Is There a Difference?

[philly87]

This here is a topic I've been confused about for the longest time, and I was wondering if anyone has an answer for me. Is there truly a difference between digitally remastering and EQ-ing? The question about digital remastering refers to the transfer of music from a record or cassette tape onto a CD. So, in other words, does making a digitally remastered CD recording of the music from a record or a cassette tape involve any work with compression and EQ-ing?

[richiebee]

It should do. When masters were made for records, they had to be compressed and EQ'ed in a certain way to deal with the limitations of that format (I don't know much about it, but I think you had to avoid making the groove on the record too deep and this required EQ/compression a certain amount). Cassette also had its limitations. I would think you could get more out of a recording by remastering the original tape for CD or DVD.

I've never done real mastering in my life, so what I'm saying is just based on a vague recollection of what I've read.

R.

[kamistan]

Yeah. I don't know how remastering works.

[brandondrury]

Is there truly a difference between digitally remastering and EQ-ing?

If they were the same than mastering would involve nothing but EQ.

Remastering means you go back to the original mixes and master the tune again. This remastering business is more about conforming to changes to mastering trends than anything else. So a remastered tune in 2008 is going to be way louder than the mastering in 1978 and probably brighter.

Brandon

[philly87]

The reason I've asked this question, is because I want to try to convert a recording from a cassette tape onto a CD. I want to be able to do this at home. My Friend, Markus Johnson, tells me that digitally remastering an analog recording such as a cassette tape, involves mostly compression and EQ-ing. I need to know if he's telling a true statement. Also, what would be the best software for remastering that would be compatible with Sonar. Would it be some kind of noise reduction software?

[richiebee]

Digital remastering generally refers to mastering from the original master tape or even multi-track tape, not from a consumer copy of it.

Cassette is a crap format. You're not going to create a diamond from that. However, the description of digitally remastering does actually fit what you want to do, if you're going to be literal about it.

There are lots of products to help you. My favourite would be Sound Forge. Wavelab is another. Both are PC only applications. If you're a Mac person, then the equivalents would be Bias Peak and DSP Quattro. There are probably other similar products out there. You could of course also use your DAW. For the mastering side only you could use something like AAMS, but it doesn't have any editing features, so you'd need to have the material in your computer, edited before you start with it.

[StephenMarshMastering]

What you're looking to do is fairly simple - I'd urge you not to get caught up in the difference between mastering and re-mastering. They are exactly the same thing when you boil it down. Mastering is....preparing material for release (in this case limited release). As Brandon mentioned, The two names really just differentiate between the bulk of what's taking place during the sesssion (enhancement work or restoration work) Think new cars vs. used cars - you probably just wash the new car before selling it - but you may have to scrub some carpet stains out of the used car.

Going deeper (a little) the first thing to understand:

Mastering is a process - not a string of plug-ins. Mastering isn't about what you're doing or what you're doing it with - it's about simply doing, and doing again, and doing again and learning what finished masters sound like. Then your experience tells you what to do. There is no rule book - only mistakes to be made - experience is the best teacher....but I digress - we're getting off the subject......

Generally speaking -
call is 'Mastering' when
1) it's new material
2) it's never been released is a previous mastered form
3) it typically will need only enhancement - and little or no restoration

Re-mastering - reverse the first two and change #3 to 'it typically will need restoration, sometimes extensive, prior to enhancement.'

They can both involve EQ and compression as needed.

As to the world 'Digital' - this just describes what the release format would be - 'Digital Remastering' = re-mastering for a digital format, presumably from and analog one.

Now HERE's what will really throw you - it's all ACTUALLY called Pre-Mastering - as 'Mastering'....officially......is what takes place at the plant when the glass master is prepped. Calling what I and others do 'Mastering' is slang!

Getting back to your situation - I'd go along with the Sound Forge Recommendation. It's a fairly simple program that will give you the ability to transfer the tape to digital and both restore and enhance the cassette tape. It's going to 'be what it is' to a certain extent - as someone else said - 'cassette is a crap format' - and that's true - but if it's all you got, that's all you got. Use your ears and make it sound good to you - that's mastering! (or re-mastering!)

[brandondrury]

There is no rule book - only mistakes to be made

Story of my life!

Use your ears and make it sound good to you - that's mastering!

Damn it! I thought that was mixing!

[StephenMarshMastering]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

Story of my life!


Damn it! I thought that was mixing!

That too...but you're listening for different things right!--Steph

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by StephenMarshMastering

That too...but you're listening for different things right!--Steph

...or at least with different ears.