Michael - I can’t thank you enough for upgrading my turntable and starting to buy vinyl again in 2002. You story of Bernie Grundman having the Led Zeppelin Master Tapes laying around his office was hilarious. Who cares about vinyl? I picked up all those CLassic Records releases and many rare jazz and soul records that were nearly being given away back then. Again I’m very grateful. Thank you.
If one looks at the “One Step” information sheet included with the vinyl, it shows a master tape, followed by a lacquer, and so on, seems they are visually stating that the whole process is analog. Can’t wait to hear how they respond.
Exactly. First thing I did when inheard this was open a one step and carefully read the inserts. It seems like a plain reference to all analog source from the master tapes. There isn't an icon of a digital DSD high-res sound wave.
I am half way through this and enjoying it immensely. Kudos to you Michael L. For hosting this and your even, measured approach with Fremer in contrast to other interviews I’ve seen. Thanks to Mr. Fremer for the transparency and in-depth answers as well.
You might not be a professional journalist, Michael, but you did a great job in this interview. Polite, diplomatic, but firm. Thank you for this video.
Thank you both very much for your frankness and insight. Michael Fremer, I am especially pleased to see you call MOFi out for their lack of transparency. I imagine in some ways it puts you in a difficult position but your credibility has always meant a lot to those of us that have been listening to you for years now. I appreciate you both!
Thanks for this chat Michael - I think your best ever & MF was relaxed and very frank. Michael F I love you comment on the La Pavoni. I found one recently in a thrift store in excellent condition for $19.99 CAD! It needed a good cleaning and a couple of seals. Fabulous machine. I'm looking forward to the MoFi statement this week. Looking forward to more. Please do more of these.
Michael (45rpm one :)), I admire your ability to be critical and respectful atvthe same time. You can even have a genuine reaction like "that is a joke" (when it comes to late reaction from MoFi), which is quite harsh (as it should be), but atvthe same time, you're completely rational and respectful. And you are like this in your videos in general. This is a hard way to be. Respect.
What Fremer and some others don’t seem to realize is that Mike Esposito has more trust from a lot of the public than most or all industry journalists. This is because he generally makes coherent logical arguments, and he seems to be genuinely candid and looking out for the customer. It helps that he’s a good communicator on RU-vid. Of course, he has some haters as well, but I think Esposito is the perfect person to be trying to get to the bottom of this.
I agree. While I totally respect Fremer's experience and wealth of knowledge, it's time to call this out: It seems the "journalists" let this slide/go for some time and didn't do the "hard investigation and reporting" that they can do and will do when it behooves them. I expect Mike E to be tough because he has "put his $ where his mouth is" as a retailer who could have negative pushback if this goes wrong for him. But Fremer and journalists apparently believed this call to truth might "hurt the industry", so they sat back and waited. Now Fremer is playing a bit of a victim. WoW. Quite an evolution of perspective in just 4-5 days. 45RPM took it on first, Mike E second and then I chimed in: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ISMU4_MZzqo.html Then Fremer commented to me I was spreading rumors and I was irresponsible by asking the question about the MOFI recoding process. I thought Fremer would coma after 45RPM for being the first the blow up this "rumour" but he didn't which would have made great theater. Mike E has a lot of guts and I respect him tremendously. He takes a common man approach and would be a much better advocate IMHO. Someone's feelings got hurt, I fear.
Episeto has talked to insiders too, sells and reviews their product and has a great pair of ears and fair disposition. There is a reason Mofi is allowing him to come to their plant
Mr. Esposito has definitely spread false information, for example in the lacquer cut matter some time ago. His allegations in this context were pure nonsense. So I do not say the man knows nothing about records, he actually knows a lot. But I see no reason to trust him without reservation.
@@markusberzborn6346 we are all, to a degree, a product of what we're told. In that regard, some conclusions can be incorrect. Fremer is not immune from this either. Mike E plans to present a recorded interview from Tuesday's meeting from the "horses mouth". I trust he can handle that...
GREAT interview Michael, I think you covered the whole Mofi thing brilliantly and asked all the right questions and opinions. It's all about the transparency. You're an asset to the vinyl community, nice job!
