logo Sign In

¤ THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK ¤ The "OPTIMUM EDITION" Score Reconstruction, Remixing & Restoration Version 3 (Released) — Page 3

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Ensign Eddie said:

I wore the grooves out of my LPs back in the day and loved it. But I am hearing things in these tracks (even on my computer) that I have never heard before.

I don't think I have ever heard this music sound this good. What an incredible job. Thank you.

P.S. I like it so much that I even registered to post this comment!

 Wow ! Thanks a lot for this ! Well done, and be sure I appreciate very much to read such a feedback. :) ...

 

UPDATED CD1 & CD2 mixing & restoration details (Post 2)

The bonus tracks order was a headache but I think I made my mind for that... For the moment.

...

Sorry for those who already get CD1: there have been some changes, minor would have I say, but for such an edit nothing can be minor for me, nor for you I think:

Next to the balance corrections noticed two posts ago there have been some light re-EQ for these two tracks, as also for "Battle in the Snow" (now Perfect !), "Crash Landing on Dagobah", and for "The Asteroid Field" (this last one will be unoticeable I'm afraid).

Oh, and was about to forget: "The Rebels Escape" has been completed with a 2sec segment from the LP !

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

dark_jedi said:

Great to hear,where are the links LOL

You shouldn't laugh so loud Dark Jedi, there will be no links for you, but a special one !... A special dedicated CD with only the "Imperial March" and "Yoda's Theme" turning on for 70min.

Because dark_jedi also said:

From what I have listened to so far it sounds great, but my favorite songs of ESB must be on CD 2,I love The Imperial March and Yoda's Theme,I like the Imperial March so much I just made a ring tone of it for my Little Boy's and my Cell phone LOL.

 LOL !!!

...

Well...hem , more seriously I've got to fix one or two details left, as to choose and finish the best covers I prepared for this set.

BTW, I think I'm gonna pull out the bonus film version edits of "Snowspeeders" and "Departure Of Boba Fett" from it, finally. Sometime less is more !

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time

Sounds great can't wait to hear 70 mins worth of Imperial March and Yoda's Theme!

Author
Time

In the wait, I just added a last sample on post 1: the "Finale" restored. ;)

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

First, and for your consideration:

The mods of this forum are great enough to let me post a way to help you find from here the uploaded material quite  easily, as it is now the case for my previous restoration project in the "OT Soundtracks Salvage" thread.

I know you are a lot of people to enjoy this last one and I'm glad you do, mostly when I think a lot of you paid twice for quite a badly managed SW soundtracks set. It is just fair you found it. The original links for the OT S. Salvage being still alive since they have been posted about 9 months ago proves that it goes on spreading. Nice ! Then it is just quite a bit disappointing to observe that more than 90% of people with whom I shared this work by PM at the time, did never take the time to leave the least feedback, or just say "hi" on the thread to bump it and to help this set be obvious to find, simply to let people who are still crying about their official muffled ROTJ versions know that there is a nice "restored" one here.

Then if you enjoy the present work, just let us know ! Thanks.

Kind regards, and may the Force be with you all.

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time

Unfortunately I'm one of those Jedis from the Outer Rim Territories you mentioned: Very busy and with a short amount of time to study the sound dimension you have unleashed!

Since I've asked you for help via PM I have been busy with work - of course - and had to study how to convert the flac-files into wav and how to create an audioCD. New time, consuming territory.

I've planned to take my time (70 Minutes per CD) to listen carefully to the improvements. It is not to be taken lightly, you know. ;-)

I own the CD-Version from the original soundtracks: Star Wars (2-CD), Empire and Jedi (1 CD); also the Gerhardt-Edition (National Philharmonic Orchestra, Varese), the Trilogy by Korngold (Utah Symphony Orchestra, Varese) and the Trilogy by Williams (Skywalker Symphony, Sony). On Vinyl I own Star Wars (2-LP), Empire and Jedi (1 LP) and also Empire (2-LP with beautiful booklet).
Then came the Anthology (4-CD) in 1993 and the Special Editions (3x 2-CDs) I own as well.

