2008 Gypsy CD Sound Distortion

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 2:15pm

I know there's been a bit of discussion about static/peak volumes/distortion on another thread, but I wanted to see if there were others who found this too.

I just got the CD yesterday and was really surprised (and disappointed!) by the amount of distortion I've noticed! I've heard it in all the places that people have previously described (at the end of May We Entertain You and You'll Never Get Away from Me), but I think it's especially pronounced in Everything's Coming up Roses. At 15 seconds, when Patti sings "They think that we're through", the distortion is very distracting. Although it's the most recognizable at that point, it's also present more subtly throughout the rest of the song. Interestingly, when Patti actually shouts "For me!" at the end of Rose's turn, it's perfect! The problem presents itself most clearly when I'm listening to it on my headphones.

I've tried the CD on various computers, so I'm fairly sure it's something about the CD itself. I wonder if it's just a problem on a few CDs though. If it were a widespread problem, I figure I would have found more complaints here on BWW.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 2:26pm

I got mine in the mail the other day and don't have a problem with the sound. Someone on ATC had also posted about the sound quality of their CD. I just don't particularly care for this cast recording (and I was looking forward to it).

Updated On: 9/5/08 at 02:26 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 2:34pm

I've been playing the CD on my Bose system and it's really distortion free. I'm actually impressed with the quality of the recording.

[Londonskyguy]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 2:59pm

My recording is flawless.

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 3:31pm

I hear no distortion either.

[choitoy]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 6:31pm

I posted about the distortion on the other Gypsy CD thread, but the only time I hear it is duing you'll never get away from me, and oddly, it's during Herbie's parts, not Rose's. I haven't heard it anywhere else on the CD though.

[olitwist2]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 7:16pm

I also hear A LOT of distortion. Especially during Everything's coming up roses. I have some really nice speakers that I played it on and the distortion is very annoying. Do you think there is a way to return it and get a distortion free version? And my recording is the Barnes and Noble version, if that makes any difference.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 7:49pm

I don't think there really are distortion free versions. The people claiming not to hear anything just don't know what to listen or look for. I opened the actual audio files on a sound program and you can clearly SEE the spikes.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 8:05pm

Obviously CATSrevival doesn't know what to LISTEN for either. He had to open the audio files to SEE the spikes.

So now we're WATCHING music instead of listening to it?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 8:07pm

Actually, you sort of have to listen to it while watching it... but...

[musicandtemiror]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 8:13pm

I got it from iTunes and played it on my computer [good speaker system] and it sounded fine but I played it on my iPod today for the first time and noticed it
I thought it was my headphones but apparently not.

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 8:39pm

Dollypop, you are hilarious.

I just exchanged my CD and Barnes and Noble, and the distortion is still there. I now feel bad about wasting 2 perfectly good CDs. I was also thinking it could be a problem with the Barnes and Noble version, but I really think more people here would have posted if that were the case.

It's definitely less noticeable when I'm listening to it on my computer speakers, but I like to listen to cast recordings with my Grado headphones, which pick up a lot of the distortion.

Oh well, I'm over it. I'm just going to start enjoying the CD!

[chino]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:08am

I hear a lot of distortion as well, especially when they reach the high notes... I even played it on my father's good high end system and hear the same. I got mine from Barnes and Noble.

But yeah... am just enjoying the CD as well. At least it has a better quality than the sample CD they had. Updated On: 9/6/08 at 12:08 AM

[dottedquarterrest]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 2:52pm

it was me who posted about it on the other thread, and i did not get mine from barnes and noble. I bought mine from the Virgin Megastore in Times Square - so it's not exclusive to BN copies. It's present in the same places on all CD's I've listened to and on all speakers/headphones.

Not sure there's anything to be done about it, it just sucks no one noticed it before it was released.

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 4:47pm

I only really notice it during "If Momma Was Married" during:

"But momma gets married--
--and--
--married--
**AND**
--married--"

I hear it on Laura's second "and," but only with my earphones. Through any other speaker the album is flawless. But once I pop in my ear buds, it does it on that ONE LINE. Odd.

Updated On: 9/6/08 at 04:47 PM

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 5:23pm

I just listened to that part in "If Momma Was Married", and that has to be one of the worst distortions on the CD!

I seems like this a headphones or good speakers problem. I was listening (rockin' out, to be honest!) to the CD in the car, and it's not as noticeable.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 5:25pm

Life's too short to worry about little sound distortions now isn't it?

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 5:43pm

"Life's too short to worry about little sound distortions now isn't it?"

Very true. I'm just so glad to have this production recorded like this, since I'll probably never get to see any of it beyond the bits of B-roll footage used in the promo clips online. Here's one Patti/GYPSY-lover keeping his fingers crossed for a "Great Performances" video recording!

[cubanpab]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 6:23pm

i'm listening now and i hear pretty big distortions too... i came here to see if anyone had them and found this thread. its not ruining the recording, but its fairly noticeable.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 6:24pm

It is definitely there all right. But I only noticed it when someone pointed out the right times to look for. Otherwise I just sat there enjoying it.

*shrug* Still doesn't bother me.

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 7:07pm

I purchased mine from iTunes and it has terrible static/overload on all speakers and headphones. Very disappointed.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 7:56pm

I really can't believe I'm hearing this. People are upset over a few sound distortions?

The only time I'd EVER return a CD is if it was brand new, I opened it, and it has 20 scratches that affect playback.

A few sound bytes distorted here and there are nothing?

I'm just happy these incredible performances have been captured for a life time, and that many scenes, transitions, and songs that have gone unrecorded for decades are finally available.

Dissapointed over static here and there? Of course not! I hate how most recordings nowadays sound like they've been recorded in a tin can.

I'd hate to see what most of the people who are complaining would say if they were listening to a recording created before 1950.

[Plum]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 8:03pm

I'd hate to see what most of the people who are complaining would say if they were listening to a recording created before 1950.

And with the tech recording studios have today, why shouldn't people expect better? You can be grateful a production was recorded and still be annoyed with the way it was done. Just ask anyone about the Follies OBC.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 8:09pm

"And with the tech recording studios have today, why shouldn't people expect better? You can be grateful a production was recorded and still be annoyed with the way it was done. Just ask anyone about the Follies OBC."

Oh, you can always be unhappy with how it was recorded. I was not talking about what cuts were made. In fact, the actual sound quality of the Follies OBCR is incredible.

What I am talking about is that it's not such a big deal that there are a few sound distortions here and there. Look at how much they recorded. Look at the extensive booklet they got out. Look at how fast the recording itself came out.

Sure, with today's technology we can expect better. But there's a line between expecting the best, and being too critical.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 8:09pm

If this was a live album I wouldn't have a problem with a smattering of static. But at certain points in my copy, especially in the aforementioned "If Mamma Was Married" the static becomes jarring. I don't know if it is the recording or the burning of the disc, but it's annoying nonetheless.