Clannad

Discography Mixing

Eevating legacy music into the future!

Clannad, Ireland's legendary folk-rock band, has a rich and expansive discography spanning over five decades, with many of their original recordings stored on analogue tapes. When tasked with transforming their legacy catalogue into Spatial Audio, we were presented with a unique challenge—working with old, sometimes deteriorated tape recordings, many of which were unmixed and had no matching multitracks. The recordings were also made on analogue tape, so the timing and length of the stems didn’t match perfectly with the final masters. To make matters even more complicated, some of the material consisted of multiple takes per track, requiring careful identification of the right versions and a significant amount of restoration work.

Our challenge was not just to remix this vintage material into Spatial Audio but to ensure that the unique qualities and authenticity of the original recordings were preserved while enhancing them with the spatial capabilities of the format. The task required a meticulous process of archival research, remixing, and modern audio technology to bring the music into the future.

Our Five-Stage Formula for Exceptional Spatial Audio:

Stage 1: Sourcing and Restoring Original Materials
The first step in this project involved a deep dive into the band’s archives to locate the original tape recordings. Given the lack of original stems, we had to meticulously sift through hundreds of analogue tapes, identifying the right takes that matched the stereo master recordings. With much of the material digitised and unmixed, this stage was incredibly time-consuming. To address timing issues caused by the varying speed of the analogue tapes, we used elastic audio and time-compression-expansion techniques to warp the stems to match the original master lengths. It was essential to ensure that the quality and integrity of the original recordings were preserved in this restoration process.

Stage 2: Verifying and Organising Stems for Spatial Audio Mixing
Once the correct takes were identified and the stems were re-warped to match the original lengths, we had to verify that all parts present in the final released track were also included in the unmixed stems. This involved carefully cross-checking the stems against the masters. In many cases, the stems were incomplete or missing parts, necessitating further deep dives into the archives to source additional tapes. We worked closely with the label to fill in the gaps, which sometimes involved working directly with the band to track down specific recordings. This phase was crucial in ensuring we had everything we needed before moving on to the mixing stage.

Stage 3: Recreating the Original Mix
With all the stems in hand, we faced the task of recreating the original stereo mix from the unmixed tracks. None of the stems had any previous processing—no spectral, dynamic, or spatial treatments. Using Pro Tools, we created new mix sessions from scratch, referencing the original master mixes to replicate the tonal balance and sonic characteristics of the final recordings. This step was especially important because we wanted to respect the band's original sound while preparing the material for the new spatial audio format. After re-mixing the tracks, we got approval from the band to move forward with the final stages.

Stage 4: Spatial Audio Mixing
The next step was the exciting part—mixing the tracks in Spatial Audio. With the band’s approval and the newly created stems, we moved the project into our 360º mixing environment. This was where we could start exploring the full potential of Spatial Audio. We carefully placed each element of the track into a 360-degree sound field, enhancing the listening experience by creating depth, motion, and clarity. The challenge here was to retain the warmth and organic feel of the original recordings while adding an innovative spatial dimension. The goal was to make each song come alive in a completely new way without losing the emotional impact of the original version.

Stage 5: Attended Listening Sessions and Final Tweaks
Once the mixes were completed, we held a week of attended listening sessions with Clannad at our studio. The band provided real-time feedback, and we made adjustments based on their input. This stage was essential for making final tweaks and ensuring the tracks aligned with the band’s vision for how they wanted their legacy to be heard in the new format. After the sessions, we recorded a reaction video with the band, capturing their excitement and reflections on the process. The final mixes were then rendered and prepared for distribution.

Outcome:
The final product was a set of Spatial Audio tracks that not only showcased Clannad's iconic sound in a completely new light but also preserved the authenticity and heart of the original recordings. The use of Spatial Audio allowed us to bring the music into a modern, cutting-edge format that enhanced the listener's experience by creating a more immersive, dynamic environment for each song. The reaction from the band and their fans was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the emotional depth and the new life breathed into the music.

This project exemplified our ability to take a complex and challenging legacy catalogue and transform it into something innovative and exciting. It was a testament to our expertise in blending modern technology with classic music, ensuring that Clannad’s music would resonate with both longtime fans and new listeners.

ARK360º: Pioneering Spatial Audio for Legacy Music
At ARK360º, we specialise in transforming timeless music into cutting-edge Spatial Audio experiences. By combining our technical expertise with a deep understanding of the original artist’s vision, we deliver exceptional results that elevate legacy music into the future.