Best mix/sounding DT album?

[hefdaddy42]

FII. By a country mile. 

[MajorBoobage]

Just listened to SDOIT again, i don´t like production on that one. To me it feels somehow clinical, i don´t know how to explain it. Octavarium is miles better to my ears in terms of production.   

[PixelDream]

I think FII has the most organic sound, but Awake just has a lot more mojo. Everything just sounds PHAT on that one, and still it's very dynamic and clear.

[pdurbin22]

I've always thought of "Falling Into Infinity" as the gold standard for production. It's part of why I love that album so much. I really, really never understood any of the negativity toward that album. I absolutely love it, and the stellar production certainly helps.

In terms of drum production specifically, I think "Train of Thought" is the best. I love how the drums pop on that album.

[seasonsinthesky]

I really don't get how much production love Awake receives. Guitar, bass and vocals are stellar as all (or most) of the time, but there are some terrible keyboard decisions, and Portnoy's snare sound is absolutely destroyed by the ridiculous gated reverb – particularly the very end of "The Mirror" reprise.

I love so much of the music itself, though, so I kinda wonder if that sways people to forgive some of the production problems.

[1neeto]

FII
BC&SL
SDOIT

[Art]

FII by a long shot. SDOIT is very good, too.

[Kotowboy]

Black Clouds is a decent sounding album. It's not as hot and dry as Systematic Chaos and nowhere near as compressed as DT12.

It's probably their last album with great sonics.

It's s shame because up until MP left the band - I associated Dream Theater with great sounding albums.

[SuperTaco]

Black Clouds is a decent sounding album. It's not as hot and dry as Systematic Chaos and nowhere near as compressed as DT12.

It's probably their last album with great sonics.

It's s shame because up until MP left the band - I associated Dream Theater with great sounding albums.

I remember being blown away by the production on BC&SL. Compared to SC it was a big step up. The guitars sound "wider", for lack of a better term, and the drums have a nice reverb. The only thing I don't like is the inconsistency of the bass tone. I hear this powerful, deep low end, but as soon as JM starts playing mid/high range notes, his tone disappears into the mix and It's very difficult to discern him from the overall sound.

For best mix, I'm going to pick 8VM. I couldn't even explain in words why I chose it, so I'll just say it's my favorite.

1. 8VM
2. FII
3. ToT
4. BC&SL
5. I&W

[Kotowboy]

The thing I keep coming back to is that Octavarium sounds widescreen. It sounds like they recorded it outdoors. Not least on " These Walls ".

Whereas in comparison - Systematic Chaos sounds like it was recorded in a box.

[wideworldofmike]

Man, I actually love the drums on DT12, its like the 2015 version of I&W. 

I'm surprised not more love for SDOIT, esp disc one! 

[SuperTaco]

The thing I keep coming back to is that Octavarium sounds widescreen. It sounds like they recorded it outdoors.

However it was recorded, I love it.