The Beatles (The White Album) Part 2

The White Album is the last album that had a mono mix. By now, stereo was more than a passing fad or niche market. In the US, almost everyone owned stereo players and everyone was taking note. Abbey Road Studios now had an 8 track recording system and the Beatles were the first group to use this (they recorded a few songs in London while the system was being installed). If new technology was available, the Fab Four wanted to use it. Recording in 8 tracks gave the engineers much greater control over the stereo and mono mixes. The group, though, still felt that mono was the better medium, and they still did not stay in the studio for the stereo mixes. For the final two albums the systems were more like what are in use today and they could record in many more tracks, and with most people buying stereo recordings the need for a mono mix was gone.

Mixing 8 tracks did however give an edge to the stereo mixes especially since George Martin and the other engineers were totally comfortable with stereo. I found that I liked only one mono mix better on the first LP with a couple of ties.

Martha My Dear – Stereo. The piano is much nicer in the stereo.

I’m So Tired – Stereo. Much more depth.

Blackbird – Stereo. Both the guitar and vocals are better in stereo.

Piggies – The harpsichord sounds much better in stereo.

Rocky Racoon – Stereo. Much clearer than the mono.

Don’t Pass Me By – Stereo. Again the stereo is sharper

Why Don’t We Do It In The Road? – Stereo again. The mono sounds nice, but the vocals are just a tad better in stereo.

I Will – Tie. Both are perfect!

Julia – Mono! I think they just used a better take for the mono.

Here are both versions of Piggies (this is an often overlooked song that I love!) You Choose!

Enjoy!

Mono
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgpdoPT0rA8]

Stereo
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWBfD4XuIfU]