M. Fremer, Would you do an update to the top 100 all analogue reissues list? Also as part of the new Tracking Angle endeavor, it would be great if subscribers could receive a weekly newsletter via email with quick reviews of new vinyl releases/reissues. Just an idea… Thanks for your valuable contribution to the vinyl community.
The two "new" Michaels--Ludwig and Esposito--deserve all the credit for bringing this issue to the record buying public's consciousness. Many thanks to them! If we had waited for the very-old-guard "journalists" to break this story we'd never have heard a peep.
Maybe the word “break” should have been “pursed”. A journalistic dig for the question raised by it was what we expected. MOFI chose not to respond and I guess it took outsiders to push harder. Reminds me of the Hunter Biden laptop story…no pursuit, just appeasement. Mr. Fremer even admitted he felt “hung out to dry”. Yep
@@patriceraymond1655 I did dig. In May I was assured the "Thriller" One-Step would be cut from a tape copy and I bet that's what they are doing, only digitized like everything else. The person who really "broke" it was a guy on the inside who told someone who told me and told Ludwigs and told Esposito. But I did not "break" that 3rd hand source rumor. They did. It's not what a journalist does. I did ask the President of Mobile Fidelity about it and all he said was "we'll have a video produced in a few weeks". I reported that.
@@trackingangle929 Do journalists “cover” for the businesses they’re supposed to be investigating? Do they alter stories because businesses ask nicely? That’s fanboy behavior. Also, Mike Esposito has stated that he had more than one source. I don’t want to be disrespectful, but you seem to be more concerned with discrediting Esposito and preserving your reputation than getting to the heart of this issue.
I enjoyed this conversation…mr fremer is always interesting to listen to … and as one of the customers who has pre-ordered the thriller one step Im looking forward to hearing what explanation mofi come out with ….they need to be honest with us and they need to do it quickly
Michael L. This was one of my favourite videos of yours. A frank and honest discussion with Mr. Fremer about things that impact the entire V.C. And that fact that Mr. Fremer does a video with you is a testament to the quality of your channel which goes from strength to strength. Cheers 🥂
Thank you both. I took the day off and have been enjoying this with my breakfast. As far as MoFi, the ones I have, I like and that has not changed any. I was never that concerned with source just sound.
Chad Kassem has shots of Analog Productions cutting the Doors record with both the source tape and the lacquer running in the same shot, pretty transparent The Doors said they were NEVER releasing the Doors Master Tapes - then Chad showed them the money The results speak for themselves
The thing is if a company produces the best sounding record, people will want it regardless of how it was produced but honesty and transparency is a must. Misrepresenting the product or lying is a big mistake.
I'll go to wherever Michael fremer goes! I learn so much from him! I still have much to learn at 52! Sorry I missed the live stream, but I was busy! I didn't even know about MF'S new channel until you (Michael 45rpm audiophile) mentioned it on your last video!
Really enjoyed the MoFi discussion and digging into the details. This will at some point help MoFi produce a better product that us audiophiles demand.
Good conversation. Thank you for knowing that digital has less of a problem than analog. This problem doesn't concern me. Digital has no problems, it has features. When there are only digital masters coming out of the studios, what are you going to do? Listening to music from the last century? For me, the "big concern" is that there are still recordings in studio that are moderately made. There's no big concern with the mics, no high dynamics, test mixes for mp3 sound... Just because the "music" is in the grooves, on the tracks of a vinyl doesn't mean it's better. Vinyl is just a support. Ask publishers to sell flac/DSD/ISO files... and listen to music.
Mr Fremer does have the capacity to rub folks up the wrong way but if you actually listen to the guy he really knows his stuff. I’m looking forward to his new website. Michael45 makes his points very well. As a record buyer I’m with M45 all the way.
I think it’s bizarre and childish to do this “he-will-not-named” stuff over Esposito. I like all three of you, but pretty teenagers probably be above some of this. Esposito did the right thing to blow the whistle.
@@lukejohnston5993 Hi Luke , I have the greatest respect for Mr Esposito. He loves vinyl. His videos are fun and informative. His knowledge is pretty damn impressive and he certainly knows a LOT more than the average RU-vidr. Let’s just leave the personalities out of this and let Mike continue on his quest to get at the truth. On his own coin it should be said. That’s commitment. Guess that many Mo Fi buyers would have been none the wiser where it not for “ the Mikes” persistence and desire for transparency. It’s not too much to ask. They’re quick enough to take your money.
