Roots Archives Forum

Can someone please explain clearly in terms we can all understand the difference between 'remastered and remixed' ?

Re-mastering is usually required for improved sound when transferring from analogue master tape sources (pre mid 80's) for reissue on CD (or vinyl).

Re-mixing is simply altering the way an analogue or digital recording sounded like on original release. More echo, stronger vocal, less of this and more of that etc etc.

Rootsman mentioned that Living Dub vol.2 on Heart Beat was mixed with overdubs.What are overdubs?And if the Island original is far better than that on Heart Beat then i gotta get it because i rated the H&B is one of my favorite dub albums.


Respect and guidance

Rasta.

Unlike 'Social Living' these Dub records were never on the Island label.

The first pressing of the first Dub, surfaced on the PRE label. This label was affiliated to the UK label Charisma records.

The first pressing of the second Dub was on the Burning Spear label (JA).

Barry O'Hare remixed Burning Spears original mix for the reissues that appeared later on Heartbeat.

Overdubs are the addition of sounds, like voices, effects or whatever, over the top of the original track.

While I understand the process of re-mixing, I'm not yet getting what a guy actually does when he 're-masters' a record. What does it actually involve? Can anyone describe this process?

My understanding of "Remastering" is that you take the original anologue master tapes and by using modern technology it is possible to improve the sound quality by removing much of the hiss/pop/crackle that may have been present on the original master.

This process gives it a clearer sound without actually altering the original recorded sound (although it does slightly alter the tone in some cases). I am not sure however whether this same process can be used when you are using a vinyl copy as the master to produce a repress or CD copy. If it is possible then their is no excuse really for many of the poor quality reissues that are on the market.

Although most labels marketing the music will argue that they leave in the hiss etc as it keeps the music true to the original. Perhaps so, but are they using this as am an excuse to cost cut by reducing time spent on the remastering to increase profit ???

"Remixed" means that you actually add / alter the sound (overdubs)thus altering the sound so that it is different to the original.

You can "Remaster" & "Remix" a particular piece of music to improve sound and alter sound. This is what Barry O Hare did with the Heartbeat issues of Living Dub 1 & 2.

Dave

Thanks Rootsman for that very clear answer. Now we know.

As I understand it having spoken to someone who knows about this stuff, you CAN remaster from Vinyl and get pretty good results if you are prepared to work at it.

Or you can do what Jetstar France have done for their re-issues and simply record direct from vinyl (not even bothering to source a mint copy) and then just plonk it straight onto CD with absolutely no attempt to remove the snap crackle and pop.

Correct. You can remaster from vinyl and get superb results, or just plonk it direct for a cheap and shoddy sound.

Wise words Breda Rootsman an Thanx fi information bout Living Dub 1 & 2. Yeah man! It´s a pity poor quality ina so much reissue stuff on CD. By de way, wat quality hav "Living Dub Vol.1 & 2" CD releases ina Burning Spear label?


BLESS

Jah Titus,

Not personally heard the Burning Spear label issues, but as they are original mixes using the original masters then surely they will be of the same quality as the exceptional "PRE" issues.

At least that is what I believe to be the source of those issues.

dave