June 3, 2011 DTE Energy Music Center, Clarkston, MI Sources Review

Well folks, this is the first of an epic three night run through the Midwest.  This night features the "Disease Supreme", which is apparently a better title than A Love Disease, which by consensus sounds like an STD (thank you Mr. Miner).  There are 4 sources to choose from this evening.  I want to thank the tapers for recording this great concert and sharing it with all of us out here on the web.

Source 1 (hereafter MK4v source)
Source: Schoeps mk4v> KC5> M222> NT222> Aeta PSP-3> SD 744t (@24bit/96kHz)
Location: Section CTR6, Row FF, Seat 18, DFC, DIN, 7' Stand
Transfer: SD 744t> Samplitude SE 9.1.1(dither/resample)> CDWave> flac(16/44.1)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 2 (hereafter KM150 source)
Source: Neumann AK50/LC3/KM100 > Apogee Mini-Me > spdif > Edirol R-44 [24/48]
Location: OTS/centered, Section CTR6, Row FF, Seat 18, DINa config. @ 7' high
Transfer: SD card > Wavelab 6(fades,Crystal Resampler,UV22HR) > CDWave > TLH

16 bit source

Source 3 (hereafter SKM184 source)
Source: Neumann skm184>sd702>wav24/48
Location: OTS>8ft 
Transfer: cf>goldwave(dither resample 16/441)>cd wave>flac level 8

16 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter KM140 source)
Source: Neumann KM140 > Canare XLR's > Sonosax SX-M2 > Edirol R-44 [24/48]
Location: OTS/centered, Section CTR6, Row FF, Seat 18, NOS config. @ 7' high
Transfer: SD card > Wavelab 6(Pan Normalizer,fades,Crystal Resampler,UV22HR) > CDWave > TLH

16 bit source


Phish - 6/3/11 "Down With Disease" from Phish on Vimeo.

First of all, all 4 of these recordings are excellent.  I have to tip my hat to the tapers for making such excellent recordings.

The MK4v source is, once again, fantastic.  Great clarity and Mike is huge sounding.  However, in this case, it might be a bit too much Mike.  When you compare the source carefully against the KM150, you miss some of the nuances of the rest of the instruments because Mike is so in your face.  If you want lots of bass, go with this source, however, I don't think it's the best for this evening.

The KM150, like the MK4v source, has great definition up and down, nice punchy bass, and great mids too.  However, with just a touch less bass than the MK4v, the rest of the band really ends up shining, and to my ears, this makes for a better recording. The levels of Wolfman's start out noticeably low, but this is fixed within 20 or 30 seconds, maybe less.

The SKM184 source has a bit of a hollow sound in the midrange.  Other than that, there is great separation and nice definition, but the bass just doesn't really get my sub kicking.

The KM140 source is also nice and clear, but again, like the SKM184, just doesn't kick the sub like the MK4v or KM150.

Happy listening!