10-15-10 North Charleston Coliseum, Charletston, SC Source Review

Lots of sources to choose from here.  In addition to the 6 I am reviewing here, there are at least 2 24 bit sources of these that are also available, at least as of 10-16 in the evening. 

Source 1 (hereafter Neuman source)
Source: Neumann ak40's(dina)>lc3>km100>V3>722>@24/48
Location: FOB>DFC>50' from stage @ 6'
Transfer: 722>cd wave>wavelab(fades/resample)>trader's little helper>flac

Etree Source

Source 2 (hereafter MK41 source)
Source: Schoeps mk41> KC5> M222> NT222> Aeta PSP-3> SD 744t (@24bit/96kHz)
Location: OTS, DFC, 9' Stand, NOS
Transfer: SD 744t> Samplitude SE 9.1.1(dither/resample)> CDWave> flac(16/44.1)

Etree Source

Source 3 (hereafter MK4V source)
Source: Schoeps mk4v's(DINa)>kc5>m222>nt222>744t
Location: FOB/DFC
Transfer: 744t>CD Wave>Wavelab 5>Flac

Etree Source

Source 4 (hereafter DPA source)
Source: DPA 4023 (FOB, DFC, 6' up, DIN) > Sonosax SX-M2 > Edirol R44 (24/48)
Transfer: SDHC Card > PC > Wavelab 6 (Bass Rolloff, Fades, Resampled via resampler 192, MBIT+ Dither) > CD Wave > FLAC

Etree Source

Source 5 (hereafter AKG source)
Source: AKG 483 (OTS, DIN @ 10ft) > Oade m248 > Oade mod-SBM-1 > JB3 @ 44.1kHz
Transfer: JB3 > WaveLab > CD Wave > flac (6)

Etree Source

Source 5 (hereafter MK41+MK21 matrix, or just matrix source)
Source: schoeps mk41 (DINa)> KCY> Sonosax SX-M2 LS + mk21> KCY> vms5u> SD 744t (24/48) (suzzie till end mk41's only)
Location: DFC/OTS 10'
Transfer: SD 744t HD> Samplitude> cd wave editor> TLH

Etree Source

First of all, big thanks to all the tapers for making great recordings again.  If it weren't for the efforts of these tapers, and the amazing turn around times, it would be months or longer before we would get to hear these shows.  As it is, we only have to wait 1 day or so for multiple sources to show up.

The matrix source looks great on paper, but it has noticeably low levels and sounds pretty thin right from the start.  The highs are quite crisp, but there isn't really good bass response.  Further, at low frequencies, the bass becomes nothing but a thud with little to no tonal quality.  There is a lot of crowd noise.  The main thing noticeable about this recording is that it is really bright sounding.

The AKG source is probable the second best of the bunch.  The levels are really nice, but the bass has a little bit poorer response than the MK41 source and overall, the recording is a bit tinny.

The DPA source has lower levels and really rumbly sounding bass, however the bass does have a nice tone where it is clear.  Like the matrix, there is a lot of crowd noise. 

The MK4v source has a whole lot of crowd noise.  At times, it sounds like its underwater compared to the other sources.  The bass is very thuddy with very little tone at the lowest frequencies.

The Neuman source has low levels, particularly compared to the MK41 or AKG, again the bass is a bit thuddy, but it is noticeably better than the DPA, MK4V, or matrix source as far as tone is concerned, particularly down low.  Overall, a nice recording.

The MK41 source sounds the best to my ears.  The bass is very nice and distinct to the lowest frequencies.  There is nice separation amongst the instruments and the highs are very crisp.  There is a 24 bit version of this available and if you have the capabilities, this is what I would recommend.

Happy listening!