Audiophile Analog Collection Volume 3 follows the popular Audiophile Analog Collection Vols. 1 & 2. It  comes another extraordinary selection of tracks from the analog archives. Beautifully remastered by 2xHD, Volume 3 features artists such as Jaco Pastorius, Ben Webster, Brian Torff, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frédéric Alarie, Didier Dumontier, Marie Saintonge, Robert Len and more!

This is a special compilation of analog audiophile recordings at their best, with an emphasis on execution and great sound. It is a must for the audiophile enthusiast.

The 2xHD Fusion Mastering System: In the constant evolution of its proprietary mastering process, 2xHD has progressed to a new phase called 2xHD FUSION, integrating the finest analog, with state-of-the-art digital technology.

The mastering chain consists of a selection of high-end vacuum tube equipment. For the recordings on this album, the original ¼” 15 ips NagraMaster curve, NAB or CCIR master tapes were played on a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired with OCC silver cable from the playback head direct to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier. The Nagra T, with its four direct drive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, has one of the best transports ever made. A custom-built carbon fiber head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2xHD FUSION to obtain a better resolution and 3D imaging.

The resulting signal is then transferred into high resolution formats by recording it in DXD using a custom 2xHD Technologies A to D converter. All analog and digital cables that are used are-state-of-the-art Siltech. The 2xHD FUSION mastering system is powered by a super capacitor power supply, using a new technology that lowers the digital noise found in the lowest level of the spectrum. A vacuum tube NAGRA HD DAC X is used as a reference digital playback converter to A and B with the original analog master tape, permitting the fusion of the warmth of analog with the refinement of digital.

Jaco Pastorius
Ben Webster
Brian Torff
Bucky Pizzarelli
Frédéric Alarie
Didier Dumontier
Marie Saintonge
Robert Len
John Geary
Josée Aidans
June In The Fields
Rachel Laurin

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With Mega Bass, Frederic Alarie and 2xHD seek to challenge your sound system in the low register, capturing the warmth of the second harmonics in pristine clarity. It is rare to find an album that truly emphasizes the Bass instrument. This release seeks to fully recognize the versatility of that instrument!

Tracks 2-9 of the album were recorded off-the-floor at St-Jean Baptiste Chapel in Montreal, Canada.  This Analog Recording was made on a quarter inch Nagra IV-S analog recorder in master eq curve, with no overdubs or editing. A single Fidelio stereo Tube microphone RL-1 was used in the Pure Blumlein microphone technique. It has been transferred to Stereo DXD and DSD by 2xHD Mastering.

Track 1, which features the legendary Octobass, was recorded at la Maison Symphonique de Montreal in the same fashion. The Octobass is the lowest-pitched and largest-sized instruments of the string family. At a height of almost 11.5 feet, this instrument produces extreme low bass extension harmonics: down to 20 Hz with a peak of 28 Hz.

Frédéric Alarie amazes by the color, depth, and audacity he puts forward in his work. As a musician, composer, or soloist, he constantly pushes the limits of both his own expression and of Jazz itself.

A member of the Lorraine Desmarais trio since 1993, he has recorded on 34 albums as an accompanist and soloist.  He has played on hundreds of other albums as a guest artist with several of these albums having received awards.

Frédéric Alarie, Bass – All Tracks
Eric Chapel, Octobass – Track 1
Michel Donato, Bass – Tracks 3 & 9
Normand Guilbault, Bass – Tracks 3 & 9
Norman Lachapelle, Bass – Tracks 3 & 9
Sylvain Provost, Guitar – Track 1
Cegep Marie-Victorin Choir directed by Yves-G. Préfontaine – Track 2
Mohammad Abdul Al-Khbyr, Trombone – Track 5
Andrew Homzy, Tuba – Track 5
Louis-Daniel Joly, Percussion – Track 5
Michel Lambert, Percussion – Track 8

The post Mega Bass (One Microphone Recording) appeared first on NativeDSD Music.

In 2016, the Frederic Alarie Quartet presented a concert dedicated to Alarie’s idol Scott LaFaro at the Montréal International Jazz Festival. Exceptionally, the International Society of Bassists (ISB), owner of LaFaro’s restored famous bass, lent the precious instrument to Alarie for this occasion. He was allowed to keep the bass for more performances, and he recorded the last track of this album in the studio with this celebrated instrument.

Jonathan Valin of The Absolute Sound: “Sounded truly wonderful—beautiful, majestic, and very full- range. I was particularly wowed by Fred’s tribute to Chet Baker, recorded with Neumann U67s, which had gorgeous timbre and realistic bite on trumpet.”

Frederic Alarie, Bass
John Roney, Piano
Ron DiLauro, Trumpet

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