ABC Records released a blank opening tape
A Level 3 sound reality test by music critic Kobayashi
ABC (International) Records of China has attracted the attention of fans with its business of high sound quality simulation disc and two 38cm music tapes. It is such a company that began the sale of opening belts and related accessories. This time, the ABC brand will introduce three products: resin NAB HUB upper strap and aluminum upper strap for opening belt and No. 10 pulley. The tapes are supplied in RMG to HUB volumes, on ABC production discs (with a Scotch Type shape but only minor differences), in a specially made premium case. The standard sm911 STUDIO MASTER is priced at 13,000 yen excluding tax. The previous price is sm911 80 Aniversary (15,000 yen excluding tax). The sm900 80 Aniversary (25,000 yen excluding tax). At present, only one of the 7 tape has been announced, and other 2 models are likely to be added.
Band binder Near-pure accuracy
Floating with the unique atmosphere of professional aircraft
On the other hand, the resin upper band, the shape has a shadow of Revox style, but compared to Revox’s gray, ABC’s products are black. A few years ago, I bought a Revox replacement with the same type of product (origin is unknown). The outside diameter is very large and it took a lot of trouble to remove the installed tape. But this product may be the reason of relatively high precision, the operation feeling is almost the same as the Revox products. Moreover, the work of the aluminum upper belt is also very good, which is slightly thicker than the genuine one, but compared with the products started at the same time as the resin upper belt mentioned just now, it is still closer to the Revox(Studer) products. Install this aluminum upper strap, and immediately float the unique atmosphere of a professional machine.
Master tape 1
- Standard /SM911 STUDIO MASTER
- ─ A more realistic sound than DAT, which is a sound source. The test used the above four sources, in the sense that the conditions of the three tapes were consistent, first copied to DAT, and then copied and listened to.Under the gentle reverberations that make people feel a sense of silence, the high notes of the piano can feel a moderate amount of moisture and brilliance, and the finish of the cymbals can feel a delicate touch. Moreover, the human voice and each individual audio image have the thickness, the sound pressure of the bottom drum, etc., are truly reproduced. The sound and breath of the human voice are very real, and there is also a sense of temperature, but it is a natural expression that does not overemphasize the sense. The texture of the piano is also very good, and the pizzicato details of the piano touch bass seem to be more realistic than the DAT as a sound source.
─ Lee Ritenour’s bass and drum subwoos, the sound outline is not blurred, ensuring a very high resolution. “New World” has almost no deterioration of sound compared to the four tracks of 19cm, and the hiss is not noticeable. The sharp reverberations of the high notes in the ensemble are moderately suppressed, while the shadow and color of the string instruments are accurately characterized.
The bass and drum of Lee Ritenour are subwooded, and the outline of the sound is not blurred, ensuring a high resolution.
Name plate 2
- Advanced /SM 911 80th Anniversary
- - The resolution of the low frequency direction of the tone that can be obtained is also improvedCompared with ①, the output level of ② is slightly increased, and the SN ratio is also increased. The texture is less varied, accurately representing the quality of the sound source, resulting in a brighter tone, the wooden bass’s pizzicato core is very stable, and the bass string’s heavy reverberation seems to be closer to the live sound. In addition, the right hand of the piano is fast, and the touch keys of each sound are accurately and vividly reproduced, and the meaning communication between the piano and the bass can even be felt in the four-bar solo transformation.
In addition, the pedals, such as the cymbals, seem to be moving more smoothly, the snare drum and the Tom strike more vigorously, and the cymbals, etc., become more delicate.
“New World” echoes more thick, can feel the density, unimaginable from the copy of 4 trace 19cm sound source, the sense of freshness has been effectively improved, the luster and authenticity of the string instrument has also been increased. And the sense of scale of the sound field has also been improved, and the sound part configuration has become stable. Since “Lee Ritenour” is a recording at a high level in a certain sense, when using ①, the instantaneous sound of the bottom drum appears to be slightly restricted in some places, but the machine can play without problem. In addition, the resolution of the low frequency direction is also improved.
Name plate 3
- Top of the line /SM900 80th Anniversary
- ─ The density and vibrancy of the performance increase close to the sound quality of the master tape sourceThe level of ③ compared with ② is improved, and the SN ratio is also improved. The master tape of “Greensleeves” and “Smile” has a low recording level, but despite the reproduction, the increase in hiss is also slight and the difference between the source and the sound is minimal. The cymbal finish is also very delicate, the piano touch keys, details have been accurately reproduced, and the density and movement of the performance have also increased. “Smile” vividly reproduces the direct monitoring sound of the recording, and accurately portrays all the music sounds without pressure, so that the sound is very close to the source of the master tape. “New World” also has a very stable sound, and it even feels like a master tape that can be used directly for CD production. “Lee Ritenour,” on the other hand, the sound pressure of the bottom drum is extremely realistic, and the powerful prompt sound plays well. It can be imagined that if the analog master tape of this work exists, it must be very close to the sound heard this time. If the budget permits, I hope to use it as a master tape in my next CD recording.
Release time: 04-10-2022