Wednesday, June 27, 2012

June 15, 2012 Bader Field, Atlantic City, NJ Sources Review

After a festival set at the 'roo, Phish took most of the next week off prior to what many believe was the real start of tour.  A three day, non-festival, stand at Bader Field in Atlantic City, NJ.  After a great start to tour in Worcester, there were high hopes for these shows and the first show did not disappoint.  Featuring a standout version of Birds of a Feather, as well as a classic Twist > Piper, this is a show to add to the collection.  There are 5 different sources available for this show.  I want to thank the tapers for recording this show and sharing it with the community.

Source 1 (hereafter AKG source)
Source: AKG392's(Right of SBD) -> Hydra Silver XLR's -> Edirol UA-5 (Oade warm mod) -> Microtrack II 24 bit @ 48 Khz
Location: Omnidirectional 39" separation, 75 HZ bass rolloff, Mics aimed at PA Stacks, approximately 12 ft high on stand.
Transfer: Microtrack II-> USB -> PC-> CD WAVE Editor -> Adobe Audition 3.0 16/44.1 conversion -> Flac Frontend

16 bit source
24 bit source



Source 2 (hereafter M934c source)
Source: Schoeps m934c> M221B> PS> Aeta PSP-3> SD 722 (@24bit/96kHz)
Location: FOB, DFC, DIN, 6' Stand, m934c/cardioid
Transfer: SD 722> Samplitude SE 9.1.1(dither/resample)> CDWave> flac(16/44.1)

16 bit source
24 bit source

 
Source 3 (hereafter MK21 source)
Source: Schoeps mk21> KC5> M222> NT222> Aeta PSP-3> SD 744t (@24bit/96kHz)
Location: FOB, DFC, DIN, 6' Stand, NOS
Transfer: SD 744t> Samplitude SE 9.1.1(dither/resample)> CDWave> flac(16/44.1)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter MK4v source)
Source: Schoeps Mk4v> KCY>Schoeps Vst 62IUg>Aeta PSP-3>Mytek 192 adc aes/spdif>R44(OCM)24/96
Location: FOB, DFC,Din, 6' Stand
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44>Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 5 (hereafter MK41v source)
Source: Schoeps MK41v(NOS)> Kcy > Sonosax SX-M2/LS2>R44(OCM)24/96
Location: FOB, DFC 6' Stand
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44>Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source



Phish - 6/15/12 "Birds Of A Feather > Back On The Train > Heavy Things" from Phish on Vimeo.

The AKG source has less separation than the M934c source and lacks in tonal clarity at the lowest frequencies.  Basically, it is not as crisp sounding as the Schoeps sources.

The M934c source gets my nod for recording of the evening.  The bass tone is excellent without being overpowering and the high-end is fantastic.  This recording has great tone and is well balanced from the lows to the highs.  I think this is a new set of mics for taylorc, I could be wrong about that, but he consistently produces great recordings and this one is no exception.  There is a fair amount of crowd noise, but it is not super distracting.

The MK21 source is also quite good. The companion source to the M934c, it just doesn't have the great highs of the M934c, though the bass is quite good, possibly a touch more rich than the M934c's.  However, at closer listen, I like the balance of the M934c's a bit better and definitely like the high-end more.

The MK4v is a very, very good recording.  The low-end has a bit more punch than the MK21 or M934c sources, but the levels are a bit lower and the highs don't sound as nice.

The MK41v, a companion source to the MK4v, sounds a bit distant and is quite bass heavy.

Happy listening!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

June 10, 2012 Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN Sources Review

With Phish just finishing a scorching two night run in Worcester prior to jetting off for Tennessee, it is not surprising that there weren't a great many tapers there for this show.  Many of you probably, like myself, saw this show on the webcast.  It certainly doesn't offer the jamming that the Worcester shows had, but it is fun in its own right and the Tweezer and Carini>Shafty are definitely worth the re-listen.  There are two different sources available for this show.  Thanks a lot for the tapers that captured this and shared it with the scene.


