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Duck, You Sucker (1971) - Fixing the mono mix (V1.5 Finished) (Released)

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 (Edited)

Okay, so in my Leone film thread, it was noted that the mono mix for Duck, You Sucker/Once Upon a Time…The Revolution was mastered in lossless 2 channel DTS-HD MA, but that one channel had a short delay, and the ending was kept in Italian.

So, working with the original DTSHD-MA file, I used the left channel, as it was the more precise of the two, and filled in the 2 instances of Italian at the ending from the 5.1 AC3 HDTV file (downmixed, of course).

However, while the first line (Johnnieeee!!!) felt seamless, “What about me”'s background sound effect sounded slightly different than the Italian mix, which creates a slight dissonance, but only for about 2 seconds, as the rest is the original lossless audio.

However, unless someone has a better source for that last line, this will certainly do.

V1.5 update: Lil Brutto generously provided me with the lossless LD audio containing the missing lines, and I have updated the file accordingly. The LD audio has the original sound effects, but has a slight hiss, so the change in source is still noticeable, but a lot less jarring than V1.

I exported in 1 channel PCM WAV, and it synches perfectly with the Italian BD.

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Hm, that sounds very interesting. I got the Italian BD. Any chance to test your release?

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Sure, I just need to upload it.

I'll PM you, and anyone else who would like to try it with the link.

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All right, that sounds great :)

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From MGM? Probably another 4K disaster like GBU coming without the original mono mix. Hoping for the best really, but expecting the worst.

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 (Edited)

MGM's record with original mixes hasn't been that great. It certainly won't be lossless.

The picture may fare better, but it's more likely that it comes from the same dated master used for the DVD.

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nirbateman said:

MGM's record with original mixes hasn't been that great. It certainly won't be lossless.

The picture may fare better, but it's more likely that it comes from the same dated master used for the DVD.

 Well, if that's the case, then perhaps someone can do a lossless capture of the audio from this laserdisc: http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/07067/ML100872/Fistful-of-Dynamite-A-(1971)

Currently enjoying Disney Infinity 3.0

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The problem with this particular LD is that it's cut in the last flashback scene, I think. So there is definitely some audio missing then.

@nirbateman

I really love what you did to the mono mix so far :) Problem is, and it has nothing to do with your work, is the source audio itself. These milliseconds of silence, which are throughout the whole movie, really hurt the soundtrack, especially when music is playing. It really stutters and drags along most of the time.

But I think that's a small price to pay at the moment before a better, maybe even uncompressed source, can be used.

But thanks to your work, it is still a much, much better experience now :)

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quin82 said:


I really love what you did to the mono mix so far :) Problem is, and it has nothing to do with your work, is the source audio itself. These milliseconds of silence, which are throughout the whole movie, really hurt the soundtrack, especially when music is playing. It really stutters and drags along most of the time.

But I think that's a small price to pay at the moment before a better, maybe even uncompressed source, can be used.

But thanks to your work, it is still a much, much better experience now :)

 Yeah, I've noticed those too, but what can you do, I can only work with the material I have and I'm glad my work makes for a better, if still not the best experience.

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Very nice!

That the sound characteristic would change was to be expected, as you used a downmix. They never sound like the real mono sound. I would have waited for a LD source (maybe you could for version 2.0 or so) or at least an old DVD track with real mono.

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@TheHutt,

If a proper source would have been available to me, I would have certainly used it.

I could do a version 2.0, as the only thing that would have to be changed is that last line. The rest has already been properly fixed.

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I have an old MGM either Australian or UK(I do not Remember )A Fistfull Of Dynamite DVD with, I quote its cover, " Its Original Mono Soundtrack" will that help!

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Leonenut also restored the ending in his edit, although lossy.

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@suntech,

I'm afraid a PAL sourced audio will have to be re-encoded, and I would like to do as little encoding as possible, so an untouched, preferably lossless source is a better fit for that kind of work.

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Just checked my external HD and I can confirm that I do have a bit perfect capture of the LD PCM audio.

Happy to share.

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Unfortunately, Lil Brutto's LD audio didn't have the final line in it.

So, in the meantime, if anyone has an NTSC DVD that has that final line in the original mono with the original sound effect, let me know.

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Darn, I only have the first PAL DVD, who has the original mono soundtrack in German, English and Spanish.

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nirbateman said:

Unfortunately, Lil Brutto's LD audio didn't have the final line in it.

So, in the meantime, if anyone has an NTSC DVD that has that final line in the original mono with the original sound effect, let me know.

 Do you know which NTSC DVD has the correct audio? I'll check if I have it. A pic of the cover would be helpful.

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I'm afraid I don't, but you could check the last line's background and compare it to mine.

If it sounds like burning wood, that's a new sound effect.

If it sounds more like a weakening explosion, it should be the original.

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I just checked the older Image LD and despite being a cut version of the film it actually has the last line!

I was under the impression that I had captured the audio from both LDs but, unfortunately, I only bothered to capture the "uncut" LD audio. I don't have the equipment anymore either. I might be able to figure something out but it will take some time.

In the meantime I'll check my DVD.