Are There Any Good Remasters?

[Pluto]

the original tubular bells part was replaced on the multi-track at some point so they sound markedly different to the original mix

When Vivian Stanshall announces, “plus Tubular Bells” it should have been a moment on a par with the entry of the gods into Valhalla, but the sound of the bells was so distorted and compressed it was more like the orgasm that didn't quite come properly. That Oldfield wanted to do something about it was hardly surprising but, for me, that moment is still one of the great musical fails of all time. I'm sure that, had the original target medium not been “old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with”, that moment could (and should) have been a whole lot better.

 

[Phorize]

The 90s Columbia masters remaster of Santana 1 is reputed to be a considerable tonal improvement on the original master. Mind you, I’m not sure how I would go about comparing my original us vinyl pressing to the cd version so I’ll have to take it on trust.

 

[escape2]

Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds," 2005 Reissue is good, IMO. Despite some of the challenges they had with deteriorating master tapes, this release sounds better than the original. It has more depth to it, and is not as flat sounding as the original.

"In comparison with the original vinyl, it’s much punchier, more clear, you can hear sounds individually that you could never hear"

https://witchdoctor.co.nz/index.php/2019/04/jeff-waynes-war-of-the-worlds/

 

[Natchie]

Anyone know of this vinyl box going for $59 as advertised on Facebook: BEATLES STEREO VINYL BOX SET(RECORD, 2012)---LIMITED EDITION sold by quicet.com ??

 

[Snarfie]

Last week i could get hold for just 1euro Carole King -

Tapastry album released in 1971 an remasterd in 1996 i guess from the original analog tape so no Vinyl master. It contains transients who are atleast preserved till 1996. Sounds realy good.

 

[tmtomh]

Last week i could get hold for just 1euro Carole King -

Tapastry album released in 1971 an remasterd in 1996 i guess from the original analog tape so no Vinyl master. It contains transients who are atleast preserved till 1996. Sounds realy good.

Nice!

For me personally, the Mobile Fidelity hybrid SACD is my preferred version - although you can't beat the price/value of yours!

I've found that this classic album with wonderful music is, alas, not a great recording. In particular, there's tons of distortion and overload on Carole King's vocal mic, which seems so strange to me - I mean, if there's one element of the recording they should have made 100% sure was right on a Carole King album, it would be the vocals, right?

At any rate, I mention this because I found one of the main sonic benefits of the Mobile Fidelity over the standard Columbia CD is that this vocal distortion sounded a bit less fuzzy; still distorted as that's just what's on the tape, but it sounds like Mobile Fidelity used a better source and/or did some mastering work to reduce the perceived level of vocal distortion.

I've never heard your version, so for all I know it could be even better!

 

[deweydm]

Not just a remaster, but a remix: Fight Songs (Deluxe Edition). Has the original and 2021 remix. I prefer the latter. Pretty cool both are available. Wish that happened more often.

 

[Snarfie]

Got The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta remaster album 2003. Man listening to Voices Inside My Head close to 85db is an experience (inside your head) Copeland can hit those drums

 

[spiral scratch]

I'm waiting on Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry to be redone in hi-res. I have few Roxy CDs that are labeled HDCD, but I don't think it was utilized in the mixing process or done weakly. I'd also, love to hear some Jimmy Buffett remastered.

If you have a chance to check out Roxy's, "The Complete Studio Recordings" I think they are the most balanced and dynamic digital versions I have heard. They are better than the HDCD versions I have.

Roxy Music - The Complete Studio Recordings

Explore songs, recommendations, and other album details for The Complete Studio Recordings by Roxy Music. Compare different versions and buy them all on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

I found the Steven Wilson mixes sort of "zany", kind of fun but distracting from what I'm familiar with.

 

[Snarfie]

Live Audiophile Roundtable: Steve Hoffman’s Top Picks + The Future of Audiophile Remastering!. Find his forum quite informatieve. Will be for sure recorded.

 

[SIY]

Live Audiophile Roundtable: Steve Hoffman’s Top Picks + The Future of Audiophile Remastering!. Find his forum quite informatieve. Will be for sure recorded.

Add in Steven Wilson and we have too many Steves.

 

[mhardy6647]

Too many Steves -- like Too Many Daves(?).

 

[Snarfie]

Add in Steven Wilson and we have too many Steves.

Steve Guttenberg did some recordings in het past

 

[Sal1950]

Steve Guttenberg did some recordings in het past

LOL

 

[Roland68]

Thank you for that response - that was great. I think I am coming at it from the fact that a lot of classic albums have now been remastered and my guess is that this has been done (apart from the general desire of record companies to make money from the same piece of music) is to make them sound better to “modern listeners” (i.e. people who listen on their phones or via smart speakers). In the process of this, the tracks are become more compressed and less listenable. It seems to be hard to able to find a non-remastered version of a lot of albums.

Presumably, at some point, the record companies will start to sell their “original masters” at a significant premium to the remastered price...

I buy a lot of CDs from second-hand dealers, where you can also find old CDs and first pressings. Many of these dealers also sell on Amazon, but usually at a higher price.
Alternatively, you can buy CD releases or bundles from private sellers, e.g. eBay or classified ads. You might get lucky and someone will sell their collected classical CDs from '82-'99 for little money.

 

[DiamondJ1983]

SO would the 2019 Tool remasters be considered "done properly" or has anyone here any opinion or insight into them ? They were done using the original master tapes by Bob Ludwig. Who I believe mastered them in the first place