You say things like "crappy later-generation" and "8th generation master tape", as if those things actually exist. Interim masters are (probably still to this day) made on pristine tape machines, and, considering the fact that audio processing and level optimisation has occurred, are not actually considered 2nd generation at all.
They are almost as "second generation' as the orignal two track mix master - commonly considered the holy grail to make any form of master, vinyl or CD from - is to the master multitrack tape, which is, of course, the very 1st generation possible.
Additional interim copies were often made from the initial interim master - again on pristine equipment - to be sent to the other territories where an album was to be released. Sending a pre-processed and optimised interim master, rather than a straight 1:1 copy of the master tape ensured that all the releases round the world would sound consistent, and not at the mercy of rogue mastering engineers in the middle of nowhere.
As I mentioned, a stereo master tape is not generally highly-compressed. That processing happens, for the most part, in mastering. Therefore, a "less-compressed analog master" as you mention, is less compressed than what, exactly? If a mix master has compression on it, there's no way to remove it other than to actually remix the album. You can't uncompress a stereo master and magically get a better-sounding stereo master - the damage is already done (during the mix in that case).
On top of that CD "compression" as you call it, is not an inherent quality of CDs. It is, once again, a process that happens while mastering to a digital format. Therefore, the only way to "undo" that compression, if you like, is to take a step back and use the unmastered tapes again.
âAnytime that craftsmanship begins to slide out of the picture, so does the fun, because being good at something â being a craftsman â thatâs the fun of life. Thatâs the vinegar."
"People with edges break bones when they fall. Round ones can roll anywhere."
"Audere est Facere"
They are almost as "second generation' as the orignal two track mix master - commonly considered the holy grail to make any form of master, vinyl or CD from - is to the master multitrack tape, which is, of course, the very 1st generation possible.
Additional interim copies were often made from the initial interim master - again on pristine equipment - to be sent to the other territories where an album was to be released. Sending a pre-processed and optimised interim master, rather than a straight 1:1 copy of the master tape ensured that all the releases round the world would sound consistent, and not at the mercy of rogue mastering engineers in the middle of nowhere.
As I mentioned, a stereo master tape is not generally highly-compressed. That processing happens, for the most part, in mastering. Therefore, a "less-compressed analog master" as you mention, is less compressed than what, exactly? If a mix master has compression on it, there's no way to remove it other than to actually remix the album. You can't uncompress a stereo master and magically get a better-sounding stereo master - the damage is already done (during the mix in that case).
On top of that CD "compression" as you call it, is not an inherent quality of CDs. It is, once again, a process that happens while mastering to a digital format. Therefore, the only way to "undo" that compression, if you like, is to take a step back and use the unmastered tapes again.
âAnytime that craftsmanship begins to slide out of the picture, so does the fun, because being good at something â being a craftsman â thatâs the fun of life. Thatâs the vinegar."
"People with edges break bones when they fall. Round ones can roll anywhere."
"Audere est Facere"