Remixing is different than remastering. Very few releases that are remastered have been remixed. The original 2 channel masters may or may not still be available and the engineers are frequently forced to use 2nd or 3rd generation tapes. In some rare case engineers have turned to digitizing vinyl copies of releases when no tapes are available. Better quality remasters don't try to modernize the sound of the recording. If the recording is from the 60/70s it shouldn't be made overly loud or too compressed, since this would be historically inaccurate. As mentioned above, the recordings may be EQ'ed slightly differently to take into account the differences between vinyl and CD playback. Additionally once digitized it's possible to remove excessive tape hiss and deal with other noise reduction issues. Some people like hearing the sounds of music stands being knocked over, doors being slammed and tape bleed through. Other people think these items should be corrected.
Compressed vs. "Remastered" CDs
Hello all. I am a music lover but not an engineer by any means. Can someone explain what a "remastered" CD is, and if that term necessarily or usually means the analog signal has been compressed or rounded-off, over-digitized, etc. There are many remastered CDs that I think sound better than the early 80's releases, but I have read some negative articles about the remastering process. By the by, why do certain CDs, such as Beck "Sea Change", for example, sound cleaner and sharper than others? Can anyone enlighten me?? Thanks.