Steve Hoffman is a Grammy-winning mastering engineer and the founder of the Audio Fidelity record label. He recently remastered Genesis’s back catalog for the “1976-1982” box set. In this interview, Hoffman discusses his approach to remastering, his favorite Genesis albums, and the challenges of working with the band’s original recordings.
Steve Hoffman on Genesis
Steve Hoffman: I’ve been a Genesis fan since I was a teenager. I love their music because it’s so complex and challenging. There’s always something new to discover in their songs.
Interviewer: What was it like to remaster Genesis’s back catalog?
SH: It was a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to work on their music, and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to do so.
Interviewer: What was your approach to remastering these albums?
SH: My goal was to create remasters that were faithful to the original recordings while also improving the sound quality. I used a variety of techniques to achieve this, including equalization, compression, and limiting.
Interviewer: What were some of the challenges of working with the original recordings?
SH: The original recordings were made in the 1970s and 1980s, and they were recorded on analog tape. This meant that there was a lot of noise and distortion on the tapes. I had to use a variety of techniques to remove this noise and distortion without compromising the sound quality.
Interviewer: What are your favorite Genesis albums?
SH: My favorite Genesis albums are “Selling England by the Pound” and “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.” I love the complexity and the ambition of these albums.
Interviewer: What do you think of the new generation of Genesis fans?
SH: I’m excited to see that there’s a new generation of Genesis fans. I think that their music is still relevant today, and I hope that they will continue to enjoy it for years to come.
Genesis
Genesis is an English progressive rock band that was formed in 1967. The band has sold over 150 million albums worldwide and is considered one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time. Genesis’s music is characterized by its complex arrangements, intricate lyrics, and use of synthesizers.
The band’s original lineup consisted of Peter Gabriel (vocals), Tony Banks (keyboards), Phil Collins (drums), Steve Hackett (guitar), and Mike Rutherford (bass guitar). Gabriel left the band in 1975 and was replaced by Phil Collins. Hackett left the band in 1977 and was replaced by Daryl Stuermer.
Genesis continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but they disbanded in 1996. The band reunited in 2007 for a tour and released a new album, “Calling All Stations,” in 2011.
Phil Collins
Phil Collins is an English singer, songwriter, drummer, and actor. He is best known as the drummer and lead singer of Genesis. Collins has also had a successful solo career, releasing eight studio albums and selling over 100 million records worldwide.
Collins was born in London, England, on January 30, 1951. He began playing drums at an early age and joined Genesis in 1970. Collins became the band’s lead singer in 1975 after Peter Gabriel left the group.
Collins released his first solo album, “Face Value,” in 1981. The album was a commercial success and spawned the hit singles “In the Air Tonight” and “Against All Odds.” Collins has continued to release successful solo albums throughout his career.
Tony Banks
Tony Banks is an English musician, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the keyboardist and co-founder of Genesis. Banks has also released several solo albums and has collaborated with other artists, including Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford.
Banks was born in Eastbourne, England, on March 27, 1950. He began playing the piano at an early age and joined Genesis in 1967. Banks has been a key member of the band throughout its history.
Banks released his first solo album, “A Curious Feeling,” in 1979. The album was a commercial success and spawned the hit single “For a While.” Banks has continued to release solo albums throughout his career.
Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett is an English guitarist, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the lead guitarist of Genesis. Hackett has also released several solo albums and has collaborated with other artists, including Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford.
Hackett was born in London, England, on February 12, 1950. He began playing the guitar at an early age and joined Genesis in 1971. Hackett left the band in 1977 to pursue a solo career.
Hackett released his first solo album, “Voyage of the Acolyte,” in 1975. The album was a commercial success and spawned the hit single “The Hermit.” Hackett has continued to release solo albums throughout his career.
Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford is an English musician, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the bass guitarist and co-founder of Genesis. Rutherford has also released several solo albums and has collaborated with other artists, including Tony Banks and Steve Hackett.
Rutherford was born in Guildford, England, on October 2, 1950. He began playing the bass guitar at an early age and joined Genesis in 1967. Rutherford has been a key member of the band throughout its history.
Rutherford released his first solo album, “Smallcreep’s Day,” in 1980. The album was a commercial success and spawned the hit single “The Living Years.” Rutherford has continued to release solo albums throughout his career.
The 1976-1982 Box Set
The “1976-1982” box set is a collection of remastered Genesis albums that were released between 1976 and 1982. The box set includes the albums “A Trick of the Tail,” “Wind & Wuthering,” “…And Then There Were Three…,” “Duke,” and “Abacab.”
The albums in the box set have been remastered by Steve Hoffman and are packaged in a deluxe box with a hardcover book. The book includes liner notes by Genesis biographer Armando Gallo.
The “1976-1982” box set is a must-have for any Genesis fan. The remastered albums sound amazing, and the liner notes are informative and insightful.
Conclusion
Steve Hoffman is a master of his craft, and his remasters of Genesis’s back catalog are a testament to his skill and dedication. The “1976-1982” box set is a must-have for any Genesis fan, and it’s a great way to experience the band’s classic albums in the best possible sound quality.