High quality production recordings

[RockStarzUSA]

Hi guys, I have been steadily building up my studio, and just recently picked up David Moulton's Golden Ears set. That got me thinking, there must be some great recordings, where production and o0verall listening pleasure is outstanding.

I heard around that George Michaels 'Older' cd is of very high quality...hmm, maybe I will check it out (not exactly m style of music-but if it is good, then it IS good)

Does anyone have any recommendations of some great/classic/modern recordings that you really like? f you could describe what qualities you like about the recording/s that would be even better. I am constantly trying to improve my ability to 'listen' and discern good from average.

Cheers
-F.T

[Ted Perlman]

I am constantly trying to improve my ability to 'listen' and discern good from average.

If it made it to the Billboard charts, it's worth checking out. If it DIDN'T make it to the charts, there may be something in there you can learn from, but don't spend too much time on it. I listen to everything I can in as many different styles as I can. There are certain recording sounds and mixing sounds that are common to ALL great and successful records. However, sometimes you have to listen really hard because it's not so obvious. Pay close attention to vocal treatments, sound of the voice, etc. You don't need a great recording environment to get great recordedd sounds anymore.

[Nik Keefe]

I am always between thoughts on this one. A couple of years ago me and (Homerecording.com member) Cyanjaguar wrote a little 'paper' entitled 'ALSQ and How to attain it'. ALSQ = Acceptable Level of Sound Quality ... i.e. where the recording becomes invisible.

Realistically, most home recordists are aiming for that point, where the music shines through and the recording is transparent (note that this does NOT mean using 'transparent' equipment!!!).

BUT - We all want to try and find a little bit of that studio 'magic' or 'gloss' that typifiies what we hear on the radio. The Arctic Monkeys album is a perfect example, when they lived near me I listened to their demos and they were shocking. The musicianship hasn't improved but their CD sounds like garage rock that's been polished up for mainstream.

With all that said ... the Jeff Buckley Grace album is pretty much flawless to my ears, as is everything by Radiohead from OK Computer onwards. Muse, The Killers and Tristan Prettyman all have excellent recent productions.

Oh yeah, and anything by Ted Perlman too .... ;)

[RockStarzUSA]

Great minds think alike Nik. I love the Jeff Buckley, Radiohead and especially MUSE cd's productions..... on a seperate note did you see the 'making of' bonus disk that shipped with Muse-Absolution. I loved it, great deas-perhaps quirky, but then would you expect anything less.

I feel like a gimp. I had heard of Ted Perlmann, but bloody hell, talk about a lot of accomplishments :) That is one helluva list of credits when I checked out your website Ted!!

I see you worked on KingPin, what did you do exactly for that show? It only had an initial run of 6 episodes, but I liked it.