Prince and the Revolution Live was recorded in March 1985 during the Purple Rain tour, one year after the release of Prince’s sixth album Purple Rain (1984). Available until now on video, this concert is for the first time available in musical media

You can find the measurements of each edition in the different parts below or access directly to the summary and the listening of the samples of these albums here.

This album includes 20 tracks : 

1. Let’s Go Crazy
2. Delirious
3. 1999
4. Little Red Corvette
5. Take Me With U
6. Yankee Doodle
7. Do Me, Baby
8. Irresistible Bitch
9. Possessed
10. How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore
11. Let’s Pretend We’re Married
12. International Lover
13. God
14. Computer Blue
15. Darling Nikki
16. The Beautiful Ones
17. When Doves Cry
18. I Would Die 4 U
19. Baby, I’m A Star
20. Purple Rain

We will review 5 editions (Vinyl , CD, Bluray stereo, Streaming Qobuz, Streaming Amazon Dolby Atmos Binaural) of this album.

First we will analyze each edition in detail (technical and qualitative analysis) then we will compare the successive editions with their dynamics and assign a final score and you will be able to listen some samples.

Review of the editions:

Part 1: Presentation of the editions

Part 2 : Waveform and dynamique comparaison

Parts 3 : Spectrum comparisons

Part 4 : Spectrogram comparaisons

Part 5 : Summary, scoring and Sample

Part 1: presentation of the editions

Ed1 : Vinyl ref 19439957141 – 2022

Presentation

This is the superb vinyl edition with 3 x LP and 16-page booklet.

Label	NPG Records
Reference	19439957141
Format (speed)	3 x LP 33.3 rpm
Type	Vinyl Box with 3 x LP and 16-page booklet
Master	From 2 inchs analog tape.
Mastering/Pressing	Remixed by Chris James
Original recording	Analog from 2 inchs analog tape.
State	Europe
Year original	1985
Year production	2022

Ed2 : CD from BOX 19439957162 – 2022

Presentation

Nice box included 2x CD and Bluray.

Label	NPG Records
Reference	19439957162
Format (speed)	2 x CD
Type	Box with 2 x CD, Bluray and 24-page booklet
Master	Digital
Mastering/Pressing	Remixed by Chris James Mastering Bernie Grundman
Original recording	Analog from 2 inchs analog tape.
State	Europe
Year original	1985
Year production	2022

Ed3 : Bluray Stereo 19439957162 – 2022

Presentation

Nice box included 2x CD and Bluray. The bluray is presented in PCM stereo 24 bits 48 kHz.

Label	NPG Records
Reference	19439957162
Format (speed)	Bluray stereo 24 bits 48 kHz
Type	Box with 2 x CD, Bluray and 24-page booklet
Master	Digital
Mastering/Pressing	Remixed by Chris James Mastering Bernie Grundman
Original recording	Analog from 2 inchs analog tape.
State	Europe
Year original	1985
Year production	2022

Ed4 : Streaming Qobuz Hi-Res– 2021

Presentation

This is the Qobuz Hi-Res release of this album presented in 24 bits 44.1 kHz.

Label	NPG Records
Reference	Qobuz Hi-Res
Format (speed)	Streaming Hi-Res
Type	24 bits 41 kHz
Master	Digital
Mastering/Pressing	Remixed by Chris James Mastering Bernie Grundman
Original recording	Analog from 2 inchs analog tape.
State	Europe
Year original	1985
Year production	2022

Ed5 : Streaming Amazon Music Atmos (binaural)- 2021

Presentation

This is the streaming Amazon Music Atmos of this album in binaural for headphone listening.

Label	NPG Records
Reference	Amazon Music Atmos
Format (speed)	Atmos Binaural
Type	Streaming
Master	Digital
Mastering/Pressing	Remixed by Chris James Mastering Bernie Grundman
Original recording	Analog from 2 inchs analog tape.
State	Europe
Year original	1985
Year production	2022

Part 2 : Waveform and dynamic comparaisons

Waveform

The waveform represents all the tracks of the album.

The Ed1 Vinyl presents a dynamic waveform with a variation of levels distributed over the whole of the songs, without effects of compression of the peaks of levels.

For the Ed 2 CD and Ed4 Streaming Qobuz, the waveforms show a compression which consists in maximizing the sound level with areduction of dynamic (yellow zone).

For the Ed3 Bluray Stereo, the sound level is 6 dB lower than on the CD, but we can see a little more dynamics in the waveform which is confirmed by the DR measurement.
The yellow zone shows the action of the limiter compressor

The Amazon Atmos Binauural version is a little more dynamic than the stereo bluray, there are less level limited areas on the waveform. This is the current tendency, where, the Atmos binaural version is more dynamic than the CD version.

Dynamic

We start this test by measuring the dynamic. Dynamic represents the ability to reproduce a wide range of sounds from the softest to the loudest. 

