The Magnificent Seven (1960)

1984 CBS/Fox Hi-Fi VHS: This sounds fantastic.

1989 MGM LaserDisc [ML101563]: Even better than the CBS/Fox VHS. More detail, slightly less hiss, a wider dynamic range. About as good as a mono soundtrack from 1960 can sound.

1994 MGM LaserDisc [ML104514]: The accompanying restoration notes state the following:

An exhaustive search for separate dialogue, music and effects elements was largely fruitless. It had been hoped that the famous musical score might have been recorded in stereo, though the feature has always been presented monaurally. This would permit remixing the feature with stereo music if separate dialogue and effects stems could be located. However, discussions with composer Elmer Bernstein verified that the music score had been recorded mono. Stems were unavailable in any case, so the stereo remix plan was abandoned. Mr. Bernstein was able to provide 1/4" audio tapes of the original music recordings. These recordings will be used to release a soundtrack compact disc of the film in the future.

For use in the film transfer, nothing more than the 35mm variable area optical soundtrack negative and a 17.5mm music and effects magnetic track could be found. Chace Productions in Burbank was retained to rejuvenate the audio. Using the Chace Optical Sound Processor™, the 35mm optical negative was transferred directly to digital hard disc storage. The Macintosh-based Sonic Solutions NoNoise system was then used to remove clicks, pop and tape hiss. Other audio problems, particularly at reel changes, were also addressed. The 17.5mm music and effects magnetic track was similarly improved. The opening main title music was replaced from the 1/4" audiotapes provided by Mr. Bernstein. Finally, the restored tracks were mixed to a new 35mm Dolby SR encode full-coat magnetic soundtrack, which was then used to layback the audio to the D-1 videotape masters.

So this is technically a new mono mix created from the dialogue and music/effects stems, with the opening music spliced in from elsewhere. It has strong noise reduction compared to the CBS/Fox tape and sounds muffled. Every subsequent release has a track derived from this 'restoration'.

2001 R1 MGM DVD - Special Edition: Like the '94 LD but with some light additional noise reduction during quiet moments.

2006 R1 MGM DVD - Collector's Edition: Like the '94 LD and the SE DVD but with marginally less noise reduction on music during some sequences.

2010 MGM Blu-ray: The mono track is like the SE DVD track but with more noise reduction and a treble bump. The 5.1 is similar fidelity-wise but is pitched 0.7 semitones too low.

6/11/2022: Added the 1994 MGM LaserDisc and the Collector's Edition DVD

5/10/2023: Added the 1989 MGM LaserDisc