My impressions on the 2023 STEREO Remix (by Ben Wiseman) 1 - Guitars and vocals are more upfront. You can hear all the layers crystal clear and more "fat" 2 - Some bass lines was smoothed too much. I think the original mixes have more definition and bite. The New Stereo Mixes it's sometimes get lost in the mix and lose impact in important parts of the song. 3 - Organ and Drums almost the same. But i still preferer how the drums sounds on the original, a little more open. 4 - The position of the instruments in the stereo image and all the effects is very respectful to the original. So, for me the new mixes don't substitute the original mixes. In my humble opinion nobody can improve whats it's already perfect. Such a inglorious task. RTF is a masterpiece of audio engineering.
Thanks for the review! I love these remixes and your comparisons between the original and the remix are very interesting. Great work! Do you have Stephen W. Tayler’s remix of Hawkwind’s Space Ritual? I’d love to know how that one sounds.
I find this trend of taking perfectly good mixes from eras like the 70s, and reimagining them with remixing and remastering unnecessary. Of course there are some recordings and mixes/mastering that are horrible on some releases, these I do believe benefit from another look and listen with cleaning them up. But for the most part, I usually enjoy the originals more. For example, I have the original George Harrison All Things Must Pass on cd and vinyl. The cd is horrible, but the vinyl sounds warm and full to me, but I purchased the new version of remix and master, which is good, but I always find myself going back to my less than perfect older vinyl version. We have digital technology now that can create wonderful recordings and mastering for today's musicians and bands, and I think because of this our ears and perception have become accustomed to the clarity digital gives us as listeners. Our listening environment has become more sophisticated with Blu Ray and other advances in our audio equipment. Personally, I enjoy the original mixes(vinyl), they're quite good, and we have to remember they were done using analog tape, reverbs, compressors, etc in the recording, mix chain. In the examples you provided, I preferred the original mix in each example...it had a wonderful organic sound to me. I had the same experience and opinion with the new Camel mixes you posted. Of course this is subjective, what is one man's cup o tea may not be for another. If folks enjoy the new mixes, I'm all for it, because in the end, it's all about enjoying music. Thanks for your post and sharing your thoughts Hans.
It's funny, I've grown up on digital music with analog-era taste and I suppose I react to things differently than a lot of people because of that mix. Really interesting thoughts here Richard; I very much appreciate it.
@@electricbrainelectricshado9490 I think your personal example, is a good explanation of how we all can have different points of view. I personally feel, if it sounds good or better to someone, that's all that counts, because in the end, our love for music is all that matters. Cynical part of my brain makes me question sometimes, whether new mixes, masters are just another way to squeeze more $$$$ out of a legacy product.
My impressions on the 2023 STEREO Remix (by Ben Wiseman)
1 - Guitars and vocals are more upfront. You can hear all the layers crystal clear and more "fat"
2 - Some bass lines was smoothed too much. I think the original mixes have more definition and bite. The New Stereo Mixes it's sometimes get lost in the mix and lose impact in important parts of the song.
3 - Organ and Drums almost the same. But i still preferer how the drums sounds on the original, a little more open.
4 - The position of the instruments in the stereo image and all the effects is very respectful to the original.
So, for me the new mixes don't substitute the original mixes. In my humble opinion nobody can improve whats it's already perfect. Such a inglorious task. RTF is a masterpiece of audio engineering.
Really thoughtful comment here; I very much appreciate it.
Thanks for the review! I love these remixes and your comparisons between the original and the remix are very interesting. Great work!
Do you have Stephen W. Tayler’s remix of Hawkwind’s Space Ritual? I’d love to know how that one sounds.
I find this trend of taking perfectly good mixes from eras like the 70s, and reimagining them with remixing and remastering unnecessary.
Of course there are some recordings and mixes/mastering that are horrible on some releases, these I do believe benefit from another look and listen with cleaning them up. But for the most part, I usually enjoy the originals more.
For example, I have the original George Harrison All Things Must Pass on cd and vinyl. The cd is horrible, but the vinyl sounds warm and full to me, but I purchased the new version of remix and master, which is good, but I always find myself going back to my less than perfect older vinyl version.
We have digital technology now that can create wonderful recordings and mastering for today's musicians and bands, and I think because of this our ears and perception have become accustomed to the clarity digital gives us as listeners. Our listening environment has become more sophisticated with Blu Ray and other advances in our audio equipment.
Personally, I enjoy the original mixes(vinyl), they're quite good, and we have to remember they were done using analog tape, reverbs, compressors, etc in the recording, mix chain. In the examples you provided, I preferred the original mix in each example...it had a wonderful organic sound to me.
I had the same experience and opinion with the new Camel mixes you posted.
Of course this is subjective, what is one man's cup o tea may not be for another.
If folks enjoy the new mixes, I'm all for it, because in the end, it's all about enjoying music.
Thanks for your post and sharing your thoughts Hans.
It's funny, I've grown up on digital music with analog-era taste and I suppose I react to things differently than a lot of people because of that mix. Really interesting thoughts here Richard; I very much appreciate it.
@@electricbrainelectricshado9490 I think your personal example, is a good explanation of how we all can have different points of view.
I personally feel, if it sounds good or better to someone, that's all that counts, because in the end, our love for music is all that matters.
Cynical part of my brain makes me question sometimes, whether new mixes, masters are just another way to squeeze more $$$$ out of a legacy product.