10-09-10 Four Mile Canyon Benefit Trey & Mike

At this point (Monday, October 11th am) there are two different recordings available.
Source 1 (hereafter Neuman Source)
Source:  FOB/DFC > Neumann ak40's(NOS) > lc3 >
km100 > Aerco mp2 @ 23db > Sd 702 @ 24/48
Transfer: Cf Card > *Wavelab 6.0 > Resample/Uv 22Hr Dither >
Cd Wave > TLH > 16/44 FLAC (*Lowered Gain By -1db.)

Etree Source

Source 2 (hereafter Schoeps Source)
Source: Schoeps mk4v's(DINa)>kc5>m222>nt222>744t
Location: FOB/DFC
Transfer: 744t>CD Wave>Wavelab 5>Flac

Etree Source

The Schoeps source is only available as a download of the entire concert, while the Neuman source is available as strictly a Trey & Mike download.  The Leftover Salmon and String Cheese sets (with sit-ins by Page and Trey) are available separately.

First of all, thanks to the tapers for doing the work and making these recordings available so quickly after the show.  Both of these recordings are top notch with very subtle differences between them.  The Neuman source has slightly lower levels overall than the Schoeps source.  There is good separation between the guitar and bass on both recordings, with the Schoeps source having a bit more shimmer in the highs (which I like on the acoustic guitar) but this could be because the levels are hotter and thus is more noticeable at constant volume.  There is crowd noise evident on both of these recordings, which are both front of board.  There is a long lead-in to the first track on the Neuman source which is cut into a separate track on the Schoeps source.  The bass is a little bit better defined on the Schoeps source, but only marginally so.  It appears that the Schoeps have better bass response at extreme low frequencies, resulting in an overall better bass sound.  However, these differences are extremely minute.

Thus, I must give the nod to the Schoeps source, but both tapers are to be commended, they both sound excellent and you can't go wrong with either recording.


As an addendum, I compared the recordings of Leftover Salmon from both sources.  There are similar problems with each that I attribute to the house mix rather than the mics, particularly since they both suffer virtually identically.  The low end and mids are a muddy mess.  There is very little distinction between the kick drum and bass, and very little distinction between the guitar and mandolin while both are playing rhythm.  If the banjo didn't have such a distinct attack, I am sure it would be lost in the middle too.  The vocals are clear and distinct.  Overall, its a tape worth having if you are a fan of the band, but otherwise, I think the mix just isn't that good.