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:I'm surprised they are still trading , their selections are pathetic, out side the charts.
....late and overpriced (£10.99 I believe vs. £9.50 at ASDA). Unfortunately the supermarkets only seem to be stocking the 'obvious' (mainly later) albums (don't want to overshadow Hanna Montana et. al. with excessive Beatlemania!!). I guess I will have to go to HMV tomorrow to gather up the remaining (Please Please Me to Hard Days Night) and White Album/Let It Be. I can then lock myself away till Xmas, He He
Yesterday night I listened to Sgt Pepper, Rubber Soul and the White album.
Simply wonderful...although I admit I never owned a "regular" Beatles-album before...actually, this was the first time I listened to the White Album...shame on me...
But better late than never.
Simply wonderful...although I admit I never owned a "regular" Beatles-album before...actually, this was the first time I listened to the White Album...shame on me...
But better late than never.