Time for a change, time for a new millennia ! The supreme class-a discrete/vacuum tube program equalizer MILLENNIA NSEQ-2 has arrived at my studio to complement the SUMMIT PASSIVE EQP-200B. The so called "twin topology" unit got tubes, but where it really shines is its discrete operational mode. build like a tank to survive every coming new age mastering war, ehm... trend, there's a reason this one has found home in many world-class mastering studios, and that's ( - artificial pause - ) it's SOUND ! Yep, cat's out of the bag ;)) This is a straight "no color" unit, unbelievable transparent and clean but than delivering the biggest bottom, the smoothest angel like hi-end and super solid mids. I needed to change the internal jumper settings of the LAVRY DA10's output to unbalanced (pin2 hot) to match the input section of the NSEQ-2 wich was running pretty hot soundwise - but then... this unit IS running hot - like an atomic pile! link
Some new digital tools arrived recently at my place and after some extensive testing with all high-class software contenders i'm happy to announce 2 new tools in the arsenal: the PLPAREQ linear phase digital mastering eq by REFINED AUDIOMETRICS and the new ALGORITHMIX K-STEREO, invented by mastering guru BOB KATZ. The EQ is yet in an undecided battle with the ALGORITHMIX RED EQ, but since i was part of the beta testing of the plpareq some time ago i've some sympathy for this one. Anyway, the quality of both is stunning, leaving everything i know far behind - something that is actually hard to admit as it also kicks some of my former favourites out of the chain. I'm pretty sure that it's way more than the emperors new clothes... that class of eq changed my approach to mastering music quiet a bit ! The K-STEREO itself is not a stereo expander but an ambience refresher, one could say - can be very subtle to conceive but it opens up the dimension and depth of the track that you'll probably only miss when taking it out. It's really cool to regain some of the spaciousness lost when converting from 24/32bit to the 16bit resolution of CD. link
Well, it's been an intense week shooting out the winners of another D/A-converter pre-selection shootout by Mr. Guido Apke. on my table are the newly build DANGEROUS MUSIC DAC-ST converter by Chris Muth, the USB version of my beloved BENCHMARK DAC1 and the latest from DAN LAVRY, the LAVRYBLACK DA10. To my surprise the candidates do come with their own distinct character in sound, even when they all claim to be perfectly neutral by measurement. the DANGEROUS DAC-ST imparts a fantastic clear, dynamic sound while somewhat attenuateing the upper mid-range and cleaning-up the lower mids; this is really excellent for all sorts of brass and metal build instruments with a big WOW! factor, on the downside it can also bring up some sibilance and edginess in vocals. I love the BENCHMARK DAC1 for it's punch and felt neutrality on the almost every style of music. The LAVRY is excellent in sounding deep, wide and warm, the upper midrange sounds very smooth and clean due to less electronic induced distortion. The unit's just a BIG pleasure to listen thru - packed with a feature set you won't miss (switchable mono/stereo, polarity, 1db stepped level) the LAVRYBLACK DA10 definately stays in my studio for fully featured D/A conversion duties (and maybe because i already have a DAC1 for monitoring and an ADC1 for ... a/d) ! link
ARTISTS Bizmarkie, J.Rawls, MK2, Superrappin, Megashira, Kabuki, Karma, Einzelgaenger, Makai, Taxi, Motorcitysoul, Oscar, Watch Tv, IG Culture, Lootpack, Elektrostar, Venus Malone, Vikter Duplaix, Jazzanova, Rockers Hifi, Tyrell Cooper, Sofa Surfers, Spc, Jazz Con Bass, Marcus Worgull, Marschmellows, Miguel Ayala, Monophace, Ono Sendai, Pacific, Pentagon, Powaflex, Skill Squad, Tac, Studio Sticky, Robert Nacken, Otto Lamani, Pepita Project, Melinda, Spc, Venus Malone, Cleveland Watkiss, Jenna G., Honeymunch, Just One, Matthias Vogt Trio, Motorcitysoul, Jhelisa Anderson, Va Banque, Nekta, Nude, re:Jazz, Kenshiro, Metropolitan Jazz Affair, Native, Papadub, Phoneheads, Jeru The Damaja, Tikiman, Raphael Sebbag, Tom Freeman, Mop Mop, Aromabar, Lars Bartkuhn, Natalie Gardiner, Sergio Gobi, Kaye-Ree, Beatkonexion, Shureshotz, Skullboogey, Bodylight Soundservice, Velveteen, Daniel Myer, Architect, Lusty Zanzibar, Paramedroid, Tripletrouble, ZRK, Kai R Michel, Radio Utopia, Destroid, Pascal Hammer, Luya Cantaro, Groovelastig, Marina Zettl & Thomas Mauerhofer, ...
COMPILATIONS Nippon Connection - Exchanging Tracks, re:jazz re:mix, Der Frankfurt Sound, Actus Luxus, Spectrum Works - Evolution In Standard, Infracom! Family Compilation 01, Folky 1, Folky 2, Karma Modifications, Rapattack, Dj Kabuki: In The Know, Carhartt Elevator Sounds, Precision - High Performance Showdown, Edition Comp., Best Of Bollywood Ipod, Best Of Bollywood 2cd, Dilwale Dulhaniya, Motocitysoul Backup, Pasión Delinat, re-jazz:Electrified...
LABELS Infracom, Personal, Inpartmaint, Hitop, Static, Combination, Krushgrooves, Spectrum Works, Precision Breakbeat Research, Grooveattack, Wea, Zomba, Southern Sessions, Hard:Edged, Formation, Reinforced, Shadow, Shoreline, Sonar Kollektiv, Downbeat, Head To Toe, Irma, Polystar, Incoming!, Skunkrock Productions, Intercord, No U-Turn, Acid Jazz, Bmg, Streetbeat, Universal Music, S3, Warner Special Marketing, Shadow Records, Dialog, Wicked Wax, Wagram, Different Drummer, Compost, Advanced Biosystems, Thermal Recordings, Socio, Sony, Nebula, Quiet Force, Lacerba, Sony Home Entertainment, Smoking Drum, Electrolux, Sticky, Best Seven, Das Modular, Liquid V, Bingo, Knowledge Magazine, Innervisions, Peacelounge, Golden Delicious, Powershovel, Trackdonalds, V-Recordings, Huff, Farside, Barish, Bizzoza, Ant-Zen, Hymen, Brilliant, Scanner, Cracked Anegg, ...
ALBUM MIX ENGINEERING Makai:Millennium, Makai:Stealth, Megashira:Zero Hour, Megashira:At Last, Mk2:Prepare To Be Educated, Marschmellows:Reloaded, Marschmellows:Rebound, Marschmellows:Comprende, Kabuki:Signal To Noise, Matthias Vogt Trio:Changing Colours, re:jazz, re:jazz:Point Of View, re:jazz:Expansion, re:jazz - Live In Blue Note Yokohama, Kabuki:Warrior Soul, Megashira:Live, Plus Countless Singles And Ep's.