Post by Cookie February 24, 2008 (31 of 36)
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FunkyMonkey said:
I look forward to the release, ESE or not. In my opinion, as great as ESE is, it's only a small part of quality recording. All the many other factors in high fidelity recordings are highly contributary. Nice to read that there will be no digital effects will be applied, for example - as SACD shoudl be for live recordings.
May I ask you another question, please? I have come to the conclusion that even for high-resolution music, downloads are the next best thing (to SACD's - in terms of practicality and availability). In your experience, are high-resolution, multi-channel (5.1) recordings a real possibility, and is there a more-or-less standard format that they do or will appear on? So far I can only find 2-channel high-res recordings in the main. Which is fine for now, but I prefer 5.1 and have a 5.1 set-up, so obviously I want more!
You are asking very good questions. With SACDs becoming hard to manufacture and even CD discs problematic for distribution and quality, high resolution downloads provide a very good solution. We are participating in a beta program that I will invite you and all the forum members interested, Since our last test, we have found a possible long term solution. The long term solution for DSD/SACD files exists, but it limited to the bandwidth and delivery of the customers computer.
5.1 files are available, but, there is not a good solution for a 'player' that plays the files. We can send DTS and with a sophisticated end user, they could have the files. It's not SACD quality, but still very good.
If the demand is there, the players will become available. We have been asking for a solution for 10 years now, but there is not enough interest to support it. We are hoping this is changing fast. As a 'content' provider, Blue Coast is committed to the best formats available, for now, that is still SACD. At the same time, we are preparing for the future.
About ESE.. Blue Coast Records was founded by myself and Jean Claude Reynaud as a producer's choice label. I have a reputation in acoustic and high quality recordings, but still, I was often frustrated with deadlines, budgets and artists or labels decisions on the music. The Blue Coast Collection was an opportunity for me to hand pick music and musicians and have an unlimited budget for the ultimate sound. It was an amazing experience and cost the price of a small house! LOL. No major record label would fund such a project.
I have over 400 other albums I've recorded for artists and labels (many audiophile labels) that sound very very very good and have merit. We hope to release some of those projects on through a different company so that our fans will always know the Blue Coast brand as a producer's label. There are some exciting plans coming soon!.
For your interest, last week Blue Coast Collection was featured in a forum out of France. Jean Claude also participated (because my French is not very good). I noticed they mentioned SA-CD.net and quoted a few things. The internet is amazing. I invite you to check it out.
Thanks, as always, for your enthusiasm and thoughtful questions,
Cookie
http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29877369&sid=3620182c40d2609e235006d82cd0fa2a
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Cookie said:
5.1 files are available, but, there is not a good solution for a 'player' that plays the files. We can send DTS and with a sophisticated end user, they could have the files. It's not SACD quality, but still very good.
Hi Cookie. Would that be DTS 96/24??
If so, can these files not be decoded using a receiver that bears the DTS logo, as used on DVD's?
Forgive me lack of experience in this format.
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FunkyMonkey said:
Hi Cookie. Would that be DTS 96/24??
If so, can these files not be decoded using a receiver that bears the DTS logo, as used on DVD's?
Forgive me lack of experience in this format.
I foound this on DTS website:
What is 96/24?
More recording is being done at a 96kHz sampling rate and at 24 bits. DTS has always had 24-bit capability, and DTS 96/24 adds the 96kHz capability. It is fully compatible with existing DTS decoders, which will output 96/24 tracks at 48kHz. DTS 96/24 is the only commercially-available system that:
provides 5.1 channels of 96/24 along with full-motion video on DVD-Video and DVD-Audio (video zone),
is compatible with all DVD-Video players, and
is accessible through the digital output.
This suggests that if Blue Coast Records release tracks as DTS 96/24, this could be fully taken advantage of by receivers that accept 96kHz (and above) signals. That is most mdoern receivers I beleive.
Here's another question, Cookie, Have you thought about lossless codecs for your releases, ultimately releasing Blu Ray discs? Or is cost an issue here in terms of licesnsing (of Blu Ray) and the discs themselves???
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Post by Cookie March 1, 2008 (34 of 36)
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FunkyMonkey said:
I foound this on DTS website:
What is 96/24?
More recording is being done at a 96kHz sampling rate and at 24 bits. DTS has always had 24-bit capability, and DTS 96/24 adds the 96kHz capability. It is fully compatible with existing DTS decoders, which will output 96/24 tracks at 48kHz. DTS 96/24 is the only commercially-available system that:
provides 5.1 channels of 96/24 along with full-motion video on DVD-Video and DVD-Audio (video zone),
is compatible with all DVD-Video players, and
is accessible through the digital output.
