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Behind the scenes of the release of Serge Gainsbourg’s “L’homme à tête de chou”, with new mixing and mastering in stereo, vinyl, Dolby Atmos

Jean.Francois

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Hello,

in this reportage and test, we look at the reissue of Serge Gainsbourg's album "L'homme à la tête de chou" and explore the complex process of remixing and mastering the album in stereo and multichannel formats.

r/SurroundAudiophile - Behind the scenes of the release of Serge Gainsbourg’s “L’homme à tête de chou”, with new mixing and mastering in stereo and multichannel (Dolby Atmos), on vinyl, CD, streaming and Blu-ray

The reissue is available in a deluxe boxed set containing 2 CDs, a Blu-ray and a booklet, as well as a double-disc vinyl edition.

The main aim of this new version is to achieve a better balance between vocals and music, to enhance the overall listening experience.

r/SurroundAudiophile - Behind the scenes of the release of Serge Gainsbourg’s “L’homme à tête de chou”, with new mixing and mastering in stereo and multichannel (Dolby Atmos), on vinyl, CD, streaming and Blu-ray


To achieve this, several mixes have been created, including stereo, 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos. Each mix underwent a meticulous validation and approval process with the participation of professionals.

The mastering stage is crucial to guarantee optimum sound quality on the various formats. The Blu-ray version benefits from a mastering process that takes advantage of its wider dynamic range. The vinyl version undergoes a mastering process with an analog phase.

r/SurroundAudiophile - Behind the scenes of the release of Serge Gainsbourg’s “L’homme à tête de chou”, with new mixing and mastering in stereo and multichannel (Dolby Atmos), on vinyl, CD, streaming and Blu-ray


The results of the new mix are impressive, offering a natural, balanced sound where vocals and music are presented with clarity and precision. This remix is not a simple modern reinterpretation, but rather an artistic approach that pays homage to the original album while enhancing its sonic qualities.

The meticulous attention to detail and extensive mixing time devoted to this reissue demonstrate the level of care taken in the restoration process.

Listening tests were carried out with the Blu-ray to compare the original stereo version with the 2023 stereo mix, the 5.1 mix and the Dolby Atmos mix. The stereo versions show remarkable improvements over the original in terms of vocal presence and musical clarity. The Dolby Atmos mix, in particular, offers an immersive, three-dimensional audio experience that is a natural extension of the stereo version. All these listening sessions were carried out in the DES studio.

r/SurroundAudiophile - Behind the scenes of the release of Serge Gainsbourg’s “L’homme à tête de chou”, with new mixing and mastering in stereo and multichannel (Dolby Atmos), on vinyl, CD, streaming and Blu-ray


Overall, this reissue of "L'homme à la tête de chou" features a transformative remixing and mastering process that breathes new life into the album and offers music lovers the opportunity to rediscover and appreciate Serge Gainsbourg's iconic work.

You can find all the details of the various stages of the restoration process, from playback of the multitrack tapes to mixing and mastering, as well as extracts to make up your own mind and all the measurements here.

Enjoy listening
Jean-François
 
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