Goodbye To MoFi: Michael Jackson Thriller 1Step Comparison Extravaganza
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- Опубликовано: 24 ноя 2022
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Thriller is the sixth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson, released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records. It was produced by Quincy Jones, who had previously worked with Jackson on his 1979 album Off the Wall. Jackson wanted to create an album where "every song was a". With the ongoing backlash against disco music at the time, he moved in a new musical direction, resulting in a mix of pop, post-disco, rock, funk, and R&B sounds. Thriller foreshadows the contradictory themes of Jackson's personal life, as he began using a motif of paranoia and darker themes. Paul McCartney appears on "The Girl Is Mine", the first credited appearance of a featured artist on a Michael Jackson album. Recording took place from April to November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a budget of $750,000.
Thriller became Jackson's first number-one album on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart, where it spent a record 37 non-consecutive weeks at number one, from February 26, 1983, to April 14, 1984. Seven singles were released: "The Girl Is Mine", "Billie Jean", "Beat It", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' ", "Human Nature", "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", and "Thriller". They all reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, setting a record for the most top 10 singles from an album, with "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" reaching number one. Following Jackson's performance of "Billie Jean" in the Motown 25 television special, where he debuted his signature moonwalk dance, the sales of the album significantly increased, selling one million copies worldwide per week. The "Thriller" music video was premiered to great anticipation in December 1983 and played regularly on MTV, which also increased the sales.
With 32 million copies sold worldwide by the end of 1983, Thriller became the best-selling album of all time. It was the best-selling album of 1983 worldwide, and in 1984 it became the first album to become the best-selling in the United States for two years. It set industry standards with its songs, music videos, and promotional strategies influencing artists, record labels, producers, marketers, and choreographers. The success gave Jackson an unprecedented level of cultural significance for a black American, breaking racial barriers in popular music, earning him regular airplay on MTV and leading to a meeting with US President Ronald Reagan at the White House. Thriller was among the first albums to use music videos as promotional tools; the videos for "Billie Jean", "Beat It" and "Thriller" are credited for transforming music videos into a serious art form.
Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time, with sales of 70 million copies worldwide. It is the best selling non-compilation album and second-best-selling album overall in the United States and was certified 34× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2021. It won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards at the 1984 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, while "Beat It" won Record of the Year. Jackson also won a record-breaking eight American Music Awards at the 1984 American Music Awards. The album has been a frequent inclusion in lists of the greatest albums of all time. In 2008, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In the same year, the Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry of "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant recordings". 
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Well I am glad to see that I am not the only one with that opinion. I have been saying that for years now. I don’t think it has anything to do with the DSD/DXD step in the process. It has everything to do with the mastering engineer and the equipment they use. I just purchased Andrea Bocelli Amore. This is a 2014 pure digital remaster from Back On Black. It just might be the best sounding album I own at this point in time. I am pretty sure that label doesn’t have nearly the budget as MOFI, yet they produced a much better product.
I would love to hear any or all of these one steps, but done by the legends of today, Bernie, Kevin, Ryan, Chris and many others. I bet you dollars to donuts those version would walk all over the Mofi versions. I am sorry, I don’t know the names of the mastering engineers at Mofi, but it comes across as just pump them out and make it sound pretty good. Instead the other engineers I. Mentioned, seem to take their time, mull over the smallest details until the final product is hands down better than anything out there. Maybe it is a combination of that and the equipment Mofi uses, maybe they are not putting as much money into that as the other guys? I have no idea, these are just questions that I think about.
I will say, that I keep falling into the Mofi trap. I do keep buying them as I keep hoping and praying that this next album will be the one that solidifies them as a leader once again. Every time, I keep getting disappointed.
My son and I listened to my 1st US pressing of thriller and my new one step. Again, I was disappointed. The one step sounds good, but the 1st pressing sounds as good and I some aspects it sounded better. I noticed his vocals on side one were more in the back ground by like 1-2 db, but side 2 they were more up front. It was like they realized that half way through and made the adjustments, without going back to and fixing side 1. The US 1st pressing it was consistent all the way through. His vocal are more apparent. One of the biggest differences was on the track The Girl Is Mine. Paul’s vocal are low and muffled. On the US 1st pressing he is WAY more pronounced and crystal clear.
If you can find a clean US 1st pressing I would purchase that and save the extra $70 and use that to purchase other cool albums in your wish list.
Excellent post. Thank you.
@@FleagleSangria totally agree with you. Sorry if my post didn’t come across that way. I guess the point I was trying to make is, if all these other labels and engineers can make incredibly sounded music, why can’t Mofi? Basically all thing are equal? I believe it comes down to they don’t care as much and just want to get the product out the door. Just like almost everything in this world today, we have become used to mediocre service and quality that we just settle and are ok with that. That is not right. We are paying a premium and with times being really hard for a lot of people, they when we do decide to spend money on something we should expect top notch quality.
@@techrider2088 thank you so much for taking the time to read my long winded message. I hope you and your family had a fantastic Thanksgiving Holiday
The first europian pressing of MJ Thriller made in Holland sounds beautiful.
I don't think it has anything to do with the equipment. It has much more to do with choices and the way they apply themselves.
You're losing your credibility with your overt Mo-Fi hatred and bias. Too bad.
I received my copy Wednesday and was actually very impressed and I think it sounds great, I’m happy with my purchase and so happy it’s 33.3 rpm. I’m not a Michael Jackson fan but I do appreciate this album. I love your videos but disagree with this review. Oh one more thing, when I was playing the first song I actually turned the volume higher than I normally do because I was so impressed, my wife was cooking for the holiday and I walked in the kitchen an she was dancing to it haha. I don’t think a 45 RPM would be a good business decision for MOFI to release later.
Thank you for sharing.
Did you compare the MOFI to anything or just listen to it alone? Often something can sound fine until there is something to compare it to.
