Steve Hoffman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steve Hoffman is an audio engineer from Los Angeles, California, who specializes in remastering sound recordings on compact disc and vinyl record for record companies. In the 1980s, he worked at MCA for nine years. He has since done remastering work for companies such as DCC Compact Classics (in the 1990s) and Audio Fidelity, Analogue Productions, Rural Rhythm, and S&P (in the present day).
Before Hoffman started his career in remastering sound recordings while living in Los Angeles he worked in radio and holds a degree in mass communications from California State University, Northridge.
The first CD Hoffman remastered was "For The First Time Anywhere" by Buddy Holly, which consists of the undubbed versions of 10 of his early recordings. Steve also remastered Buddy's greatest hits compilation entitled "From The Original Master Tapes".
Other artists that Steve has remastered include (but are not limited to) Bob Dylan, The Doors, Ringo Starr, Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, Steely Dan, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Poco, The Mamas and The Papas, Johnny Cash, Mac Wiseman, Jethro Tull, Marty Robbins, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, Ritchie Valens, Donovan, Vince Guaraldi, Miles Davis, Art Pepper, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Cars, Jimmy Reed, The Zombies, Ritchie Valens, Juice Newton, Beach Boys, Ray Charles, Deep Purple, Frank Sinatra, and most recently, Bad Company.
While at MCA, Hoffman championed the idea that reissues of an artist's back catalog could be worthwhile and profitable for engineers, record companies and artists. Hoffman's remastered sound recordings have often been considered the better version of the LP and CD in audiophile circles. His approach to remastering aims to endow every CD and every vinyl record with what he calls "The Breath of Life", attained by keeping the signal simple and organic, rather than over-producing the recording by adding an unpleasant amount of compression, limiting and equalization. He does not use any digital-based noise reduction.