Mikey has always been the "guru" of vinyl for me. Whatever he does I will be interested in. Best of luck to him, but he doesn't really need luck, the guy is a hard worker and always tells the truth.
Great interview! You nailed all the issues and didn't let Fermer get away with anything. Good job on a fascinating issue which touches on so many interesting topics related to music, how we listen to it, how it's created reproduced and sold and the geeks like me who are obsessed with all of it.
Nice chat, enjoyed it very much! MoFi having gone digital with its vinyl releases, and not been transparent about it, would be insane. In my opinion, a digital transfer from analog master tape direct to DSD can sound astonishingly good! Of course, every dac is a compromise soundwise compared to pure analog but DSD as a storage medium seems to be very interesting. So my newest hobby - besides spinning my beloved vinyl records - goes as follows: First of, I use a refurbished Revox A77 tape recorder, which is very quiet (the issue with the howling capstan drive has been completely solved by me). I do purchase DSD files from NativeDSD from time to time, beeing derived directly from analog master tape content, and record on tape in 7.5 ips (2 track of course). The result may be close to the original master tape experience, only slightly compromised by the "slow" tape speed of my Revox and the adc/dac processing. Just a fun project! 😀
Re: this new Jim Davis / MoFi internationally discussed vinyl controversy, that has INDEED embarrassed several vinyl aficionados, there are two new "independent vinyl standard-bearers", Michael 45 and Mike @InGroove. Is SO impressive in this vid, how Michael 45 is simply & candidly boiling down this REAL controversy into a few pushback questions for HOF Fremer. Have been a long time fan (3+ decades) of Michael Fremer and it's again, fascinating in this vid. the two "freedoms" each has to discuss this real/sad MoFi controversy. I also feel (IMO) M. Fremer will have more freedom of opinion in the future with his new, great media arrangements w/ writing and vid. production (RU-vid). Kudos Michael 45! PS I love MoFi and own a ton. But why INVITE Michael @InGroove to an in-person meeting and simply not 📞 immediately! And/or add several others to the same meeting!??
I usually watch this channel at 1.5x speed as this is the best speed. (After all it must be called the 45rpm Audiophile for a reason) Now that Mikey Fremer is on it, 1.5x is a tad fast. So drop I it down to 1.25x and its just nice.
Michael F, it’s not possible to lose high frequencies with a one-step stamper unless it occurred on the lacquer. HF loss in plating only occurs when a stamper is made from a mother that has been polished (or overly polished) in the three-step process.
Thanks for the nice exchange and addressing the latest controversy Doubt MoFi would have mentioned a 2nd generation tape if Michael F didn’t call them on it And mofi probably would have done their digital file process on Thriller anyway
Nice interview with one of the biggest names in the vinyl hobby! 👍👍👍 I was curious if both you and Fremer played a musical instrument. Fremer talked about playing a Strat guitar. Do you play an instrument, Michael?
I really push against the idea of audiophile records..but that was a great interview, your an absolute natural. I actually watched the whole thing. Nice one Michael!
To me, it's is not " whatever sounds good to our ears" but there is much more to it, listening to you both and Mazzy, there are fantastic stuff out there which I am not aware , which would make my ears much happier...thanks 🙏
In Groove Mike has been nominated the mofi spokesperson to fix their pr problem. Mofi is guilty of cleverly ambiguous lingo on their promotional content and never saying anything else about their processes. The lingo is such that it leads people to believe they are AAA for their whole process. That isn't true. They copy the master source to a DSD file and cut from that. There's actually great reason to do this. Cleaner sound and an archival storage spot for master quality audio. They erroneously worried the analog purist fanbase would drop them once they started using this DSD step. Now, many years later, social media has applied enough pressure for transparency, mofi had to do something. Come clean. And come clean with minimal pr damage. In Groove Mike has a huge fan base and great fan loyalty. He's a logical choice to soften the blow. Smart on mofi's part.
