[zane9]

All, almost five years ago a campaign was launched to ensure that true stereophonic recording not only survives but thrives. Information on Real Stereo can be found here:

http://www.tnt-audio.com/topics/realstereo_e.html.

A friend of mine designs and builds point-source speakers and has championed the cause of why stereo recordings are so important. But what seems lacking is access to a comprehensive music list (vinyl, CD for starters) for these kinds of recordings. I know there is a fair bit of classical music available, but there must be plenty of music in other genres. I would love to have some music that doesn't sound like a recording of a pa system.

So if anyone here would like to recommend any "real stereo" titles, please jump in  . Perhaps the list can grow right here.

[SET Man]

Hey!

  Here's one for you.



  Naim's "True Stereo"

  I'm not one of those Naim people but they did a very good job with this CD. Pretty much one pair of mic into a Nagar. Pretty amazing.

  I bought it to see what a simple and direct recording could sound. Also this should be a great demo disc for sure. Too bad I don't think they have this on vinyl LP

Take care,
Buddy

[zane9]

Thanks! That's what I'm looking for. That minimimalist 2-mic technique. Keep 'em coming, whether they have a "real stereo" moniker or not.

[jon_010101]

Most of the Mapleshade catalog was recorded with just a couple mics straight to tape.  Usually PZM boundary mics on a plexiglass wedge, but I think they also use Josephson condensers.  Some of their music is a bit iffy, but the recording quality is very natural, although perhaps a bit phase-y.

[jimdgoulding]

Water Lily.  Ma.  These are labels using the recording technique described above.  Opus 3 another.  Don't know about all of their releases.  All that I have heard, however. Cyndee Peters on Opus 3, if it's still available, is a revelation.

[zane9]

Opus 3 another. 

Thanks for the recommend. I have found Opus 3 and another label called Silence Records available at UHF Mag's online store:

http://www.uhfmag.com/AudiophileStore.html

Silence Records is described like this:

"This CD company is Canada's only explicitly audiophile label, featuring mostly gold discs of jazz and other music. All of them were made with just one microphone: the legendary Soundfield, in classic Blumlein format."

[zane9]

Thought I would update this thread. Whenever I can find the time, I continue to search for recordings made with the "real stereo" technique, and yesterday I believe I struck gold. Two companies emerged, and their catalogues look very interesting.

M-A Recordings. Their catalogue casts a wide net over many musical genres.

C.I.M.P. Records. Their catalogue has an avantgarde Jazz focus.

Both labels describe their recording techniques, and they have similar goals for the end results.

I'm looking forward to clicking the "Add to Cart" button and enjoying a selection or two from each company!

[HAL]

Older recordings that were made with Blumlein mics are probably the Mercury Living Presence series.   You might also check the early London Decca stereo recordings.

The RCA Living Stereo series used two or three spaced mics for stereo. 

[markC]

Holy Cole Trio - Girl Talk. From the liner notes: "Recoded live to two-track at the Stephen Leacock Theatre, Keswick, using a single Calrec Ambisonic microphone."
Keswick is only about 45 min. north east from me, but I've never been inside that theatre.
You sure can "hear" the venue on this recording.

[zane9]

Thanks, MarkC. I'll look for that one. HAL, looks like the Mercury Living Presence releases are still available. Not exactly my genre of music, but appreciate your posting it.

Now I just have to introduce my teenager son and his buddies to the power and beauty of minimal-miking, unmixed recordings. They all love music, but have no real clue about the rich history of recording.

[ted_b]

Cowboy Junkies "Whites Off Earth Now"s is a stunning and incredibly dynamic recording now available as a Hybrid SACD.  The redbook layer is incredible; the SACD sublime.  Recorded by Peter Moore on June 28, 1986 using a single Calrec Ambisonic microphone, then mastered without limiting.

[Russell Dawkins]

Older recordings that were made with Blumlein mics are probably the Mercury Living Presence series.   You might also check the early London Decca stereo recordings.

The RCA Living Stereo series used two or three spaced mics for stereo. 

Where did you read that Mercury Living Presence was recorded in the Blumlein configuration, Hal? This is news to me, as is the fact that RCA Living Stereo was recorded with three spaced mics - which the Mercurys were, according to my information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_Records
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/mercury.html (the complete story!)

Strictly speaking, and in my opinion, in terms of the solidity of the image generated (after all, the word "stereo" derives from the Greek "stereos" - "solid") no other technique approaches that of true Blumlein. I believe this is best done with ribbon, not condenser, microphones, with the sensing elements positioned as close as feasible to each other, as can only be done in a common case, like the Royer configuration:
http://www.royerlabs.com/SF-12.html