10-30-10 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ Source Review

Figured I'd just get on this as it was a slow day at work today.  Plus, with all I've been hearing about this show, I was anxious to hear it.  Three sources available as of today (Tuesday, Nov. 2nd afternoon).  By the way, if you haven't voted yet, get off the computer, go to your precinct and do it.  I promise it won't hurt. 

Thanks, as always, to the tapers for making such incredible recordings and then turning around and giving them away so quickly after the show.  I remember waiting months after a show to get a tape and feeling that I was pretty darn special to have a 3rd or 4th gen recording. 

Source 1 (hereafter MK41 source)
Source: Schoeps mk41> KC5> M222> NT222> EAA PSP-2> 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 2 (hereafter Neuman source)
Source: Neumann km184's > Lunatec V3 > Canare Impedance Trans. > Apogee Wyde-EYE BNC Coaxial > Sound Devices 722t
Transfer: CF Card -> MacBook Pro OS X 10.6.4 (Wave Editor) -> FLAC
Location: OTS, DFC, stand @ 12.5 feet

Etree Source

Source 3 (hereafter Busman source)
Source: Busman Bsc1 (Hypers)>HYDRA silver Shorty XLR's>Fostex FR-2LE(Busman T-mod) @24/96
Location: OTs/ROC/POs
Transfer: CF Card>Wavelab 6.0(Resample and Dithering>CD Wave(tacking>TLH(flac 16 level 8)

Etree Source

Thanks to TeamDrink for the Picture

I had hoped that there would be more sources available by now, but it looks like this is what we have.  Luckily, there are some great sounding recordings to choose from here.

The Neuman source has the lowest levels of the three sources available.  There is great separation across the frequency spectrum.  There is nice tone even at lower frequencies, however the recording does sound a bit boomy, and in comparison to the other two sources can even be classified as bass-heavy. 

The Busman source isn't as strong this evening than it was on the 29th.  The high-end still sounds nice, but the bass is again less distinct at lower frequencies and is quite boomy.  However, it does sound pretty excellent when Gordon drops his bomb at the beginning of Tweeprise.  I'm quite sure the entire venue shook. 

Once again, the MK41 source is the best of the bunch.  Though not available in a 24 bit source for this evening (yet), it has great levels, great separation across the spectrum, nice tone on the bass, and a crisp high-end. 

Happy listening!