Anthology 3 OOPSed
I have tried OOPS on tracks on Anthology 2, here are the results!
Many songs sound just like a simple combination of stereo channels, while
others are completely remixed. The greatest surprise was the mono tracks:
there is always some remaining sound after OOPS in all of them.
Everything was done digitally. I played the CDs on my CD-ROM drive, recorded
samples of selected parts of each song at 22 KHz, 16-bit using Cool Editor 1.53,
then applied the Cool's filter "Channel Mixer" ("Vocal Cut" preset).
Glossary
- Reduced or Background: a sound similar to the original, trebly and at low volume.
This is the result of OOPSing a sound that is heard close to the center
in stereo, but not exactly centered.
- Mono Mix: result of the simple combination of both stereo
channels into one.
- Remix: after OOPS, all sounds (or most of them) can be heard,
but at different levels, compared to a Mono Mix.
Notes on Mono Tracks
No mono track on A2 gives a blank signal after OOPS. Some of them seem
to be unbalanced, others are mono tapes played on stereo machines, and
some of them seem to have reverb added, as mock stereo!
- If the mono sound is not perfectly centered (unbalanced), there will
be some difference between the channels and the result will be a reduced
original sound.
- If the mono tape was played on a stereo machine, the signal is splitted
incorrectly between the stereo tracks, and may also "move" slightly around the
center. After OOPS, the result is similar to the unbalanced, but if the
sound "moves", the volume of OOPS sound changes.
- Finally, on some tracks a reverbed sound is heard after OOPS. This means:
the mono recording had reverb added in stereo during the preparation of
Anthology 2 masters. This happens on many studio outtakes.
The Tracks
Real Love
The "wall of sound": acoustic guitars, piano, ukelele, plus lead guitar and
harmony vocals reduced.
Yes It Is
Part 1 (Outtake) [MONO]: Original sound reduced and echoed
Part 2 (Remixed master): Acoustic guitars and drums,
plus vocals and tone-pedal reduced and echoed.
I'm Down
Rhythm track and vocal reduced and reverbed.
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away [MONO]
Reduced original sound, reverbed only during the song (not on talk).
If You've Got Trouble
Rhythm track and vocal reduced and reverbed.
That Means A Lot
Reverb of all sounds.
Yesterday
Original sound reduced, with vocal more prominent and reverbed.
Note: this is NOT a mono track: the vocal is clearly at right-center and
guitar a bit to the right.
It's Only Love [MONO]
Original sound reduced and reverbed.
Blackpool Live Tracks [MONO]
Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby [MONO]
Reduced original sound, at a rather high level.
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Rhythm track plus vocal and sitar reduced and reverbed.
I'm Looking Through You
Claps, acoustic guitars and percussion, plus reverb of the other sounds.
12-Bar Original
Remix: The lead guitar is emphasized and the other sounds are heard
"distant"
Tomorrow Never Knows
Remix, almost the same as a Mono Mix.
Got To Get You Into My Life
Reduced original sound, with vocal more prominent and reverbed.
Note: This is similar to "Yesterday": vocals slightly to the right,
rhythm track to the left.
And Your Bird Can Sing
Interesting remix: everything is heard except the laughing vocals.
Taxman
Rhythm track, with vocals in background, except the "Anybody got a bit of money"
Eleanor Rigby
Remix, emphasizing the cellos.
I'm Only Sleeping (Rehearsal/Outtake) [MONO]
Highly reduced original sound. These are the most "mono" tracks of all.
Budokan live tracks [MONO]
Reduced original sound, which oscillates a lot, mainly in the beginning,
indicating a off-centered mono sound that "moves". Some noise is heard, too.
Strawberry Fields Forever (Demo) [MONO]
Reduced original sound.
Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 1)
Remix, almost the same as a Mono Mix, with less bass and vocal a bit reverbed.
Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 7 & Edit Piece)
Part 1 (take 7): This is a good example of mono recording played on a stereo machine: the
original tape has some glitches, resulting in volume drops in stereo.
The OOPS result is reduced original sound, with volume drops and noise
highly emphasized.
Part 2 (edit piece): Reduced original sound.
Penny Lane
OOPS ommits vocals (only reverb remains), bass and drums. The other sounds
are heard remixed.
A Day In The Life
Part 1 (main) [MONO]: Reduced original sounds, oscillating.
Part 2 (orchestral crescendo): Remix very similar to Mono Mix.
Good Morning Good Morning
Vocals and guitars, plus reduced drums. The bass is missing.
Only a Northern Song
Drums and organ. No sign of vocals and bass.
Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!
Remix. Only bass is missing.
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
Rhythm track with vocals in background, reverbed.
Within You Without You
Remix ommiting the tabla (percussion), which is barely heard in background.
The other instruments are "distant" and tamboura (drone-strings)
has a bit of phasing.
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) [MONO]
Reduced original sound, plus vocal and snare drum echos.
You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
Part 1: Vocals and claps
Part 2: Vocals reverbed
Part 3: Vocals and crowd noises
Part 4: Second vocal (John?) is always heard. First vocal (Paul?) begins in
background, reverbed, then comes up suddenly on "You know my name, look up
the number" (4:02), after then it oscillates between low volume reverbed
and full volume. In stereo, it begins centered and comes to the left
suddenly at that point - a mixing mistake?
Part 5: Paul (?) humming "Hoooya-Hooya'know" and "Oh you know my name..." towards the end.
All parts (except part 4) have rhythm track in background.
I Am The Walrus
Remix with vocal and drums in background.
The Fool On The Hill (Demo) [MONO]
Reduced original sound.
Your Mother Should Know
Piano is emphasized, harmonium is at lower volume, vocals and drums
are in background reverbed.
The Fool On The Hill
Flutes at full volume; piano, tambourine and cymbals at low volume,
vocal (reverbed) and drums in background.
Hello Goodbye
Guitar and choir at full volume, piano and drums at low volume, vocal
in background reverbed.
Lady Madonna
Remix. Vocals are at low volume and right channel overdubs are emphasized.
Across the Universe
Remix, almost the same as a Mono Mix.
OOPS page
Anthology 2