If you’re a music lover, you’ve probably come across the term “remastered” when searching for albums or tracks. But what exactly does it mean when music is remastered, and how does it affect the listening experience?
In simple terms, a remastered version of a song or album is a reissue that has been altered to improve the sound quality. However, it’s not the same as a “remix” or a “re-recording.” Remastering involves using advanced technology to enhance the original recording, making it sound clearer, fuller, and more vibrant.
1. The process of remastering
When an album or song is first recorded, it goes through a series of steps before being released. The process involves mixing, mastering, and producing the final product. Over time, technology and recording equipment improve, which means that older music can sometimes sound flat or outdated compared to modern recordings.
Remastering is the process of revisiting the original recordings to make them sound better by adjusting various aspects of the sound, such as:
- EQ (equalisation): This involves adjusting the balance of frequencies (bass, midrange, and treble) to make the sound clearer.
- Compression: Enhances the overall volume and balances the sound to ensure it’s not too quiet or too distorted.
- Noise reduction: Removes unwanted background noise or hum that may have been present in the original recording.
- Stereo enhancement: Some remasters add depth to the stereo mix, giving the music more dimension and richness.
2. Why do artists remaster music?
There are a few reasons why music might be remastered:
- Improved sound quality: As mentioned, remastering can enhance the overall listening experience, making older recordings sound fresher and more vibrant.
- New formats: As technology advances, music is often released on new formats. For example, when vinyl was making a comeback, many classic albums were remastered for higher-quality vinyl pressings. Similarly, albums are often remastered for high-definition digital formats, such as CDs, Blu-ray, or streaming services.
- Special editions: Remastering can be part of a special re-release or anniversary edition of an album, giving fans a chance to hear the music in a new way, often with added bonus tracks, outtakes, or liner notes.
3. How does remastering affect the sound?
The goal of remastering is to make the music sound clearer, more dynamic, and better suited to modern listening devices. In some cases, a remastered album will sound significantly different from the original. Here’s how it can affect the sound:
- Better clarity: If an older album was recorded with limited technology, the remaster can clarify the sound by cleaning up any distortion or background noise.
- Increased loudness: Remastering often involves making the music louder, so it stands out more on modern systems. However, this can sometimes lead to a loss in dynamic range, making the music sound more compressed.
- More warmth or punch: Depending on the remastering process, the music can take on a warmer, fuller tone, especially if the original recording sounded thin or tinny.
4. Remastering vs remixing vs re-recording
It’s important to distinguish between remastering and other forms of music reworking:
- Remixing: A remix involves taking the original tracks and rearranging, re-editing, or even completely changing the composition of the song. In contrast, remastering only works with the original mix, improving its overall sound without changing the music itself.
- Re-recording: This involves recreating the original album with new performances or different arrangements. Re-recording can drastically change the sound of the music, while remastering only enhances the original recording.
- Remastering: As mentioned, remastering improves the sound quality of the original recording but doesn’t alter the music or performances. It’s a way to make the music sound as good as it can with modern technology, without changing the essence of the track.
5. Is a remastered album always better?
While remastering can improve the sound of an album, it’s not always a perfect improvement. Some listeners prefer the raw, original sound of an older recording, which might have a certain warmth or character that can get lost in the remastering process. Additionally, some remasters are heavily compressed, which can make the music sound less dynamic.
It’s often a matter of personal preference. Some audiophiles prefer the sound of the original mix, while others appreciate the enhanced clarity and fullness of a remastered version.
A remastered album offers an opportunity to hear familiar music in a new light, with improved sound quality that enhances the listening experience. Whether it’s for nostalgic reasons, improved clarity, or simply to hear your favourite album in the best quality possible, remastered versions can breathe new life into classic tracks.