I think Mofi messed up big time making it 33.3 rpm, which is inferior as far as sound quality. They've lost me as a customer on that alone, why would I keep paying $150 on a considerably cheaper product. The new packaging looks cheaper as well. Mofi caters to their benefactors and not for the very best sounding product with zero compromise. They're asking people to keep shelling out $150 for a single LP?! and it's not even in 45rpm?! ridiculous.
@@mythos8558 Maybe... just maybe because it is $100... NOT $150
A 45 RPM cut would allow for less inner groove distortion and more low end. I eagerly await that version.
Michael, all this years you are promoting dynamic range of recordings as being a quality that has been ruined by so many mastering engineers by using too much dynamic compression.
Now, in case of Thriller you are saying exactly the opposite, because you feel cheated by Mofi due to their DSD in their mastering chain… in this case I’m missing the objectiveness I usually appreciate from your shoot out reviews!
This is one of those times I absolutely disagree with “your opinion”. The LP was done very well. As much as I appreciate the analogue sound this record sounds great. Not sure what you were listening to. I do agree $100 is a little much, but still enjoyed it.
Just listened to both my 1st US pressing and the MoFi 1step... the OG sounds great! It's in your face loud and I also think the MoFi is just as good if not better... the spaciousness and stereo separation is amazing! That being said the MoFi gets my vote. I'm still going to listen to both as they both are great in their own way. And I get it...MoFi was not 100% honest about their sourcing but all bitterness aside they still make great sounding records
Interesting review and comments. I keep seeing and hearing that MOFI "made a mistake" with the sound on this title. Then the explanation is always something about "this is a dance album" and/or "all the original versions were danceable and had a groove". Then, almost everyone complains MOFI "changed it". And this review does all that, and more. But MOFI didn't "do" anything. They didn't "futz" with it. The banner they put on it is "original master recording". They aren't putting "original remixed and remastered recording" on it. The whole point is they are doing a FLAT transfer from the master and getting THAT sound onto vinyl and SACD. With NO extra compression or EQ. IF they had done that, then there would be more people complaining that MOFI didn't present the original master recording as it was recorded to tape. (Then that would pile on top of the whole "they added a digital step" arguments that are still flying...) It's perfectly fine to prefer the original COMPRESSED and "futzed with" versions, that are more "for the dance floor". We're all nostalgic and have a certain preference for these older recordings. And of course that makes it fun to search for a certain mastering done by whoever, who made the sound we "like". Bernie seems to be the "old favorite", in this case. But he cut it a certain way back in the '80s - and "colored" the sound of the original master. Apparently MJ and everyone signed off on it and liked the way it sounded. All fine and dandy - but it's not what's on that master tape. Arguably, one could take this MOFI version (from the LP or the SACD) and digitally "recreate" what Bernie did, with compression and EQ tweaks - but then that's not going to be the original master, either. So it seems in this case, MOFI has REVEALED how much "futzing" was done on the original released LPs, that made "that certain sound", compared to the original master recording. It's not MOFI's fault that the Original Master Recording isn't the mastering some like more. Arguing that MOFI "screwed up" or "made a big mistake", based on the fact that they DIDN'T screw around with the audio is asking MOFI to do exactly what most don't want them to do. There's so many more complaints that MOFI "used to make EQ changes that ruined the sound". Now in 2022, there's a bunch asking MOFI do do just that for one title, just so it sounds like they prefer from years ago. Seems like now there's a camp forming where we have a bunch that just want to complain about everything MOFI is doing. Didn't we just go berzerk online just weeks ago about "OMG! A digital step! That's going to RUIN the sound! It's NOT what's on the tape anymore!" arguments? So what do we want - the original master recording - with no changing of what's on the tape? Or do we want them to start playing around to make it sound like some sound engineer did 40 years ago for a vinyl mastering, so we're happy? Which version should MOFI emulate, since some now want it to sound the way "they want it to."?
A friend of mine was one of the 3 VPs at Epic who really make Thriller happen. The basic team were those 3, Michael and his manager. My friend (I don't want to say his name) worked with Michael regularly during the launch of that record. Michael was extremely hands-on, went to all the marketing meetings, and contributed many promotional ideas. For the production, he had to approve of everything including the mix and Bernie Grundman's mastering, and Michael was uncompromising with his high standards. That team worked tirelessly to make that record happen and after it went platinum the first time, Michael awarded them each a Rolls Royce. Say what you will about Michael and his personal doings, he was a very generous, kind, hardworking person.
Wow. What a story. History. Thanks for sharing.
Agreed. And can add an anecdote of my own. Late in his career, early 2000's, my best friend in the film/commercial business in L.A. was on a shoot, documenting Michael in the recording studio and witnessed firsthand ... Michael Jackson was the consummate professional. He was drama-free, prepared, brilliant, had a perfect ear, and was absolutely clear what he wanted. He wasted no one's time and paid well.
FFS you can take the "kind" out of your statement...think man think!
@@andrewclough660think about what? He was kind. EVERYONE who knew him and had dealing with him say the same. The only people who say otherwise have pursued him for money and still do long after his passing.
So please, take you own advice. Think man, think!
...and he loved children...
Hello Michael, I like your contributions: you are always friendly, easygoing and also you never claim to have "the" truth to disclose.
Also, I appreciate your english; you don't use difficult words and you are so kind to speak slowly!
So a big thanks once again.
Luigi
(from Italy)
It was written in the stars that you would give this a bad review.
Michael, no doubt that Bernie’s pressings were mastered with “Dance” in mind. But I think the notion that those people that listen to this album (and Off the Wall) are not just sitting and listening is not accurate. For me, listening to MJ’s vocal harmonies are just stunning. Throw in Q Jones production magic and these albums are just a Joy to listen to as audiophile records. For me, MOFI’s taking the compression out of this pressing is just what the Dr. ordered for 2022/ 2023. If I want to listen to compressed copy of this title. I have my og American first pressing. But as a musician, this MOFI pressing will be my go to copy.
