I was fascinated recently by Sound Liaison's 2024 remastering of their excellent 2012 album Thousand Shades of Blue by Carmen Gomes Inc. In this new release, Thousand Shades of Blue Revisited, recording engineer Frans de Rond and producer Peter Bjornild went back to the original 96kHz 24-bit recorded tracks and applied everything they'd learned the interim 12 1/2 years to create a new finished project. I wrote about this new release in my last "Recent Finds" articles for Positive Feedback HERE.
I emailed Peter to ask if they'd be willing to share with Positive Feedback readers a free download of a track from each of the albums to compare the sound differences. They agreed. More than that, they agreed to write up an explanation of what they'd done in the remastering. With their kind permission, I've reprinted below their Sound Liaison blog post explaining of the process, together with a download link for the files. Many thanks to Frans and Peter!
Thousand Shades of Blue Revisited
A Positive Feedback Creative Forum for the Audio Arts special.
The Remix and Remastering Process.
If you like to compare both mixes you can download two files using the following Wetransfer download link:
Remixing and remastering Thousand Shades of Blue, has been transformative. Opening up this session felt like traveling back in time, yet with the knowledge and refined sensibilities we've gained. Looking back, we realized just how much our approach to mixing and mastering has matured. At Sound Liaison, we now embrace a philosophy of minimalism—using fewer tools on individual tracks, preserving the raw beauty of the original performances.
When we first recorded Thousand Shades of Blue 12½ years ago, it marked a milestone for Sound Liaison, a bold first step into the world of audiophile recording. The album went on to receive sudden praise, including a memorable review in SoundStage USA:
"Her style is bluesy and intimate with a sexy voice that's sweet as dark tupelo honey. The musicians play to her and each other, and the ensemble is so tight that the four musicians breathe and move as one... this intimate effort is one of the best and best-sounding jazz vocal albums to come along in many a day."
The original mix of Thousand Shades of Blue was done entirely in-the-box, inside the computer, utilizing digital plugins and software-based processing. While this method provided flexibility and precision, we have since developed a hybrid workflow that combines the best of both digital and analog domains. This included a fully discrete, class-A analog summing mixer, and carefully selected high-end outboard gear. This process added a new dimension to the sound, enhancing warmth, depth and harmonic richness while retaining the clarity and precision of the original performances.
By leveraging our analog processing chain, we achieved a heightened sense of depth and placement, resulting in a more immersive stereo image, where each instrument occupies its own distinct space with clarity and presence.
A significant decision in the remix process was the complete removal of compression from the original mix. Traditional compression can restrict the natural dynamics of an ensemble, reducing the emotional impact of a performance. By eliminating compressors, we restored the full dynamic range of the recordings, resulting in a natural and immediate listening experience. Now the nuances of Carmen Gomes' vocal delivery and the interplay between the musicians are rendered with greater realism. This mix conveys an unfiltered, tangible, live-in-the-room presence on the soundstage.
Another key enhancement was upgrading the reverb processing. In the original mix, reverb was applied entirely in the box. This time, we utilized a state-of-the-art reverb unit routed through our analog summing mixer before being captured at 32-bit, 768kHz resolution. This approach has given the reverb room to breathe a more organic quality, blending better with the natural acoustics of the recordings.
In our quest for the ultimate sonic experience, we decided to master in 768kHz/32-bit resolution. This sample rate (more than 17 times the standard 44.1kHz), captures a higher level of detail, harmonic textures and subtleties.
While only the most discerning audiophiles may fully appreciate the benefits of this resolution, the increased clarity and realism of the soundstage are evident to everyone.
In a sense, Thousand Shades of Blue Revisited is a celebration of technological advancements and maturing craftsmanship.
Our work at Sound Liaison has gradually developed into a delicate balance between digital precision and the timeless warmth of analog. It's a push and pull that defines our approach: Does our love for analog stem from nostalgia, or does it genuinely offer a superior sound? The answer lies in our blind tests, conducted with our musicians, who consistently show they prefer the "magic" of tracks mastered in the analog domain at a high sample rate. There's an undeniable authenticity and depth that purely digital masterings struggle to replicate.
Our hybrid process—combining digital tracking with analog mixing and mastering—might seem unorthodox, even excessive. But for us, although time-consuming, it's about honoring the music. We believe analog gear infuses a warmth and reality to the digital precision.The result is a marriage of tradition and technology, preserving the emotional core of the music while embracing modern advancements.
With Thousand Shades of Blue Revisited, we invite you to hear the music in a new light. The soul of the original recording remains, but now with a warmth and sense of presence at an even deeper level.
Frans & Peter, Sound Liaison
