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In Reply to: In the US, you can buy a box set called "Glenn Gould Plays Bach - The Original Jacket Collection" posted by Christine Tham on February 13, 2007 at 13:48:03:
Aren't those still the very same SBM (20-bit "super bit mapping") transfers that the "original" Glenn Gould Edition issues in the early '90s were, just repackaged?I too LOVE the feel of these mini LP reissues, but am actually curious about the brand new DSD transfers they've made of the GG Bach recordings in Japan, and whether those might eventually come out in SACD as well (why not? how much more work is there to put it out as a 2-channel SACD, given that a DSD master would already be there, and 2-ch all you need if you're thinking of your Japanese buyers who aren't that into MC, preferring just good hi-fi).
Follow Ups:
*** Aren't those still the very same SBM (20-bit "super bit mapping") transfers that the "original" Glenn Gould Edition issues in the early '90s were, just repackaged? ***Hard to say. But then again, I don't think we are sure that the Japanese reissues are from DSD either.
And even if you use a DSD master, I suspect Sony would still use SBM.
Hi Christine,My enlightened guess is that those forthcoming reissues I was referring to will all be from DSD transfers, because:
1) It's an ongoing project of Sony's to preserve the tapes in its vaults with DSD, and they'd have to be mad not to prioritize their Glenn Gould possessions.
2)Some Glenn Gould DSD transfers have already come out in commercial releases, like the existing three SACD issues, the '55 Goldbergs (I have a Jpn transfer from year 2000), and the Preludes/Fughettas/Fugues that was issued just recently in the newly reinvigorated Great Performances series (which, like the Extended Performances or whatever, is the outlet channel also for other Sony/BMG treasures in DSD format these days, such as those perennial Walter, Szell, etc. recordings; but they also have DSD'd lots of stuff by other artists in their roster, or at least Sony Japan has - I have the Rostro/Rampal/Accardo/Stern Mozart quartets but there is much more out there).
So as far as the new Glenn Gould Bach reissues are concerned, I'm assuming these are all DSD, but hoping they'd turn into SACD as well.
I'm not entirely sure what this SBM process consists(-ed?) of (wasn't it also about interfaces, like the Philips Bitstream and DGG 4D/OIBP were?), but surely they won't be doing any new 20-bit transfers utilizing it. 20-bit is history by now.
By that same argument, we could also suppose that the lates 90s transfers may have also been sourced from DSD.Remember that Sony started archiving analog tapes into DSD long before Super Audio CD was released as a format.
As for SBM, it is not a method of doing 20-bit transfers. It is a noise shaping algorithm that supposedly gives the equivalent of 20bit resolution on CDs.
There's no dark magic involved, what typically happens with noise shaping is that noise from the audible range is shifted to high frequencies (typically above 16kHz) where it's less likely we can hear them.
Some people, however, with good hearing can still hear this noise. It comes across as "air" around the music, and some people actually like it. For example, I use to quite like the "air" that Apogee UV22 gives (a different noise shaping algorithm), but now I'm starting to get irritated by it - it's the same "air" on each and every recording.
So bottom line is that you don't record in SBM. It's a process that you apply when mastering, and the source can be either PCM or DSD.
Thanks, quite interesting and of course somewhat news to me (that DSD can be SBM mastered). Life is learning...When they started coming out, those "20-bit SBM" remasters really seemed like a real improvement to me, whereas now, with all the subsequent developments in recording technology and mastering methods, they sound merely constricted and lifeless in comparison. Almost scary to even think where we are headed next.
Check out this link, which compares the properties of different dithering/noise shaping algorithms.SBM was an early algorithm, and not as aggressive/effective as some of the newer ones. It's not bad, but I find tends to "flatten" the sound.
Of the ones I have personally used (in my own recordings), I initially really liked UV22HR, but now a bit sick of it. I also tried pow r1/r2/r3, but didn't like them. The one I'm currently using is Waves L3 Ultramaximizer. I wouldn't mind trying MegaBitMax (written by the author of the link below)
If you want to check out the various algorithms yourself, go to http://www.24-96.net/dither/ where you can download files encoded by various algorithms and try them out yourself. Waves L3 is not included in the shootout, which is a bit disappointing because I would have liked to see how it fares against the others.
hey - thanks a lot. my layman's curiosity has been much piqued by the hugely varying results one can hear between the different transfer technologies & processes. especially i'm left in major awe listening to what some japanese remastering engineers have accomplished - at times nothing short of a miraculous rebirth of an old love. i'll peruse with keen interest, then, and in any case learning is good. i'm too passive a consumer."[your] own recordings" is equally intriguing: you record, or are being recorded??
all the best,
*** "[your] own recordings" is equally intriguing: you record, or are being recorded?? ***Mainly the former. I'm a terrible musician, and haven't really recorded myself for a long time. I ended up doing my thesis on computer music primarily because I was so frustrated with my lack of talent but wanted to make music.
I have been recently playing around with Cubase and various VST instruments, and have recorded a few albums (primarily rearrangements of MIDI material I have found on the Internet). You are more than welcome to listen to them (just send me an email via the Asylum).
I have also done a few field recordings. For example, I recorded a taiko drum performance at a Japanese festival last year. I also have been transferring my LPs into digital.
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