Bob Hutton:
> However, what the Beatles catalogue really needs is for someone to dive in
> and create fresh modern stereo mixes of as much of their material as
> possible (like the work done on Yellow Submarine songtrack) and ALSO to
> remaster them using up to date technology.

Yes, they should be remastered using up to date technology, but they should 
use the original mono AND stereo mixes.  The "Yellow Submarine Songtrack" 
sounds awful.  The mixes don't remain true to the originals (what happened 
to that kickass bass in "Hey Bulldog"?!!), and they're drowning in cold 
digital reverb.  Absolutely atrocious.

> I had the Beach Boys 2-fers when they came out back around 1990, and
> happened to pick up (cheaply) the remastered new (circa 2000) version of
> Today/Summer Days.  The newer one  blows the earlier CD away TOTALLY in
> respect of audio quality.  The Beatles back catalogue deserves to be kept
> up to date sonically in the same way.

Yes, the Beach Boys 2000 reissues set the standard here.  Both the 1990 and 
2000 issues use the original masters from the time of the given LP (though 
some of the bonus tracks were new mixes) beautifully mastered.  Because no 
noise reduction was used (or if it was it was used sparingly so as not to 
degrade the sound) they're actually noisier than the original 1990 issues, 
but this is a true representation of what's on the master.  The improvement 
in sound afforded by improved mastering techniques as well as not messing 
with the tapes is striking.

And if you want a good example of excessive use of noise reduction ruining 
the sound, listen to "Beatles 1"!

So IMHO the Beatles catalog should be handled similarly, using the original 
mixes.

Anyone with me? :-)

Jeff
http://lostjukebox.tripod.com
http://theretros.tripod.com