ABOUT HANK WILLIAMS IN STEREO

What exactly does that mean? In this collection, you will be listening to the original master recordings with nothing added, in superb state-of-the-art stereo for the first time. Together with modern equalization (EQ) techniques, the result brings these early recordings into the modern age allowing listeners to more fully appreciate these simple, unadorned masterpieces. More information below on the technical process we use.

Others have attempted Hank Williams in stereo before, but a wide variety of misguided recordings added strings, piano, drums, artificial rechanneling and fabricated duets, all things that Hank never meant to be heard on his #1 hits like “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Cold, Cold Heart” and “Hey, Good Lookin’.”

It wasn’t just Hank’s fans who objected to these altered recordings released on MGM in the 1960s. Hank’s estate sued the label over these ill-conceived overdubbed versions. In 1969, Billboard reported that, “the Williams estate charges that MGM has violated its agreement...creating entirely new recordings from old cuts despite promising not to record in such a manner.”

While only the original recorded elements are present with nothing added, you will be able to hear things you may never have heard before because they were buried in the original mono mix. Whether you are a lifelong Hank Williams fan or are being introduced to this country legend for the first time, prepare yourself for the ultimate Hank Williams listening experience in unparalleled stereo.

MORE ABOUT HOW THESE NEW STEREO TRACKS WERE CREATED FROM THE MONO ORIGINALS

The computer age has introduced highly sophisticated sound processing software that enables patient and expert audio engineers to create new, authentic stereo mixes from original mono recordings.

The most advanced technique and the one that usually produces the most satisfactory results is called DES (Digitally Extracted Stereo). Because most instruments and vocals often occupy fairly narrow, specific audio frequency ranges, it’s now possible in some cases to isolate guitars, drums, bass, strings, etc., and “extract” these elements into separate tracks which are then remixed into stereo. A professional DES stereo mix will be indistinguishable from an original multi-track stereo mix and offers audiences a fresh, exciting listening experience, allowing them to enjoy their favorite songs in a way never before possible.

The actual DES process is much more complex than it sounds in this simple explanation, principally because the sounds of most instruments overlap with others. So it requires an experienced sound engineer devoting substantial amounts of time and patience, and it sometimes requires weeks to complete a single song.