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Master of puppets and Ride the lightning gold CDs from DCC
GOLD DISCS RE-REVISITED
I am currently working on my second book about Metallica which will be called "Master of puppets - a classic album", and I have already done some of the chapters. The book will include interviews with several people connected to the album, including Steve Hoffman who remastered the "Master of puppets" gold disc released by DCC.

He also had some good news to tell. The two CDs, Ride and Master will be back in the stores again soon, and he hope to work on at least 3 more Metallica titles. These CDs printed on 24 karat gold discs not only look good, they have a much better sound as well.

Here are some of the answers he gave me. The complete interview will be in the book which will hopefully be released late autumn 2002.


Q: The Master of Puppets version you did in 1999 has "Remastered for this CD by Steve Hoffman" written on the back. What does this mean, and is the sound different?
Steve: I went back to the original master mix and CAREFULLY transferred it to a new CD master for the DCC Gold CD reissue, making sure that the (for example) bass guitar tones stayed on the disc this time.

Steve Hoffman holding a record stamper Q: The package also says "From the original master tapes," but aren't all CDs printed from a master tape?
Steve: All CDs are not made from the master tape. Usually the master isn't used at all, but just a copy, with some "EQ" changes that do not match the master. For example, on "Master of Puppets," the "EQ Copy" doesn't have much bass. That is the tape that was used to make the regular CD. I bypassed that tape and went back to the original tape, which in my opinion has a much fuller sound.

Q: Who contacted whom for the Metallica CDs? Did you contact them or did they contact you?
Steve: We wanted to do Metallica. We felt that the sound of the regular CDs out there were not as good as they could be. We got permission from Warner Bros. Records to do this, and Metallica agreed that we could.

Q: When you dig into a master tape, can you tell how it was recorded and what they were thinking in the studio? How was the "Puppets" album recorded? Did you find any secrets in there, or hidden parts?
Steve: Yes, usually I can hear what they were trying to do. Sometimes, the master sounds different than the final LP or CD. Sometimes the bass is shaved off, or too much treble is added during the initial mastering stage. That is why I never use those "EQ'd" masters. I always go back to the original mix tape. No secrets or hidden parts on "Puppets," just a fuller sound on the original tape, which I liked a great deal. I made sure that sound made it to our gold CD.

steve hoffman and Melvin Gray Q: You have listened to a lot of different versions, imports, CDs, vinyls etc. of "Master of Puppets." Did you find any differences between them?
Steve: Yes. Mainly in terms of "compression." Some versions had less dynamic range than others, some were more shrill, some more bassy. But all in all, the variations were not too bad.

Q: When will you expect the Metallica gold CDs to be available to the public again? Why are they are out of print?
Steve: Metallica [gold CDs] should be back in a month or two. DCC Compact Classics is being reorganized and the new owners have not come onboard yet.

Q: Are there any plans to remaster or release any other Metallica albums?
The band have said that they are not happy with the sound on "And Justice for All," since it has no bass, and very little solo guitar. If you got the chance, would you consider working on this album? Steve: Yes, indeed. We want to do at least three more.

I will put a note on the site when the CDs are re-released, or when the new titles sees the light of day.

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