The topic title is a little vague as I didn't know how to concisely sum up what I'm asking about. Some years ago I saw a post on a heavy metal forum where someone complained about an album he thought was great, but that had some minor sound issues or mastering errors. Or, well, not really errors, but things he didn't like. His solution was to make some minor remastering to it himself, and now he listens to this new DIY version instead of the original version. Maybe I'm just missing out on it, but this was perhaps the only time I have seen someone mention they're listening to a self-improved version of an album.
I've seen posts where people have improved lousily dubbed tapes by re-dubbing the material themselves, but I don't really consider that to be the same thing. Of course it's altering the release, but in all possibility it's more about making the release what it should've already been like, instead of making it what YOU like with some disregard to the artist's or publbisher's sentiments.
Of course, youtube mashups and other plain entertainment things are a chapter of their own that I'd prefer to disregard in this context, and focus on edits you make for your own enjoyment and not public amusement. Mixtapes too, as they're more about creating a new work instead of re-working an existing one. A while ago I read about a punk guy having made a mixtape of metal songs for gig trips, but he had carefully edited out all guitar solos, heheh. Maybe that would be an example of something in between.
So: have you customized or "improved" any albums you have obtained from some artist or label, and if yes, how?
This could be extended to the physical release as an object too, although I am more interested in the sound side of things. For example if you add rpm's, A/B-side markings or artist/title texts to records or tapes if they don't have them for them to be more convenient, or is there a worry about the release becoming either less authentic, or less re-sellable with additional markings. Temporarily storing a difficultly packed release is one thing, and visibly altering or destroying the original packaging is another - or if you're making a wholly new artwork or packaging to an already existing release just for your own pleasure.
To me that sounds rather disrespectful towards the artist. On the other hand, if you do it for your own private listening I guess it's no big deal.
As for a/b markings etc, I've sometimes written them down on a piece of post-it sticker and put that on tape or vinyl. For other info like RPM you can just slip a piece of paper in the sleeve.
Never made something like that.
Actualy i do it every Day with all Music i listen to. I change the Bass to Zero and pitched up the Highs in my Soundsystem. So it sounds absolutely not like intended and a lot of People complain when they have to listen to the Music.
On the Commercial Side, Tons of "Rereleases" are remastered. Won't say its common in Noise, but its absolute common in Metal or general Commercial Music.
Years ago I thought about extending the ending to Deathkey's "BTS" track. Such an intense track and I really wanted like 30 seconds more of that loop. I never ended up doing it though.
Otherwise, I've only ever redubbed tapes. Nothing else.
the only time this is ok: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kqTcLwUYj8