Source 1 (hereafter MK21 source)
Source: Schoeps mk21 > kcy > Sonosax SX-M2-LS2 > Sony M10 (24/48)
Location: NOS/FOB
Transfer: Micro SD > Sound Studio > xACT > .flac (16/44)

16 bit source
24 bit source




Source 2 (hereafter CK-1 source)
Source: Avantone CK-1 (cardoid) > Fostex FR-2LE (24/48)
Location: FOB/DFC; ~110' from stage; mics at ~ 9 feet
Transfer: CF > HDD > Wavelab 6.0 > CD WAVE > Trader's Little Helper

16 bit source



Phish - 6/10/12 "Carini > Shafty" from Phish on Vimeo.


The MK21 source is my pick for the best of the two.  The levels are excellent, the separation is very good, and the bass response is quite good as well.  There is minimal crowd noise, which can be a problem at a festival.  The mids are noticeably superior to the CK1 source and the low-end really hits well during "the note" at the beginning of Tweezer Reprise.

The CK1 source doesn't have the tight high-end of the MK21 source and the levels get a bit crunchy at times.  The recording is quite good, but with the level problems, I would pass on this and grab the MK21.

Happy listening!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

June 8, 2012 DCU Center, Worcester, MA Sources Review

After a scorching night one at Worcester, Phish continued to bring the heat in night two, with particular highlights in Set 1.  These two shows are definitely must listen Phish for all the real heads out there.  There are seven sources available for this show, many in both 16 and 24 bit audio.  I want to thank all the tapers that recorded these shows and shared them with the rest of us.  Thanks a lot guys!

Source 1 (hereafter MK22 source)
Source: Schoeps MK22>KC5>CMC6>Sonosax SX-R4(24bit/96khz)
Location: Mics were 40' from stage DFC FOB (21cm,110 degrees
Transfer: WAV>USB>Macbook Pro>Wave Editor(tracking,fades,add gain,resample(izotope)/dither(mbit+)to 16 bit/44.1k)>XAct(FLAC 8,ffp,fix sbe)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 2 (hereafter M200 source)
Source: Microtech Gefell m200 > Sonosax SX-M2 > Marantz PMD-661 w/ "Oade Concert Mod" (@ 24 bit / 96 kHz)
Location: Front of the taper's section, dead center
mics angled 90 degrees, spaced approximately 8 inches
Transfer: SDHC Card > Samplitude SE v9.1.1 (fades, track splits) > SoX 14.4.0 (resample to 44.1 kHz, dither to 16 bit) > FLAC v1.2.1 (Level 8)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 3 (hereafter MD441u source)
Source: Sennheiser MD441U > Edirol R4Pro ( Oade preamp mod ) @ 24/88.2
Location: pointed at PA array, OTS centered, 12.5 feet high.
Transfer: R4Pro > WaveBurner ( track on sector boundaries, fades, SRC, BDC ) > xACT ( to flac, and for tagging and checksums )

16 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter CCM4v source)
Source: Schoeps CCM4V'S(din)>Lunatec V2>Benchmark AD2K>
Sound Devices 722 (24/48)
Location: FOB/DFC/ Approximately 42' From Stage, 6' High
Transfer: Sound Devices 722>Sound Forge 9.0>CD Wave>flac(16)

16 bit source

Source 5 (hereafter DPA 4011 source)
Source: DPA 4011 > V3 Digital > R44 (24/96)
Location: DFC/DIN/8' high
Transfer: SDHC Card > Sound Forge Pro 10.0 (fades, Normalize, Izotope 5, resample iZotope 64-Bit SRC, dither iZotope MBIT+ Dither) > CD Wav (tracking) > TLH > Flac (level 8)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 6 (hereafter DPA 4023 source)
Source: DPA 4023>Sonosax SX-M2>Sound Devices 722 (24/96)
Location: ORTF/FOB/DFC 6' stand 40' from the stage
Transfer: 722>Firewire>Macbook>Sound Studio 3.6(fades, normalize peak, +gain, track)>
Wave Editor 1.5.7 (iZotope Resampler/MBIT+ Dither)> xACT 2.18(align on sector boundaries,encode, tag, fingerprint)>flac16 (level 8)
16 bit source
24 bit source


Source 7 (hereafter AKG source)
Source: AKG c480b/ck63 > Lunatec V3 Digital > Edirol R-44(24/96)
Location: PAS, OTS
Transfer: Wave > Sound Forge Pro 10.0(Fade,Track,Resample,Dither 16/44.1) > TLH > Flac

16 bit source



Phish - 6/8/12 "Character Zero" from Phish on Vimeo.