100% all the now revealed details and timbre are stunning. Also, people who won’t dance to this version if you crank it up, just don’t like to dance. Play it in a club and people will go nuts as always.
All Thriller past 33 lp albums are Dance albums. You have a vengeance out for Mobile Fidelity in my opinion.
Michael I wonder if you were predisposed to having a bad review of this release due to the baggage that comes with any Mofi release now. Perhaps some conformational bias in your review. I have the pressing and find it quite good. In fact I think it improves as the album progresses. Side B sounds better to me which appears to be in contradiction to your take. Just a thought that maybe your review is not truly objective in this case.
Find me an objective review of anything.
Your opinion Vs his !
Definitely. He knows Chad. Obviously he's gonna say "yes" to Chad releases when compared to Mofi. Classic Big Surprise 45RPM
@@RealJeffTidwell I agree. However, it's hard not to see the blatant bias
I honesty think a lot of folks having been biding their time over the past several months to pile on to this release when it finally arrived. I'm an old dance DJ. and I think they've done a great job on the mix- it pops.I can hear so much more detail that ENHANCES the experience of listening to the disc. I can now appreciate so much more of the layered instrumentation that for 40 years has lain buried in the mix. I appreciate your opinion but I just don't get it. I really do think a lot of unconscious and maybe conscious bias is at play here! Maybe Chad Kassem has performed some voodoo mind trick?
100% agreed
@@StefanoCipo87 as someone who has taken no side in the MOFI fiasco, other than to laff at all the chickens with heads cut off, ( I own no MOFIs) if I did own them, and they sounded to my satisfaction, I would not get rid of them or stop listening to them.
He’s on the Kassem payroll! 😂
@@marcallain clearly he is
They did nothing with the MIX. It's just a remastering.
I have to agree with some of the others here. At some point it is already a preconceived notion that MoFi is to be trashed. Then these reviews are a little less informative. I liked the Michael of old. He listened to the music and said whether it sounded good or not. Simple.
I did my own shootout with my original and I just can’t see how anyone can say this MOFI is bad, I understand some may not like it as well but this in my opinion is more of an audiophile pressing. MOFI messed up not being 100% honest I get it but to turn our hobby into how people act politically turns me off to AP just as much. I’ll continue to buy MOFI and AP when they press a record I’m interested in, I don’t know of any record I own I’ve purchased from either that I can say “ this is bad” and if so I don’t think I would say I’m done with this company. I look forward to the next video here because I really enjoy this channel but I hate seeing the bashing, hell the main reason I love this hobby is to get away from the real world BS a few hours a day HAHA
Thank you, Michael! I always enjoy hearing your perspective.
Sounds better than the original, but the 45 RPM will be the BEST pressing.
Now that I have listened to the U.S. first pressing and the MoFi 1Step side by side, a few things occurred to me. I realized that during the 3 or 4 times, I have listened to the MoFi 1Step, I never thought the MoFi sounded "digital" in any way - it never occurred to me. I do notice greater dynamic range on the MoFi version, especially noticeable in the bass level, which I feel in my feet a bit more than on the OG version. Both versions are fantastic and exciting to listen to, and honestly, I have a hard time saying which is better. Therefore, the two versions will sit side by side in my collection, and I will choose which one to play based on my mood.
That's because it's not 'digital'. They transferred the tape to DSD and then pressed the lacquers from that file. So, there was 'digital' in the chain, but the actually lacquer pressing and record pressing are analog. Folks saying "this record is digital and that record is analog" are incorrect. They are all analog. Now, if you say "this was sourced from a digital file", then that is the correct identifying factor of records that come from a digital file. Otherwise, there is nothing digital about a vinyl record.
@@fotoram Well, sorry for the imprecise language. I guess I should say this does not sound like it was sourced from a digital file then.
@@luis6379-q7k No need to be sorry. The problem with writing text on posts is that it's sometimes hard to tell the temperament of the writer. My reply was meant more of an FYI. After looking it over, it seems that I came across rather standoffish rather than informational. So, I apologize if I came off that way. Thanks!
@@ramiroorta7922 No worries. I understand your point.
The standard pressing already sounds so good.
In my eyes at least, this is one of the best-sounding 80s album.
As a big fan of SACDs I find it interesting that MoFi makes an archival copy of the tapes on to DSD to then use that copy for the production of the albums. I also read once that Sony created DSD for that very purpose of archiving masters which would eventually degrade over time if kept on tapes. Is this a proof that DSD is the best file format there is, even doubling as a master itself?
I’ve just listened to my MoFi version and it sounds superb! More detail, presence slightly deeper bass but it still has that boogie factor… It’s just your opinion which I respect but if you like this album then buy it even though it’s expensive, it does sound better than my original mint uk copy. My music system consists of , Naim amplifier and Rega P8/Atheta 2 turntable.
I doubt you could tell in a blind test
@@TheHSIHP have you got it or heard it yet
@@brewt1mer no, why would I pay over a hundred dollars for a 10 dollar record that already sounds great?
@@TheHSIHP then you have no idea how good the mofi version sounds then
@@brewt1mer neither do you. I bet you can't actually hear the difference
Thriller was the first album I ever owned at 6 years old ( although my mom had to put it on the turntable for me.) With that being said, I appreciate hearing it in a new presentation with this Mofi release.
When I pay $100+ for “audiophile” records I want it to be a different experience. If it sounds exactly, or close to the original then what’s the point?
I enjoyed being able to hear the details and nuances that I never noticed before and I believe that is the point of releases like this.
No one is throwing on their $100 one steps for “dance parties” and that’s why it pays to have both copies.
"If it sounds exactly, or close to the original then what’s the point?" to be able to buy a new clean archive worthy copy of an iconic record that sounds as good or better than the original.
@@jrdoran a lot of folks out there think it does sound better than the original so there you go. Or…..plenty of NM copies for sale out there for less money than this release
Either way, you’re taken care of!
