Re-mastering

[mac_and_dac]

Hi

 

The more I wade through online music, particularly Tidal, the more I see that there are a helluva lot of re-mastered albums out there.

 

What are the principal reasons for these re-masters? Is it simply to try to improve on the SQ of the original issue? If so, what is being done to do this?

 

Just curious ...

 

mac_and_dac

[Gonzbull]

I'd safely say it is to increase loudness and to get better digital copies. AD converters have improved dramatically so SQ is automatically improved just by going through the process. However once that is done,the artistic decisions leave much to be desired quite often.

If the album is just re-mastered it's pretty much the DR that changes. Small tweaks are made depending on the final medium.

[firedog]

It is to get a better version with the better digital tech available today; or an attempt to make something louder and more modern sounding; or an attempt to milk more money out of the public - or any combination of an number of the above.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Remasters are made to change the sound from the original release and to sell more copies of an album. The move from a purchase model to a rental model may have a large (negative) impact on the number of remastered albums in the future.

[mav52]

It is to get a better version with the better digital tech available today; or an attempt to make something louder and more modern sounding; or an attempt to milk more money out of the public - or any combination of an number of the above.

 

The "an attempt to milk more money out of the public " seems to hold true when you get to those 60,70 and early 80's rock albums. I know I have wasted some money on downloads. But like anything, if the remaster was from a well recorded album / tape then you could end up with a better digitally enhanced remake if it was done right.

[YashN]

It is to get a better version with the better digital tech available today;

 

In rare cases, and ideally, it's not necessarily just the better tech, but just a better mastering process by the 'engineer'.

[barrows]

Many things can be done in the re-mastering process which will change the sound. Perhaps sometimes the sound is even improved. Like: changing the EQ, running the audio through a tube device to "warm" it up a bit, etc.

If the original multi tracks still exist, some albums even get re-mixed and re-mastered, as is the case with Steven Wilson's work on some of the classic prog, like the Yes, Jethro Tull, and Yes catalogues.

Mobile Fidelity often improves the sound of classic albums in there re-mastering process. And of course, as noted, if the original master is analogue, just using a better ADC alone can result insignificant improvement if the master tape is in good shape.