Psycho (1960) (60th Anniversary Edition) (Uncut)

[Latheofheaven]

Originally Posted by litemakr

The issue in this case is not the difference between mono and stereo sound. It's a matter of changing the sound effects throughout the entire soundtrack. Some remixes are just that, remixes. They take the original tracks and create a new mix with stereo or multichannel sound but using the original music and sounds. This is what is done with most movies and most people don't complain because it sounds like a stereo version of the familiar soundtrack

In the case of Psycho, the original recordings no longer exist. All that remains are monophonic stems of music, sound effects and dialogue. For the new mix they used computer wizardry to convert the monophonic music to pseudo stereo and it actually sounds pretty good. But then they decided to toss out almost all of the original sound effects and re-record them. Many of them sound very different and much too modern and out of place. On top of that, the balance between music and effects is very different.

So for long time fans of Psycho who are used to seeing and hearing Psycho with it's original soundtrack for the past 60 years, the soundtrack is radically changed and sounds wrong for the duration of the film. Even worse is that Hitchcock paid very careful attention to sound design and the soundtrack to Psycho is one of the most famous in movie history. The movie should be watched with the original soundtrack, not a rather generic sounding revision. It's the sonic equivalent of colorizing black and white movies.

Hopefully that clears up why people are upset. Universal messed up, but they are doing the right thing in fixing it and issuing corrected discs.

Okay, NOW I can see very clearly what's going on. Heh, TBH, now I'm actually terrified of seeing the the remaster because it honestly seems like it is gonna sound bloody AWFUL!

I really appreciate the thorough and clear explanation. And yes, of course I can see how people would be quite upset, especially with such a vintage absolutely Classic film. Yeah, it really sounds like they totally did screw up. I'm very glad to hear, then, that the company is indeed 'fixing' it.

So, what are they going to do now? A fellow above mentioned that the original elements no longer exist...???

Thanks again Bro, that is why I ask things like that. Hoping for a good honest and educational answer. I get that on the Steve Hoffman Forums most of the time, but here it is a little different. Sometimes people seem to be EXTREMELY quick to slam you no matter how respectfully or politely you ask, rather than just simply answer you. And yours was perfect.

Really appreciate it mate!