Say Somethin' Remastered: Does a Remaster Sound Better?
By High-End Audio Products & Audio Equipment | PS Audio | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Comparisons
Paul McGowan remixed Gabriel Mervine's Say Somethin' on Octave's Pyramix workstation, adding two unreleased tracks. Here's how to judge the remaster against the original mix.
Quick answer
The remastered Say Somethin' is the version to start with if you want the most current presentation of the album, because Paul McGowan remixed it on Octave's Pyramix workstation and added two previously unreleased tracks. The original mix remains the reference if you already know it intimately and want to hear exactly what changed.
What the remaster actually changes
A remaster is not a new performance. The remastered Say Somethin' keeps Gabriel Mervine's playing and the album's core material, but Paul McGowan rebuilt the mix on Octave's Pyramix workstation. That means balances, depth, and the space around instruments can shift without the underlying takes changing.
The practical consequence is that you are comparing two presentations of the same music, not two different recordings. Judge the remaster on whether instruments sit more naturally in the room and whether the album's character survives the new balance, not on whether it sounds louder or more detailed at first listen.
The trade-off: more current sound versus your known reference
If you have lived with the original mix, your ears are calibrated to its specific balance. A remix can sound wrong at first even when it is technically cleaner, because your memory expects the old placement of instruments. Give the remaster a full listen before deciding.
If you are new to the album, you have no reference to defend, so the remaster is the simpler entry point. The risk is the opposite: you may prefer a version you never heard, and that is fine as long as you choose based on what your system reveals rather than on rarity.
Format and availability shape the comparison
The limited-edition SACD of Say Somethin' sold out quickly, and the vinyl demand led to a second pressing. That history matters because the remaster is not simply a digital file swap; the version you can actually buy depends on which format is in stock when you order.
The remastered edition is offered with a choice of format, so confirm the option you select before checkout. If you are comparing against an original pressing you already own, note that the remaster's availability does not guarantee the original will stay easy to find.
Remaster vs original: trade-offs to weigh
- If you want the current mix and bonus tracks: Choose Say Somethin' Remastered. It is the edition built on the Pyramix remix and it carries two previously unreleased tracks, so it gives you material the original does not. Check which format option you select, since the edition is sold with a format choice.
- If you already know the original mix by heart: Keep the original as your reference and audition the remaster as a separate listen. Do not expect the same instrument placement; the value is in hearing what the remix changes. A remix that sounds unfamiliar at first is not automatically worse.
- If you are buying for the first time: Start with the remaster unless you specifically collect original pressings. Without a reference, the remaster is the more complete package because of the added tracks. Availability is not guaranteed; the SACD sold out once and vinyl needed a second run.
Product facts
- Say Somethin' Remastered: Say Somethin' Remastered was remixed by Paul McGowan on Octave's new Pyramix workstation and includes two previously unreleased tracks. The new mix and bonus material give you a concrete reason to compare this edition against the original rather than assuming they are identical.
Say Somethin' Remastered
Who should choose which version
Best for
- Listeners who want the latest mix and the two previously unreleased tracks
- Newcomers to the album who have no original-mix reference to protect
Not for
- Collectors who specifically want the original mix as their only copy
- Buyers who need a guaranteed in-stock SACD, since the limited edition sold out
