As one who has been reading liner notes since the 70’s, I can say thank you Bernie Grundman for all your contributions to the Recording Arts.

It's an honor to hear from such a legendary mastering engineer. We truly appreciate your time, Bernie.

I was a teen when Steely Dan was popular. At that time in my life I didn't understand nor appreciate the music. However, now I can't get enough. I get it.

I feel like learned more about mastering watching Bernie talk for 20 minutes than I already knew previously. This was great.

I received my copy of the UHQR Aja a couple days ago and I will say this . . . . On my upper/mid tier playback system I have never heard a better sonic performance from a vinyl record. Literally. It's absolutely glorious. Wonderful job from all involved - thank you.

Wow, 80 years old! At 70 years old, my Rock N Roll destroyed hearing could never master something like this....But he looks great being born in 1943! Would love to hear it!

This UHQR is so fantastic I can't describe it. It sounds amazing. I don't care about the source, Bernie and 45rpm has made this THE definitive AJA

This was so great ! My band The Shore was fortunate enough to have " Big bass Bob " from Bernie Grundman master our debut album on Maverick records in 2004. We lucked out.

Bernie is a National Treasure. This video and the insights he gives into what happens during the whole mastering process are priceless. Well done

This might be the best UHQR to date. And that’s saying something because they’ve all been generally phenomenal. This video made my day.

I love it that he was stroking the top of the album with his thumb around 14 mins. The cameraman noticed this and zoomed in the hide it. This so reminds me of myself when my wife cooks an amazing meal; I didn’t notice it but I do this funny thing with my fork when the food is amazing. Looked just like that. Hats off to SD and Bernie; thank you! 🍾❤️

Great to hear from a legendary mastering engineer. We really do appreciate it Bernie.

We do appreciate it Bernie, we truly do. Thank you sir.

classy interview dude -- very nice energy you're putting out making Bernie feel comfortable

Worked with Bernie a couple times, he's great and he looks exactly the same! Must be that great coffee they have at the studio!

One of the best-sounding UHQRs I’ve heard to date. Last Month we had the White Stripes which was a massive surprise musically and sonically. Now with Aja, we get Incredible detail that is not available on any other pressing I own. Clear vocals and brilliant sound coming from the instruments are quite noticeable. A winner all around. Well, Done Chad, Bernie, and the staff at Analogue Productions.

Aja is a perfect album.

Bernie Grundman is a consistently amazing mastering engineer. In fact, his SACD mastering of MJ Thriller easily bests the new MFSL IMO. I've had the AP Steely Dan SACD on pre-order for about a year. I can't wait to hear it.

I've got the recent remastering by Bernie and I have to say, I've been listening to Aja solidly since my teens (so about 35 years or so now!) and listening to the new remaster is like hearing the album for the first time again. I've heard so much on it that I hadn't heard before.

I really enjoy the interviews with the people who are actually involved in making the music what it is. Incredible work guys!

Great to hear from one of the greats. Bernie has brought us so many great sounding records. I'm enjoying the 192khz 24bit flac and totally love it. Hope I will be able to budget a copy of the 45's asap. His converters with my Grado will kick my dacs butt. It's astonishing how much detail is on that safety copy.

Great interview and flashback. Thanks Chad and all at the Salina, KS world of AS/AP/QRP!

This UHQR is a killer. Love it. Thanks, Bernie.

Truly a masterpiece from start to finish. Audio perfection! PLAY LOUD

Aja is my favorite album of all time.I have a mint condition copy of this album I purchased in 1977. It has the best mix and master of all my older albums. It's amazing that you could make something great any better. I as an accomplished musician enjoy playing these cover songs on Aja more than any other covers. Brilliant harmonies.

Excellent video! Just ordered my copy of the UHQR pressing of 'Aja' (The only physical copy I've had all along of this classic is within the Citizen Steely Dan CD box set). Thank you, Bernie, for doing The Lord's work!

Bernie is my hero. I love the sound of his work. It's top shelf.

One of the great albums, and a super-informative interview.

Fantastic interview thank you for this!

Great interview, thanks guys!

Awesome video Thank you

Thank you!

Be well Donald. Walter- rest in power and peace: a true and soulful gentleman. They- wrote-the music. ❤

What are generous man you are to take the time to talk about the process as well as give us thousands of hours of wonderful listening. Thank you so much! You are a gem.

Cool! That was very interesting

PRICELESS interview. thank you! Pre-ordered (3 SD titles) on SACD

I've seen this guy's name on albums for years, and it is so cool to be able to put a face to the name. Thanks! I would like to see him elaborate on his equipment...does he use plugins? Hearing him answer those things ....

Cant wait to get my copy.

Been listening all day in total amazement; I remember back in the 90’s , Cisco’s remaster was playing in every hi fi store listening rooms , Aja has been replaced over the years by other reference recordings…Chad & company have just reintroduced it into the center of every audiophile & music lovers epicenter… Fantastic !! Thank you guys once again for delivering consistent top notch recordings for us fans of your work!!

Wonderful commentary, Mr. Grundman. Really helps build understanding of mastering process and priorities.

Bernie and Chad are such great guys doing fantastic work, love you guys! Your care for detail is much appreciated!

Amazing... thank you! :)

Thank for this legendary mix, was my first LP (along with Fleetwood Mac - Rumors). Wonderful interview.

Aja & Rumours sold a lot of stereo systems in the local stereo stores in 77 and 78.

