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Post #578197

Author
TServo2049
Parent topic
Info: Re-mixed audio tracks on video releases
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/578197/action/topic#578197
Date created
19-May-2012, 12:09 AM

Oh, I forgot those. I do believe, though, that by then the master sound mixes were in 6-track, so the Dolby Stereo tracks were usually just LCRS mixdowns. However, I can't say whether the modern 5.1 mixes are the same as the original 6-track mixes.

But thanks for reminding me - Fantasia is another screwed-up 5.1 remix, not even counting the fact that Deems Taylor's real voice is replaced by a Corey Burton impersonation. For some reason the directional effects are less pronounced than the 1990 restoration, which was intended to be the closest possible re-creation of the original 1940 Fantasound version.

One of the best examples is the opening of "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" - I saw a theatrical screening of a 1990 print recently, and I was just blown away when Leopold Stokowski motions to the players on the left, and the sound comes out of the left side, then he motions to the right, and it comes out the right side. Stuff like that is nowhere near as powerful in the modern remixes.

In addition, the 5.1 remixes were absolutely steamrolled by noise reduction, destroying the ambience and finer sound details. Also, the 5.1 mixes sound "flatter" to me. Not sure if this is just because of noise reduction, or different equalization (probably some of both).

I know that the 1990 version was hissy and I think it may have had some peaking/distortion issues, but the mixing changes and overzealous denoising negate any improvements in the later 5.1 versions. Luckily, the standard CAV laserdisc (i.e., the gatefold, not the deluxe box) is cheap and easy to find.