Nirvana Live at Reading

Cheebs · #1 11-03-2009, 05:54 PM

Anybody else get this one?

If so, did the mixing dude Miss the Point Completely (tm) (c) (r) or am I just cynical? I mean, I'm in a shitty mood right now so it's entirely possible this is all in my head.

Nirvana live is a loose, dirty, imprecise beast to such a degree that no editing can ever put it back together. I love 'em for it. So you would mix it as such, right? But I swear I'm hearing nothing but sampled drums in this mix. Maybe I'm incorrect. Maybe Dave really did hit with a tone that consistent for this show and maybe the kit really was miced that cleanly. But I really, really doubt it.

If they are drum samples then I am a sad panda because somebody Missed the Point. It still doesn't sound anything like The Standard Professional CD you expect to buy off the shelf at Target because...they are playing like Nirvana. Only now half of it doesn't fit.

If they are not samples then I am still a sad panda because somebody Missed the Point in some other way and bent over backwards to really make a clean drum mix for a filthy show.

I really hope I am just in a cynical mood and it really is all good, but right now it sounds like Kurt, Chris, and Dave's cymbals playing with an Alesis demo unit.

Jason · #2 11-03-2009, 05:56 PM

Send me the files and I'll let you know my thoughts!

Cheebs · #3 11-03-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

Send me the files and I'll let you know my thoughts!

Here's 15 seconds so copyright panties don't get in a bunch.

Ironically, the mastering seems to be fine. I don't think I've ever been OK with the mastering, but put off by the mix.

Josh · #4 11-03-2009, 07:11 PM

Fuck copyright panties. It's a major label release, and we have PMs round these parts.

Josh · #5 11-03-2009, 07:15 PM

Also, that snippet sounds like well micd, slick drums with a consistently solid and hard hitting drummer (Dave Grohl) sitting behind them to me. Though at this point can anyone really tell the difference between a sample and an actual snare hit?

the answer is no

Shakey · #6 11-03-2009, 08:49 PM

I've yet to hear Dave Grohl mixed in a way that doesn't sound clean to some degree. I can't imagine that they're sampled.

Maybe you'd like the live show that came with the Bleach reissue better? I've yet to hear it but it's towards the end of the Chad Channing period and was mixed by Jack Endino.

Cheebs · #7 11-03-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh

Though at this point can anyone really tell the difference between a sample and an actual snare hit?

the answer is no

No. They certainly can't...

I don't know why it doesn't fit for me. Must be my shitty mood. It just sounds off...

My main frame of reference for live Nirvana is the "From the Muddy Banks of the Unpronounceable Thing That Begins With a W" album. That all fits. I know that album obviously is something totally different since it was cobbled together with board tapes and whatnot. But still.

I think the best thing I can do is have some sex and then listen again. I'm sure it's just because I'm in a shitty mood.

Jason · #8 11-04-2009, 01:28 PM

I hear what your saying Cheebs, I listened to your snippet as well as the 30 second clips on iTunes. Sounds more like a rehearsal then a live show because everything is so clean and dry. Although I would have had much more interest in this about 10 years ago, I'm gonna check it out.

Shakey · #9 11-04-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheebs

"From the Muddy Banks of the Unpronounceable Thing That Begins With a W"

wishkah: pronounced wish-kah

wEEman33 · #10 11-04-2009, 03:06 PM

Very hard to tell anything from that 15-second clip, but it wouldn't surprise me if the drums were manipulated in some fashion.

Triggers and samples are all the rage these days.

StriderKyo · #11 11-04-2009, 03:22 PM

808s And Headshots?

Too soon. : (

Jason · #12 11-04-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33

Very hard to tell anything from that 15-second clip, but it wouldn't surprise me if the drums were manipulated in some fashion.

Triggers and samples are all the rage these days.

I doubt it, but then again... who knows. I grabbed the album, could be found in the usual places... gonna give it a good listen after work.

Josh · #13 11-04-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33

Triggers and samples are all the rage these days.

These days?

Protip: the drums on Nevermind were samples... just saying.

Cheebs · #14 11-04-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh

These days?

Protip: the drums on Nevermind were samples... just saying.

I thought that would come up the second I made this post.

But it works there...

Day two and Reading doesn't sound as bad. But I'm still in a shitty mood and it still sounds off.

Jason · #15 11-04-2009, 06:17 PM

gonna actually go listen now, see what all the mixing fuss is about.

also, Nevermind, drum samples? hot damn... I never knew that.