News Details

Mute releases major Depeche Mode SA-CD Series
March 31, 2006
London-based Mute Records has announced the re-release of three landmark Depeche Mode albums on Super Audio CD and DVD-Video. Speak and Spell, Music for the Masses, and Violator are released on April 3rd and all the remaining catalogue will be released on SA-CD later this year.

According to Mute’s Head of Catalogue, David Rowntree, these album releases are the product of a major re-mixing and re-mastering project: a labour of love which brings these fantastic albums into the surround sound age. “We have been looking at ways of revisiting the Depeche Mode catalogue for some time now’” explains Rowntree. “They are one of the most important and influential bands of the last 25 years and their work deserves to be presented in the best possible light. We decided on the DVD + Hybrid SA-CD format as remasters are primarily aimed at fans, who may already own the original albums and we wanted them to feel buying them again was a worthwhile investment. Each set contains the re-mastered stereo, the new 5.1 surround mix, all the b-sides, and a specially commissioned 30 minute short film about each album.”

Wishing to bring the very best craft skills to this exciting project, Mute commissioned Simon Heyworth’s Super Audio Mastering facility to perform the critical re-mastering work. Rowntree believes that this was a shrewd move and Heyworth’s input has added significant value to the project. “The re-masters sound great, Simon has done an amazing job as usual,” remarked Rowntree. “Some of this material has not been touched since it was first put on to CD 15 years ago and the difference even in the new CD version is remarkable. The SA-CD versions take the sound to another level - the next best thing to being there!”

Despite Rowntree’s appreciation of SA-CD’s sophistication, the decision to simultaneously release the albums on DVD/DTS was made in order to allow Depeche Mode fans maximum exposure to the surround sound versions. “The new surround mixes are the heart of these reissues,” explains Rowntree. “Kevin Paul has done an outstanding job and we want as many people to be able to hear them as possible. While SA-CD is the best technology currently available, there are over 100 million DTS capable players in Europe alone and if you don't have an SA-CD player, DTS 96/24 is the next best thing.”

Rowntree hints at further exciting SA-CD releases from Mute in 2006. “Both Goldfrapp's Supernature and Depeche Mode's Playing the Angel were released with SA-CD 5.1 versions late last year,” confirms Rowntree. “Surround sound works well for many of Mute’s artists and you can expect a lot of exciting 5.1 from them in the future.”

Super Audio CD News, 31 March 2006

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