The Beatles in Mono. Part II – Rubber Soul

[1965]

It's Monday again. Next up, Rubber Soul. Feel free to discuss.

Rubber Soul [Mono]

[bee_atles]

I hadn't hear all of Rubber Soul in Mono, thanks for sharing. Sounds a lot better to my ears, even on my laptop speakers.

[1965]

Anyone else? I think mono really gives Rubber Soul a punch that it's lacking in the stereo version. The super spread out guitars and drums of the stereo version really kills it for me. One of my favorite Beatles albums for sure.

[Bosifis1]

"Rubber Soul" is my 2nd fav Beatles album I and hold it dear to my heart. I never heard the mono version until years after listening to the stereo CD. Some things I liked, a lot I didn't. I guess that I was just used to the wide stereo. I agree that it shouldn't have been SO wide and mixed more like "Beatles For Sale". But, I have to admit my joy of experimenting what one side sounded like from the other. Drive My Car-the piano is so up and down, seems like it wasn't mixed well. Nowhere Man-I have to say that I miss the stereo "space". The mono version makes it seem so "closed". "Think For Yourself"-The vocals sounds like it was recorded through a box! I guess, what I'm trying to say is, in mono, everything seems like its fighting to be heard. I donno, my two cents. Still an awesome album, mono or stereo! Goin to bed. Out!

[beefandbones]

No question about it in my mind - mono rules here! The only real weakness in the mono version of Rubber Soul is the ending of What Goes On, which seems oddly botched.

[beefandbones]

Since it's generally thought that the Beatles and their engineers paid more attention to the mono mixes (up through Magical Mystery Tour, at least) why do you suppose that the mono version of What Goes On has a sloppier ending than its stereo equivalent? It sounds like there must have been a guitar overdub for the stereo version, although it sounds pretty natural. That would seem to indicate that they were paying more attention to the stereo mix of that song at the time. Any thoughts?

[1965]

It sounds like there must have been a guitar overdub for the stereo version, although it sounds pretty natural.

Exactly. There's just one little overdub that's not there.

[Les]

I don't recall ever hearing the whole album in mono before. Neat.

Of couse I prefer the stereo mixes, just because I'm a big fan of early/mid 60s "ping pong" wide stereo.

One thing I'm curious about though. To me Rubber Soul was the first album that had consistently high
sound quality throughout, mono or stereo. Before the albums had a lot of compression, ducking, and tape saturation.
They were full of dropouts too. Sometimes here and there a cut would sound better.

Why did this happen? I don't think it was hardware.... IIR they didn't get the superior Studer machines till
Pepper. And Geoff hadn't taken over from Norman yet.

There seems to me to be a correlation with going from teeny pop songs to more introspective stuff.
Anyway they had the capability to make very clean recordings right from the beginning. They just
didn't.

[rickinroma]

To me the stereo version sounds better than the mono...or at least it is more clear what each instrument is doing
and this is valid for all albums not only Rubber Soul

and yes, that early stereo had something really enjoyable to listen to...the ambience that a solid hard mono version lacks of

the only track that sounds better, in overall terms, is Day Tripper... but just because in mono the horrible edits are hidden being put in the middle with all the rest

[Les]

Right Francesco.... I didn't notice the swoosh and missing notes on the mono. BTW that is my next song....
hope you will sing it!

I'm getting the extreme urge to play with the four multitrack masters from pepper too.

[rickinroma]

Sure, I can contribute on Day Tripper with vocals...and on bass too..no problems