Watching this, we’re glad we’ve NEVER bought a MoFi pressing now. Couldn’t tell you why, possibly the price was off putting. However, I realize people make mistakes but once you’ve fibbed to us, we’ve kind of done.🎧
Very nice video. $100 for a one step, digitally sourced Thriller LP or $30 for the SACD. Sounds like the SACD is the True one step out of the bunch. Great job with your channel
I enjoyed listening to the interview/conversation, thanks for doing it. The only distraction was the constant vaping and coughing :)))). I have only recently discovered who Michael Fremer was and now I have watched a couple of his interviews and he seems quite open and I enjoy his banter. Cheers
It is said that the influential are on Twitter so if you want to have influence then that is obviously where you should be. However, there are people with influence who obviously don't want to be on Social Media, at least it's hard to find them
I canceled my Michael Jackson thriller for this issue I’m not paying that amount for a digital I rather like to have a SACD and already have a original pressing and if Mofi will do this I rather get a record from target Walmart and big box stores they are from digital and cost less.
My guess is that MoFi are in discussion with their legal advisors because this issue might lead to a legal claim. Have they be misrepresenting their product? Time will tell....
Also from another interview Bernie Grundman said than he already ran the tapes more than a hundred times because there was so much demands for Thriller back in the days..but like Michael Fremer said it was probably production tapes..
I just noticed the page for the Rolling Stones Mono Box on Amazon UK is gone. It says "Looking for something? We’re sorry. The Web address you entered is not a functioning page on our site." My order still shows as pending and linkts to the error page. Hopefully it's coming and the label asked Amazon to take the page down before the label announces it.
I recently bought the album Misty for Direct Cutting, by Tsuyoshi Yammamoto. The performance was recorded direct to lacquer, and also recorded at DSD 256. It's a fun task to compare the two. Personally, I prefer the sound of the DSD 256 because, with the record, there is a weighter feel from the surface noise. The DSD files sound more realistic, in my opinion. Additionally, they also released the same performance on a record that was cut from the DSD files, and as an MQA CD.
Mike Esposito didn't say he was removing MoFi titles from his recommended list, he said he was removing them from his top list of ALL ANALOG titles of all time. It's on his store website. That was very "mainstream media columnist" of you!
I myself discovered this story because of the guy who has the RU-vid channel anadialog. He told me about this and he also told me that there was a RU-vid video where People from mofi talked about this in a conversation. and the guy who asks them these questions apparently has something to do with the record shop the groove. And he has his own RU-vid channel
Throughly enjoyable and I could listen to Michael Fremer for hours. As an ageing audiophile my worst nightmare is to be loosing my hearing which I am, so thanks for putting me onto the White Ex hearing aid and for taking the time out to review or investigate hearing aids in the first place. I don’t usually watch RU-vid videos that are longer than ten to fifteen minutes but this one seem like ten minutes. Great stuff from the Michael’s.
Fair points by these guys. MOFI could have invited Mike and a few journalists who have credibility. That being said Mike is a reasonable choice because he does have a reputation for calling out manufacturers and people for the most part trust that he will not carry water for them. Ludwig and Fremer I believe also will not carry water for them but they invited Mike. My hunch is they will realize they need to satisfy these guys as well in addition to others. Their reputation is on the line and they owe this.
For his own sanity I wish Fremer didn't care so much about what "people on the internet" say. His knowledge speaks for itself and he has nothing to prove to anybody.
@@gonolith Once someone says something about you that's untrue and very negative if you don't fight back it sticks and then you hear it over and over and over and it's not very pleasant. For instance, things like "Oh, Fremer never gives a negative review to a Mobile Fidelity record because they send him free promos and he doesn't want to get off the gravy train". Or "they give him all of the expensive equipment he has". Those are two of many untruths about me I will always fight.
I loved this interview, but I'm not sure I'm feeling much better about the MoFi release of Michael Jackson's Thriller though. Still no solid answer sadly. I think after listening to this interview though, I may not be so hype for the MoFi's in the future. Not that I won't buy from the company in the future, maybe not so excited to purchase now. I did love the brief question and answer on the Universal Fire stories though. I have always wondered what artist material really survived and did not based off the stories of the past. Thank you so much for this great interview!
