Consumer Electronic Show 2003

Classic Records Press Conference

  At the Classic Records digital press conference they discussed their support for DVD 24-bit/96kHz music (DAD music). With 45 titles available on the Classis Records label, they firmly feel that it is better than CD's 16-bit/44.1kHz signal. While the last five years we have seen amazing growth on the DVD front, it is well known that DVD has been the most accepted format in the history of consumer electronics. Now Classis Records is going to release music on the DVD-Audio universal discs. Because of DVD's flexibility, there can be both stereo and multi-channel (5.1) mixes. Classic Records has commissioned a special analog to digital converter that is battery powered to insure the highest of fidelity. Their first title, available in mid February, will be orchestral with female vocal. From the Vanguard label we have Song Of The Auvior. Michael Hobson played a few tracks from the upcoming title. The original master tape was in tree channels and Classis Records felt it best to keep the mix as faithfully as possible to the original stereo mix (from the original vinyl release).

While Classic Records are going to reframe from hokey rear surround effects as found on some re-releases, there are some titles that were recorded in quadraphonic, and therefore there is a way to make an appropriate surround playback. MLP lossless compression might be used on some titles, though if there is no compression needed it will not be used. There will also be video titles and audio-only titles released. Also, there will be the possibility of digitally outputting the signal for audio output. We are referring to 24-bit/192Hz signal processing as found in Madrigal, Meridian, Muse, etc. for stereo recording. More channels allow for various other approaches in how the data is encoded and kHz rate thereof.

We can expect titles from Pete Townsen, Allen Parsons, Vanguard titles and others. By the end of 2003 they plan on having a dozen titles available on the marketplace. Watermarking will not be used (yeah!).

 

Later in the day Classic Records had an analog press conference and talking all things vinyl. A new Jimmy Hendrix blue vinyl release will be pressed, with 2,000 total pressing numbers while it will also be available on standard black vinyl. Michael Hobson was discussing hat the groove guard, the slightly larger outer edge of some vinyl records, has sonic implementations. A new dye was tried and Classic Records feels that a fully flat record sounds better than those that have groove guard. The new vinyl profile will be called QUIEX SVP (Super Vinyl Profile).

 

All the Blue Note Signature series are on this new vinyl profile. All future pressing, when a popular title needs to pressed to replenish inventory, will also have this new vinyl structure. As usual, all pressing is done by RTI. VTA on turntables may need to be adjusted for these new, flat profile vinyl records. It is also claimed that these new pressing appear to sound louder. In fact there are 40 existing titles that are on this new vinyl profile.

 

The new title will be Roy Orbison Lonely And Blue. A "Golden Stereo" and monophonic version will be made available. The original was recorded in stereo, yet finding an original stereo version is extremely rare and can sell for upwards of $2,000. Classic Records also plans to release "Crying" in both monophonic and stereo versions. Other Roy Orbison titles to be released in the future are Crying, In Dreams, and Greatest Hits.

 

Another title coming soon is The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East. Yet more as they will be releasing Sanatana Shaman from the original 1-inch master tape. Lastly, Procol Harum including the song "Whiter Shade Of Pale". Interesting features in this title is that a special packaging will be made with one pressing in mono from original mono tapes that dopes not have the song "Whiter Shade Of Pale". A separate 33.3/45 rpm disc will have those titles. Classic Records decided to completely remaster to four track of Whiter Shade Of Pale into a new, stereo pressing.

 

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