Waarom Worden Albums Geremasterd?

Why Do Albums Get Remastered?

And what is the difference between mastering and remastering?

If you’re a regular shopper for new or used vinyl records, you’ve probably come across it: an album labeled “Remastered.” But what exactly does that mean? And why would an album need to be remastered?

In this blog we explain what mastering and remastering is, and why it is important for the sound quality of your favorite albums.

What is 'mastering'?

Before an album is released on vinyl, CD or a streaming platform, it goes through several production processes. After recording and mixing the music, a crucial step follows: mastering (or mastering ).

When mastering, a sound engineer ensures that:

  • The different songs on the album complement each other well in terms of volume and tonal balance.
  • The music sounds clear, regardless of the playback device.
  • Errors, noise or unwanted peaks are corrected.
  • The end result meets the technical requirements of the medium (such as vinyl, CD or streaming).

The mastered version is, as it were, the definitive "source" from which copies are made for distribution.

What is 'remastering'?

Remastering is literally: mastering again. But why would you rework an album that has already been mastered?

Older recordings were often made with the technology of their time. What sounded great on a turntable from the 70s may sound dull or less powerful today compared to modern productions.

Remastering involves re-editing the original recording, but now using modern techniques and equipment. Think of:

  • Improve sound quality with better noise cancellation or frequency balance.
  • Optimization for today's audio media such as high-definition audio or higher quality vinyl.
  • Sometimes subtle adjustments in dynamics or stereo effects to make the music sound "fresher".

Why are albums remastered?

There are several reasons:

  1. Technological Advancements: Modern mastering tools offer more precision than before.
  2. New media formats: A remaster for vinyl sounds different than a remaster for streaming or surround audio.
  3. Improved sound quality: Many classics sound better than ever after a good remaster (although purists often opt for an original pressing for this very reason).
  4. Commercial reissues: Labels release remastered versions for anniversaries or special editions. There has been a lot of anniversary editions in recent years, a fresher sound is a nice addition for the fans.
  5. Audience question: Fans want to be able to (re)experience their favorite albums in the best possible quality.

Does a remastered version always sound better?

Not always. Although remastering often leads to an improvement, it depends on the implementation. Sometimes recordings are mastered too "hard", with loss of dynamics, which is at the expense of the original character of the music. Especially during the so-called "loudness war" in the 2000s, albums were sometimes remastered too aggressively.

As a vinyl collector, it’s therefore worthwhile (and a lot of fun) to compare different versions of an album – some remasters are subtle and respectful, others actually add something, and still others detract.

🔊 Renowned Mastering Technicians

Mastering/Remastering is a craft in itself, and the people who do it often stay behind the scenes – but within the music industry, some mastering engineers are true legends. Here are a few famous names that you as a music lover or collector may have come across:

Bob Ludwig

Studio: Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine, USA)
Known from: Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, Daft Punk, Nirvana
Why special: Bob Ludwig is perhaps the most famous mastering engineer in the world. His name appears on thousands of albums, and he is known for his precision and respect for the original work.

Bernie Grundman

Studio: Bernie Grundman Mastering (Los Angeles)
Known from: Michael Jackson ( Thriller ), Prince, Steely Dan, Dr. Dre
Why special: A true pioneer, active since the 70s. He also had a great influence on how vinyl is mastered. His studio is still leading the way.

George Marino (†)

Studio: Sterling Sound (New York)
Known from: AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Metallica
Why special: Marino was one of the heavyweights in rock mastering and was known for his powerful yet balanced approach.

Emily Lazar

Studio: The Lodge (New York)
Known from: Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Beck, Haim
Why special: One of the most prominent female mastering engineers. She won a Grammy for her work on Beck's Colors .

Howie Weinberg

Studio: Howie Weinberg Mastering (Los Angeles)
Known for: The Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, Nirvana ( Nevermind )
Why it's special: He worked on countless iconic albums from the '80s and '90s and has a recognizable punch in his masters.

Mandy Parnell

Studio: Black Saloon Studios (UK)
Known from: Björk, Aphex Twin, Feist
Why special: She combines technical mastery with a great sense of artistic subtlety, especially within electronic and alternative music.

How do you recognize their work?

If you collect records, look on the cover or in the deadwax (in the run-out of the record). Sometimes you will find initials or full names of the mastering engineer, for example:

  • "RL" for Robert (Bob) Ludwig
  • "BG" for Bernie Grundman
  • "HW" ​​for Howie Weinberg

These abbreviations are worth their weight in gold among collectors — an “RL”-pressed Led Zeppelin II, for example, is world famous for its unparalleled dynamics.

So:

Mastering is the final step in the music production process. Remastering is doing that step again, with the goal of making older recordings sound better on modern equipment or new media.

Whether you love vintage pressings or are looking for a fresh reissue of your favorite album - at Bob's Vinyl you will always find something special. And now you also know: if there is "Remastered Edition" on the cover, it is often the result of a lot of love for music and technology.

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