Remastered cd's?

Does anyone know if New Order have plans to release remastered version of their early records? What do people think of this current trend?

I myself am not aware of any plans. I cant recall it being discussed here, and if there were any plans chances are people on here would know about it.

I've too not heard of any news about this. Many of the early tracks on Retro and International are already remastered, no? Personally, I doubt they will, at least anytime soon. Maybe in the distant future. I know Echo & the Bunnymen did this with their past albums and included bonus tracks as well. Somehow I doubt the Order would follow their lead.

Usually, I don't hear much of a difference between the former and remastered album. Smashing Pumpkins remastered Gish in 1994 and it sounded exactly the same. But, maybe Brotherhood and Movement, if remastered, would sound more clear. I don't think PC&L, Technique, or Republic really need to get remastered.

Originally posted by This blue-eyed boy that wants to be Usually, I don't hear much of a difference between the former and remastered album. Smashing Pumpkins remastered Gish in 1994 and it sounded exactly the same. But, maybe Brotherhood and Movement, if remastered, would sound more clear. I don't think PC&L, Technique, or Republic really need to get remastered.

Well, I beg to differ :) Perhaps you are right theres not much diff in SP Gish...but I've found many other remastered versions do sound more superior in clarity comparing with the original issues.... Check out David Slyvian's JAPAN releases - the 2003 remasters of all their albums sounds unbelievably clear!

Now that The Cure has started their entire catalouge, remeastered with bonus disc, I think New Order should really get into the act. You are right BROTHERHOOD sound muddied, but even TECHNIQUE is a bit soft in the recording. I know because I've tried to do countless NO compilation CDs with 'Dream Attack'.....

What everyone could be mistaking for a cleaner, louder sound in modern mastering is just a sign of the times. Mixes are sent to a mastering engineer and then compressed and limited for maximum volume and impact, sometimes at the expense of the original recordings. Bear in mind the most of New Order's work was mastered for vinyl and cassette and not for digital. Let each work stand as a snapshot in time for what it is and when it was and not sacrifice the art only for the sake of modernization. Besides, if it's not loud enough, turn up the volume... if it's not clear enough, adjust your eq.

I'm glad I started this thread. The responses mirror the same feelings I have on this. Do people want remastered copies of stuff they already have? Yeahbutnobutyeah...

Someone mentioned that the earlier albums were mastered for vinyl and tape. True. I think the Factory vinyl copies sound fine - the tapes were dog rough. I'm not sure that the earlier cd's sound that great.

Some of the remastered stuff by other bands sounds fantastic. "The name of this band is talking heads" being a good example. Sounds betters than my original vinyl copy.

I boxed set of remastered New Order albums, overseen by the band, would probably sell. I'd probably buy it. I'd feel dirty but...

Oh, sh*t, look at the time! I've missed xmas. Piss.

Originally posted by Bentley What everyone could be mistaking for a cleaner, louder sound in modern mastering is just a sign of the times. Mixes are sent to a mastering engineer and then compressed and limited for maximum volume and impact, sometimes at the expense of the original recordings. Bear in mind the most of New Order's work was mastered for vinyl and cassette and not for digital. Let each work stand as a snapshot in time for what it is and when it was and not sacrifice the art only for the sake of modernization. Besides, if it's not loud enough, turn up the volume... if it's not clear enough, adjust your eq.

Well said!!!

Originally posted by Sir: :CHUNKS > Originally posted by Bentley> What everyone could be mistaking for a cleaner, louder sound in modern mastering is just a sign of the times. Mixes are sent to a mastering engineer and then compressed and limited for maximum volume and impact, sometimes at the expense of the original recordings. Bear in mind the most of New Order's work was mastered for vinyl and cassette and not for digital. Let each work stand as a snapshot in time for what it is and when it was and not sacrifice the art only for the sake of modernization. Besides, if it's not loud enough, turn up the volume... if it's not clear enough, adjust your eq.

