CJ MARS | AUDIO RESTORATION & VINYL INDEPENDET RESEARCH
CJ MARS | AUDIO RESTORATION & VINYL INDEPENDET RESEARCH
Optimized audio for the physical medium.
Beyond standard mastering. I use advanced hybrid chains to bridge the gap between archival limitations and modern high-fidelity standards.
Surgical stem separation using advanced neural models. I extract clarity and isolate elements where others only find noise.
Specialized phase correlation and low-end mono-summing. Engineered to prevent stylus skipping and maximize dynamic range.
Authentic harmonic saturation through precise analog modeling of iconic Fairchild, Pultec, and vintage tape machines.
"A/B Comparison: Logic over Volume" Note: Both tracks have been loudness-matched for a fair comparison. Pay attention to the transient clarity and the 'space' between instruments that was lost in the over-compressed original.
RESTORATION CASE #01
Nirvana — Spank Thru (1985 Demo) (sample)
TASK Full Stem Reconstruction. Deep neural isolation and detailed drum stem separation. Performed a full re-mix of the entire track from scratch to achieve a modern professional balance.
RESULT 40% dynamic range increase. Crisp articulation of every drum hit while preserving the raw archival energy. Fully optimized for vinyl reissue.
Remaster
Daft Punk — Around the World (sample)
TASK Bass texture optimization and precise instrument separation. Removal of 90s digital harshness.
RESULT Deep "rubbery" bass and an immersive soundstage. Silky analog coloration tailored for high-end playback systems.
Remaster
Massive Attack — Teardrop (sample)
TASK Low-end mono-summing for vinyl cutting stability. Precision sibilance control and enhancement of vocal "body" and presence.
RESULT Perfect phase compatibility (<150Hz). Preservation of natural dynamics with high-end audiophile transparency.
Remaster
The Chemical Brothers — Block Rockin' Beats (sample)
TASK Advanced de-compression of the "brickwalled" digital original. Enhanced drum punch and neutralization of digital fatigue.
RESULT 45% dynamic range (Crest Factor) increase. Solid low-end foundation for loud dancefloor vinyl pressing.
Remaster
Scooter — How Much Is the Fish (sample)
TASK Reconstruction of an over-compressed 90s digital master. Neural transient recovery. Phase correction for stable low-end.
RESULT Powerful analog-style punch without digital fatigue. The track sounds massive and clean even at extreme club volumes.
Remaster
Jazz Archival Recording-Terrible blues (sample)
TASK Surgical removal of mechanical surface noise (hiss/crackle) and background hum without damaging brass and woodwind harmonics. High-frequency "air" restoration.
RESULT Clear instruments. Restored sense of presence previously lost to record wear and aging. Audiophile-grade archival quality.
Remaster
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THE ENGINEER Neural Precision Meets Analog Soul.
Serhii Makarenko | Audio Engineering & Analog Research
The Story Behind CJ MARS Audio From Electronic Production to Analog Precision.
CJ MARS Audio is an independent software research project by Serhii Makarenko, a musician, arranger, and producer whose life has been defined by the pulse of electronic music. For years, Serhii worked deep within the digital realm, crafting tracks and exploring the boundaries of modern sound. However, a new curiosity eventually took hold: the challenge of the analog transition.
The "Loudness War" vs. The Physical Groove In an era of aggressive mixing and extreme digital mastering, Serhii became fascinated by a specific problem: How do modern, "crushed" tracks actually behave when transferred to physical media? He began researching restoration and mastering physics for analog formats, driven by the need to see if a hyper-compressed modern mix could survive the physical limitations of a vinyl groove or a magnetic tape.
Creating the "Testing Stand" To answer these questions, Serhii didn't just want to guess—he wanted to measure. This led to the development of a professional-grade "testing stand" in software form.
What started as a personal research tool for high-accuracy physical simulations (RIAA/IEC standards) evolved into CJ MARS PMST. It is a bridge between the digital producer's desk and the mastering lathe, designed to visualize how sound truly lives on physical media.
A New Chapter in Austria Now based in Lower Austria, Serhii continues to develop these proprietary sensing engines as part of an ongoing R&D initiative. His background as a producer gives him a unique advantage: he understands the creative energy of a track, while his research provides the scientific rigor needed to preserve it for generations.
The Philosophy "I created PMST because I wanted a virtual microscope for my own masters. I wanted to see the wear, the saturation, and the physical response before the needle even touched the record. Today, I'm sharing this research tool with the global audio community to gather professional feedback and further refine the technology."
Connect with the Project By using PMST, you are supporting independent research born from a genuine love for music and a respect for analog history.
Contact for Professional Inquiries: cjsmars@gmail.com
I apply the proprietary PMST sensing technology to analyze and restore complex audio material as part of my ongoing research into analog physics. While the project is in its R&D phase, I am open to collaborative case studies and professional inquiries from engineers who require deep technical analysis of their masters.
Technical Restoration Focus I specialize in the non-linear reconstruction of audio damaged by digital clipping and aggressive limiting. My methodology effectively restores lost dynamic range and mitigates "de-clipping" artifacts.
Note on limitations: My research focus is on physical modeling accuracy. Please note that material with severe physical distortion, audible overdrive, or "burnt" signals (harsh fuzz) may have limited restoration potential due to the extent of the source data loss.
Submission Standards for Research Analysis
If you have audio material that requires high-accuracy restoration for a research case study, please follow these technical guidelines:
Format: WAV / AIFF (24-bit or 32-bit float).
Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz up to 192 kHz.
Headroom: -3dB to -6dB peaks.
Mix State: Dry mix (No limiters/clippers on the master bus).