And yeah, this is only the highest selling album of all time. There are endless mint or nm copies that are first or second press available. Spend your hundred bucks there instead dummies or shut up.
Me too❤️ my very first album too💞
I listened to it in August. It was a demo copy in a white jacket. The VP from MoFi had it at the Audio Advice Show in Raleigh. It was being played on a $250,000 system, but I was incredibly impressed.
I just ordered the first US pressing off of Discogs. $25 with shipping. I’m not buying the MoFi until the 45 comes out. I don’t understand why or how that decision was made, but I’m waiting.
Damn I'm an hour from that store..Hate I didn't hear a out this show
@@weldonjenkins15 it was literally worth the one hour drive and the price of admission.
@@MidFiMan When is it coming out and why do you think it is?
Sorry Michael but since the mofi mess you seem to have gone in a totally different direction.. now you come across that anything they do won’t be good enough for you. You use to love their records. You act like every original is the best sounding which is so far the truth. I always liked your videos from the moment I found you but now you don’t come across as fair and opened minded. It’s disappointing
@@fletcherfortune287and we can call him out on his bs too so what’s your point?
First negativ i had to give you, but sorry, this Release sounds great to me. Would say "Best it" was the best IMO and the start of Billie Jean also outstanding
I am even more excited to receive my copy of Thriller now. I love that this MOFI edition is different to the original. I want a new experience with this album - and it sounds like it is. Cool.
Plus…my head would have exploded if u had liked it. No shocker there.
You hit the nail on the head when highlighting the fact that MoFi tried turning Thriller into a hi-fi reference recording. Some albums are very much made for sitting and listening, some sound better on great headphones, still others are meant to be turned up to get your backside moving. This is one of the problems with many of these special vinyl releases. They're fixing a problem that most often doesn't exist and instead try to turn music fans into simple record collectors first instead of music lovers first.
Mo-Fi's releases over the years have really just turned into a scam in some respects when it comes to how they treat certain records. In fact, sometimes the original compressed version is what the artist(s) & producers wanted and not some sterile "open" recording that a hi-fi aficionado thinks was intended.
When in doubt, get an affordable first or second pressing /rerelease before venturing into these high-end remasters.
Can you tell me what hi-fi is? My folks say it is a scam and that nothing like it actually exists! It was just something that they put on the packages! 😲
I think you need to get Bernie Grundman on to talk about how he originally done the cut & the requirements from both Michael & Quincy.
And to see what changes he can tell & hear in this MoFi version.. Now this would be a video to watch..
YES! I'd love that.
This is a very crisp sounding pressing. It's a bit on the bright side EQ-wise, but there is virtually zero sibilance (not easy to do when cutting to vinyl)...
The lack of compression on this mastering, for me, is welcome--as this is likely the most dynamic pressing of this album we have ever had thus far.
I would have preferred a bit more in the low end on this one, but as always, there are limitations when sides are this long.
Happy with this pressing, but I REALLY want a 2 disc, 45RPM version of this from MOFI. (which i hear is likely in the works)
You are by comparison xtremly good. You are making me loving vinyl with your passion. I have been out of vinyl for many years. Butt you , Fremer and The audiophil man have convised me to go back to that format. I`m so glad. Thank you.
Hi Michael, Now I am quite interested (after your negative review) to buy this new Mofi ! It seems that Mofi de-compressed the songs when mastering, so we are now able to listen more to the details Bruce Swedien had in mind. Good to hear from you that Mofi is different from the OG‘s.
Perfect !!!
Didn't they compress? Why de-compress? The OG has much more dynamic/punch. But Mofi somehow got more information out of the master tape, 40 years is a lot to improve (analog) technology.
@@booom4849 The idea of compression IS exactly to get more punch. But this should not be mistaken for dynamics.
@@markusberzborn6346 Have to get my hands on a compressor, I need one anyway cause my setup has too high dynamics - which is good for microdynamics, but the peaks are too peaky, if you know what I mean. That's how I felt about the OG, and it could need some lowering of the peaks and bringing up the quiet parts.
Maybe I'm still misunderstanding something here, or there are different types of compression? Also the hifi setups of the 70s/80s were likely compressing automatically due to sub-optimal electronics, getting a more mellow sound.
IMO, you are wrong about it not being an Audiophile record. Most likely, only Audiophiles will purchase the MOFI and those wishing to just dance can get another version out of the recycling bins from those who purchased from MOFI, yes.
As always, I appreciate all the time you put into the fun in comparison of all the versions and your opinions . It’s great to have your perspective Sir .
Thanks for the review, Michael
I think it’s fair to say that MoFi was going for a more “audiophile” presentation of the record than the original. I can’t really blame them for that, but the artist, producer, and label’s intention was far different. It would have been more interesting if MoFi had attempted to best that original intent, but I understand their position. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
I doubt if Bruce and Quincy had heavy compression/limiting on their mind for the master of their amazing mixes.
Exactly. I'm not into Michael Jackson, so some mofi mastered songs sound good to me, but I can feel with those who think they ruined the artists intention. They failed hard at mastering Nirvana Nevermind for example.
I'm afraid you were right first time - it's closer to 40 years ago than 30. We are getting older.
😹
I love how you always tell what your honest opinion is without pulling any punches. Keep up the great work!
SPOT ON!!!!! I received my oringal first press promotional copy when I was working in radio in 1982. The music on the album had been played to death in the states, so that I played my copy only once, put it in a discwasher sleeve, and did not play it again until you had a video about this album being issued by MO-FI, I almost forgot I had it. It was just overplayed and "burnt out" by my ears. That was 40 years ago!!! Although, I am not an audio engineer, having listened to this album on a pair of Snell A speakers, I just found the sound quality and its pressing of the album to be superb to any of the albums of its era. I understand the subjectivity of audio reproduction, but sitting down and listening to it, I coud not find any defects in any of the recordings.
been waiting patiently for your take on the mofi MJ. thanks michael
I am really enjoying the Mofi release. It is almost as though a veil has been removed from my ears and I can now hear everything that was there in the master. I am appreciating this record even more. It is my favorite version of all the Thriller releases.