Once again, thanks to all the tapers.  If you are at a show, please be courteous around the tapers.  You don't want your drunk ramblings preserved for posterity do you? Thanks again!

The MK22 source has great levels, a fair amount of crowd noise, though not as much as the DPA 4023 source.  The bass response is quite nice, but on close inspection, is just not as good as the DPA 4023 source.  Notice the intro to Sand, on the DPA 4023 source, the bass is quite distinct and on this source, it just isn't quite up to that level.

The M200 source, just like the night before, is quite warm sounding, but lacks tonal clarity in the lowest frequencies.

The MD441u source is a very good sounding recording, probably the 3rd best of the night.  However, like most of the other tapes, it just doesn't have that crystal clear tone at the lowest frequencies that the DPA 4023 source has.

The CCM4v source is very boomy without much clarity in the lower registers.

The DPA 4011 source sounds a bit hollow in the mids, particularly compared to the MK22 and DPA 4023 sources.  The bass is also a bit boomy.

The DPA 4023 source is my pick for the night.  It has great levels, outstanding separation, and great tonal clarity throughout the frequency range.  The only downside of this recording is that the crowd noise is noticeably more than on the previous nights recording.

The AKG source doesn't have the excellent separation of the DPA 4023 source and the bass tone isn't as clear at the lowest frequencies.

Happy listening!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

June 7, 2012 DCU Center, Worcester, MA Sources Review

Hey Folks!
Sorry for the long delay between posts and the delay on getting started on this summer tour.  I was on vacation last week and this is my first chance to delve into this summer's madness.  And madness it was to start the tour off right.  The second set to this show has been rightly praised and you owe it to yourself to set aside the time to listen to the whole thing.  There are nine sources available for this night.  I want to thank all the tapers for taking the time to record the show and share it with the rest of us.

Source 1 (hereafter M200 source)
Source: Microtech Gefell m200 > Sonosax SX-M2 > Marantz PMD-661 w/ "Oade Concert Mod" (@ 24 bit / 96 kHz)
Location: Recorded from the front of the taper's section, dead center
mics angled 90 degrees, spaced approximately 8 inches
Transfer: SDHC Card > Samplitude SE v9.1.1 (fades, splice, track splits) > SoX 14.4.0 (resample to 44.1 kHz, dither to 16 bit) > FLAC v1.2.1 (Level 8)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 2 (hereafter CCM4v source)
Source: Schoeps CCM4V'S(din)>Lunatec V2>Benchmark AD2K>
Sound Devices 722 (24/48)
Location: FOB/DFC Approximately 45'From Stage, 6' High
Transfer: Sound Devices 722>Sound Forge 9.0>CD Wave>flac(16)

16 bit source

Source 3 (hereafter MD441u source)
Source: Sennheiser MD441U > Edirol R4Pro ( Oade preamp mod ) @ 24/88.2
Location: pointed at PA array, OTS centered, 12.5 feet high.
Transfer: R4Pro > WaveBurner ( track on sector boundaries, fades, SRC, BDC ) > xACT ( to flac, and for tagging and checksums )

16 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter MK22 source)
Source: Schoeps MK22>KC5>CMC6>Sonosax SXR4(24bit/96khz)
Location: Mics were 50' from stage DFC FOB (21cm,110 degrees)
Transfer: WAV>USB>Macbook Pro>Wave Editor(tracking,fades,add gain,resample(izotope)/dither(mbit+)to 16 bit/44.1k)>XAct(FLAC 8,ffp,fix sbe)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 5 (hereafter DPA 4023 source)
Source: DPA 4023>Sonosax SX-M2>Sound Devices 722 (24/96)
Location: Wide ORTF/FOB/DFC 6' stand 50' from the stage
Transfer: 722>Firewire>Macbook>Sound Studio 3.6(fades, normalize peak, +gain, track)>
Wave Editor 1.5.7 (iZotope Resampler/MBIT+ Dither)>
xACT 2.18(align on sector boundaries, encode, tag, fingerprint)>flac16 (level 8 )

