Mixology: The Mono/Stereo Mix Differences Podcast

Hello Friends! Today we celebrate the long awaited release of the 2026 Mix of Rubber Soul by doing what we do best, and breaking down every little bit of what makes these mixes tick compared to the previously 'standard' 1987 Stereo Mix, as found on the 2009 Remaster. This is - in my opinion - Giles Martin's best work so far on a full album Beatles Remix, and builds upon the 2023 mixes of 7 of the songs here, 6 of which have been reused. We will also be bringing in the two remixes done in 1999 for the Yellow Submarine Songtrack, and seeing how these mixes informed the decisions made here.

If you want to know how the 1987 stereo mixes compare to the 1965 mono and stereo mixes, as well as the clutch of unique US mono and stereo mixes, be sure to check out my episode Rubber Soul (RM2) by The Beatles from 2022, which covered all of these.

As always, if you want a stack more Mixology content, check out the Patreon, at www.patreon.com/backtomono

Happy Listening,

Frederick

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Hello Friends,

Today I am delighted to welcome Andrew Sandoval back to Mixology to discuss the recent publication of The Kinks - All Day and All of The Night: The Day-by-Day Story, 1941-1970 by Doug Hinman and Andrew Sandoval. Published exclusively through Andrew's own imprint Beatland Books, Andrew and I work our way through a causal string of questions and answers, discussing everything from the intimately personal world of Ray Davies' songwriting, why the group were a management nightmare, the bizarre mixing decisions on Something Else by The Kinks, and most importantly - why you should never pass up on the reggae records.

In addition to this, this is the very first video edition of the show, which you can find by heading over to the Patreon community. The video is available to all who visit the page, and is not behind the paywall, so please head on over there and add any of your thoughts in the comments. There is more than enough to get discussing in this one! You can find it at www.patreon.com/backtomono 

If you wish to grab a copy of this fantastic tome for yourself, you can do so by heading over to www.beatlandbooks.com/ - and don't forget to browse Andrew's other wonderful volumes while you're there!

Happy Listening (& Watching),

Frederick

Hello Friends! We're back in Holliesland this month on the show, with a look at the group's greatest pure-pop LP, 1966's For Certain Because.... Notable for being the first LP by the group composed entirely of original material, this Clark-Hicks-Nash composed album is chock full of fantastic mid-60s British pop, and even more full of great mix differences between the mono and stereo LPs. So, if additional vocal layers, extra echo, and revealing panning sound like a fun time to you, don't even think about changing! This ain't not peculiar situation, so be a crusader and and listen to this high classed episode.

Happy Listening,

Frederick

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Instagram - @hypnoticfred 

Hello Friends! I've gone a little self-indulgent again on the show today, with a look at one of my favourite US-only LPs by The Dave Clark Five, 1967's 5 by 5. Issued with 'Nineteen Days' as the focus tracks, the 10 track 20 minute affair is an absolute blast, if wholly derivative of both the DC5 themselves and the music around them at the time.

What is most important though is the fact that this was the first DC5 album to receive a true stereo mix, and as such we have the usual minor differences in echo, but also some pretty major ones too, such as mixed out ad libs and entirely missing layers of instruments and backing vocals, making this an album I absolutely had to cover on the show... when the time was right. But pick up your phone - that time is now!

Happy Listening,

Frederick

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Hello Friends! This time on show we're finally returning to the Fold-Down Chronicles, looking at a further three LPs originally issued in both mono and stereo, but with mono mixes that don't entirely deserve that title. With this in mind, today we will be covering the following albums:

The Beach Boys - Beach Boys Concert (1964)

Graham Gouldman - The Graham Gouldman Thing (1968)

Michael Nesmith presents The Wichita Train Whistle Sings (1968)

With original mono and stereo pressings and transfers in hand, we set to work understanding just how these discs were assembled in their mono presentations, as well as how the stereo mixes were approached to accommodate this. Despite the simple premise, we have a lot of fascinating things to dig into today.

I want to thank Andrew Sandoval, Andrew Pemrich, and Dae Lims for their source assistance.

Happy Listening,

Frederick

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Hello Friends! After enjoying my time so much with Surfer Girl last time, I felt it only natural to continue on with it's sister LP, Little Deuce Coupe. Issued a mere 3 weeks after it's predecessor, the LP contains 8 new songs, as well as 4 tracks from previous LPs (including 2 from Surfer Girl), but in my opinion it all makes for a cracker of an LP. To top it off, while the mono mix remains supreme, the stereo only continues to improve here, with some amazing mixes that are near comparable to the mono. All-in-all, a great time that is far more than a No-Go Showboat!

Happy Listening,

Frederick

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Beach Boys Sessions: Stack-o-Tracks

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Hello Friends! It's Beach Boys time again here on the show, as we continue to enjoy the backend of the summer down under. Somewhat inspired by the recent We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years box set, this album was originally issued in mono and stereo in September 1963, and thankfully has never had any form of remix, though one track did received a mildly modified master for use as a flip side. Often regarded as one of their best recorded LPs, both mixes are a treat, but what makes each one shine in it's own unique way? It's time to find out who mixed it better - Brian Wilson or Chuck Britz!

Happy Listening,

Frederick

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Beach Boys Sessions: Stack-o-Tracks

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Hello Friends! It's been a long time coming, but here it is - the Mixology look at The Velvet Underground & Nico, one of the most influential discs of all time, and one of my most requested LPs to cover. I wasn't sure what to expect when going into this album. For such a rough and ready production, stereo didn't feel like it would make sense, but after spending time picking apart both the mono and stereo mixes, and comparing them intently, both really do offer up something unique. Is one better than the other? It's hard to decide. So don't Run Run Run to All Tomorrow's Parties, I'll Be Your Mirror and guide you through all the mono and stereo differences, as well as an alternate mix and single edit of All Tomorrow's Parties!

Happy Listening,

Frederick

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Hello Friends! Much like last year, I wanted to round out 2025 with a look back over the year that was, reflecting briefly on the wonderful albums we looked at this year, the conversations had, and what could be to come in 2026. It's been a fun year with a number of episodes I'm deeply proud of, and to top it all off, I've got a treat to round out the episode I'm extremely excited to share with you all.

Thank you everyone for listening, and I'll see you all in 2026!

Happy Listening,

Frederick

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Hello Friends! After an extended break away from the Fab Five, we return to The Hollies on Mixology with a look at their 1966 album, 'Would You Believe?'. Their first issued in stereo in the UK (almost at the same time), this LP has always had a very curious mix situation, with the stereo being somewhat inventive with it's panning, and the mono being quite muddy for the most part. With this in mind, I dived into this episode hoping to break down why this is, and let me tell you that the answer was somewhat unexpected, but also somewhat creative - if expedient. With a major discovery on our hands here, this episode only further complicates the mono vs stereo debate when it comes to this material, so don't have a Hard Hard Year, let's dig in!

Happy Listening,

Frederick