My two cents: I confess, the differences are a little hard to hear at the start of the song. Once the drums join in (0:46) it's a lot easier to tell what's different. When the rhythm section plays together, they do so without sounding over-compressed. The power chords are slightly quieter and breathe a bit more. It's also easier to hear the steel strings during the rests, too. The cymbal crashes sound a little further apart (1:21), if only because the guitars aren't hogging the mix. Up to this point, the biggest difference is definitely the snare. The original clipped like crazy. Your mix doesn't. That's a huge improvement by itself (especially considering how much Lars uses it). In general, things sound more expansive-less dry, more warm and full. At 1:35, I can hear the guitars, drums and bass all in a row, which is neat. The guitars feel quieter, less jammed into my ear, too. Less muffled, the cymbals and hi-hat are easier to make out once things pick up. The kick drum (1:50) thumps more than clicks. In particular, the double bass (1:55) sounds a million times better than the studio recording! Just wonderful. Despite things being more spacious, instrument-wise, James' voice feels big enough to make himself heard. Instead of sounding like he's in a concrete cell, his notes actually carry instead of snuffing out immediately (2:44). Your emphasis is less on loudness and more on cohesion. At the same time, the instruments don't sound muddled or forced together; I can separate them with ease, hearing whichever I choose to focus on. During the bridge (4:29), the original mix sounded really chopped up, the guitars almost forced apart. You bring everything together. Robert's presence in the mix is welcome as well, adding an extra dimension the original lacked. When the harmonized guitars join in (4:35), they do so without overwhelming what's already there. The solo (4:54) might be a touch quiet (especially with Lars wailing away on that snare) but it's not so bad that I have to strain to hear. The instruments are less bunched up in the following verse (5:15). Also, the guitars sound like they actually have a ceiling now. Because they do, James's rising voice almost climbs over them. It's a cool effect, and all thanks to your mix. Likewise, the outro has plenty of room to unfold. By comparison, the more I listen to the original mix, the more compact and shrill it seems, like it's playing through an old radio with a tin speaker. Lastly, that closing double bass (6:40-6:59) is pure heaven. All in all, a great addition to your portfolio! I always liked this song and you've done a great job restoring it to what it should have been. Looking forward to hearing whatever comes next!
love the reputation you've gained on this channel... always appreciate your in-depth analysis of each parts of the track. it makes listening to this so much more fun. thanks \m/
I like the rawness of the record, but find the drums atrocious and the bass too weak. Moreover it is way too compressed. At least St Anger was better handled on that point. Hardwired production is pretty good and clear but it lacks the rawness to fit Death Magnetic imo.
The mastered for itunes version is fixed and sounds like this from what I remember, deffo get hold of it if you can. It's like hearing the album for the first time again.
Mooky Blaylock that’s what he didn’t say. the dm album is good. but what he means is that rick rubin and during the production they totally fucked up the quality of the sounds during the final mix SPECIALLY what you can hear on the CD Versions back 2008. Later even Guitar Hero Versions had the better quality. And the iTunes Digital Versions got also a better mastering
@@comicsans1689 It's not raw production sounds, it's super high compression to make the album louder. It sounds like shit at any decent volume level, there is no denying that.
@@NoName94922 Yup, overly loud drums made it just sound obnoxious, honestly. And yeah, after Black, the guitar and drums both because extremely generic and bland. I didn't mind so much that they tried a few hard radio rock albums, they were just overall CRAP and boring. King Nothing is literally they only song from Load, Reload or St. Anger that I like, and it's only because Jason's bass is up front and center, pretty unique and badass. Black was the last GREAT album...
Dude, James and Lars need to hire you as their producer ASAP! If Death Magnetic was mixed like this, then it would seriously be a top 5 Metallica album for me. This was unbelievable!
