The Beatles 2009 Remasters
Posted by: pcstockton on 02 September 2009
I am surprised there is not yet a thread on this. Isn't everyone excited? The currently available CDs are utter crap. In fact the first transfer I did was my German DMM (on White Vinyl) of "The Beatles" (White Album).
A buddy of mine (who pre-ordered the limited 10K, Mono Box Set), sent me the following info:
The re-mastering process commenced with an extensive period conducting tests before finally copying the analogue master tapes into the digital medium. When this was completed, the transfer was achieved using a Pro Tools workstation operating at 24 bit 192 kHz resolution via a Prism A-D converter. Transferring was a lengthy procedure done a track at a time. Although EMI tape does not suffer the oxide loss associated with some later analogue tapes, there was nevertheless a slight build up of dust, which was removed from the tape machine heads between each title.
From the onset, considerable thought was given to what audio restorative processes were going to be allowed. It was agreed that electrical clicks, microphone vocal pops, excessive sibilance and bad edits should be improved where possible, so long as it didn't impact on the original integrity of the songs.
In addition, de-noising technology, which is often associated with re-mastering, was to be used, but subtly and sparingly. Eventually, less than five of the 525 minutes of Beatles music was subjected to this process. Finally, as is common with today's music, overall limiting - to increase the volume level of the CD - has been used, but on the stereo versions only. However, it was unanimously agreed that because of the importance of The Beatles' music, limiting would be used moderately, so as to retain the original dynamics of the recordings.
When all of the albums had been transferred, each song was then listened to several times to locate any of the agreed imperfections. These were then dressed by Guy Massey, working with Audio Restoration engineer Simon Gibson.
Mastering could now take place, once the earliest vinyl pressings, along with the existing CDs, were loaded into Pro Tools, thus allowing comparisons to be made with the original master tapes during the equalization process. When an album had been completed, it was auditioned the next day in studio three - a room familiar to the engineers, as all of the recent Beatles mixing projects had taken place in there - and any further alteration of EQ could be addressed back in the mastering room. Following the initial satisfaction of Guy and Steve, Allan Rouse and Mike Heatley then checked each new re-master in yet another location and offered any further suggestions. This continued until all 13 albums were completed to the team's satisfaction.
-Patrick
PS - The new remasters were heard by Dr. Ebbetts and is now officially retiring, for what that is worth. He stated his finest vinyl transfers of the MFSL vinyl then the Blue Box Remasters, cannot come close to how amazing these new remasters are.
cant wait!!!!
A buddy of mine (who pre-ordered the limited 10K, Mono Box Set), sent me the following info:
The re-mastering process commenced with an extensive period conducting tests before finally copying the analogue master tapes into the digital medium. When this was completed, the transfer was achieved using a Pro Tools workstation operating at 24 bit 192 kHz resolution via a Prism A-D converter. Transferring was a lengthy procedure done a track at a time. Although EMI tape does not suffer the oxide loss associated with some later analogue tapes, there was nevertheless a slight build up of dust, which was removed from the tape machine heads between each title.
From the onset, considerable thought was given to what audio restorative processes were going to be allowed. It was agreed that electrical clicks, microphone vocal pops, excessive sibilance and bad edits should be improved where possible, so long as it didn't impact on the original integrity of the songs.
In addition, de-noising technology, which is often associated with re-mastering, was to be used, but subtly and sparingly. Eventually, less than five of the 525 minutes of Beatles music was subjected to this process. Finally, as is common with today's music, overall limiting - to increase the volume level of the CD - has been used, but on the stereo versions only. However, it was unanimously agreed that because of the importance of The Beatles' music, limiting would be used moderately, so as to retain the original dynamics of the recordings.
When all of the albums had been transferred, each song was then listened to several times to locate any of the agreed imperfections. These were then dressed by Guy Massey, working with Audio Restoration engineer Simon Gibson.
Mastering could now take place, once the earliest vinyl pressings, along with the existing CDs, were loaded into Pro Tools, thus allowing comparisons to be made with the original master tapes during the equalization process. When an album had been completed, it was auditioned the next day in studio three - a room familiar to the engineers, as all of the recent Beatles mixing projects had taken place in there - and any further alteration of EQ could be addressed back in the mastering room. Following the initial satisfaction of Guy and Steve, Allan Rouse and Mike Heatley then checked each new re-master in yet another location and offered any further suggestions. This continued until all 13 albums were completed to the team's satisfaction.
-Patrick
PS - The new remasters were heard by Dr. Ebbetts and is now officially retiring, for what that is worth. He stated his finest vinyl transfers of the MFSL vinyl then the Blue Box Remasters, cannot come close to how amazing these new remasters are.
cant wait!!!!
quote:quote:
They are slightly better than the the 86 CD pressings.
...thats disappointing. The 1 album is better than the 86 pressings IMHO, so does that mean that the 1 album is better then the remasters?
....just picked up Magical Mystery Tour (which was the worst recording of the 13 along with the White Album IMHO) from Tesco as a test. It is definitely better than the original. If anything the original sounds glassy and harsh by comparison. I could never listen comfortably to Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane on the original, but the remastered versions sound much better....
Oh well, looks like i'll be re-buying the remaining 12 tomorrow (sigh)
Maybe there is a difference between the albums and the box sets?
....I now have seven of the re-masters (courtesy of Tesco & ASDA who are selling them early and cheaper, much to the annoyance of the man at HMV 
) - been playing them constantly - not disappointed with any compared to original CD pressings - a fuller more engaging sound quality in all cases - bargain at £9.50 per CD 
) - been playing them constantly - not disappointed with any compared to original CD pressings - a fuller more engaging sound quality in all cases - bargain at £9.50 per CD ...the re-mastered Past Masters is actually quite stunning - sounds as if the're in the room - is that John behind the sofa? 
I totally agree with you Gary. I am very impressed with the two I bought last night when I was sent out to get some dog food (I just could not resist). I hope my box set now arrives tomorrow as I eagerly want to hear the rest. I have now gifted the two I bought last night to my 10 year old son as part of his continuing musical education.
Was in HMV today and they are not on sale there yet. I bet they are well peed off with the supermarkets.
(I just could not resist). I hope my box set now arrives tomorrow as I eagerly want to hear the rest. I have now gifted the two I bought last night to my 10 year old son as part of his continuing musical education.Was in HMV today and they are not on sale there yet. I bet they are well peed off with the supermarkets.