For our 8 editions we have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR):

	Ed1: Vinyl	Ed2: CD	Ed3: Bluray stereo	Ed4: Qobuz	Ed5: Amazon Atmos Binaural
GLOBAL	DR12	DR8	DR10	DR8	DR11
Min	DR11	DR6	DR8	DR6	DR10
Max	DR14	DR13	DR15	DR13	DR12
Let’s Go Crazy	DR10	DR7	DR9	DR7	DR10
Delirious	DR11	DR8	DR10	DR8	DR11
1999	DR10	DR7	DR8	DR7	DR11
Little Red Corvette	DR12	DR8	DR9	DR8	DR10
Take Me With U	DR11	DR7	DR8	DR7	DR10
Yankee Doodle	DR14	DR13	DR15	DR13	DR11
Do Me, Baby	DR12	DR8	DR9	DR8	DR11
Irresistible Bitch	DR11	DR8	DR10	DR8	DR12
Possessed	DR12	DR9	DR10	DR9	DR11
How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore	DR12	DR12	DR13	DR12	DR10
Let’s Pretend We’re Married	DR12	DR6	DR8	DR6	DR11
International Lover	DR14	DR8	DR10	DR8	DR12
God	DR14	DR10	DR11	DR10	DR11
Computer Blue	DR11	DR7	DR8	DR7	DR10
Darling Nikki	DR11	DR6	DR8	DR6	DR11
The Beautiful Ones	DR11	DR7	DR9	DR7	DR11
When Doves Cry	DR11	DR9	DR10	DR9	DR10
I Would Die 4 U	DR12	DR9	DR11	DR9	DR11
Baby, I’m A Star	DR12	DR9	DR11	DR9	DR11
Purple Rain	DR12	DR8	DR10	DR8	DR10

The DR measurement confirms the dynamic classification that can be done by observing the waveform curves.
We find the CD and Qobuz as the least dynamic version with a DR8, followed by the Bluray stereo version (DR10), the Dolby Atmos Binaural version (DR11) and to finish the vinyl with its DR12.
We can also notice that the Atmos Binaural version has less variation between the least dynamic and the most dynamic track, which also shows the use of compressor to homogenize the dynamics of the whole tracks.

As a reminder, the scale goes from 0 to more 20, but the dynamics are considered good from 12, quite good between 10 and 11, and deteriorate below 10.

Part 3 : spectrum comparisons

Spectrum

The Spectrum allows to check the tonal balance of the music (balance between treble, medium and bass sounds) and to detect process that may have been carried out during the recording, the mixing, mastering or manufacturing phases. It is also possible to detect frequency interference issues.

The curve represents the average frequency distribution over the sample “Let’s Go Crazy”.

The interesting features on this curve Ed1 Vinyl (White) vs Ed4 Qobuz are the following:

1. The two curves are very different except for a similarity between 300 Hz and 6 kHz
2. The yellow area shows a sharpening of the vinyl above 6 kHz, with a peak at 15 kHz (yellow arrow) of over 15 dB!
3. After a drop in level at 17 kHz, which limits the frequency rendering of the vinyl, there is a rise in level at 20 kHz and a little above (red arrow).
4. The green zone raises the bass level below 300 Hz for vinyl, with a maximum of 9 dB.
5. The purple arrow shows a rise in the upper spectrum above 30 kHz for vinyl noise.

The differences are very important between the vinyl and the Qobuz version (or CD), to look a little more, the graph below compares the vinyl with the Atmos Binaural version.
We also find differences in the bass (green zone), in the treble (yellow zone) but less important in level. The yellow arrow shows the drop in level at 17 kHz and we find the rise from 20 kHz (red arrow). The differences between the vinyl and Qobuz curves (CD or Atmos Binaural) indicate a different mastering or a specific mix.

The curves below of the ED2 CD and Ed4 Qobuz versions are completely superimposed, indicating the use of the same master for the sound balance.

The curves below of the ED2 CD and Ed3 Bluray stereo versions are completely superimposed up to 22 kHz, indicating the use of the same master for the sound balance. The yellow arrow shows the boundaries between CD at 22 kHz and Bluray at 24 kHz, this is due to the differences in sampling frequencies of 44.1 kHz for CD and 48 kHz for Bluray. This shows that the mix has been worked on at least in 48 kHz.

The difference between the Amazon Dolby Atmos binaural version and Qobuz is very marked (yellow zone, green zone, purple arrow), this is due to the use of a different Atmos mix than the stereo version and to the binaural encoding. The yellow arrow shows the limit at 20 kHz of Dolby Atmos due to the encoding in Dolby Digital Plus.

Part 4 : Spectrogram comparaisons

Spectrogram

Spectrogram is another representation of frequency versus time of a track. For each channel (right and left), horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents frequency. The amplitude is represented by the intensity (brightness) of the color of each point in the image.

