Restoring and Remastering are actually two separate processes.

'Restoring' usually refers to the process of eliminating clicks and ticks of a record (if in vinyl) and eliminating the turntable/needle noise caused by mostly friction of the needle against the vinyl recording, and the accompanying noise of the pick-up (cartridge) magnifying motor noise and other accompanying noises of the turntable itself. In many cases, 'noise' is simply wear of the record being played over and over again.

An interesting point is that in the pressings of recordings in the 33 1/3 LP era, there were predominantly two types of vinyl; 'A' grade and 'B' grade. 'A' grade vinyl was always reserved for major manufacturers (Capitol, A&M, Polydor, RCA, etc.). Most 'vanity' or 'custom' pressing houses received 'B' Grade vinyl, and as the Doukhobor recordings were manufactured by custom pressing companies, the vinyl was 'B' grade.

What that meant was, the vinyl used in custom recording on the most part was recycled vinyl - older unsold records that had been returned to the manufacturer and recycled. The recycled vinyl (though filtered) was re-melted, but often tiny/minute pieces of paper were embedded in the vinyl which led to ticks and clicks often heard in these recordings. 'Restoring' is a process by which these tick and clicks are identified by software, and either automatically or manually removed, along with overall noise removal. Restoring is also a means to reduce or remove the noise caused by extensive wear of the recording.

'Re-mastering' is the art of shaping and equalizing the sound of an old recording to make it acceptable and a pleasure to listen to in today's devices - whether it be an iPod, a home stereo system, a computer, or vehicle. Noticeably (especially in older records), recording equipment of yesteryear lacked the specs of today's modern equipment and without remastering, the soundtrack sounds 'shallow' in comparison to today's music. Frequencies in the lower bandwidth lacked, as did the upper frequencies. Besides volume adjustments, re-mastering addresses those frequency issues, making the recording more 'warm', fidelic, and pleasant to the ears.

Here are a couple of Before and After samples of old 78 RPM records we did to give you an idea of the mono-only, noisy record of before, and then the fully restored and remastered, stereo-imaged version, mixed part way into each sample.