FINALLY being able to hear Robert's fat, thick, thudding bass tone just FRONT and center in this mix was a DELIGHT! This was quickly seconded by having Lars drums locked IN to the rest of the mix, instead of overwhelming it! SUCH a great job Ahdy :D THANK YOU :D
All of these Metallica remasters are simply amazing, they all sound so spacious and clear. Now I want lossless versions of all of these so I can listen to them on the go :D
my dad bought me this album when it came out. i was 6 years old. its refreshing to see songs from this album in its true form, and i thank you so much for this.
this production gives me happiness feelings again, listening to the original is like listening to a song threw an old car radio that has lots and lots of static
When this album was released it just was so fatiguing that I couldn't listen over half of it before putting my headphones down. It took years before I downloaded an alternative mix from the GH stems, which shows how good this album actually was. Still, the mixing was still very basic, it just removed the offending clips and brickwalling. Now this actual mix brings it to a whole other level. It's a shame we'll never see a proper release of DM, but for now these fan made mixes will do!
I am always very critical of your work. But I just don't know what you could have done better. The lead guitars are perfectly audible (unlike your One remix). The bass isn't overbearing. James sounds just right. The drums feel massive and powerful. So I guess this is a thumbs up.
the drums and everything do sound great, but being able to crank up the volume on one of my favorite metallica songs without it crackling is a god send
Oh, this is WAY better - and I'm not just talking about the clipping issue. I mean, the actual mix is heads and tails better. Great work! Is that what Robert Trujillo actually sounds like? I'd never have known.
Great mix! You let the music breathe and really each instrument is in the right spot with enough space to interplay with each other. That makes it more exciting to listen to. Good job!
Wow!! Sounds SO much better. The songwriting on this album was so good that I was super sad at how bad it sounded. Thank you for improving it so much - it’s almost like hearing it the way it was intended for the first time after over a decade.
Is there a way to download your remixes in HQ? As much as these songs sounds way better, its still on youtube encoder. I bet it sounds even better from the original file. Absolutley awesome what you're doing.
@@JPX64Channel I'm sure they're from Guitar Hero. This is the reason why he'll never remix anything from Justice besides Blackened, And Justuce for All, One, Shortest Straw, or Dyers Eve. Those are the only songs from the album in either Rock Band or Guitar Hero. This shouldn't be a secret. It's not like any random person can get the master tracks for whatever song they feel like remixing for fun. Those games have been a real blessing, though. We finally got to hear Jason's bass work on Justice, and we got a great source for making a less-destroyed mix of Death Magnetic. It's too bad the later games and DLC have been locked down more securely, and the stems are all but inaccessible anymore.
Yes, one of the best opening tracks of Metallica imo. I fucking love this track, you made a amazing job remixing and remastering my most favourite track from this album! Also I'm waiting for the Two Cents Guy.
Great stuff. I always liked this song/album as it is, but I'm glad that those who didn't like it because of the production can finally give it the respect it deserves.
There were a lot of DM mixes from 2008/09-ish with the Guitar Hero tracks. This definitely takes the cake. Clearer and crisper than any of those GH mixes.
Just stumbled upon this and this has completely changed my view of the album, which now sounds 1000% better and more brutal. Thank you for doing god's work, sir! Question: will you make a playlist of all the tracks from this album done by yourself, and not others as well? You have the golden touch and wanted to save this offline to continue to listen too. Thank you again!!
Wow , would be amazing if the guys in Metallica hire you if they ever make another record.. You make their songs sound better every single time! Great job man !!
Man if the whole album was produced sounding this good... Always thought the writing on Death Magnetic was much better than Hardwired, but the production just held it back
I’m also a sound producer. Turning off my “producer” mode, booting this up on my car stereo and taking it in… Holy shit! It’s like hearing the song for the very first time! What a great job. It fucking crushes, slams, grooves, slaps and claps. With their budget and the pedigree of the staff who worked on the official version, they fucked it up. Clearly the songwriting is there because it’s actually kick-ass now that it sounds how it really should. You have given me a whole new appreciation for it. Well done mate 👊
