is SACD/CD and the other a DVD Video. Both feature the entire album in 5.1. The DVD Video version offers either Dolby Digital or DTS 96/24 soundtracks as well as photo galleries and a short film of interviews with the band on how the album was made.
The packaging isn’t as sumptuous as the Depeche Mode albums, but sufficient nonetheless.
As for audio quality, it is superb as expected, with a rich and full soundscape. Phil’s vocals tend to be focused on the centre channel more than some other surround albums I have heard. 5.1 mixers vary between those that favour the front centre for vocals or those that like to spread the vocals around the soundfield. I tend to prefer the latter, but either way, this works.
I am now seriously tempted to acquire the rest of the collection.
Now for the Bad….
I was eagerly anticipating this title. I had scoured the web and the shops for this and eventually found it and it arrived promptly last week. This package contains not only the New Master of Oxygene, but also the “LIve In Your Living Room” performance of the entire piece by JMJ and friends in 2D and 3D !
Well, in 2D, this is an impressive piece, especially watching JMJ jumping on and off classic synths and the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio gives it great depth, but the 3D version is poor to the point of being unwatchable ! I’ve tried numerous screens and glasses but it still looks very poor.
But the real mystery is the audio CD. On the Oxygene website, it states that there are 3 versions of this title. Version one is a single audio CD. No frills, just the album. Version two is a two disc affair, with the 2D film and what they claim to be a 5.1 multichannel SACD version of the studio recording. Version three is the same as version two but with the added bonus of the Stereoscopic film.
Well, my 3D version has just a regular Redbook audio CD. No mention of SACD anywhere.
Sadly, as these are quite rare in shops, I have not been able to find a 2D version which is claimed to be an SACD, so I can confirm it. If it is indeed SACD, it would appear that EMI/JMJ have hatched a cynical marketing ploy to get you to buy the album twice if you want the 3D movie as well as the SACD studio recording.
I am currently investigating and will report back as soon as I find anything out.
Finally, we have the Ugly….
I saw this for £6 in Zavvi and thought “why not”. It’s an unofficial yet legitimate release and I found out afterwards that Gary has disowned this release, saying he has nothing to do with it and didn’t approve it. I then found some reviews that said the quality was poor and indeed, it’s not the best in the world. If you’re going to release a sub-standard collection of recordings, you’re probably best not to release it on DVD-A, whose massive headroom will be unforgiving and show up any problems with consumate ease.
However, it’s nice to have something from Gaz in surround. Maybe it’s a potential project for him in the future. He has just re-released the 1979 Tubeway Army classic, “Replicas” to coincide with his tour this year (which I have tickets for next month !) and whilst this album is remastered and contains bonus tracks, it isn’t in surround. Can you imagine “Down In The Park” or “Are Friends Electric?” in 5.1 ?? 
)
So, whilst many attach a quality label to SACD & DVD-A, some of these releases clearly show that the badge means chuff all.
A little something in Surround
Created by Alesis Fusion user Mastropiero, this is a quite superb and accurate cover of Oxygene IV, performed, mixed and recorded entirely on the Alesis Fusion using only it’s internal VA synth and stock sounds. No external samples or FX were used.
I think you’ll agree that it’s a damned fine cover and certainly shows the Fusion off well.
Fusion owners can download the SONG & PATTERN files, along with Mastropiero’s tweaked settings for the internal sounds HERE.
Well done Mastro )
So, being inspired by JMJ’s recent foray into surround sound, I have managed to make a surround sound mix of this cover version using Fraunhofer IIS’s MP3 Surround encoder. You can download the MP3 Surround Player and other bits of surround software, free of charge, HERE. There are versions for Windows, Mac & Linux. To get the full effect, you need a computer with 5.1 surround sound and the necessary speakers or you can use the included Ensonido headphone surround built in to the player and listen to it in surround using regular stereo headphones.
JMJ Cover – Oxygene IV – 100% Alesis Fusion
Created by Alesis Fusion user Mastropiero, this is a quite superb and accurate cover of Oxygene IV, performed, mixed and recorded entirely on the Alesis Fusion using only it’s internal VA synth and stock sounds. No external samples or FX were used.
I think you’ll agree that it’s a damned fine cover and certainly shows the Fusion off well.
Fusion owners can download the SONG & PATTERN files, along with Mastropiero’s tweaked settings for the internal sounds HERE.
Well done Mastro )
EDIT: I have managed to make a surround sound mix of this using Fraunhofer IIS’s MP3 Surround encoder. You can download the MP3 Surround Player and other bits of surround software, free of charge, HERE. There are versions for Windows, Mac & Linux. To get the full effect, you need a computer with 5.1 surround sound and the necessary speakers or you can use the included Ensonido headphone surround built in to the player and listen to it in surround using regular stereo headphones.
It happens to the best of us…
Found on YouTube, posted by Thomasalsine, is a clip of what must’ve been one of those moments where you wish a giant hole would appear and swallow you up. Here is synth and electronica legend Jean Michel Jarre performing Oxygene live at the Marigny Theatre in Paris, December 2007. After encountering some tuning issues pre gig, the unthinkable happens live on stage when his MemoryMoog exhibits a massive detune.
You see, it happens to the best of us. And if we ever needed a reminder why we moved to digital so swiftly, this is it. I have to say that the audience slow clapping can’t have been particularly pleasant. Most, if not all, should have some sympathy with what JMJ was attemtping and the inherent dangers of performing live with very old analogue hardware. all credit to JMJ for soldiering on and I hear he eventually recovered to complete the performance.
At least it’s not as embarrassing as when Eddie Van Halen completely fecked up “Jump” by playing in completely the wrong key.
All the EvH fanboys try to blame the keyboard player on this one, but if he’s out of tune, how come the bass player is in tune with the keys ? Sorry Eddie, guess you’re human after all ;o)
