The original liner notes had featured none of his comments, even though other band members were interviewed, and new notes were subsequently commissioned to Dennis Diken. Reportedly, Mike Love was dissatisfied with the accompanying essays that allegedly understated his involvement in the album's making. There was a minor controversy regarding a significant 18-month delay in the release of the box set (originally planned for May 1996 to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the album's original issue). In the mono version, chatter can be heard buried in various tracks instances of them were omitted from the stereo version at Brian's request. " You Still Believe in Me" features a single tracked vocal instead of the doubled vocal of the original due to a missing tape. Among them, alternate vocal parts used for the bridge of " Wouldn't It Be Nice" and the end of " God Only Knows" due to the original tracks no longer existing. Some exceptions remain, and so the stereo mix of Pet Sounds does contain some differences from the original mono mix. The mix was then processed through an original tube console from United Western Recorders in the 1960s.
Vocal and instrumental parts that Brian left off the record in 1966 were noted and duplicated, as were the fades." To this end, a Scully model 280 4-track was used to transfer the analog reels to digital multi-tracks – the same model used for Pet Sounds. Linett wrote: "In mixing Pet Sounds in stereo, every attempt was made to duplicate the feel and sound of the original mono mixes. The new mixes created for the box set were made in January–February 1996. Advances in recording technology allowed the compilers to digitally sync multi-track stems that had been ping-ponged numerous times prior to their final mono mixdown.
These new mixes were made possible by the survival of the original Pet Sounds multitrack tapes. Overseen by Brian Wilson and produced and engineered by Mark Linett, the set includes the first stereo mix of Pet Sounds. Pet Sounds was first released in 1966 in monaural and duophonic formats.
Since that time, nothing has really changed." Leaf had only a minor role in the set with all creative work including editing, mixing and mastering being done by lead producer Mark Linett Ĭompiler David Leaf explains the purpose of the new compilation: "The first three CDs of this box set are designed to give you a sense of how Brian and the studio musicians cut the tracks and also to give you a unique glimpse into the harmonic magic of the Beach Boys singing." He adds: "It is not hyperbole to say that for every pop and rock group that followed in the Beach Boys wake, Pet Sounds became an audio benchmark. Carl and I knew for sure we were into something heavier than hell, and we just went with it. When we were making Pet Sounds we were absolutely positive we were cutting a milestone record. The thing is, I’m glad we’re doing this new Pet Sounds reissue because the Pet Sounds box set is going to be very revealing to the public as to just what sort of music makers we really are. It was a heart and soul album I worked very, very hard on it. Original producer Brian Wilson writes in the liner notes to The Pet Sounds Sessions: