Remastering Music and Cultural Heritage

Building upon my previous research into remastering practice (Bruel, 2019), in particular iconic Australian band Sunnyboys’ eponymous 1981 debut vinyl release (Bruel, 2021a) and ‘lo-fi’ studio recordings of my previous bands Jumble Sale and Bens Calf (Bruel, 2021b), this book further investigates the phenomenon of remastering. It begins with an analysis of what mastering and remastering involves, and its transformation primarily through technology from a purely technical process to a more creative and artistic activity. From there it examines the remastering process applied to vintage media storage including wax cylinders, shellac discs (acoustic and electrical), lacquers/acetates, tape and other various rare formats.To identify sonic variances between an original release and its remaster, the book then explores the original production and mastering processes as well as remastering practice applied to a selection of iconic UK recordings emanating from different decades. These recordings consist of The Beatles Abbey Road (1969), Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) and Oasis (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995). Through a collection of interviews with the original music production, mastering and remastering practitioners directly involved with these iconic albums, we are able to gain comprehensive first-hand accounts of the creative and technical processes applied to produce the original musical artefact and its subsequent remaster(s). Additionally, to research remastering practice as applied to live and orchestral recordings, a BBC broadcast of Mozart’s The Magic Flute from 1962, is also examined. Furthermore, through comparative listening tests and digital audio analysis we are able to determine sonic differences between the original and remastered versions with the ability to directly connect these differences to the production and remastering processes followed. Finally, through these interviews we are also able to appraise and authenticate their thoughts regarding potential impacts of remastering practice on themes surrounding cultural heritage, legacy, authenticity and meaning.