CONCERTS AT WRONG SPEED

[pmp]

I think some are more noticeable than others. I doubt that anything of 1% or thereabouts is particularly noticeable without checking, but beyond that it can be pretty obvious - but it's not clear cut, in my opinion, that 2% (for example) is noticeable across the board. But if you already have a sluggish Elvis performance and then you play is at 2.5% slower than it should be, it all becomes pretty obvious. But that's why the Hometown Shows issue is IMO less obvious than, say, a 1976 show.

But that list from Elvis 2000 shows that there are more soundboards releases running at the wrong speed than at the right speed! Whether they are instantly noticeable or not, it shouldn't happen EVER. It takes little time to check this kind of thing and put it right, and, for the most part, it's just damned laziness and a lack of pride in work. I mean, how can Jan Elasson (to name one of several) not know that concerts were running 3.5% too fast on the Las Vegas 1973 release recently? Even worse was the Live in LA release, first issued with a book that was then reissued as a stand alone disc WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!

And, of course, as most of us know, these aren't the only issues, either!

I listened to the intros in 'Rockin Across Texas' - Amarillo 1974 a few times so I could hear Elvis vocal and the band playing and the more I did I think I did notice it but if I hadn't have known about the speed issues I would have just put it down not just to Elvis being sluggish as you say but just the fact he talks in that slow southern drawl of his or that the band were simply playing slower at that point.

The strange thing that I find is that fans have accepted concerts at the wrong speed from FTD for two decades - and yet object to ninety seconds of Elvis on Tour being altered for perfectly legitimate reasons. Now, surely if someone has a problem with less than 1% of a film being altered, then they should also object to 100% of a concert being altered???

[SpyGuyUK]

The strange thing that I find is that fans have accepted concerts at the wrong speed from FTD for two decades - and yet object to ninety seconds of Elvis on Tour being altered for perfectly legitimate reasons. Now, surely if someone has a problem with less than 1% of a film being altered, then they should also object to 100% of a concert being altered???

I see your point but it may not be that they have accepted concerts at the wrong speed it's just they may be unaware. I take it you are referring to the opening of 'Elvis on Tour' on the Blu Ray version where 'CC Rider' was replaced.

[pmp]

The strange thing that I find is that fans have accepted concerts at the wrong speed from FTD for two decades - and yet object to ninety seconds of Elvis on Tour being altered for perfectly legitimate reasons. Now, surely if someone has a problem with less than 1% of a film being altered, then they should also object to 100% of a concert being altered???

I see your point but it may not be that they have accepted concerts at the wrong speed it's just they may be unaware. I take it you are referring to the opening of 'Elvis on Tour' on the Blu Ray version where 'CC Rider' was replaced.

Johnny B Goode was replaced.

[SpyGuyUK]

Johnny B Goode was replaced.

It's ok I knew that - I was just testing you!!! Honest.

[DearGeorgie]

Is there an updated list for the FTDs released since the FT WORTH '74? Obviously this newest one focusing on the winter '74 Vegas engagement can be included.

[Edwin]

https://www.elvispresleyftd.com/

[Elvis2000]

Is there an updated list for the FTDs released since the FT WORTH '74? Obviously this newest one focusing on the winter '74 Vegas engagement can be included.

This is what I've got, I would appreciate if someone could double check this though.

Fort Worth, Texas 1974 CD1/2 – 2.5% too slow
South Bound – Fine
Pine Bluff To Madison CD1 – 1.5% too fast
From Vegas To Tahoe – Fine
Las Vegas ’71 CD1/CD3 – 1.5% too slow
From Louisiana And Memphis – Fine
Let Me Be There CD1/CD2 & CD3 - 1.5% too fast / 3.5% too fast

[DearGeorgie]

Is there an updated list for the FTDs released since the FT WORTH '74? Obviously this newest one focusing on the winter '74 Vegas engagement can be included.

This is what I've got, I would appreciate if someone could double check this though.

Fort Worth, Texas 1974 CD1/2 – 2.5% too slow
South Bound – Fine
Pine Bluff To Madison CD1 – 1.5% too fast
From Vegas To Tahoe – Fine
Las Vegas ’71 CD1/CD3 – 1.5% too slow
From Louisiana And Memphis – Fine
Let Me Be There CD1/CD2 & CD3 - 1.5% too fast / 3.5% too fast

Thank you. This list has been very helpful. It's really frustrating to have to constantly be fixing mistakes that shouldn't be occurring anyway. I can understand maybe a few "escapes" that had issues, but it's been happening an awful lot, in my opinion

[YDKM]

Sadly the list is growing and no longer just from Bootleg sources

[francesclopez]

I never notice anything besides all their errors in the back covers, and they are not that important. How do you know the percentage? Audio software?

[Ciscoking]

Its a new habit..when all is fine so far.

[pmp]

Its a new habit..when all is fine so far.

It's not a new habit. With FTD, it's an old habit, dating back to at least Live in LA. Quite why you think is this, I have no idea.

[Ciscoking]

Sure you wait for the 10 quick-buck "speed adjusted"..outing..of this fine pack.

[tinseltown]

Sure you wait for the 10 quick-buck "speed adjusted"..outing..of this fine pack.

