Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

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Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab logo.svg
Parent companyMusic Direct
Founded1977 (1977)
FounderBrad Miller
GenreVarious
Country of originU.S.
LocationVision Street, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Official website mofi.com

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL or MoFi) is a record label that specialized in the production of audiophile issues. [1] The company produces reissued vinyl LP records, compact discs, and Super Audio CDs and other formats.

Contents

History

Recording engineer Brad Miller (1939–1998) released the first recordings on the Mobile Fidelity label in March 1958, a recording of a Southern Pacific steam locomotive. [2] Later LPs included other steam trains, environmental sounds and orchestral music, and a few pop and orchestral recordings. In 1977 Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs was founded and began releasing Original Master Recording LPs, using a half-speed mastering process. [3]

In November 1999, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab shut down after the bankruptcy of M. S. Distributing. [4] In 2001 MFSL's assets were acquired by Jim Davis of Music Direct. [5]

Products

LPs

Original Master Recordings logo Original Master Recordings wordmark.svg
Original Master Recordings logo

In 1977, Mobile Fidelity began to produce a line of records known as "Original Master Recording" vinyl LPs. [6] These albums were previously released by other companies, licensed by Mobile Fidelity, and remastered using half-speed mastering from the original analog master tapes, without compression, and with minimal equalization. [7] The recordings were pressed in Japan using a plastic compound, invented by JVC, and marketed as "Supervinyl" by Mobile Fidelity. [8]

In 2016, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab launched a new vinyl series called Ultradisc One-Step, releasing titles including Santana's Abraxas and Bill Evans's Sunday at the Village Vanguard . [9]

Cassettes, CDs, and SACDs

During the mid-1980s, Mobile Fidelity began to sell CDs and cassettes. In the 2000s, it began to sell SACDs. [10]

MoFi Electronics

In 2016 an audio electronics line was introduced under the MoFi banner. [11] MoFi Electronics offices and turntable manufacturing are based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. [12]

Audio sourcing controversy

On July 14, 2022, Michael Esposito, a record store owner and YouTuber, released a video on his YouTube channel "The 'In' Groove" stating that "pretty reliable sources" informed him that, contrary to the company's official statements and marketing, MFSL had been using digital masters instead of analogue for years. John Wood, the label's executive president, saw Esposito's video and then invited him to California for a tour of their business. A second video was produced with Esposito interviewing MFSL staff, where they confirmed that they were using Direct Stream Digital files when creating their vinyl masters for duplication. The staff members stated that at least 60% of all titles used this process by the end of 2011, and that the process was also being used for the label's Ultradisc One-Step releases, which were previously marketed as coming directly from the original master tapes. The revelation generated controversy over not only Mobile Fidelity's integrity, given the company's marketing and the stigmatization of digital audio in audiophile circles, but also the extent of analog audio's perceived merits over digital audio. [13] [14] The scandal became known as "MoFi Gate" (combining an abbreviation of "Mobile Fidelity" with the "-gate" suffix derived from the Watergate scandal) in audiophile communities. [15]

In August 2022, Adam Stiles, a longtime customer of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, filed a class action fraud lawsuit against the label over the revelations. [16] [17] The lawsuit resulted in MFSL paying $25 million in damages. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High fidelity</span> High-quality reproduction of sound

High fidelity is the high-quality reproduction of sound. It is popular with audiophiles and home audio enthusiasts. Ideally, high-fidelity equipment has inaudible noise and distortion, and a flat frequency response within the human hearing range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Audio CD</span> Read-only optical disc for high-fidelity audio storage

Super Audio CD (SACD) is an optical disc format for audio storage introduced in 1999. It was developed jointly by Sony and Philips Electronics and intended to be the successor to the compact disc (CD) format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audiophile</span> High-fidelity sound reproduction enthusiast

An audiophile is a person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction. An audiophile seeks to reproduce recorded music to achieve high sound quality, typically in a quiet listening space and in a room with good acoustics.

Sound can be recorded and stored and played using either digital or analog techniques. Both techniques introduce errors and distortions in the sound, and these methods can be systematically compared. Musicians and listeners have argued over the superiority of digital versus analog sound recordings. Arguments for analog systems include the absence of fundamental error mechanisms which are present in digital audio systems, including aliasing and associated anti-aliasing filter implementation, jitter and quantization noise. Advocates of digital point to the high levels of performance possible with digital audio, including excellent linearity in the audible band and low levels of noise and distortion.

<i>Abraxas</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Santana

Abraxas is the second studio album by Latin rock band Santana. It was released on September 23, 1970 by Columbia Records and became the band's first album to reach number one in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Direct Stream Digital</span> System for digitally encoding audio signals

Direct Stream Digital (DSD) is a trademark used by Sony and Philips for their system for digitally encoding audio signals for the Super Audio CD (SACD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laser turntable</span> Turntable that plays records using laser beams

A laser turntable is a phonograph that plays standard LP records using laser beams as the pickup instead of using a stylus as in conventional turntables. Although these turntables use laser pickups, the same as Compact Disc players, the signal remains in the analog realm and is never digitized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McIntosh Laboratory</span> American audio equipment company

McIntosh Laboratory is an American manufacturer of handcrafted high-end audio equipment headquartered in Binghamton, New York. It is a subsidiary of McIntosh Group, which is under the ownership umbrella of Highlander Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm.

<i>All Around My Hat</i> (album) 1975 studio album by Steeleye Span

All Around My Hat is a 1975 album by Steeleye Span, their eighth and highest-charting; it reached number 7 on the UK Albums Chart, and stayed on the chart for six months. It was produced by Mike Batt, who also produced their follow-up album Rocket Cottage. It briefly made the band a household name in the UK. In the United States it became the band's first album to chart, reaching number 143.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold compact disc</span>

A gold compact disc is one in which gold is used in place of the super pure aluminium commonly used as the reflective coating on ordinary CDs or silver on ordinary CD-Rs.