For the Ed1 Vinyl spectrogram, the yellow arrow reveals the boundary above 17 kHz that is most likely due to the equalization applied during mastering. The white arrow shows the harmonics that are generated by the vinyl playback process.

For the 3 digital editions (Ed2, Ed3, Ed4), we find similar characteristics, with a limitation of the bandwidth at 22 kHz (CD and Qobuz) or 24 kHz (Bluray stereo) (Yellow arrow) and no signal beyond (white arrow) unlike the vinyl.

The Amazon Atmos Binaural (Ed5) version cuts at 20 kHz maximum (yellow arrow), but also with passages cut at 18 kHz (white area) or less. This is due to the encoding principle of Dolby Digital Plus, which eliminates the lowest level frequencies to compress them more easily. The black area indicates that there is no signal above 20 kHz (white arrow).

Part 5 : Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed1 : Vinyl ref 19439957141 – 2022

The vinyl version has a very nice packaging, with a very elaborate cover and a color booklet. The quality of pressing of the vinyl is correct despite some clicks on the B side mainly. The sound is dynamic with a sound balance that is higher than on the digital versions. The spatialization is also much more important and wide than on the other versions, there is a complementary treatment or another mix (from Atmos mix ?) compared to the other versions.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (3.5/5)
  • Surface noise: ●●●oo (3/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●●o (3.5/5)

• Sample : “Let’s Go Crazy” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:

Ed2 : CD from BOX 19439957162 – 2022

We find a superb edition with a box that contains 2 CD, a Bluray and a booklet. The CD has a different tonal balance than the vinyl, but with a sound that is very central with a reduced sound stage. The use of compression is audible on some tracks with less strong attacks.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic:  ●●ooo (2/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●oo (2.5/5)

• Sample : “Let’s Go Crazy” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed3 : Bluray Stereo 19439957162 – 2022

The bluray is in the same box as the CD, there is a relationship between the stereo versions, but the stereo track of the bluray is less compressed and also with a lower sound level. So it has a little more dynamics than the CD. The video has been reworked, but remains far from the quality we get today, many wide shots lack sharpness.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●ooo (2/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●oo (2.5/5)

• Sample : “Let’s Go Crazy” 24 bits 48 kHz:

Ed4 : Streaming Qobuz Hi-Res- 2022

The streaming version is similar to the CD, we find the same characteristics in measurements and also in listening.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●ooo (2/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●oo (2.5/5)

• Sample : “Let’s Go Crazy” 24 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed5 : Streaming Amazon Music Atmos (binaural)- 2022

Specifically for headphone listening, the Atmos Binaural version is more dynamic and offers a better spatialization of the music, improving the details, but remains with a very present central channel.

• Rating:
  • Dynamic: ●●●oo (3/5)
  • Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4/5)
  • Restitution: ●●●oo (3/5)

• Sample : “Let’s Go Crazy” Atmos Binaural:

It is a trend today to market old concerts. This is the case here with this Prince concert. But unfortunately, the quality of the recording is not always up to today’s standards, the recording is almost 40 years old. A lot of work has been done, but each version has its advantages and disadvantages, the vinyl offers a wider sound image but with an accentuation of the top of the spectrum unbalancing the sound a bit. For the digital stereo versions, the sound image is more reduced with a very present center, but with a sound balance which is more natural for the voices and the guitar. The Atmos binaural version is between the vinyl and the digital stereo versions. A choice to be made according to its tastes. This is a concert that will be enjoyed by Prince fans. It remains to compare the 5.1 and Atmos versions to know if the multichannel brings a plus to the restitution of this concert.

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Detail of the ratings :

• Dynamic :
  1. Significant dynamic compression, DR less than 7
  2. Compression of the present dynamics, DR between 7 and 9.
  3. Correct piece DR >=10
  4. No dynamic compression (DR >12), dynamic rendering
  5. No dynamic compression, high DR and very dynamic sound rendering
• Spectrum :
  1. Spectrum cut and less than 15 khz
  2. Spectrum cut at 15 khz
  3. Spectrum not conforming to the original and cut (not HD) or original but limited bandwidth (but less than 20 kHz)
  4. Spectrum conforming to the original (but not HD)
  5. Spectrum conforming to the original with HD resolution (higher than 24kHz)
• Surface noise (only for vinyl):
  1. Continuous audible noise
  2. Audible surface noise except on passages with a high level of noise
  3. Reduced surface noise, barely audible on low level crossings
  4. Low surface noise, very good quality
  5. Very low surface noise, no defects, almost inaudible on the quiet passages (exceptional disc)
• Spatialization :Between 0 and 5 for 5.1 or 7.1 channels configuration
  • Between 0 and 10 for Atmos configuration (7.1.4)
  • For more information on spatialization, you can read the article describing this parameter here.
• Restitution :
  1. Low quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  2. Average quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  3. Quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Good record.
  4. High quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Very high level disc.
  5. Maximum quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Exceptional disc.

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