| At long last, the Beatles will finally release properly | | | | bass, for example, an exact transfer of the |
| remastered versions of their classic albums. For | | | | sound might make the actual grooves in a vinyl |
| audiophiles, however, a limited release product | | | | record too wide, causing the record to skip, so |
| called the Beatles USB Apple actually goes a step | | | | the record company would usually limit the |
| further, providing better than CD quality versions | | | | amount of bass to prevent this from happening. |
| of all of the music, as well as high-quality mp3 | | | | In the case of the Beatles and other classic |
| files. But why are the remastered versions better | | | | artists, this vinyl mastering amounted to a crime |
| than the old versions, and why would someone | | | | against audio, so it is with great relief and |
| buy the Beatles USB Apple instead of the | | | | anticipation that many fans are eagerly waiting to |
| remastered Beatles CDs? | | | | buy the remastered versions of the Beatles |
| First let's discuss mastering, as many people do | | | | albums. The new CD versions and the Beatles |
| not know what it is, let alone what "remastering" | | | | USB Apple both contain remastered versions of |
| is. When an artist makes a record in the studio, | | | | the songs, meaning they have been specially |
| they mix it down to a "final" product. If the | | | | remastered to modern digital formats, providing |
| product is to be mass produced, however, their | | | | the maximum dynamic range and detail that |
| record company must make a "master", which is | | | | today's technology allows. |
| the single copy from which thousands, or millions, | | | | If you are a true audiophile and a Beatles fan, |
| of copies will be duplicated. When records were | | | | then you probably are considering to buy the |
| released on vinyl, the master was actually made | | | | Beatles USB Apple, even in place of the |
| as a reverse-image copy of the recording, which | | | | remastered CDs. This USB Apple contains the |
| was then used as a "stamper" to press the | | | | remastered versions of the music, but notably, |
| grooves into the vinyl material so that the record | | | | has them in 24 bit FLAC format. FLAC is a |
| would play correctly. Due to the limitations of the | | | | lossless format which is better than CD quality, so |
| medium, the vinyl master would have to be | | | | there is simply more data on the file than what |
| tweaked vs the final studio recording in an | | | | you have in a CD, and that will bring out even |
| attempt to maximize the quality on the vinyl. | | | | more detail and emotional resonance from the |
| Don't let anyone tell you that vinyl records sound | | | | music. And, as a handy option for those mp3 |
| better... they may offer a certain nostalgic appeal, | | | | listeners, the Beatles USB Apple includes 320 kbps |
| but they cannot possibly sound superior to a | | | | mp3 versions of everything. These are higher |
| properly mastered digital audio product. In the | | | | quality than you can get from most mp3 |
| vinyl mastering process, the sound is changed | | | | download sites, and are also DRM-free, which |
| dramatically compared to the recording the artist | | | | means they are not restricted in terms of file |
| created in the studio. If a recording has a lot of | | | | access and duplication. |