June 18, 2011 Walnut Creek Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC Soures Review

Phish continued their final weekend of Summer Tour Leg 1 with another throw down in North Carolina. Featuring several bustouts and a standout version of Melt, the second show in a row in North Carolina didn't pack the jams of Charlotte, but is still a great concert. I want to thank all the tapers who got their recordings out to folks so quickly. Due to a reader's request, I have added a big thumbs up to my pick for the evening so those of you who don't want to read 2 paragraphs (looking at you mitch!) can quickly go to my pick.

Source 1 (hereafter MK4v source)
Source: Schoeps mk4v's(DIN)>kc5>m222>nt222>aeta psp-3>744t
Location: OTS
Transfer: 744t>CD Wave>Wavelab 5>Flac

16 bit source

Source 2 (hereafter Soundfield source)
Source: SoundField SPS200 > OadeCM R-44 @ 24/48
Location: hypercard(ish)/100º/ots/dfc/8'
Transfer: WaveEditor/SurroundZone > PeakPro > xACT > FLAC @ 16/44

16 bit source

Source 3 (hereafter Neumann source)
Source: Neumann ak40>lc3ka>km100>V3(aes/spdif)>(oade) R-44 (24/48)
Location: OTS
Transfer: sdhc>audacity>cdwave>tlh

16 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter CCM4 source)
Source:SchoepsCCM4(NOS)>sonosax sx-m2>R44(ocm) 24/96
Location: OTS
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44 >Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 5 (hereafter MK41>VMS5u>R44 source)
Source:Schoeps MK41(dina)>KCY>VMS5u>R44(ocm) 24/96
Location: OTS
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44 >Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 6 (hereafter MK41>SXM2/LS2 source)
Source: Schoeps mk41 (DINa) > kcy > Sonosax SX-M2/LS2 > Mytek 192 > Tascam HD-P2 (24/48)
Transfer: CF > Sound Studio > xACT > .flac (16/44)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 7 (hereafter Audix source)
Source: Audix m1280/HC > Lunatec V2 > (Oade Warm) PMD-661 (24/44.1)*
Location: OTS / DFC / Mics up 9 ft, DIN
Transfer: SDHC > WaveLab 6.0 > CD Wave > .flac (level 8)

16 bit source


Source 8 (hereafter MK41>VMS5u>661 source)
Source: Schoeps MK41 (DINa) > KCY > Schoeps VMS-5U > Mytek 192 > Marantz PMD-661 @ 96 kHz, 24 bit
Location: OTS: 1st row of section, DFC
Transfer: HDSC 8 GB card > Dell XPS m1730 internal card reader

16 bit source
24 bit source

Phish - 6/18/11 "Cars Trucks Buses" from Phish on Vimeo.

Yet again, there are some really great sources here and picking the best one proved difficult. All of the sources suffer from a chattier than usual crowd, though the quality of the recordings more than makes up for this.

the MK4v source is very good. The levels are a bit low compared to the Audix or MK41>661 source. The low-end is quite good, but it tends a bit to the boomy side, and just doesn't have the tightness of the 661 source.

The Soundfield soure has excellent levels, however the low-end just lacks the definition of the better sources, particularly at the lowest frequencies.

The Neumann source is probably the second best pull from the evening. The entire soundfield is covered quite well, however the bass could use a little more umph and the levels are relatively low, particularly compared to the Soundfield, Audix, or 661 sources.

The CCM4 source has an overall boomy effect without the great bass definition that you get from the 661 source.

The MK41>VMS5U>R44 source has relatively low bass levels, really the lowest of any of the recordings here. The high-mids do sound really good though, notice Fishman's work on the woodblocks, they just really sound good on this recording.

The MK41>SXM2 source has relatively low levels, though the bass is quite clear sounding. Just doesn't have the punch of the 661 source.

Just like in Charlotte, the Audix pull is really good. The levels start out distressingly low, but it quickly improves to one of the better levels of the night. The bass just doesn't have quite the definition and punch of the 661 source.

If you've read the rest of the review, its obvious that I think the MK41>VMS5U>661 source is the best sounding of the night. Once again, this source has great levels, just plain loud actually, and has excellent highs and lows. Mike's bass sounds fantastic and my sub kicks hard when I play this loud, just the way I like it.

Happy listening!