What Does Remastered Mean In Music? A Complete Guide

If you have some good headphones or speakers handy, compare the original and remastered versions of Pink Floyd's Breathe:

Original

Remastered version (2023)

Could you spot the difference? Did you notice more sonic clarity, or think it's an improvement and serves the song or album? Sometimes remastering can be very subtle and other times not. In many cases, people prefer the rawness of the original.Put simply, remastering aims to enhance the sound quality of previously released songs or albums. It achieves this by refining the original master recording using modern technology. This process can improve clarity, remove background noise, and optimise the audio for modern listening formats.Many classic albums have been remastered to breathe (sorry) new life into old recordings, making them more enjoyable on today's digital platforms. It can also re-spark interest in classic albums resulting in a slew of new sales.Being mastering engineers ourselves, we thought we'd weigh in on this topic, and give you a useful guide remastering. Let's dive in.

Table of contents

1. What is remastering?
2. The remastering process: how it works
3. Why music gets remastered
4. Remastering vs. other audio processes
5. Notable examples of remastered music
6. How to identify remastered tracks
7. When remastering makes sense for artists

What is remastering?

Remastering is the process of enhancing the sound quality of an existing master recording using modern technology. It aims to refine the overall sound while preserving the original mix.This technique has become increasingly common as music formats and playback systems have evolved.

What's the difference between mastering and remastering?

Mastering is the final step in music production before a song or album is released. It involves balancing frequencies, optimising the dynamic range, and ensuring consistency across tracks. Remastering, on the other hand, revisits an existing master recording—sometimes decades after its original release—to improve audio quality using advanced techniques.While mastering prepares a new track for its first release, remastering enhances an already published recording for modern systems.

Historical context (when remastering became common)

The concept of remastering emerged as music formats changed over time. In the early days of vinyl records, mastering was done with analogue equipment suited for turntables. When CDs became the dominant format in the 1980s, many classic albums were remastered to take advantage of the digital medium’s cleaner sound and reduced background noise.The rise of high-resolution streaming and surround sound formats has further driven the demand for remastered albums, allowing older recordings to be adapted for modern listening experiences.As technology continues to evolve, remastering remains an essential process for preserving and enhancing the legacy of recorded music.

The remastering process—How it works

Put simply, this process involves enhancing an existing master recording to improve its sound quality and adapt it to modern listening formats.A combo of careful attention to technical details, the right tools, and skilled professionals is essential.Starting with high-quality source materialThe success of remastering depends on the condition of the original recording. Ideally, engineers work from the original master tapes or the highest-quality digital files available.If the source material is degraded or incomplete, additional restoration techniques may be needed before the remastering process can begin.Technical aspects (equalisation, noise reduction, compression)Remastering music involves adjusting the frequency balance (equalisation) to enhance clarity, reducing background noise from old recordings, and applying compression to achieve a more consistent volume.These steps help refine the dynamic range while preserving the essence of the original mix.The goal being to create a remastered version that sounds more polished without over-processing the final output.Modern tools and techniquesAdvances in digital technology allow mastering engineers to refine audio with greater precision. Digital audio workstations (DAWs), spectral editing tools, and AI-powered restoration software help remove imperfections and improve stereo imaging.The remastering process also adapts recordings to new formats like high-resolution streaming, immersive audio, and remastered editions for vinyl records.Who does the remastering workA mastering engineer is responsible for remastering music, using their expertise to balance, clean, and enhance the final mix.They work closely with artists, producers, and record labels to ensure the remastered album stays true to the original release while benefiting from modern technology.A well-executed remaster can breathe new life into old recordings, allowing them to shine in modern listening environments without losing their original character.

Why music gets remastered

Artists and record labels choose to remaster albums for various reasons, ranging from technological advancements to artistic and commercial motivations. Remastering music allows recordings to stay relevant, sound better, and reach new audiences.Adapting to new audio formats and playback systemsAs music consumption has evolved from vinyl records to CDs, digital downloads, and streaming, remastering ensures that older recordings sound optimal on modern systems.New technology enables engineers to refine stereo imaging, dynamic range, and overall sound, making classic albums compatible with high-resolution streaming services and new formats like Dolby Atmos.Improving sound quality of older recordingsMany albums originally released decades ago suffer from limitations in the original mastering process. Early recordings may have background noise, limited dynamic range, or compressed audio that lacks clarity.The remastering process corrects these flaws, offering a cleaner, more polished final mix while preserving the authenticity of the original recording.Commercial reasons (re-releases, anniversaries)Record labels frequently release remastered editions to celebrate milestone anniversaries or introduce classic albums to a new generation.Special releases, such as box sets or deluxe editions, often include a remastered album alongside unreleased tracks, original artwork, and other processing improvements.This not only boosts sales but also helps maintain the legacy of an artist’s catalogue.Artistic reasons (creator's vision, director's cut equivalent)Sometimes, an artist or producer revisits an album to align it more closely with their original vision.Advances in digital music production allow for a new master that enhances details lost in earlier versions.Similar to a director’s cut in film, remastered songs may bring out nuances in the final output that were previously overshadowed by the limitations of past production techniques.In a nutshell, remastering is a way to bridge the gap between the past and present, ensuring music remains timeless and enjoyable across different listening mediums.

