Re: The Beatles Remastered
I think most of the negative hoopla is coming from those who don't understand the difference between a remaster and a remix. Since the Beatles participated in much of the original mixing, leaving the mix alone doesn't alter the artistic content or intent a bit. Only technical "improvements" come with a remaster, so it should be a win-win.
Here?s what EMI has said about the remastering process:
"The re-mastering process commenced with an extensive period conducting tests before finally copying the analogue master tapes into the digital medium. When this was completed, the transfer was achieved using a Pro Tools workstation operating at 24 bit 192 kHz resolution via a Prism A-D converter. Transferring was a lengthy procedure done a track at a time. Although EMI tape does not suffer the oxide loss associated with some later analogue tapes, there was nevertheless a slight build up of dust, which was removed from the tape machine heads between each title.
From the onset, considerable thought was given to what audio restorative processes were going to be allowed.It was agreed that electrical clicks, microphone vocal pops, excessive sibilance and bad edits should be improved where possible, so long as it didn?t impact on the original integrity of the songs.
In addition, de-noising technology, which is often associated with re-mastering, was to be used, but subtly and sparingly. Eventually, less than five of the 525 minutes of Beatles music was subjected to this process. Finally, as is common with today?s music, overall limiting ? to increase the volume level of the CD ? has been used, but on the stereo versions only. However, it was unanimously agreed that because of the importance of The Beatles? music, limiting would be used moderately, so as to retain the original dynamics of the recordings.
When all of the albums had been transferred, each song was then listened to several times to locate any of the agreed imperfections. These were then addressed by Guy Massey, working with Audio Restoration engineer Simon Gibson.
Mastering could now take place, once the earliest vinyl pressings, along with the existing CDs, were loaded into Pro Tools, thus allowing comparisons to be made with the original master tapes during the equalization process. When an album had been completed, it was auditioned the next day in studio three ? a room familiar to the engineers, as all of the recent Beatles mixing projects had taken place in there ? and any further alteration of EQ could be addressed back in the mastering room. Following the initial satisfaction of Guy and Steve, Allan Rouse and Mike Heatley then checked each new re-master in yet another location and offered any further suggestions. This continued until all 13 albums were completed to the team?s satisfaction."
Those of us who'll hear it in real HIFI will be the lucky ones. It's a bit sad that many copies will be wasted on Ipods and Bose-like systems, but in the big picture exposing the new generation to real music can only be a good thing.
Me? I'm looking forward to it... as soon as I can save up the necessary spendtogs. :)
Re: The Beatles Remastered
Re: The Beatles Remastered
The long and winding road.......................
The Beatles Album Collections
Sure would like to hear the Mobile Fidelity set against the new remasters. :D
Re: The Beatles Remastered
The hell with all the above huppala, what kind of monitors did the use for the remasters ? Altecs or the new GPA's ?
Re: The Beatles Remastered
Abbey Road remastering:
Special Feature - Introduction to Mastering - Abbey Road Studios
I spotted Yamaha and B&W. Your eyes may be keener. After all this time and the demise of Altec it would require a lot of luck for the old monitors to be still active.
But then, was the remastering all done at Abbey Road?
Re: The Beatles Remastered
You feel you are getting old when your youthful interests can be found in a museum.
http://www.beatles-unlimited.com/2008/04/11/that-beatles-sound/
Studios continually 'upgrade' equipment to meet user's needs. Nothing stays the same. The remastering of the Beatles catalogue was done by an Abbey Road team. It would be interesting to know which equipment was used for playback.
Re: The Beatles Remastered
Actually, you fellows in favor of the remix are doing all the hoopla.
I personally won't buy it, if a friend has it I will listen.
I do NOT believe in altering historical documents. Making them more pleasing to modern tastes is not improvement in my opinion.
But I don't dispute your right to your opinion. I do kinda feel my right to my opinion is being disputed. Buy it if you want. I am not a joiner, I'm not gonna run out and buy it.
Re: The Beatles Remastered
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Old Guy
Actually, you fellows in favor of the remix are doing all the hoopla.
I personally won't buy it, if a friend has it I will listen.
I do NOT believe in altering historical documents. Making them more pleasing to modern tastes is not improvement in my opinion.
But I don't dispute your right to your opinion. I do kinda feel my right to my opinion is being disputed. Buy it if you want. I am not a joiner, I'm not gonna run out and buy it.
So you never bought the 87' CDs? You were a strict Beatles vinyl guy?
I say this because anyone who's heard the CDs understands there is no question that the '87 releases were NOT historical documents.
Re: The Beatles Remastered
I also thought the hoopla was over the remastering of the "CD"...NOT remixing.
Re: The Beatles Remastered
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Old Guy
Actually, you fellows in favor of the remix are doing all the hoopla.
I personally won't buy it, if a friend has it I will listen.
I do NOT believe in altering historical documents. Making them more pleasing to modern tastes is not improvement in my opinion.
But I don't dispute your right to your opinion. I do kinda feel my right to my opinion is being disputed. Buy it if you want. I am not a joiner, I'm not gonna run out and buy it.
I thought the whole idea of recording music was to make it as close to LIVE as possible. If remastering a CD will make it sound closer to the LIVE performance isn't that progress?
I'm NOT saying that the remastering is an improvement, just that if it is...isn't that BETTER.