Finally got my MOFI copy so I rummaged through my records and found my old copy of Thriller. Turns out it’s a US first pressing so that was a pleasant surprise. I put it on the turntable and I hadn’t listened to this album on a really good system before. Wow! The original is a pretty darn good piece of vinyl. If the MOFI version didn’t exist I would have said maybe we don’t need an audiophile version of this record cause the original is excellent.
Then I played the MOFI and OMG! I compared several tracks first original then the MOFI. The MOFI takes it up a substantial notch in detail, intricate dynamics, vocal presence and just out and out realism. I don’t know when I’ll ever bother taking out the original copy again. Maybe if I have it playing at a party or just playing it in the background.
I should note that I don’t expect these remasters to be just like the original. There’s so much less compression and the vinyl is cleaner. Yes, sometimes compression is intentional on a dance record. But I don’t give a damn about whether or not people dance to this record. I’m listening to it on a very good system and what I hear in the MOFI is astonishing. And nothing about it deters me from tapping my foot and maybe wanting to dance.
I’m disappointed that you’re thinking of not reviewing MOFI releases. From your reviews it seems that you really expect the record to be substantially like the original. But should it be like the original or perhaps like the performance? I don’t think we can always know that. With the Miles Davis - Kind of Blue UHQR they decided to correct the speed and pitch of the first few songs that were originally cut to vinyl off speed and pitch. That’s a big change but one that’s trying to stay true to the performance rather than the original vinyl. I’m glad they did that and much prefer it.
In my opinion the MOFI version of Thriller is the version to own. I may buy another copy to gift to a friend if they don’t sell out.
I can probably sum up Michaels feelings without watching.
"MOFI is bad, lacks freshness and oomph of the original"
Since it came out that Mobile Fidelity uses digital steps you have really started disliking them. Its odd because you used to rave about them.
I cancelled my order for this after Mofigate. Now so pleased I did. I'm also out with their releases now. Thanks Micheal for your review.
I never in my 45 years of record buying bought a MOFI...never though they were necessary
This guy is such a charlatan. He repeats shit from other reviews and then tries to make it his own. Mofi has done some excellent work. The Mofi Dylan albums are the best. The Miles Davis In a Silent Way is awesome! Now, because we were lied to about the digital step, he wants to say bye to Mofi. At least he didn't say punchy or musicality 500 times in his review.
DSD 256 might as well be analog.
I will be avoiding this release. Your video inspired me to spin my original, and I just don’t know how you can top it! Sounds so beautiful!
The original pressing is excellent
And a bit compressed.
which variant are we talking? There were 676 including Compact cassette versions. This album sold worldwide back when every country had it's own pressing plant.
Most the Eastern block countries cut their own lacquers from copies of the master tapes supplied to them by Epic. So there are many many variations in compression, stereo separation and hi-end cut from country to country once you get outside "The West".
@@SPAZZOID100 "a bit", heavily i would say. And totally suited to this style of music. Remember, it was designed to get you out of your seat and get you moving.
@@janedoe6350 Not all of it, plus there are a couple of ballads on it as well. I like hearing this album with it's full dynamics intact.
Dude! Your glasses are so awesome! Also Michael Jackson is the GOAT!!
There are more copies of Michael Jackson Thriller than there are shells on the beach. It makes no sense to spend $150 on something that can be picked up for next to nothing.
Michael should bd ashamed of himself- transformed from one of the biggest MOFI supporters on RUclips to total Anti-Mofi with extreme bias. Hilarious, he must have gotten a new pair of ears.
I think it started when they wouldn't send him any freebies or send him copies in advance then he turned into a pitbull. I love the way Thriller sounds, It is so much more open then the original which is good also, but for an audiophile shouldn't we want less compression and be praising the fact that it was done on such hi resolution that it is indistinguishable from the original tape and yet it only had to be played once? Don't we want these tapes to last? It was mastered beautifully.
Remembering hearing it for the first time all these years ago and being mind-blown, and it was certainly not designed to be an audiophile product. It was all about car radios, walkman and boomboxes! Maybe that's where the MoFi peeps got lost. All specs, no feelings. Our memories remain. Vielen Dank for sharing.
Most Quincy Jones/Swedien productions are sonically superior to anything else of their era IMO.
Honestly... I've had more issues with MoFi pressings than I have good things to report. I am almost afraid to receive my I Robot 1-step at this point, with my track record. I am on the UHQR train for high-end vinyl, at this point.
Maybe, maybe, maybe we have the most interesting honest version of thriller now! Les manipulation like the Grundman cut, more access to the original music. It’s amazing to have the opportunity to get closer to the sonically source now. Nobody needs another compressed version - there are already 47 million out there. This
good point
Mind you, people are now asking $40 for a VG copy. For an album that you can literally find hanging in trees.
Thanks for a great video. You've been able to express what I think myself and others have been feeling about MoFi lately. And not just because of the DSD step. Just another lost MoFi opportunity.
I Purchased the mofi sacd of thriller, & I think it sounds really good, better than my 1980's pressing, that I purchased in Our price here in the uk, nice to hear your options Michael, there always valid 👍
Well said. This music was written and recorded for disco dance floors and AM radio. There's loads of compression and little stereo separation plus, very little audio information above 10Khz (like in all good disco dance and radio air play music).
This disc was cut to sound good on a suitcase record player. Trying to make the WORLDS most popular best selling vinyl record into something for a niche audiophile market was doomed to failure from the very beginning.
That's why i'm sticking with my 1985 Bulgarian coloured star pressing.
Moreover, i will not be sat directly between both speaker when is playing.... i'll be dancing from room to room. :)
Well said
So true.
I noticed what else is also missing from the package, that pictogram that describes the "One-Step" process! Clearly that was an issue since the digital step in the process was never mentioned or pictured when they used to include that in the box.
