Mastering Old Recordings

[PHILANDDON]

How do they master old recordings to get the levels so even. I'm thinking of the Hank Williams Sr. Box Set (which has a lot of demos on it), old Dylan (i.e. non-studio) Recordings, Carter Family stuff, etc.

What equipment do they use?

Is music that was initially tracked to tape easier to work with because there's less chance of clipping when pushed up (i.e. gain-changed).

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Massive Master]

IME, carefully recorded, dynamic material will almost always have a MUCH higher "volume potential" in the first place.

That's why recordings that are "volume hogs" from the start usually fall apart completely. That's not how it works. Good sound and clear dynamics (think of it as more headroom for smashing) make all the difference.

And keep in mind that those recordings are *still* probably being damaged for the sake of volume... It's always a compromise.

 

[NashBackslash]

Also, with those really old recordings, wouldn't squashing the volumes just create a ton of hissy noise? The records were already very noisy as it is without even any mastering.

 

[analogelectric]

Also, with those really old recordings, wouldn't squashing the volumes just create a ton of hissy noise? The records were already very noisy as it is without even any mastering.

With careful high Q multi-band notch EQ treatments, most, if not all, of the 'noise' can be eliminated. Most of the time Re-masters are made from master mix reels (or in some cases the multi-track masters are re-mixed/mastered so they'll have more control options). I believe some stuff like Jimi Hendrix, Beach Boys, and Dylan were re-mixed and mastered from the original session tapes, in some instances. Sometimes you'll see a CD of old material was overlooked by the artist and/or producer to preserve integrity of the original mixes (that's if they're still alive).

-- Adam Lazlo