Trey Anastasio Band 2-23-11 Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA Sources Review

Wow! 7 sources available for this show a mere 36 hours after the show.  That is some serious dedication and effort by the tapers.  Thanks a ton guys!  By all accounts, this was a seriously hot show and there are some great sources to choose from.  In fact, between the final two, it's really a gut call.

Source 1 (hereafter MK41v source)
Source: Schoeps mk41v's(DINa)>kc5>m222>nt222>744t
Location: @ SBD/SLOC
Transfer: 744t>CD Wave>Wavelab 5>Flac

16 bit source

Source 2 (hereafter MK4 source)
Source: Schoeps MK4(DIN)> Nbox+ >Sony PCM-M10 From OTS

16 bit source

Source 3 (hereafter AKG 463 source)
Source: AKG C460Bs/CK 63-ULS (~70 hz roll off, DINAish)->Kind Kables->Naiant LittleBox->Segue Dogstar Silver-Clad Interconnect->Edirol R-09HR (24 bit/48 kHz)
Location: OTS LOC, on stand ~9'
Transfer: SDHC -> PC
Processing: Fade in, fade out, dithered to 16 bit, resampled to 44.1 kHz & tracking using SoundForge 9.0.
Conversion: FLAC frontend 1.7.1 used to align on sector boundaries and for Flac16 Conversion @ level 8

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter CCM4 source)
Source:SchoepsCCM4s>Grace Design Lunatec V3 aes/spdif>R44(Ocm)24/96
Location: @ SBD/SLOC
Transfer:SDHC> Audacity 16/44>Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 5 (hereafter MK41Vms5u source)
Source:Schoeps MK41>KCY>Vms5u>R44(OCM) 24/96
Location: @ SBD/SLOC
Transfer:SDHC> Audacity 16/44>Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 6 (hereafter FOB MK41v source)
Source: Schoeps mk41v (dina, fob) > kc5 > m222 > nt222 + mk5 (omni, 51cm split) >kc5 > cmc6 > lunatec V3 (analog out) > SD744T (24/96)
Location: FOB
Transfer: Wavelab 5 (matrix, fades, resample, dither UV22HR, tracking)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 7 (hereafter AKG CK93 source)
Source: AKG-CK93 > PS-2 > DEAD-20 > MARANTZ-PMD661
Transfer: MASTER > AUDACITY > CD WAVE > FLAC (LEVEL 8)

16 bit source

The MK41v source has a bit of low rumbling on the attack of Trey's acoustic.  It has noticeably less treble than either of the two AKG sources.  However, when Tony comes on, the bass response is very nice, except at the very lowest frequencies.  The bass is rich, but not over the top.  Even with the full band, the bass continues to be probably the nicest of any of the sources.  However, this source just seems to be missing something in the highs and mids that you get from the AKG 463 source.  If you want more bass though, go with this source. It is very, very good.


The MK4 source again doesn't have the nice highs like the AKGs during the acoustic part.  The crowd noise on this recording is very similar to all of the recordings.  The crowd was apparently much, much more respectful than at some of the other shows on this tour.  Perhaps playing on a Wednesday night had something to do with that?  The bass is not as potent as on the MK41v source, however the tone is still quite nice. 


The AKG 463 source has a really crisp sound on the acoustic, with much more treble than in any of the Schoeps sources.  The bass is a bit low when Tony comes out for the full band with Trey on acoustic portions.  However, once the full electric band is in effect, the bass is quite nice with good distinction all the way to the lowest frequencies.  The bass doesn't kick quite as hard as on the MK41v source, however the highs and mids are so nice that this is the recording I decided to go with.   Like I said above, if you really want to have that extra bass, by all means go with the MK41v source, its really good too.


The CCM4 source sounds really good with the acoustic, but like the other Schoeps sources, just doesn't have the treble response of the AKG sources.  During the full electric portions, the bass is full, but a little muddy at the lowest frequencies with more thud than tone, though not nearly as muddy as the AGK CK93 source.


The MK41Vms5u source (that's a mouthful!) has a nice guitar tone, right out front.  The bass doesn't have as much punch as the CCM4's, however it is not as muddy at the lowest frequencies as the CCM4's either.  This source just doesn't have the great high's and tight bottom of the AKG 463 or MK41v source.


The FOBMK41v source has the same low rumbling on the attack when Trey plays the acoustic.  The bass is quite muddy compared to any of the other sources.  At times the bass is just plain overwhelming.


The AKG CK93 source, like the other AKG source, has great treble response on the acoustic.  However, once the rest of the band comes in, there is a bit of a hollowness to the recording.  The bass is not as nice on this recording as on the other AKG or the MK41v. 


Like I said above, its really a toss up depending on your preferences between the AKG 463 and the MK41v, however, for my tastes, the AKG 463 edges it out because of the superior nature of the highs, even though it gives up a little bit on the low end.


Happy listening!