Quote:
Originally Posted by Stewie
So, why is my VHS tape of the concert not a whole lot different than the remastered digital version?
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Because VHS players had built-in noise reduction circuits and used analog connections. If you were to transfer that VHS into a digital audio work station, all of the noise and artifacts would be revealed, especially after the gain has been raised to the decibel level that's standard today.
A good example would be to take a CD from the 80's (non-remastered version - original transfer), put it on your stereo, then pop in a CD or audio file from 2012. What you'd hear is that the newer CD is anywhere from 6-12 decibels louder and has much more bottom end. That's because analog tape could only be pushed so hard before distorting.
Also, LP's (albums) were mastered with far less bass because more bass would make the needle from your phonograph jump out its grooves. That's why everyone had big giant speakers with 10", 12" or 15" speakers in their home stereo whereas today, you can get a giant, full sound from a docking station or even decent mini-headphones. Digital has allowed recording engineers the ability to raise the signal to close to zero DB and include a ton of bass because there is no needle necessary.