Remastering vs. other audio processes

Remastering is often confused with other forms of audio processing, such as remixing, re-recording, and the original mastering process. While they share similarities, each serves a different purpose in music production.

Remastering vs. remixing

The remastering process focuses on refining the final mix from an existing master recording, adjusting elements such as dynamic range, stereo imaging, and background noise.In contrast, remixing involves going back to the individual tracks of a song—such as vocals, drums, and guitars—and altering their balance, effects, and arrangement.A remix can sound dramatically different from the original mix, whereas a remastered version retains the essence of the original release but with improved sound quality.

Remastering vs. re-recording

Remastering music enhances the sound of an existing recording, but re-recording involves an artist or band performing the song again from scratch.Artists may choose to re-record their songs to regain control of their masters, update the overall sound, or reinterpret the track for a modern audience.Unlike remastering, which works with existing material, re-recording creates an entirely new version of the song.

Remastering vs. original mastering

The original mastering process is the final stage of music production before a song is initially released. It ensures the final mix is balanced, cohesive, and optimised for various playback formats.Remastering, on the other hand, revisits this final mix—often decades later—to refine it using new technology and modern mastering techniques.The goal is to enhance the final output while staying true to the original recording.Each of these processes plays a unique role in music production. While remastering breathes new life into old recordings, remixing, re-recording, and mastering serve different creative and technical functions.

Notable examples of remastered music

Many classic albums have been remastered, showcasing significant improvements in sound quality. Some well-known remastered editions include:The Beatles – Abbey Road (50th Anniversary Edition)The 2019 "Abbey Road" 50th anniversary remaster featured a new stereo remix by Giles Martin, enhanced audio, unreleased sessions, and 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos mixes. While remasters of more modern music are often subtle, the sonic difference between the original and remaster is clear here.

Here Comes the Sun - Original

Here Comes the Sun - 2019 Remix

Queen – A Night at the Opera (2011 Remaster)This remaster enhanced the original album's audio quality, offering improved clarity and depth.

Bohemian Rhapsody - Original and remastered versions

Michael Jackson – Thriller

The 2022 "Thriller 40" remaster enhanced audio with improved clarity and depth, added immersive Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio mixes, and included bonus tracks and demos.

Thriller - Original

Thriller - 2022 Remaster

How to identify remastered tracks

If you're wondering how to spot a remastered version of a song or album, here are a few key indicators:Check the release details – Many remastered editions are labelled as "digitally remastered" or "remastered version."Compare the sound quality – A remastered album often has improved clarity, better dynamic range, and fewer distortions compared to its original release.Look at the artwork and packaging – New artwork or updated liner notes often accompany remastered editions.

When remastering makes sense for artists

Remastering can be beneficial for both legacy artists and independent musicians, but it’s important to evaluate the advantages and potential drawbacks before investing in the process.For legacy recordingsMany classic albums originally released on vinyl records or early CD formats lack the audio clarity and dynamic range of modern recordings.Remastering music allows legacy artists to bring their old recordings up to modern standards, making them more compatible with digital platforms and high-resolution audio formats.It also helps introduce timeless albums to new audiences while preserving the essence of the original release.For independent artists considering remasteringIndependent musicians who released early projects with limited resources may benefit from remastering.If an album was originally mixed or mastered with lower-quality equipment, a remastered version can significantly improve its sound.With access to new technology and professional mastering engineers, independent artists can refine their past work and make it more competitive in today’s music industry.Cost vs. benefit considerationsWhile remastering can enhance sound quality, it requires financial investment. Hiring a mastering engineer and using modern tools can be costly, particularly for independent artists.However, a remastered album can lead to higher engagement on streaming platforms, improved sales, and increased longevity for the music.The decision to remaster should be based on both artistic goals and commercial viability.

Final thoughts

Remastering is often seen as a way to give classic albums a modern touch, but it’s not always a straightforward improvement. While some purists argue that remasters lose the original character of the recordings, others appreciate the clarity and depth that modern technology brings.

The debate is subjective—what sounds better to one person might not to another.

Ultimately, remasters help make older music more accessible on today's platforms, but they don’t always capture the magic of the original production.

For listeners and artists, it’s a balancing act between preserving the past and adapting for the present.

Take your sound to the next level with TYX Studios

If you're looking to enhance the clarity, depth, and overall sound of your music, professional mastering is key.At TYX Studios, we use state-of-the-art technology and expert techniques to ensure your tracks are polished, balanced, and ready for any listening platform.Whether you're releasing new music or considering a remastered edition of your past work, our team is here to help you achieve the highest audio quality.TYX is an end-to-end studio complex. We offer industry-grade production spaces, professional guidance, mastering services, and career support. Moreover, as part of the Tileyard Group, we can easily connect you with artists and industry professionals.Get in touch now and let TYX Studios elevate your music to professional, release-ready tracks.