Why is most everything remastered?


It's becoming more and more difficult to find what sound signature was originally meant by the artist. I have examples that sound terrible after remastering. I understand why it has to be this way, If and only it improves the original, if not... leave it alone!

voodoolounge

@voodoolounge

I agree. Giles Martin remastered Beatle records his father mastered as intended. What I hear is cranked up bass and accentuating vocals or instruments. I guess Giles needs the money.

 

As a Beatles fan it’s pretty frustrating that neither the 2009 remasters nor Giles’ efforts bear repeated plays.

You’d think with all of the technical advances since 1987 he could do just a little better than his dad?

I guess not.

Perhaps his job was simply to represent them in a slightly more modern light?

Perhaps his job was to keep milking the biggest cash cow that popular music has ever seen?

If so, then Giles has succeeded fabulously.

 

However, there will always be those like me who wished he’d keep his hands off the knob twiddling and present the albums as straight transfers, as I believe he did with the sonically excellent Esher Demos off the 2018 White Album set.

Unfortunately, I have found that the vast majority of remasters offer nothing over the original issues.

A few exceptions might include the most recent Jimmy Page Zeppelin remasters, perhaps some Mofi releases, the 2012 Dylan reissues, the Springsteen, or even the 2012 Johnny Marr Smiths reissues.

The key word is ’might’. There are many who prefer the earlier Barry Diament Zep remasters, the Rough Trade UK Smiths releases, or even the Springsteen Box etc etc.

Again, my opinion, but I can’t remember hearing many remasters that blew away it’s predecessor in terms of sonics. Ok, the 90s Dylan Street Legal was an improvement over the muddy original, but it was a remix.

The 2003 Blonde on Blonde was an improvement over the earlier version.

The jury is still out on whether the ISB, Kinks or Scott Walker remasters are any better than earlier efforts.

 

There’s no doubt that remasters might improve things, but obviously a lot of care and expertise is needed. Not to mention a strong desire to do as little knob twiddling as possible.

Just allow the technology to do its work.

I enjoy most remastered CD or lp to quote Robert Healey in his most recent TAS review " the best remastering jobs are transformative. You hear a new found clarity; each instrument or voice is distinct and sonically separate; the bass suddenly has depth, texture, pitch and naunce...."  I completely agree with his assessment.

 

A word like “Remastered” accompanying a release justifies that release.  People buy.  Labels keep releasing remastered stuff.

Sometimes this practice yields fortuitous results.  Often it does not.

ideally, communities like like one can help music fans discern which releases are worth buying.

don't know how many times Jimmy remastered his compositions but his most recent Zeppelin III sounds outstanding on CD. I just received a copy a few hours ago. The stripped down companion disc sounds like they're in the same room. Does anyone have the vinyl of his last master? I'm curious does it get any better.

@voodoolounge , I own all the LZ 2014, 15 remasters on vinyl. The  sound is very good, much better than I expected. Sound is as good if not better than other modern remasters. Even Bonzo's kick drum has impact, which is lacking in all previous remasters.

I also have all early release CDs pressed in Germany (1984, 85) which have outstanding sonics. Separation of instruments is better than the vinyl remasters and the kick drum has realistic tone and impact. Still, Jimmy's latest work on vinyl is worth owning.