New Box Set Has Production Problem
 According to several sources the new Capital Records Vol. 2 boxed set that was released yesterday is not as it should be.
Apparently the versions of Beatles VI and Rubber Soul labeled as “mono” are not in fact the original mono pressings but stepped-down versions of the stereo mixes. The differences are minor and don’t impact the actual listening experience, for instance
 the distinctive cough between the lines “… and she told me to sit anywhere” and “… so I looked around and I noticed there wasn’t a chair” is missing on “Norwegian Wood” and indication that the master used was in fact the U.S. stereo mix “folded down” to mono. On “I’m Looking Through You,” Paul McCartney can be heard coming in early on acoustic guitar. That “false start” was heard on the song’s U.S. stereo mix and not on the mono mix.
Capital have acknowledged that there was a problem with the first run pressings. According to a statement from the label, the third-party mastering facility incorrectly sent step-down masters to the manufacturing plant instead of the mono masters ordered by the label. When Capitol became aware of this, the correct masters were sent, and the adjustment was made in another manufacturing run.
Although sources say there is no discernible difference in sound quality in the initial run, Capitol made the adjustment for historical accuracy.
Consumers with proof of purchase will be able to replace copies of the first run with the correct version.
