Super Audio CD mastering

In recent years, many changes have been made to the audio technology: the development of the conversion of sound pressure waves into storable digital formats has now become dramatically better. Larger word sizes, higher sampling rates and above all the current storage and readout techniques with significantly expanded capacities Requirements for new modern recordings.

SONY and PHILIPS went a really new way in 1999 and developed a new audio standard, which is fundamentally different from fixed-word pulse code modulation (PCM). ________________________________________

What is special about the Super Audio CD?

















On the Super Audio CD (SACD) the sound events are recorded in the DSD format (Direct Stream Digital). The sampling frequency is 64 times higher (64 × 44.1 kHz = 2.8224 MHz) for DSD than for a conventional CD. In addition, DSD is working on the 1-bit quantization. With this technology, an even wider frequency range (up to 100 kHz) and an even greater dynamic range (more than 120 dB) can be achieved over the entire audio range.

And the SACD has even more advantages: It can contain DSD stereo tracks and of course also multichannel formats like 5.1, 5.0, 4.0 without data reduction (sound as in the concert hall)!

In addition, the SACD offers the so-called hybrid layer : Here you can add the audio material as a conventional CD in a second layer. The SACD player can scan the two planes with the required laser wavelength. A further advantage: The CD layer located under the SACD layer contains the audio data in the format of the audio CD (16 bit, 44.1 kHz) and can therefore also be read by normal CD players or other CD drives. Furthermore, the SACD format can not be copied digitally.

Super Audio CD Mastering at Pauler Acoustics



SADiE DSD8 SACD mastering

For the pre-mastering of a super-audio CD, the same principles and procedures apply as in CD-PreMastering . After all, it is usually a music production. However, there are some important peculiarities that are important for the production of a SACD:

Of course, the audio material differs first of all in its format (Direct-Stream-Digital) from the compact disc. This is why you need special hardware for DSD mastering, in our studio we use the SADiE DSD8 system. Since the DSD8 is designed for 8 channels of direct-stream digital signal, we can process multichannel productions (5.1) as well as the corresponding stereo version (2.0) for the DSD layers of a SACD. For the arrangement and the levelling of the multichannel tracks there are some experience values and rules that we check during the mastering.

If the mixes are in the DSD or high-resolution format, we also take the correct down-sampling for the down-compatible hybrid layer and, if desired, create the CD premaster for the pressing. In addition, the use of (SA) CD text is prescribed for SACDs. This is also part of PreMastering.

Please contact us if you are interested in the topic Super Audio CD.

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The DIRECT-CUT-SUPER-AUDIO-CD



NEW at Pauler Acoustics / Stockfisch-Records: So far, a production that preserves the DSD format during the entire Edit / Mix / Mastering chain was virtually impossible. Because there was no system that allowed the necessary processing in 1-bit format after a DSD recording: Unavoidable editing such as, for example, level changes, diaphragm, crossfades or even additional EQing or dynamics processing were only a step back in the PCM level Pulse code modulation format, DXD).



The Tiptons: Live Recording with SADiE DSD8 at 3.3.2004 in Northeim

For the recording, editing and mastering of this DIRECT-CUT-SUPER-AUDIO-CD "surrounded by horns", we used our SADiE DSD8 system for the first time, forgetting the previous limitations: a special system from the traditional mastering manufacturer Equipment that allows you to record 8 channels simultaneously. The analogue microphone signal is converted at the input in DSD and is also kept at 2.8224 MHz in the mentioned postprocessings in the DSD format. The final result is the "Cutting Master" (AIT tape or UCMF) in the SADiE DSD8, which is transferred directly to a SACD glass master in the press.



The Tiptons

- SFR357.4039.2

This DIRECT-CUT-SUPER-AUDIO-CD is a combination of a 5.1-DSD surround mix and a DSD stereo mix on the SACD layer, the 16-bit PCM stereo program on the hybrid layer, which ensures downward compatibility , This gives you the opportunity to compare a real (!) DSD recording with the classic CD format.

6 tube microphones UM-75 from Neumann / Gefell and 2 Neumann TLM-50 took over the sound conversion. The arrangement during live recording can be found in the sketch. A GRACE mic-pre supplied the necessary line level to the SADiE DSD8 converters. On artificial reverb, we deliberately dispensed with, the 5.1 mix records the microphone positions distinctively and directly. The multichannel version sounds stunningly realistic and three-dimensional - the listener is " surrounded by horns ".