Bernie Grundman is a mastering treasure I always enjoy his knowledge and his talk on the analog tapes can’t wait when my UHQR Aja arrives so I can spin it .

That box of Q-tips on the shelf behind Bernie is telling. Very telling indeed!

Thank you

Great Stuff

This is priceless! Thanks so much for making and sharing it. My Aja UHQR arrives on Friday.

Manythnx Bernie🤘

I got my degree in audio engineering in 1983. Bernie was the apex. I love hearing him reiterate what I learned back then: minimal intrusion, minimal electronics, trust your ears.

What a nice man!

I love to hear his involvement mastering Joni Mitchell albums decades ago and recent reissues. She is GOAT!

It was perhaps a pity that Bernie didn't talk about SACDs for a short time because that is my preferred playback medium now and has been for many years. I intend to buy all the Steely Dan SACDs from Acoustic Sounds. I have already bought the first two but they are part of an order which contains another SACD that has yet to be released so I haven't received them yet.

Absolute Legend

Superb video, thanks. I wish we could get a decent price for uhqr in the uk.

Yessssssssssssssssss, my kind of youtube heaven..................

Genius i tell you 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Bernie, love ya man.

Thank you i only have about 50 Vinyl but this Album 2 Times

Damn, I was born in 77… and this guy was already a Mastering Engineer back then :D

5-Stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I got this, its JAW DROPPING. I have several, including AA,AB,MOFI and this crushes.

It really blew my mind. I have a decent setup but nothing crazy and was just beside myself - well done sir

What the hell happened to the sacds? It's been months since Pretzel Logic got issued on the digital and UHQR LP's, but no sacd, and dead silence with no explanation.

I'm not a vinyl guy but I'm sure enjoying the 192k high res streaming remaster of this album.

I see BG in the dead wax and I know I'm in for a great listening experience!

Can't wait for my UHQR to arrive, now when is the SACD available???

Great interview with a legend. I would love to know what speakers he masters with and also what cartridge he uses for playback. I have many albums mastered by Bernie and I love them all. I’m also interested in knowing what his home system is made up of? That would be amazing. Please do another interview and put these questions to him.

I wish he asked him what cartridge he uses. Great interview!!!

I wonder how often Chad sends back a test pressing to Bernie and requests changes.

In the debate about what sounds better, if cds, vinyl, hi res etc. My answer is that the best is the one with the Grundman name in it. Although I don't care about remastering albums that already sounds phenomenal, I understand there's an audience for it

Now who is the wise guy that ordered three of the UHQR's in their latest PR video? Hubba hubba!

All music and high end audio enthusiasts the world over, vintage fans,reviewers and etc. Please see this interview! Some of the things Bernie Grundman said was mind blowing. I want to know what you all of you think

Good record.

Some good samples on this.

So when are those cuttings that do not hold back the high end for those of us that can track it, when will those start being available?

❤❤❤

_Aja_ is one my DIDs.

Just running a mix through some api eq, with those nice transformers can bring that low end into focus.

respect to vinyl lovers, but will this be available on BluRay Audio or similar ?

I would love to know what Bernie thinks about his hearing and his age, and if he takes steps to test his hearing or ensure he's hearing (or not hearing), certain parts of a recording. Heck, at 50, i know i'm missing some high frequencies that I used to hear in my 20's.

A joy to listen to. Btw, is it just me or does he sound like Norm Macdonald?

Did Bernie supply the files Apple used for its ALAC Hi Res Apple Digital Master of Aja?

What is the "all around cartridge" you use to "test things on"?

Great interview…but it makes question if we are losing audiophile sensibility by having everyone record digitally on a laptop. Aja was composed, thoughtfuly recorded choosing certain players and capturing that audio wave sent through the air. Al this digital music today seems flat but when Aja, or Kind of Blue and even the Band of Gypsies original live disk has dimension to it - I hear the AIR!! Am I’m wrong in this observation? Btw I’m 63 and grew up with stereo phile parents who built Heathkit receivers-remember those? I’d go to stereo stores every week and droll over all the Marantz, pioneer, Dual etc etc stuff….

I had variations of Aja , yeah I considered it to be one of my prized possessions.

What are those German speakers he mentioned?

Interesting timing after the Pretzel Logic fiasco....I'm just waiting on the SACD myself.

Ive absolutely no doubt that when it comes to mastering, and in this instance, for vinyl.. this is the type of person you want doing it, but.. as was mentioned in this, when dealing with an amp, the best thing is to not have too much electronics.. so, taking that principle on board, id suggest that when it comes to the best quality audio, surely the best way to hear music is to master it straight to high end digital, thus eliminating all of the limitations that come with a format that is over 100 years old.. just imagine what this album would sound like going from the original master tape straight to 24bit digital.. no master discs, nothing analogue at all.. hence, no compromise.. and as we live in a day age when this is now possible, why bother with vinyl?

I would love to know which non-high end cartridge he was talking about

When are they releasing the SACD?

It's like the interviewer couldn't hear what Bernie was saying 😂

was a one off eq'd tape copy used or not? seems to be some controversy over this on steve westman video

Note to self: Buy more Q-Tips!

No kidding Bernie.

Roger Nicholls was The Master!

I wish someone would ask him what the hell happen with pretzel logic?

I'm not used to hearing the snare that crisp.

I wish they’d recut Pretzel Logic