Well said!!! Well said AGAIN.Yes turn the bloody VOLUME up.Remember also if like me you have been to loads of concerts,DISCO's and CLUBS then you will probably have fcuked your hearing up a LITTLE.As for the kids with their BOOM BOX in cars.DEAF AT FOURTY! Pass me my AID now......

I thought they basically ruined Leave Me Alone by remastering it on Retro. The stuff from Brotherhood, though, not surprisingly, was improved.

whomever said adjust your eq is so wrong...

your stereo should be played flat, no graphic equaliser should be needed. if they need remastering then why be so precious about "but martin hannet produced them" - if modern techniques can give us a republic with bass who wouldn't want it?

the bunnymens albums were rereleased as 20th anniversary editions with remastering btw

Originally posted by Facthunt whomever said adjust your eq is so wrong...

Let's try this again... it was a quick off the cuff remark for those not happy with the sound of the older records and NOT as a standard of listening. Not bright enough? Grab that nasty 'ol tone knob on your car stereo that boost around 1k and shred your ears to your hearts delight. Pssst... that last remark was meant to be funny as well before someone else decides to comment on the evils of eq.

Originally posted by Bentley > Originally posted by Facthunt whomever said adjust your eq is so wrong...

Let's try this again... it was a quick off the cuff remark for those not happy with the sound of the older records and NOT as a standard of listening. Not bright enough? Grab that nasty 'ol tone knob on your car stereo that boost around 1k and shred your ears to your hearts delight. Pssst... that last remark was meant to be funny as well before someone else decides to comment on the evils of eq.

I wonder what you will make of my hifi. It doesn't have tone controls on it as the manufacturer believes that anything that gets in the line between the sound source and the speaker output can only distort the sound produced. It also reproduces the music as originally intended by the producer.

that's what I'm talking about!

I think my original point from my first post may have been missed. I never once mentioned eq'ing or distorting the sound from the source was in ANY way a good idea. As a matter of fact, I do believe I said remastering the material isn't necessary and each work should stand as it is from when it was. Modern CDs are much louder and tend to be brighter than ones from years past. My remark about adjusting eq was intended for those not happy with the ORIGINAL sound of the work... sorry if my attempt at humor may have been missed. I'm a bit abstract at times and sometimes miss the point I'm to make. Judging by Kevin's comment I may have indeed missed it again in the last post. So... leave the sound alone and enjoy it the way it's supposed to be heard. That's what my point is in my origianl post on this topic. Now, if you don't enjoy a record as it sounds either don't listen or listen to it in a way that pleases you.

As a trend, remastering serves one of two things: To make more money for the record company by spurring sales of previously released material or to satisfy a band's quest for a "newer" sound to the material. I have no statistics so I'll leave it to you to form your own opinion on why old work gets remastered. Bear in mind that "remastered" does not mean "remixed" and only involes the stereo mixdown of each song. It does not remove anything from the prodution and mixing thus leaving something like Hannett's work on Movement in tact. Another growing trend is to remix old work in 5.1 format which indeed takes the song back to the mixing stage and requires additional prodution, mixing, and remastering for the new format. Apologies for rambling but I wanted to address the original topic again.

Peace, respect, and best wishes for a Happy New Year to all.

Chris

The original recordings were as good as could be done at the time. I suppose I can see why a band would want to remaster a record now technology has moved on. There's a parallel with what's happening with films and dvds.

One of the reasons I raised the question to start with is because it's an ongoing argument me and a friend have. He think's stuff should be left alone and I respect his opinion. But... if a record can be tweaked to sound better / clearer...

Just listen to the original recording of True Faith then listen to the '94 version. You'll find they both sound exactly the same but the 94' is a lot more clearer and brighter, more defined. I'd like to see this with a lot of other songs.

Originally posted by Adam R Just listen to the original recording of True Faith then listen to the '94 version. You'll find they both sound exactly the same but the 94' is a lot more clearer and brighter, more defined. I'd like to see this with a lot of other songs.

That's because True Faith 94 was remixed, not remastered - there's different effects, volume and pan levels all over the place, although the original elements are all there with no additional production. The sounds is clearer on the 94 version because Stephen Hague went back to the multi-track version to clean up the original.