Search - Fantasia :: Walt Disney's Fantasia Motion Picture Soundtrack

Too many reviewers are unaware of WHY this sounds like it do

J. Douglas Benson | Maryland | 01/19/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, it's poor-quality sound; originally recorded in the 1930s on FILM SOUNDTRACKS--not even 78 records! Recording tape had not even been invented yet. It was a huge experiment: Disney's engineers made a multitrack recording which was to be played through early 'surround-sound' speakers in large theaters. This predated regular stereo audio by 20 years. Sitting in a theater hearing the audio spill out all around you, bouncing around the room and intermingling with the sound from the other speakers, it was an awesome experience. Also, the original version had odd 'special effects' panning in some places, sending various parts of the orchestra sailing around the theater. Again, it was a cool effect in the room, but a 'real orchestra' could never do that.



Unfortunately, when all this is mixed down to a 2-track recording and presented in a clean digital format, every idiosyncrasy of the original recording is presented right along with it. 1930s film soundtracks are noisy and grainy-sounding. The oddball panning creates strange phasing problems. If you are expecting to hear a pristeen 'serious' recording, you will be disappointed. I hear it as a nostalgic recording, reminding me how it 'felt' to be in that theater watching such an important piece of cinematic history. I also approach it as a pioneering feat of technical production, given the time period from which it comes. It really doesn't deserve the trashing all these people are giving it. It is what it is, and it ain't what it aint! Don't expect a hamburger to taste like a steak.



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