B01.10 Human Racing
7" Remix version vs Album version vs The Collection version vs Video version
In the past weeks, some of Nik Kershaw's songs have been at the center of many debates amongst fans.
And the question is always the same:
Is the 7" vinyl record version an exclusive version that is not available on any CD?
But the answer doesn't seem so clear and many fans disagree on that subject.
For some songs, such as "Wide Boy", it was quite easy to find out.
Some differences could easily be heard and three different versions were clearly identified:
Album version, different from 7" version, different from Video Version.
That only left The Collection version to be checked and it turned out to be the same as the 7" version.
But for other songs, such as "Human Racing", it is NOT so clear.
So I used my "Reaper" software and uploaded all four versions to compare them.
The first thing I noticed was slight differences in the bpm speeds.
But that doesn't mean the mixes are different.
Only the speed when played.
Then I had an overall look at the four sound waves and check and any noticeable differences.
Note that because the sources are different (vinyl vs CD), the sound waves will somehow look a little different (EQ... trebles and bass... mediums).
But that doesn't mean the tracks do not come from the same master recording.
I Identified some differences that needed to be checked.
So, the next step was to check the audios of these sections.
All of them in fact due to cracks on the vinyl recording.
No clear differences in the sound waves of the different tracks.
Next step is there to compare them, measures after measures.
And as there are FOUR of them, it takes a lot of time!
First thing to notice is that the four tracks have different trebles, medium and bass EQ.
The Collection version also have a lower volume gain.
But, again, it doesn't mean these are different mixes.
So I played each measure again and again and again and again.
Listening carefully at the four tracks.
Over and over.
And there is no doubt that the four tracks are the EXACT SAME MIX.
BUT...
While the 7" version and the album version are the same version, The Collection version has a slightly shorter fade-out.
The video video is even about 3 seconds shorter.