So there is quite a lot to compare and study. I felt that there was always something missing in those recordings: Missing tracks or - worse - instruments. It sounded better than in cinema because the Special Edition sounded horrible in our cinema in 1997.

To me it will be a christmas gift to hear those scores in their regular industrial edition and in the new homemade edition with expanded sound range. I'm really looking forward to it! Thank you very, very, very much for making this possible!!!

I do not understand that there is so much buzz for the fanedit of Adywan's Empire while the remastered Score - ABC's beautiful achievement - doesn't receive the attention and admiration it deserves, definitely.

I would like to comment on the recordings after I had time to listen to them carefully. 

*This Revisited Edition is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we watch it!*

Author
Time

ABC said:

ABC said:

msycamore said:

You seem to know your Empire score, I just like to point out that "The Rebels Escape" has a minor edit in the end on the Anthology if you have not noticed it. (I'm sure you have)

 I think I noticed that one (at the place of a percussion).

 Woop !!! I didn't notice at all there was a part missing on the Anthology, my friend ! The force is with me, but I am not a Jedi yet.

But I'm not sure anymore we talk about the same thing... Anyway, it is now complete ! :)

Oh sorry, forgot about that one. Yes that's the edit I was talking about (as I can see in your mixing notes on page 1), I'm glad you fixed it:) also good to see you have included the RSO bit on Training of a Jedi Knight;)

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions. 

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Regarding the lack of appreciation, I fully symphathize. I "work" in a different department, namely the preservation of soundtracks for the Nintendo Gamecube and other video game systems. This also covers the occasional Star Wars game soundtrack, and it's a sad fact that only a fraction of the people interested in your project actually give feedback.

Anyways, enough of the ramblings. Just wanted to let you know that you've got another fan out there. Only recently, I lamented the lack of "depth" in the ESB recording when listening to my '97 set I bought back in the days. I eagerly await your release as the increase in quality in the samples is marvelous. Keep it up!

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Obi-Wan said:

So there is quite a lot to compare and study.

Of course, all this needs some time to be appreciated, however if you want to compare, may I suggest you just take a couple of tracks here and there, it should be enough.

Besides, mostly on the ROTJ and the ESB albums nothing really sounds the same way, when in the remixed versions I made from them, and even if remains some differences, the whole tracks put together sound now quite close.

The last restoration of the ESB score has been quite surprising about that, cause even when not trying to have the same sound everywhere, by sweeping a bunch of undesirable frequencies a lot of tracks came closer again to each others... Closer, but not "uniform", that's what is great in those scores.

I do not understand that there is so much buzz for the fanedit of Adywan's Empire while the remastered Score - ABC's beautiful achievement - doesn't receive the attention and admiration it deserves, definitely.

Hoho! Thanks... This quote might be my new signature! Lol

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time

It's too bad that until the weekend (at earliest) I won't be able to listen to the set - I want to try it out at least on my decent PC stereo setup on a calm day, preferably the great audio at my parent's house.

But, considering ABC's previous remasters, I'm certain that this will be outstanding. Can't wait to hear this in it's entirety, but I'll post some feedback once I do.

Cheers, and thanks for the continued effort on bringing these outstanding soundtracks by John Williams to the best possible quality! :)

Author
Time

I'm afraid I'm another one who has remained silent in regards to this project. In general, I tend to be rather quiet in forums. I am quite excited about this project, and I think you deserve a lot of credit for the amount of time and work you've been putting into this project. As a fan of this score since I was 10, I am very much looking forward to hearing the finished product. From what I've heard so far, it's waaay better than the officially released versions.

 

 

Author
Time

Oldfan said:

I am quite excited about this project, and I think you deserve a lot of credit for the amount of time and work you've been putting into this project.

 

Thanks but I don't care so much about the credits, I may say. My concern is more that you, who had been able to find this topic and so the finished project, realize that you did because someone else bumped the thread before you. I think you wouldn't have notice it if it was on page 6 of this forum.