This suggests that if Blue Coast Records release tracks as DTS 96/24, this could be fully taken advantage of by receivers that accept 96kHz (and above) signals. That is most mdoern receivers I beleive.
Here's another question, Cookie, Have you thought about lossless codecs for your releases, ultimately releasing Blu Ray discs? Or is cost an issue here in terms of licesnsing (of Blu Ray) and the discs themselves???
Hello! Funny you should ask about Blu_Ray. We had done research years ago, but at the time, there was no solution. We are considering Blu_Ray again, but in my research (yesterday, actually) it seems that there is no authoring (mastering) facility for Blu-Ray audio. I contacted Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer supreme, on the advice of Gus Skinas --one of the early pioneers of DSD and SACD. These are two authorities on the subject. Bob said the equipment is crazy expensive and only Technicolor is authoring for Blu-Ray-- and only movies right now. No one is sure if an audio disc will ever appear.
Sony manufacturing is making the discs, if the authoring can be done. I have more calls to make.. who knows, you may be the first to hear on this forum and find out about music on Blu-Ray. I'm not interested in music videos, which are available.
I have been participating in a lively forum in France. They are not solely dedicated to SACD, but are passionate about sound and music. My co-producer participated, Jean Claude Reynaud, because his french is better than mine. Much of our process has been described there, if you are interested. I use a google translator, which is adequate to understand and a wonderful tool.
We were prompted to release an early version of our next release in cd quality downloads. The recording is of Art Lande, solo piano. You can audition samples of all the tracks as well. The SACD won't be available until May.
If you are interested in the downloads, the link is at the Home Cinema forum. We will post the link on our website next month.
http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=171591518#171591518
You have all been very kind to continue the discussion of our recording. Many thanks!
Cookie
Blue Coast Records
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Post by Cookie March 8, 2008 (35 of 36)
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Hello friends! We are now inviting our friends to download the new Blue Coast Records recording of Art Lande, solo piano. The SACD will not be available until late spring. This is an advance release and not available to the general public. This link does not appear on our website.
The downloads are in the wav format and at 16bit/44.1 for burning cd, if you choose. We don't recommend downloading unless you have a high speed internet connection. The files are large.
The recordings can be previewed at the web page. These recordings were made on a Steinway piano built in 1885. No compression, eq or reverb was added to enhance the sound. If you have any questions, please ask. We hope you enjoy the recording.
http://bluecoastrecords.com/bcrd2000.html
Thank you for your support of high quality recordings!
Cookie
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Post by Cookie July 20, 2008 (36 of 36)
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I just read the review of the Blue Coast Collection by "DSD" and I am quite amused by the negative reaction to not having drums on the recording and not having 'famous' musicians as well. With some homework about the recording (at the Blue Coast website), the reviewer would have read why we chose not to use drums and saved themselves the trouble of listening at all ;)
This was not a recording meant to satisfy everyone and clearly, "DSD" is not a fan of soft subtle music performed live and is in fact on a self described mission to rid the world of it. I thought the guidelines to writing a review was not to choose music you don't enjoy. Is "DSD" silly enough to believe all music requires drums?
I should suggest "DSD" not purchase and review the upcoming Art Lande solo piano recording. It doesn't have drums, either, and Art is probably not famous enough (after 25 recordings) and that I should have considered someone less talented but more known.
Thank you, "DSD" for providing the link so that others can listen to the samples of all the tracks before buying. I also suggest reading the article from Mix "Magazine on the website to understand why we recorded in such a manner and why the musicians were chosen.
I have been fortunate in my lifetime to have recorded Max Roach, Kenny Aronoff, Brain, Zakir Hussein, and many other of the top drummers in the world. Also great musicians like Charlie Haden, Vijay Iyer, Ralph Towner, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Abbey Lincoln, Lady Smith Black Mambazo, Tony Furtado, Tony Trischka, Buckethead, etc.
After my recording more than 400 releases of Jazz, Blues, Americana, Grundge, Reggae, Rock, Funk, HipHOP, fusion, Bluegrass, Country and International music of all kinds-- for my own label's first release, I chose to record solo and duo performances for the first Blue Coast Collection in order to service the E.S.E. technique in its early development. I also chose to honor those musicians who I knew without doubt could perform live (not always the case just because someone is famous) and were incredibly wonderful people. I've paid my dues as an engineer and producer. Blue Coast Collection was for me, it's true, and I loved every minute of the project.
"DSD", Thanks for the Ebay tip, too. If you'd like to buy the disc in bulk and sell it at the EBAY prices you're getting, contact us at the website.
And thanks, "DSD" for the high marks on sound!
Cookie
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