Wow, true, thx for putting the finger on this
Hi Michael.
Interesting review... And a rather different conclusion that Mike Esposito reached 2 weeks ago after listening to the different versions om his Wilson / VPI system.
Mike's point - as I'm sure you know - is that the MoFi-version is another mastering choice (put details before punch and compression). And not a lack of passion, as you accuse MoFi of 🤔 I honestly think they are just a passionate about the sound and music as most others in the business.
Also: You're checking out of all future MoFi releases 😯
Well that's a choice everyone of us are free to make - let's see if you can resist when they release Hotel California 😉.
However, I get the impression that part of the reason for you is "MoFi"-gate (correct?).
I too was disappointed that they were not honest about the DSD-step in the first place.
But now they are a least open about it (thanks to your, Mike's an others focus on it) - AND they have still released a lot of good sounding records using DSD (Dire Straits, Rickie Lee Jones, Dylan etc.).
Maybe it's a bit to "categorically" or "orthodox" to abandon MoFi for ever as you say. I think so - but every man his choice.
And one positive take-away from MoFi-gate is, that EVEN when digital/DSD is involved, it can (sometimes) result in very, very good sounding records. Not that this should be a guideline for others - but a least I think that there is a little positive to be drawn from the scandal.
Best wishes 🙂
I think Mike Esposito has an AMG not a VPI
Exactly, his anti-Mofi bias is embarassing. He’s incapable of an honest review. Blind listening tests would be so humbling for many people in this hobby.
@@markwallis1454 I’m not sure, but I think he says “VPI” in the video.
@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner He says Wilsons and VTLs referring to the amps. You can see the AMG on the left in the video
Yeah, he got his 14 yr old son to compare, ha
While it’s a bit expensive, I think it’s cool that Mofi went with presenting the sound differently. There’d be zero point in releasing another copy of exactly the same thing. I look forward to hearing the details.
I’d REALLY love to see you have Bernie Grundman on a live stream to talk about his mastering decisions on the original… he wouldn’t need to talk bad about MoFi or even compare his work to theirs, if he doesn’t want to - just talk with him about the work he did on this legendary album and if certain things were specific decisions or just down to compression.
In my opinion, the wide-open and vastly more detailed sound on this MoFi pressing comes from the removal of compression. I think this because of the fact that this wasn’t a remix; it was just a remastering. They wouldn’t be able to bring out all these details through a simple remastering unless the OG had a ton of compression that’s now been removed.
Michael I enjoy your reviews and respect your opinions to which you are very much entitled. And like you I am still very angry with MoFi who have pocketed a lot of my money deceitfully for the past 10+ years. However I wonder if just maybe your upset with them is causing some degree of confirmation bias. For a long time you seemed to be very pro MoFi releases but suddenly after the revelation about their actual production process the OGs are always apparently better. This is a little odd I think. Maybe you should get a friend round and do some blind side by side comparisons to see if you really believe the original pressing sounds better or just perhaps, your brain is tricking you in to thinking that’s the case. Just a thought. Certainly MoFi deserve everything they get for misleading us and frankly defrauding their customers. Perhaps they should be offering refunds/discounts to those of us who have spent so much with them?
I listened to my copy. It’s very detailed. The soundstage is wider. Background details is much clearer.
The bass is not as strong as the OG. However the OG was made to be a dance record.
As such I won’t be quick to dump mfsl record. I love both copies.
When I first compared the Stevie Ray Vaughan Texas Flood OG vs 1 Step, right away it was easy to tell on my very modest system that Mofi boosted the low end and took away quite a bit from the top end.
I hope you reconsider reviewing MoFI 1 step
i own a few of 45 rpm versions
they still sound great very quiet and dynamic
i think if the price was under $100 they wound be more appealing
and sell out immediately
keep up the good work
i enjoy your channel
Loved this video. You’re always very entertaining and eloquent regarding these releases.
(Ps - i hope its okay to note i loved this mofi release, myself)
Thanks for sharing
I respectfully disagree….I think this release sounds fantastic…wider soundstage..more detail and great vocal reproduction
I’m 41, this record came out when I was one and a half years old, and even still, it is also the soundtrack of my youth as well. Thriller is a pop music monolith; whether you like it or not, it looms so large in popular culture through the 1980s, it became music you heard ALL THE TIME, and everywhere.
Totally agree that the album really tapers off as it progresses. All the slow jams are packed into the back half, and it kind of fizzles out.
Your review is the first one I’ve seen that gives it an underwhelming review. The different perspective is much appreciated. I was out in buying the One Steps due to the price point given the sourcing revelations, so I’ll most likely never hear it. I’m happy with my US pressing, I don’t play the album enough, or really like it enough to warrant the $100 price tag.
Hi Michael. Just got mine today from Townsend Music for 125 euro including shipping. It certainly sounds different to what I remember I’ve nothing to compare it to though as I got rid of a lot of my collection in the mid 90’s for cd . Would I buy mofi again? Depends on the Album I suppose. Appreciate your reviews. Cheers 👋
Placed an order when I saw what number yours is. Don't want to miss out on an audiophile version of this. A little confused where this one places among your versions but I like that it's less compressed than the American version.
Perfekt !!!
It's very easy to miss the overriding goal of a piece of art but you kept your eye on the ball here: This is a dance album. That is (or should be) always on the minds of everyone involved in its production. If it fails at that fundamental objective, it doesn't matter what else it gets right.
I don’t really understand why you went into this review expecting the Mofi to do what the original does.
The One Step achieves exactly what I would expect a Mofi record to. This is not a DJ record.
Thriller? Never heard of it. Oh Mein feiner deutscher Freund how I relate to your distress over inconsistency in packaging! Honor consistency! Keep up the great work!
I have 2 copies of the original American pressing.
1 was unopened of course I opened it, cleaned it, and played it!
Absolutely amazing! And I like you were not a fan at all!
