General Information AIX Records

Dave Tull, a friend from our days at CSU Northridge and contributor to the Paul Smith DVD project, turned me on to Steve Huffsteter and his Big Band. An what a band it is! Thoughtful and innovative charts combined with outstanding musicianship and solos make this a new leap for AIX Records. I've been asked to apply our recording methodology to a band of this scope and am very glad that we finally were able to pull it off. Wes Dooley of Audio Engineering Associates provided 6 beautiful RCA type ribbon mics for this occaision and it makes all the difference on the saxes and especially the brass. Once again we employed lots of stereo pairs on the ensemble placed in a circle on the stage...you'll be amazed at the musical involvement and dynamic range.

About the Recording Approach This recording is NOT an attempt to "document" a live recording of a jazz quartet but instead an exploration of the creative process of making and recording music on videotape and using high-resolution digital audio recording equipment. AIX Records uses no EQ, dynamics processing or artificial reverberation...everything you hear is as the musicians played it. Both "audience" and "stage" 5.1 mixes and a PCM 96/24 bit stereo mix are included on the disc on the DVD-Video side. However, it is the DVD-Audio 96 kHz/24 bit tracks encoded with Meridian Lossless Packing [MLP] that elevates the listening experience well beyond a traditional CD or even a live event. You can chose to listen from the middle of ensemble and hear the sound of the instruments coming from all directions or place yourself in the "best seat in the house". The dynamic range and fidelity offered by the 96 kHz/24 Bit source recording makes this recording come to life.

About the Disc This DVD disc has two sides with digital data on them. One side, the DVD-Video side, contains the complete performances with multiple camera angle video, alternate mixes ["stage" and "audience"], DTS and Dolby Digital audio tracks and a comprehensive array of informational screens about the project and the performers. There are photos from the sessions and complete technical information about the recording.

About the DVD-Audio/Video Format The DVD-Video side also contains a variety of audio/video media including: complete session videos, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, rehearsals, comprehensive explanation of the DVD format [including DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and DVD-ROM], digital encoding methodologies [AC-3, DTS, PCM and MLP], instructions on how to setup your 5.1 channel surround system, test tones/channel IDs checks and demonstrations comparing stereo mixes to 5.1 mixes. Everything you want to know about DVD and 5.1 channel surround is on this disc. Availability: Usually ships within 2-3 Days


NOTE: Items are not refundable