¤ THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK ¤ The "OPTIMUM EDITION" Score Reconstruction, Remixing & Restoration Version 3 (Released) — Page 5

@ JS900: you see, you did it ! Just don't be shy (... We had a long way JS900 and me). :)

The final version has been uploaded.

Well done!
How come that the names of the flac files have changed slightly? That double dot on the "I" of "Asteroïd Field" is a mystery to me. More feedback to follow...

@OB1,

I have to rename manually the tracks when uploaded on the actual computer. Indeed, the other one with his old version of Nero doesn't keep the names (but the great advantage is that I can still burn my CD's at ultra low speed: 1x150Ko/s... Lol).

The double dot for "asteroïd" is usual in french. Though I don't use to speak about asteroïds so much.

Glad to see there's no problem with the links for now.

Removed (Off topic)

Too loud now ?

After a brief talk with DJ, I indeed noticed while playing with the volume on my hi-fi that, due to the strengh that have been given now to the recordings, that it lacked some flexibility. I think it is always more comfortable to have somewhat a reserve of power unused, which I use to call the breath... And obviously here, this whole reserve is exploited.

But I think you may not have such a problem on a computer. Then I'm asking to hard audiophiles, hoping you are all.

I don't have anymore time to fix that now, but we'll see... Let's go for critiscism and please try to destroy the high consideration I have for this edit !... It's the only way for it gets better with time.  

Ah, thanks. I'll have to read the article ten more times before I begin understand it well. Anyway, that's great news!

you should master is as loud as it can be without any clipping or unnecessary compression

An unavoidable clipping occured, mostly on the RSO tracks, but I checked and are only located on rare crests, and the bits which has been clipped are quite ridiculous. Only on the saturated part remaining of the begining of the End Title it is a little more important.

Sure that I wouldn't make it louder than it is now.

Then, doctor...?

Edit: the RotJ is louder indeed, but that was allowed by the recovered clarity of the highs and basses wich are quite powerfull on it, to notice... (Highs are even too clear to say the truth, as they're not so clean).

NEWS

With time and the now cumulated experience about this score, some tracks obviously gives clues on what the sound should be on some other, according to the possibilities offered by the EQ's potential of course... what could be translated by "same possibilities" = same recording sessions, wich may not be totally correct however, due to the different original mixings + the different sources (depht, dynamic etc...). That, to say I recently tried my best to render the "battle suite" on CD1 (tracks 6 to 10) in the most accurate way, only with minor changes here again.

Then, for the ones who know the current so called "final" version, those last improvements concern:

CD1

• Luke's First Crash
• The Asteroid field
• Attack Position

CD2

• The Reveletion/Escape From Bespin
• Separated Carbon Freeze & Darth Vader's Trap
• Hyperspace
• The Imperial March
• + Again some volume adjustments

... More news later

ABC should all other downloaded versions be deleted in favor of this new one then?I don't want to get them all mixed when sharing.

I'm trying all my best to have it perfect as possible for this final upload. If this edit has to travel through the internet it has to be the best one. And when I say the best, be sure I'm not talking about my own tastes, or if it was so this edit would be already finished. I' m doing things here in a way to have them (my own tastes) not interfering with this work (... I hope !...).

Did I answer?

PS: and sorry for this new unexpected and third version. I won't upload before I'm sure it's over this time ;)

ABC said:

Then, for the ones who know the current final version, those final improvements concern:

Just don't say final anymore, thx. :P

Ooop !... Hem... Removed.

ABC, when I told you that the "Carbon Freeze" cue's placement on the SE CD is correct, it's both right and wrong.

The music was written for the scene, yes. But was dropped, so it's still an Alternate for the music that follows. So on the SE CD you have two parts of music describing the same scene after each other, it's nothing wrong to have it that way, but I would prefer to have one of them on an alternate version.

Just a thought, sorry for not describing it better.

msycamore said:

ABC, when I told you that the "Carbon Freeze" cue's placement on the SE CD is correct, it's both right and wrong.

 Ah. Sorry to hear that. Indeed it's still bugging me to have it in the middle (mostly on the beginning of Darth Vader's Trap).

If it had to be shown as an alternate however, I'd have put it at the place I felt since the beginning: before the Duel. It fitted so well. :) ... Because look how is constructed the set. It would have been lost as an alternate in the unused cues, and it has really not the "calibre" to be the final track on this masterpiece score.

I don't know if I'm going to do anything about that in the end.

Edit: however, the only interest of this alt. bit could be to temper the fast action film versions edits I can still add on this set as suggested before, what may give:

• 17. Main Titles/Probe Droid Overture (Alt & Film edit)
• 18. SnowsPeeders (Film edit)
• 19. Trapped In Carbonite (Unused)
• 20. Departure of Boba Fett (Film Edit)
• 21. Training of a Jedi Knight (Unused)

... You wouldn't have a more complete score then, minus the Mynock cave alternate mini segment, wich unfortunately wouldn't find its place here. I'll watch for any suggestions.

hairy_hen said:

I never really knew anything was wrong with the SE versions ...

Be assured I never knew it neither... Until I decide to find out why I never had the will to run those CD's in my Hi-Fi (besides they have a forbidden access to it).  :)

...

@ Msycamore: Things are going to be as stated on my last post. Thanks for the note ;)

@ DJ: you haven't heard the Imperial March yet ! I took it back from the beginning and now really sounds like the RSO, and better.

"The Rebel Fleet/End Title" is one of my favorite tracks on this score especially the slightly longer 70mm film version located on the SE CD, it was the first time this version was available in its complete form on album that I'm aware of (RSO LP & CD had instead the Concert Suit of "The Imperial March" inserted in the End Title) but unfortunatly it was one of the badly remixed tracks on the SE.

The 35mm film version of Rebel Fleet is combined with a great sounding "70mm End Title" on the Anthology, If you could manage to recreate the complete version with "The Rebel Fleet" from the RSO with the "End Title" from Anthology it would make me really happy;)

Your edit is already a great improvement, It's just the Imperial March bit... Just my wish. Again, thank you for the great job you have done on this.

The 35mm film version of Rebel Fleet is combined with a great sounding "70mm End Title" on the Anthology, If you could manage to recreate the complete version with "The Rebel Fleet" from the RSO with the "End Title" from Anthology it would make me really happy;)

Wow ! You're right ! I though it was just the same with a lack of "punch"... Indeed it is played in one stroke (edit: ... no it'snt, some cuts there). To notice that the current version has the Imperial March edited, true, but it begins with an alternate expended bit.

If I'm going to do this, I want a track by track review of all the improvements through feedback from you... Come back, it's a joke ! :)

Ok, you'll have this version. Now I'm wondering where it is going because I don't think I'll replace the first one for now, and having the end titles two times on the CD may be a little too heavy... Or if I'm going to put it in a special file for you with an alternate backcover (if needed). What do you think? (everyone is invited of course).

... Also, what about if I make this track a complete film version (the "Yoda and the Force" bit makes it really beautiful)...?... I'm going faster than light these days. Don't be too late for a good idea ! ;)

Something else ? :)

Oldfan said:

... I am just amazed at the clarity and depth. I can't imagine needing any more done to it.

 

 Imagine that thanks to our friend Msycamore and his suggestion to edit the film version alternate of the "Finale" I just noticed while doing it I didn't have the idea to correct the stereo balance before (must be said that the RSO sounds so good that I didn't pay attention). It was already clear, and now it looks even more clean.

Finally gor round to listening to this and I have to say that it is Legen[Pause]dary it brings out the full sound of the best score in the Star Wars series in my opinion.

Your work is much appreciated ABC.