Quincy and the entire team just knocked it out of the park!
Great review Michael, and when will they get their act together on packaging, VMP & UHQR lead the way on packaging
Despite my concerns about Mofi at this point, two albums they're releasing by Joni Mitchell- Court and Spark, and particularly Hejira (given its stronger move into Mitchell's jazz-inspired phase of her 'middle period')- interest me in terms of their vinyl treatment, as the nature of these albums, particularly the latter, may lend themsevels better to Mofi's kind of audiophile voicing. Also especially given the air of isolation and alienation pervading much of Hejira. Not to mention that both of them are extraordinary lps, one can safely say IMO.
I appreciate your realness. Edit: mine is coming tomorrow but I’m out too.
Why say that without listening for yourself? Earnestly curious.
Couple of thoughts.. (a) if we "assume" Mofi is an "audiophile" label, then would it not be fair to say that when it gets the mofi treatment that it will sound more "audiophile" vs. the original which makes one to dance.. a typical audiophile experience is a solitary experience in an Eams louge chair, looking for imaging, separation, clarity and not necessarily a group activity with lots of dancing happening. Afterall , who needs the clarity of the supervinyl when you are up and dancing and the off-axis response of your speakers will make it anything but audiophile. I wonder if even Chad/AP would be able to keep it groovy. (b) I can't imagine you'd want another copy to listen to or have in your personal collection but it would have been interesting to get your take on the $20 40th version released at this time in comparison to the others in your mix.
Interesting comment, I have a feeling Chad would just stay away from a title like Thriller. He sticks very much to the established audiophile type of albums. A lot of people complain that the same things get released over and over but there are good reasons for that as this case shows.
This guy is such a charlatan. He repeats shit from other reviews and then tries to make it his own. Mofi has done some excellent work. The Mofi Dylan albums are the best. The Miles Davis In a Silent Way is awesome! Now, because we were lied to about the digital step, he wants to say bye to Mofi. At least he didn't say punchy or musicality 500 times in his review.
Chad/AP kept Bob Marley plenty groovy, even with the nice audiophile detailing.
But how are Vincent Price’s Vocals 😂
I like the update to the box. It’s about 1/3 the size of the old style and won’t take up as much space on the shelf. Still wish they gave you an actual album jacket with these releases but it’s a step in the right direction imo.
$150 'step in the right direction'? No thanks, get it right, or like Michael, I'm out.
Even though it takes up less space, it also comes at the cost of not being in the most secure packaging. It's barely a step up from your typical deluxe version of any album
@@toniputin1096 ummm this release is $100 know the facts before commenting....
@@JimmyV1530 In Canada, we have to pay $150. Still, no need for you to be a smarmy asshole. But you probably can't help yourself.
@@toniputin1096 Still can't complain about the wrong price point....not my fault you live in Canada & need to pay more.
Hi Michael. I'm curious to know what you would have preferred MoFi do with the mastering. More detail but keep it punchy? Do you think the original pressing could have been bettered?
This release was the make it or break it for me with MoFi. My pre-ordered copy directly from MoFi's website required me to email them to get it shipped (after my local record store had copies). Then it arrived and was all scratched up. It was an early 1100s number. Now MoFi is not responding to me to get it replaced. Ugh. So frustrating. It is a $100 purchase, and combining the lying, bad customer service, and so-so pressing I'm done.
I will enjoy the OG copy I have... all scratched up because it was my first vinyl when I was 7 years old. Oh that and the DSD file I purchased for $30. Sounds just fine to me :)
Have just received a first Dutch pressing of this today in much better than expected condition!!!,
Have cleaned it and played it,
Omg awesome sound quality!,
The originals are definitely the best the majority of the time as you say Michael😉👍👍👍
Michael, as I mentioned before, I do respect your opinion a lot, but a lot of what is being stated here sounds a little like 'sour grapes'. There almost seems to be an axe to grind with MOFI. I feel that has been the thing with a lot of the audiophile RUclips and Facebook groups. It's like people are still so pissed off with the DSD reveal that the only way they will be happy is if MOFI goes out of business. I really doubt that you spent $100 (or $150 euros in Europe) to put the record on and have a dance party. My days of putting on records and doing my Saturday Night Live impression are long gone. Today I prefer to listen to funk and groove records in my listening room and snapping my fingers or tapping my feet. But, we all have our opinions and I can respect yours even when I don't agree with them. I do seem concerned with a lot of people flocking to Acoustic Sounds like they are the second coming. I do own a lot of AS pressings and generally I am happy with most of them, but not all. I'm concerned that no one seems to mind Chad Kassem slowly increasing the prices of this UHQR to $150 with the Steely Dan pressings. It will be a matter of time when AS starts charging $200 for UHQR and $75 - $100 for their standard pressings. While I do enjoy some of the pressings from AS, I'm wary of Kassem. I don't believe he is running his company to bring love and joy to his customers. He's like any other business person and the bottom line is the almighty dollar. If he can get away with charging more for his records, then he will. Anyway, this review does not change my respect for you. Thanks again for your honesty.
How can you have 6 copies of album that you even don't like!!?!?
Both the InGroove and Positive Feedback published positive comments about the MoFi reissue. In my opinion, their reviews provided a better description of the sonic differences from the original issue so I will probably buy it and find out for myself if the MoFi reissue is superior.
The MoFi prssing is awesome... sometimes I think we let emotions interfere and I know ppl will be negative because they feel bitter towards Mofi but we all make mistakes. The album is worth getting👍
Yes, in fact most of the reviews of the MoFi 1Step of Thriller have been positive, and more nuanced. I'm sure no other reviewer declared he was "done" with MoFi 😀
Some people on RUclips are more like "influencers". They have loads of money so they can amass a collection and purchase the best equipment but do they really possess a finely tuned ear? It's for you to decide!