<i>Sittin In</i> (Loggins and Messina album) 1971 studio album by Loggins and Messina

Sittin' In is the first album by singer-songwriters Loggins and Messina, released in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of vinyl discs</span> Preservation of gramophone collections

The conservation and restoration of vinyl discs refers to the preventive measures taken to defend against damage and slow degradation, and to maintain fidelity of singles, 12" singles, EP’s, and LP’s in 45 or 33⅓ rpm 10" disc recordings.

<i>The All-Time Greatest Hits of Roy Orbison</i> Compilation album

All-Time Greatest Hits is a 2-LP compilation album by Roy Orbison released in 1972, featuring the original Monument Records recordings. The album was re-released on compact disc by CBS Records in 1989. The album was given a high-quality digital remastering from the original analog master tapes by Steve Hoffman for DCC Compact Classics, Inc. in 1997, catalog number GZS-1118. In 2008, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL) released a half-speed mastered, limited edition, 2-LP version on 180 gm. vinyl, catalog number MFSL 2–304. This MFSL release, remastered by Rob LoVerde and Shawn R. Britton, has received positive reviews for sound quality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home audio</span> Audio electronics for home entertainment

Home audio systems refer to audio consumer electronics designed for home entertainment, such as integrated systems like shelf stereos and music centers, as well as individual components like loudspeakers and surround sound receivers. The evolution of home audio began with Edison's phonograph, transitioning from monaural to stereophonic sound in the 1950s and 60s. The term "hi-fi" emerged, highlighting sound accuracy and minimal distortion. Audio equipment evolved from large wooden cabinets to compact units. The 1970s introduced enhancements like quadraphonic sound and technologies like Dolby Pro Logic. The 1970s and 1980s also saw the rise of component-based stereo systems. Cassette decks became a staple in the 1970s. Integrated systems, termed "music centers" gained popularity in the 1980s. Table systems and compact radio receivers emerged as entertainment devices, with some offering features like cassette players and CD functionalities. Audiophile systems prioritize high-quality music formats and specialized equipment like premium turntables, digital-to-analog converters, and other high-end devices, with some enthusiasts preferring the unique sound characteristics of vinyl records and vacuum tubes. Modern systems often emphasize home cinema applications to enhance the audio experience beyond standard TV speakers.

<i>The Beatles: The Collection</i> 1982 box set by the Beatles

The Beatles: The Collection was a vinyl boxed set of every Beatles album remastered at half speed from the original stereo master recordings, except for Magical Mystery Tour which was mastered from Capitol Records' submasters with the last three tracks in rechanneled stereo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acoustic Sounds, Inc.</span>

Acoustic Sounds, Inc. is a mail-order business specializing in the sale of audiophile vinyl LPs, Direct Stream Digital/PCM downloads (SuperHiRez.com), SACDs, Reel-To-Reel album reissues, DVD-Audios, high-quality CDs and high-end stereo equipment. Located in Salina, Kansas, United States. The business is owned and operated by Chad Kassem and as of 2016 employed 98 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quality Record Pressings</span> Building

Quality Record Pressings is a vinyl record pressing plant launched by music entrepreneur Chad Kassem in Salina, Kansas, United States in 2011. QRP sought to improve premier audiophile pressings, introducing innovations never before tried in the record pressing industry.

High-resolution audio is a term for audio files with greater than 44.1 kHz sample rate or higher than 16-bit audio bit depth. It commonly refers to 96 or 192 kHz sample rates. However, 44.1 kHz/24-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit and 88.2 kHz/24-bit recordings also exist that are labeled HD Audio.

Michael Alan Fremer is an American music journalist, YouTuber, and voice actor from New York City, known for writing about audiophile equipment and vinyl. He is the editor of The Tracking Angle and Senior Editor at The Absolute Sound. Due to his influence within the audiophile community, he has been called the "Pied Piper of vinyl" and the "dean of audiophile writing."

References

  1. "MoFi Sued Over Claims Its All-Analog Albums Were Actually Made With Digital Mastering Tech". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  2. "Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Inc.| Audiophile Vinyl, CD, SACD". www.mofi.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-30.
  3. "History". Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.
  4. "Industry News November 1999". www.enjoythemusic.com. November 25, 1999. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  5. "The Return of Mobile Fidelity". SoundStage. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  6. "The Return of Mobile Fidelity". SoundStage!. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  7. Guttenberg, Steve. "MoFi remasters, perfects LP sound". CNET. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  8. "Back In The Groove". Hi-Fi News. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  9. "Audiophile Jazz Vinyl Pressings". eCoustics. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  10. "40th Anniversary Mobile Fidelity One-Step". Analog Planet. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  11. "High-end turntable makers Mo-Fi debut 'entry-level' turntable". August 20, 2018.
  12. "Mobile Fidelity Electronics". Mobile Fidelity Electronics. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  13. Geoff Edgers (2022-08-05). "How a Phoenix record store owner set the audiophile world on fire". The Washington Post . Washington, D.C. ISSN   0190-8286. OCLC   1330888409.
  14. Sinclair, Paul (6 August 2022). "Saturday Deluxe / 6 August 2022". SuperDeluxeEdition. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  15. "A different take on the MoFi scandal". Darko.Audio. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  16. "MoFi Faces Fraud Lawsuit for Selling Vinyl Reissues as "Purely Analog" While Using Digital Masters". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  17. "MoFi Sued Over Claims Its All-Analog Albums Were Actually Made With Digital Mastering Tech". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  18. Irwin, Corey (11 May 2023). "MoFi to Pay $25 Million Over Fraudulent 'All-Analog' Records". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 16 May 2023.