Honestly, to brush off people who bought those CD's or would have bought them (both are more than just 3 or 4 people) because they are concerned about a wrong speed, just like that and in such a ignorant manner like they are idiots is not good looking on you.
People payed for that.
Only listen to the praise and being arrogant about honest complaining which is rooted in a legitimate complain = wrong speed(even thou you don't care about such) is not the way somebody who is involved with FTD should deal with Fans.

Either not say anything, but to tell them cynical they should wait for a cheap boot of FTD and ignoring and belittle their legitimate complaints is not the proper way to do for someone who prides himself to work for FTD.

In fact that behaviour of yours is a PR desaster and on a personal level very rude of yourself to people who shell out a lot of money in this times for FTD.
Shut up, like Ernst does, or man up.
But to laugh in the face of paying costumers is not a thing you should do.
Since you are not able to channel the concerns in an adult manner (glad that you are not a spokesperson for a huge company, they would be off the market very soon because of your attitude) I would suggest you choose the way Ernst does, since you are in the Team of FTD.

[JimmyCool]

I expected more from you, Ciscoking...

[tinseltown]

Even more ridicule from him? No thanks.
He said enough already.
The shining star of soundboards on the FTD team.

[pmp]

Sure you wait for the 10 quick-buck "speed adjusted"..outing..of this fine pack.

Nobody would do that if it came out at the right speed in the first place.

Can you not see that????

[londonflash]

It's a legitimate source of irritation to plenty of FTD buyers that too many concerts are issued on the label at the wrong speed. In fact, it's a joke. It smacks of carelessness, arrogance and a DGAF attitude that (thankfully) hasn't affected the sessions sets. If speed issues are clear to people just listening to one track that's been put on YouTube then surely someone in pre-production should be able to pick it up. I'm sure there are people on here who would lend their ears for free. These are expensive releases and it's disrespectful to those spending their hard-earned not to get something as fundamental as playback speed correct.

[KB]

Although Cisco is not involved in mastering, to ignore the fact (in a cynical manner) that one of the cds on the last FTD runs 3.5% too fast does not sound right..

I agree with the previous comments, Cisco should either stop commenting these issues or address them with the FTD team via proper channels.

Cisco is a nice guy and a great Elvis fan, but his latest comments are ruining his (hard earned) credibility.

[Gamma Master]

These are increasingly expensive releases

Thought I'd add a little extra for you

Shame the increased cost doesn't come with increased care for the product. In fact, it makes me wonder if they even do any mastering to the tapes at all, surely the speed would be one of the first things you check? I'm of course being flippant, but I do wonder about how something like this that is picked up in seconds by amateurs (and not even that) on this forum can go under the radar of a professional sound engineer.

[TCB Band]

Hi all, this is probably a question for the technical/hardware/software section of the forum, but for those who aren’t aware, how do we speed these up? I feel like I recall reading about using Audacity and burn a new CD? Not that I’m trying to justify FTD’s actions, but just since I expect they won’t re-press old concerts released at the wrong speed (and who knows if they’ll issue the future sets at the right speed)?

[emjel]

Hi all, this is probably a question for the technical/hardware/software section of the forum, but for those who aren’t aware, how do we speed these up? I feel like I recall reading about using Audacity and burn a new CD? Not that I’m trying to justify FTD’s actions, but just since I expect they won’t re-press old concerts released at the wrong speed (and who knows if they’ll issue the future sets at the right speed)?

I have not tried it, but my understanding is that using Audacity

1. Select the track or portion of a track for which you wish to change the speed. You can double-click the track if you want to select the whole thing.

2. From the menu bar, click Effect > Pitch and Tempo > Change Speed…

3. In the Change Speed dialog box, you have four options for altering the speed of the audio: Speed Multiplier, Percent Change, a slider, and Standard Vinyl rpm. Choose only one of these to change since each affects the other. For example, setting the multiplier to 2.000 will move the slider to the right and change the percentage from 0.000 to 100.000 since doubling the speed equals a 100% increase.

Presumably, moving slider to the left or putting in a minus number will slow the sound down, which is what yiu want with the Elvis releases that are playing to fast.

Then just resave the file and either burn a new CD or drop the file into your library.

When I receive my copy of the latest FTD release which has the speeded up shows, I’ll give it a try.

[SteamrollerBlues]

I've created this video tutorial to go along with emjel's post above mine for anyone who might find it helpful as well:

[JimmyCool]

I've created this video tutorial to go along with emjel's post above mine for anyone who might find it helpful as well:

Steamroller, thank you for creating such an informative video tutorial. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by the members who struggle with correcting these frequent audio issues. Unfortunately, due to the sound engineer's incompetence, we are left with no choice but to fix these problems ourselves at home.

Furthermore, your list reveals the shocking number of soundboards that were released at the wrong speed. This level of inaccuracy is completely unacceptable and undermines the value of these recordings. Thank you
for providing the tools to correct it.

[LSP-4445]

I dont buy soundboard releases anymore but if I was a collector and did buy I would be pissed.
Not only are these releases expensive and sound quality is not great due to source but FTD cant even bother to fix the speed issue…at least try to get it right…no one will notice just 0,5% or even 1,0% fast or slow speed but everything else is not acceptable.
Some shows runs 3,5% too fast….thats very noticable