12
votes
Why would a track be inverted?
This is probably a niche subject, but here we go. The album version of Protect Ya Neck is censored and I hate how it was done. Luckily we have Protect Ya Neck (The Bloody Version) from the single. I don't like all of this version, so I took my European remaster and edited it all to replace the >drrrrtttt< with the swearing.
Today I got the Music on Vinyl release from 2009 and liked it enough, I figured I'd patch it. When I brought it into Audition I noticed that the audio was inverted.
Is there any reasoning behind this?
It's definitely to avoid some phase issues, but I couldn't tell you what issues exactly.
I assume the audio is otherwise identical? If it was a different mix or remaster it might make sense, but if they're identical, I dunno.
I wondered if he meant just having the stereo tracks flipped, vs phase inverting. Maybe he can clarify.
If the stereo tracks are swapped, who knows... maybe the vinyl master had to be done that way for some reason? too much low end on the inner groove? I don't know much about vinyl mastering except that too much volume in some or all frequencies can actually cut through the medium itself. More delicate than the modern "turn that shit up" method. ;)
check this -- https://i.imgur.com/wfixhiQ.png. Top is 'normal' and the bottom is inverted
Basically, I was mixing these files and every so often it'd cut out completely. This is a pure inversion to illustrate. Its sort of like a phase inversion... but why would that happen with a vinyl pressing? Its interesting because 36 Chambers has always been a quiet master, so too much volume shouldn't be an issue.
I'm going to email a presser to see if its a trick for vinyl.
cc /u/arqalite
If the whole thing is like that, exactly the same except opposite phase, then that just seems like an accident to me. It wouldn't change the sound at all so it doesn't matter whether your master has ΓΈ on or not
/u/tomf, yeah, it's either an accident, or it was needed for vinyl for some obscure reason.
I tried to do some online research but nothing came up that made sense.
yeah, we're in the same boat. And really, I doubt anyone else will ever notice this... but I need my cussing :)
You can invert the track back to normal safely, and it should let you patch the vocals in. Or does that not work? (I assume the vinyl version is different than the original? I admit I haven't taken the time to listen to them)
yeah, I fixed it all up -- which is silly. I should just use the cut from the single. :)
I just don't get why it would be inverted like that. I'm almost wondering if the ripper did that to prove it was their rip... but that gets into a whole other range of questions.