So, you'd better consider the people who are posting here from time to time, what contributes to make you notice this topic, and make so if you feel you've found here something you were searching for... And I think people who are searching for this score in good shape are millions!

Then I'll be glad that the 3 hours of upload as the time to learn the use of some convertion softwares just for making it available, have been worth. I wouldn't like to have uploaded this project just for three persons.

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Holy shit now that is what I am talking about,The Imperial March(CD2) never sounded so good,and Yoda's theme WOW,I need to get these off my PC and listen to them on my Living room Setup,going to burn CD's tonight.

Thanks a TON ABC,very well done 2 CD set.

 

also sent you a PM

 

1 more thing I would like to comment on is your packaging,it is perfect,you have everything you need there,flac info's,tracklists,artwork,etc. again very well done.
I am also listening to your ESB FSV 2 CD set,listening to all these tracks makes me want to do a alternate film score for my DVD's using your audio,but I have a feeling this would be pretty hard to do,but would be cool.

Author
Time

dark_jedi said:

1 more thing I would like to comment on is your packaging,it is perfect,you have everything you need...

 Good to hear about that too :)

BTW, for everyone reading this, don't print the actual "twin covers2" or check and correct the blacks around Vader's picture before, or you'll have a bad surprise.

...

DJ, allow me to quote the last point in the right -forgotten- topic ;)

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

WARNING !

 

Two tracks may be updated soon:

- Mostly the "Darth Vader's" Trap suite, wick sounds too weak I think. I' m working on calling back the highs to have them wider.

- "Drawing the Battle Lines"... A little the same problem here.

 

They will be the last ones I'll work on. I think some tracks on the begining of CD2 are a bit "crappy", but I've done everything I could about them. However, any crtiscism is more than welcome here (rather than PM's).

Should I upload tracks alone or an upgraded final set? (knowing that There are 1 or 2 new covers and a missing note added on the backcover for CGerhardt. Also I corrected the red for the font for CD2 titles... you have the wrong one)... Really sorry I've gone too fast !

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Thank you for the never ending care that you put into your impressive alternative version!

Is it just me, my settings or whatsoever ... but I have the impression that the volume level of the Optimum Edition is relatively low, isn't it?
I have to set my volume to 9 o'clock on my Yamaha amplifier.

*This Revisited Edition is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we watch it!*

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Obi-Wan said:

Thank you for the never ending care that you put into your impressive alternative version!

Is it just me, my settings or whatsoever ... but I have the impression that the volume level of the Optimum Edition is relatively low, isn't it?
I have to set my volume to 9 o'clock on my Yamaha amplifier.

 Ah ! I wonder the same !!! Anyone else? It's now or never.

EDIT: 9 o'clock ?! Looks a bit strange. I'm at 8 o'clock or nothing more on a Sansui amplifier.

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time

I agree,I played on my living room system and in my truck stereo and you do have to crank it,but seems OK on the PC,go figure.

Author
Time

... Oh my ! The main volumes setting is my nightmare ! Then watch for update.

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time

Hold on folks !

Thanks to the constructive inputs of OBI-WAN and DARK JEDI the set has just seen his (huge) final improvement... The icing on the cake (we use to say the cherry on the cake  around here) !

The volume for the whole set was indeed too low and now that it is fixed all sounds ACE ! It's just like a rock next to the version I uploaded before. The whole power of the sound is now unleashed as is the Hi-Fi material's potential.

Note that the final EQ correction for "Drawing the Battle Lines" on CD1 is 100% successful. I'm about to send some PM's by the way. ;)

... I love when a topic becomes kind of living experience ! Everyone can thank the two people who noticed my mistake and just said it, myself first. Thank you ;)

ESB AUDIOPHILE EDITION

 

The EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Score: "All-Sourced" Restoration & Sonic Achievement.

Author
Time

Yeah, thought it was a bit quiet compared to your original edit. Made comparing them difficult.