Fantasia DVD soundtrack mix

[Chris in OC]

Ever since I got my DVD of Fantasia, it seemed like something was missing -- something I couldn't put my finger on until I reviewed my LD of the same film.

Specifically, I found that the DVD is mixed primarily for left-right-center with the rear channels used strictly for reverb, much like a standard symphony recording. I have a Denon AVR-2600 receiver, and tried it on both Dolby Pro Logic and 5.1 with no change between them. (I don't have DTS, so I don't know how that sounds).

On the other hand, the surround on the LD is mixed much more aggressively, with the sound literally sweeping around the room at times. I remember this clearly from the 1990 theatrical presentation, and since the idea then was to recreate Fantasound, it makes sense. I remember reading a first-hand account from the 1940 L.A. premiere, in which the sweeping sound was specifically referred to. You can hear this on most of the segments on the LD (and probably the original VHS, too), with the Tocatta and Fugue and Night on Bald Mountain being the most dramatic. The effect is a little odd if you're not ready for it, and almost mechanical at times, but it's really very striking.

Is anyone aware of different choices in the mix, or am I missing something on the DVD?

[This message has been edited by Chris in OC (edited 12-27-2000).]

[clortho]

I don't have much insight into the issue, but I believe the 1990 theatrical release was a newly recorded soundtrack, and therefore different from the original (and I don't know, but would venture to guess that the laserdisc also contained this new soundtrack). Also, according to the documentaries on the Fantasia Anthology disk, Fantasound was stereo sound, as mono was the norm and Disney wanted to develop something new for his picture.

Clortho

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[Chris in OC]

Thanks, Clortho, but the 1990 release had the restored soundtrack from the original release with Stokowsky the Philadelphia Orchestra. The 1982 release had the newly-recorded soundtrack in standard stereo.

Also, the original Fantasound soundtrack wasn't just stereo, it was a 5 or 6 channel track, much like modern surround, and it included speakers all around the theater that Disney installed in the road show theaters at a great cost. The soundtrack on the 1990 release was supposed to be identical to Fantasound as it was presented in 1940, but cleaned up and re-mastered for modern digital equipment. This was noted in the original "making of" featurette, which is included on the 1990 Fantasia box set. It includes the sound restoration tech marveling at how they created the same basic thing that's now done in Dolby surround, except with 1930s technology.

Given all this, I can't understand why they remixed it for the DVD -- assuming that they did. Dolby 5.1 and DTS would only make it more exciting.

[This message has been edited by Chris in OC (edited 12-29-2000).]

[Chris in OC]

If you have the VHS of the 1990 release, you can hear the Fantasound track there, too. A good comparison is Night on Bald Mountain (about 1:43 on the tape), where the music starts at the back of the room, moves forward, and then moves around, often completely surrounding you.

[tcjennings]

I don't think Disney installed speakers and systems for the original roadshow. It was up to the theatres to upgrade the support.

Here is my supporting argument.

[Chris in OC]

Interesting....according to Disney's information, they spent the $85,000 per theater, but an article at http://www.mtsu.edu/~smpte/forties.html it says that the systems were sold to the theaters. This article also notes that the other six roadshow theaters received scaled-back versions of Fantasound at about half the price, and without the surround capabilities.

There's a Disney/RCA article from 1942 reprinted at The Widescreen Museum --http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/sound/Fantasound3.htm -- that just notes that there were eight road-show theaters, some requiring more alteration than others.

Another article on Fantasound can be found at http://www.amps.net/newsletters/Issue15/15_fanta.htm -- this one notes that the idea was to have sound move about the room, just as the soundtrack on the 1990 release does.

All of this is secondary to my main argument, but what the hell.

[P7A77]

My impression from the DVD documentary is that Fantasound WAS a multi-track surround format, and that Disney worked to have the speakers specially installed.

But that aside, anyone able to dig up info on why the DVD is mainly front-only?

[Dominik Pfleghaar]

I'm glad somebody else noticed this.
I wasn't impressed at all when I watched the DVD of fantasia.
The surround experience is very weak in comparison to the (ProLogic) Fantasia LD.

A great example is in the Nutcracker Suite - the dancing flowers are dancing around you on the LD, but on the DVD the sound just goes from left to right.

I'm glad I didn't sell the LD

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[Chris in OC]

Thanks, Dominik -- I'm glad to know I'm not imaginging things. Funny thing is, with all the attention paid to sound on DVDs, I can't find a reference to this anywhere, including reviews of the DVD. Perhaps the reviewers never heard the LD? Whatever the case, something's definitely screwy. Without Fantasound, this is not the road show version it's purported to be.

FWIW, I sent this question to Disney's tech department via email; time will tell if they answer. Maybe I should write to Roy himself....