The Tiptons - Surrounded By Horns

Stockfisch-Records starts with Direct Stream Digital (DSD) recordings. After the installation of the brand new SADiE DSD8 SACD-Mastering-System, we decided for an 8-channel DSD live-recording with this system. As "directcutable" musical partners for this project we were glad to meet "The Tiptons", a saxophone quartet from the USA. This Direct-Cut Super Audio CD will enable you to hear a 5.1 DSD surround mix as well as a DSD stereo mix on the SACD layer, and the 16-bit PCM stereo program on the hybrid layer, which guarantees downward compatibility. So this gives you the first ever opportunity of comparing a real DSD recording with the conventional CD format.

The Tiptons' blazing trail on this Live SACD virtually obliges one to turn the volume up loud at the risk of attracting complaints from the neighbors! From Seattle, Amy Denio, Jessica Lurie, Tobi Stone, Sue Orfield and Elizabeth Pupo-Walker are The Tiptons. Elements of swing, klezmer, big band, pop and Eastern European nuances interwoven with occasional strains of gypsy music are blended together to craft that ultimate, inimitable Tiptons' sound.

What is a DIRECT-CUT-SUPER-AUDIO-CD?

On the Super Audio CD (SACD) the sound is recorded in DSD (Direct Stream Digital) format. The sampling frequency (2.8224 MHz) is 64 times that of a traditional CD. Furthermore, DSD uses 1-bit quantization. With the aid of this technology an even broader frequency range (up to 100 kHz) and even greater dynamics (120 dB) can be achieved over the entire useful audio range.

Until now it was practically impossible to maintain the DSD format throughout the entire edit/mix/mastering sequence during production. This was because no system is yet available which permitted the necessary processing in the 1-bit format after a DSD recording. This meant that the unavoidable editing procedures such as gain leveling, mixing, cross-fades or even additional EQing or dynamics processing could be achieved only by downconverting to PCM format (i.e. the Pulse Code Modulation format of the traditional CD).

We first used our SADiE DSD8 system for the recording, processing and mastering of this DIRECT-CUT-SUPER-AUDIO-CD – which enabled us to forget about the limitations that had beset us to date: a brand-new system from the tradition-steeped British manufacturer of mastering equipment that allows simultaneous recording of 8 channels. The analogue signal from the microphone is converted at the input to DSD and is also maintained in DSD-Wide format with 2,8224 MHz throughout the processing stages already mentioned. The end result is then obtained in the SADiE DSD8 – the "cutting master" (AIT tape) – which is then transferred directly to an SACD glass master in the pressing plant.

This DIRECT-CUT-SUPER-AUDIO-CD will enable you to hear a 5.1 DSD surround mix as well as a DSD stereo mix on the SACD layer, and the 16-bit PCM stereo program on the hybrid layer which guarantees downward compatibility. So this gives you the first ever opportunity of comparing a real(!) DSD recording with the conventional CD format.

Features:
The following special recording equipment was used:
• DSD recording system SADiE DSD8
• 6 tube-microphones Neumann/Gefell UL-75 (limited 75)
• 2 microphones Neumann TLM-50
• Mic-preamp GRACE 801, USA
• B&W Nautilus-801 monitorspeakers
• ferromag mains-filter cable

Musicians:
The Tiptons:
Jessica Lurie, alto and tenor saxophone
Amy Denio, alto saxophone
Sue Orfield, tenor saxophone
Tobi Stone, baritone saxophone
Elizabeth Pupo-Walker, percussion

	1. The Penguin
	2. Calder's Circus
	3. Gypsy Wedding
	4. Sahel
	5. Vorrei dire due parole
	6. After Before
	7. Dreamsville
	8. 12 Days
	9. Crni Vlak (Black Train)

Total playing time, 49:20