Love your passion and knowlegde
Like many others I recently received my copy. I confess, on my system I did enjoy it. Albeit I no longer have my original copy to compare it to. It is good enough. I am not a big enough Michael Jackson fan to try and hunt down a pristine copy to find out. I am sure an original pressing will also be expensive, especially now that Mo-Fi releases are not all that.
I'm no big MJ fan but when played loud, Billie Jean could just make me move my body.
I always liked Michael’s music and I absolutely don’t believe the lies in the media!
The best is yet to come! ❤️💜❤️🙏🌍
Not the biggest Michael Jackson fan and bought all those pressings just to compare? I remember that you also said that you are not the biggest fan of the Beatles and yet you have made some videos (Revolver, Abbey Road, not very informed, by the way).
Michael, I don't know if your channel is becoming more of a space to please audiences (and certain labels) and less to share the music you love. My recommendation: please come back to share the music you love...
Took you 10 minutes to get to the actual review. It would be helpful if you got right to the point without the rambling.
@Fletcher Fortune I offered constructive criticism in the COMMENTS SECTION. you know? The SECTION FOR COMMENTS? If you're this sensitive, you should not be on the internet.
@Fletcher Fortune Also, I meant no offense to the video producer at 45 RPM. I've seen a few of his videos and he seems to try to make nice and informative videos for the vinyl and hifi community. I don't knock him at all. It was just a thought. But I can see how some people may come to enjoy his long talks about different topics.
I appreciate your review. I’m still waiting for mine. I’m a fan of this album, & on vinyl so far the only copy I have is my mum’s original Australian pressing, & it’s had better days. I plan to replace it with another & get an original US too. I’m not sure where I’ll buy them from yet though, I’d like nice copies. I’m not thrilled with the price mofi are charging for this now notorious release, but I’m still hoping that Bruce Swedien’s mix, with less compression, shines. Bruce Swedien was the person who ignited my passion for sound. I studied him at college and wrote an essay about him. He was an exceptional sound engineer who was trained by Bill Putnam (known as “the father of modern recording). He was also a wealth of knowledge and experience with microphones, and a kind man who was highly respected. Yeah I’d love for mofi to do it AAA, but for now it seems that’s not on the cards. I also have the SACD coming, although I don’t own an SACD player (for now), because it’s the first digital release perhaps since the original SACD that isn’t ‘remastered’ in the way all of his albums have been getting butchered by loudness wars. So the fact that this is being promoted as Bruce’s mix with less compression sound appealing after many years of horrible MJ reissues.
There’s no doubt this record sounds great but obviously it’s not what the original creators intended. I would rather they focus on making the best sounding version in the spirit of the original than essentially inserting themselves in the creative process and coming up with something entirely different after all these years.
Why does anyone pay £150 for a copy of Thriller when a nice clean original pressing can be picked up for £10? More money than sense. These labels are fully aware that they can charge a fortune for old rope.
Thank you for this Michael. I felt this in the Kind of Blue pressing from MoFi. I had an OG and when I heard the MoFi I felt like the souls had been ripped out of it starting with the first blow of Miles trumpet. Then AP released theirs and I sold the MoFi for cost after one listen of Chads. Thriller isn’t my favorite Michael album (off the wall is) but I would have picked this up had the scandal not broke. Now I’m thrilled I didn’t buy it and like you, I’m out.
I love the new MOFI and I love my US orginal. The detail in the MOFI is astounding. Depending on my mood I will switch between the two. My only gripe is MOFI could have at least made the lp a gatefold and put some more effort into the extras. Otherwise, I am very, very happy with the new pressing.
You say the US original is warmer than the MoFi? My ears hear the exact opposite. The US original sounds excellent, but also sounds like the lower end and especially the high end frequencies are pushed way up. Yes, this is a dance record so I’m assuming that’s why Quincy Jones and Bruce Swedien produced and mixed it to sound like that. Some would say there’s sibilance on tracks like Bille Jean and Human Nature with the US first pressing since the highs sound over done at times. MoFi screwed up and we’re caught by announcing in early 2022 they would be producing 40,000 limited analog copies of this when their normal limited runs were 3,500 to 7,500. Granted, they were using DSD in the mastering process with most of those those too, but got greedy and stupid thinking people wouldn’t be asking how are they going to press 40,000 copies as they would have had to run the original analog tapes dozens of times to accomplish 40,000 copies of an all analog record. I wanted MoFi’s version to sound different than the original 1982 US Pitman pressing, and I like them both because they are different. Happy listening.
Micheal could you feel the bass in the original first pressing? Amazing! The soundstage was really nice vocals were clean and between the speakers. When Vincent Price speaks on the Thriller track it almost scared me like he was in the room. I bought this record used last week for $15 dollars here in Canada hey. Originals are the way to go. Stick with used record stores in your area buy the German and US and Canadian pressings. Then take your savings and buy a good bottle of wine. Enjoy. Thanks for your honesty.
Guys i bought the Mfsl Sacd...i don't know why most people say that it's more dynamic than the original. Compared to my original japanese cd (that it's incredible) it sound slightly more compressed. Overall the sound is similar between the two, but the original cd have more dynamic and energy than the Mfsl Sacd, while the Mfsl is slightly more fuller. I prefer the original cd (but not by much). I don't understand the people who say that the new Mfsl remaster seems like a remix...it's only slightly more relaxed and detailed for me (another time not by much).
The original one is also more organic for me.
So the Sacd is not bad, it have a good mastering, but i was hoping better.
But i think that an ipotetical Mfsl remastering of "Off the Wall" could be very good with this Mastering approach.
Ok, the verdict is in and I LOVE IT. The separation is so clear with parts I never clearly heard before.
So what's people bitching and complaining about? Do you use some sort of special equipment? You left that out, eh!
Just received my copy of MoFi Michael Jackson Thriller - It sounds amazing. Open, punchy & detailed. I also own an US first pressing. This sounds also very nice. Warmer in sound, but not as detailed and open as MoFi. Glad to have both and nice that they are different in sound.