16 bit source
                                                          24 bit source


Source 6 (hereafter DPA 4011 source)
Source: DPA 4011 > V3 Digital > R44 (24/96)
Location: DFC/DIN/9 1/2' high
Transfer: SDHC Card > Sound Forge Pro 10.0 (fades, Normalize, Izotope 5, resample iZotope 64-Bit SRC, dither iZotope MBIT+ Dither) > CD Wav (tracking) > TLH > Flac (level 8)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 7 (hereafter MG210 source)
Source: Microtech Gefell M210>V3>Edirol R-44(24/96)
Location: OTS
Transfer: Edirol R44 > USB > WaveLab 6 > CDWav 1.71 >Flac Frontend 1.7.1 (Level 8)

16 bit source

Source 8 (hereafter Schoeps Matrix)
Source: Schoeps mk41 + mk8 [m-s]> Vark KCY> Darktrain 30' KCY Extension Cable> Naiant Littlebox (onboard m-s conversion)> Sony m10 @ 24bit/96 kHz
Location: OTS, DFC, Clamped to Jason Sobel's stand.
Transfer: Dithered to 16bit via MBIT II and Resampled to 44.1kHz via iZotope

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 9 (hereafter Microtech Matrix)
Source 1: Microtech Gefell m210 (hypercardioid) > Edirol R-4 (Oade T mod) @ 24 bit / 48 kHz
Source 2: Microtech Gefell m270 (omni) > Edirol R-4 @ 24 bit / 48 kHz
Location: Recorded from the front of the taper's section, slightly right of center.
The m210's (hypercardioids) were in the "DIN" configuration
The m270's (omnis) were AB, spaced approximately 3 ft
Transfer: Edirol R-4 > USB > pc > Samplitude SE v9.1.1 (mix sources, fades, track splits) > SoX v14.4.0 (resample to 44.1 kHz, dither to 16 bit) > FLAC v1.2.1 (Level 8)

16 bit source
24 bit source



Phish - 6/7/12 "Buried Alive > Runaway Jim" from Phish on Vimeo.

Again, I'm terribly sorry about the delay.  I had hoped to have this up on Monday, but slow internet connection in my hotel room prevented that.  Then yesterday a construction crew tore out the cable to my house running under the street.  But, all that has been fixed and you can expect regular updates as the summer tour progresses.  I will be hitting Cincy this Friday and will be at the Creek next week, if you see me say hello.  And as always, look out for the tapers and give them your thanks when you see them.

The M200 source has lower levels than the MK22 or DPA sources and the bass response isn't nearly as good.  That said, as with most Geffell sources, it is nice and warm and sounds great on phones as well as speakers.  However, it is not, in my opinion, quite as good as the MK22 or DPA 4023 source.

The CCM4v source is also very warm sounding, but the bass is not as well defined down low as the DPA4023 or MK22 source.

The MD441u source is quite good, but like the M200 and CCM4v source, just doesn't have that great definition down low that I really like to hear.

The MK22 source is quite good.  The levels are excellent, the separation is fantastic and the response is full across the spectrum.  However, there is a slight tone difference between it and the DPA 4023 source and I just barely prefer the DPA source.  However, if you have already downloaded the MK22 source, there is really no reason to replace it.

The DPA 4023 source is my preferred source for this evening.  The sonic separation is fantastic, the bass is rich and well defined, and the levels are perfect.  There is a bit of crowd noise here, but to my ears, it adds rather than detracts.  You don't hear conversations, just the occasional Woot!

The DPA 4011 source has nice bass response, but is boomier than either the MK22 or DPA 4023 source.

The MG210, like the other Microtech sources, sounds quite good, it just lacks the bass clarity at the lowest frequencies.

The Schoeps Matrix is quite boomy sounding, like the bass tone knob was turned up.  The bass response is quite good, but the high-end just doesn't have the crispness of the MK22 or DPA 4023 sources.

The Microtech Matrix is also quite boomy and in this case, the bass is poorly defined as well.

Happy listening!