Remastering is essentially a process to re-equalize the recordings, sometimes messing with the compression levels and even a touch of noise reduction - without disturbing the layout of the multi-track spacial representation of the recording as originally laid down. Remastering is also common when analog is converted to digital.
Remixing is the process of altering the 'mix' of the tracks, and in general terms, rearranging the sound stage (positioning) along with - in some cases - reintroducing track content that might not have been there (removed) and/or was buried in the final mix-down of the original recording. A real good example of what remixing is all about is the more recent Giles Martin (and team...) remixing of the Beatles catalog. Remember all those 4 track earlier Beatle albums that were like vocals on one side, guitars in the middle or other side and the percussion off to one side too? Sure it was stereo but it was spacially separated in a somewhat clumsy way. That was because 4 track recording limited the process. Now go to Youtube and have a listen at what the just released 'remix' of the Beatles 'Revolver' album sounds like now.
That album was originally recorded on a 4-track machine. Martin & team created a new set of individual tracks using some sort of proprietary EMI technology and then reassembled the entire soundstage in most cases.
Remixing is the deal whereby the artists agree to let a new team of engineers 'recompile' the tracks to achieve a more pleasant and/or more modern feel to the mix. But it also involves some remastering as well. All the later Beatle albums that were remixed have much more pronounced presence ... especially the percussion sections.
Steve Wilson did a real nice job remixing the first several Yes albums.
I have differing opinions about the Beatle albums that were remixed.
But I will say that The White Album is now my favorite, where it never ranked high for me before... ever.
In my mind, they brought that album back to life. Helter Skelter peels paint!
And with this 'Animals' release, being my all-time favorite Floyd album ... I'm just not sure yet. It almost feels sacreligious in a strange way.
But it's too early to say... I just got it today.
Remixing is the process of altering the 'mix' of the tracks, and in general terms, rearranging the sound stage (positioning) along with - in some cases - reintroducing track content that might not have been there (removed) and/or was buried in the final mix-down of the original recording. A real good example of what remixing is all about is the more recent Giles Martin (and team...) remixing of the Beatles catalog. Remember all those 4 track earlier Beatle albums that were like vocals on one side, guitars in the middle or other side and the percussion off to one side too? Sure it was stereo but it was spacially separated in a somewhat clumsy way. That was because 4 track recording limited the process. Now go to Youtube and have a listen at what the just released 'remix' of the Beatles 'Revolver' album sounds like now.
That album was originally recorded on a 4-track machine. Martin & team created a new set of individual tracks using some sort of proprietary EMI technology and then reassembled the entire soundstage in most cases.
Remixing is the deal whereby the artists agree to let a new team of engineers 'recompile' the tracks to achieve a more pleasant and/or more modern feel to the mix. But it also involves some remastering as well. All the later Beatle albums that were remixed have much more pronounced presence ... especially the percussion sections.
Steve Wilson did a real nice job remixing the first several Yes albums.
I have differing opinions about the Beatle albums that were remixed.
But I will say that The White Album is now my favorite, where it never ranked high for me before... ever.
In my mind, they brought that album back to life. Helter Skelter peels paint!
And with this 'Animals' release, being my all-time favorite Floyd album ... I'm just not sure yet. It almost feels sacreligious in a strange way.
But it's too early to say... I just got it today.
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