Our stated goal is to bring the listener to the performance, to create the feeling the listener is in the presence of the musicians, in the space where the performance actually took place. In keeping with this goal, we will work with the replicators to ensure the highest quality pressings possible. However, our experience has been that even the best replicated discs do not sound exactly like the digital masters from which they are made. While the difference can be subtle, a slow burned CD-R does a better job of capturing the fine detail and focus of the original.
With this in mind, we have decided to offer our customers the option. For those who want the absolute highest quality CD possible (and whose players can play back a CD-R) we will make available a CD-R version, recorded one at a time, directly from the computer hard disk CD master.
NOTE: The benefits of the CD-R version pertain to playing the disk in real-time, in a CD player or transport. If you intend to extract the files to hard disk for use with a music server, there will be no advantage to the CD-R. You will attain the same performance at less expense with our CD pressing.
To take it another step up on the quality ladder, for some projects we will also offer DVD versions of our recordings. Since the originals are made using a high resolution recording system, we'll offer these as 24 bit, 96k sampled stereo audio on DVD. (Note this is not a reference to DVD-A discs, which require a special player. We are referring to ordinary DVD discs that will play in standard DVD players. Soundkeeper Recordings DVDs will utilize the stereo PCM tracks that have been part of the DVD-V standard from the beginning.) In this way, listeners can enjoy the full sonic benefits of our high resolution recording system.
Finally, the fourth format (for those whose DVD players can play back a DVD-R) will be a 24/96 DVD-R version, recorded one at a time, directly from the high resolution computer hard disk DVD master.
The DVD and DVD-R versions will not contain video other than a navigation menu. However, the discs do not require use of a video display and can be navigated just like a CD, using the front panel controls on the player or those on the remote.
NOTE: Our 24/96 DVD and DVD-R disks are in DVD-V (video) format and contain 24/96 stereo PCM audio. These are not DVD-ROM disks (they do not contain aif or wav files).
As an added bonus, the artwork with the first 50 copies of the CD-R and the first 50 copies of the DVD-R will be autographed by the artist.
Every Soundkeeper Recording might not be available in all four formats. Some may be initially offered in one or two formats, with the others being added if there is sufficient demand.
Yes. We have provided a Format Comparison page where you can audition the differences between 16/44 (the CD standard) and 24/96, the format we use for our high resolution releases.
When comparing the files, be sure your system is not performing any sort of resampling and/or dithering to either one. Some will by default, either upsample the 16/44 or downsample and dither the 24/96.
At Soundkeeper Recordings, we're interested in all styles of music. Once we find an artist whose music we enjoy, the next step is to ensure they can be recorded using the methods we employ.
All our recordings are done on location, live to stereo with no overdubs or mixes. All music must be original (unless it is in the public domain). Artists must be able to play live, without a public address system and without headphones. All takes are complete performances, balanced by the artist.
If you are a musical artist and are interested in Soundkeeper Recordings, please contact us via email, and we'll see if we can arrange an audition.