Sheffield Lab Direct to DIsk records Limited Edition

[jlv]

Hi all,

I found three of these records (vol 2,3 and 4) (Thelma Houston and Pressure cooker,Harry James and his big band, Lincoln Mayorga and distinguished colleagues)

The sound is impressive with dynamic!
Do you know these records and / or collection?
How many volumes have been released?

Do you know other companies specialized in direct to disk records?

Thanks for taking time to read and answer.

Best regards from south of france,

JLV

[jake]

The best one is Prokofiev ROMEO & JULIET with Leinsdorf conducting. There's so much sound pressure, it's like your pants legs are moving in the breeze.

[jlv]

The best one is Prokofiev ROMEO & JULIET with Leinsdorf conducting. There's so much sound pressure, it's like your pants legs are moving in the breeze.

Hi Jake,
I have the mercury (non direct to disk) Living Presence Stereo 35mm with the Minneapolis Symphony conducted by Skrowaczewski and it is also very powerful!

thanks for the tip.

best regards,

JLV

[sjam]

Hi, Direct to disc (D2D) recording was a way to get the best quality out of the medium that we all like on this site: vinyl. It was used in the seventies by Doug Sax and Lincoln Mayorga, who tried to find back the musical sound of the 78 records that were recorded without the use of tape machines. In my opinion the quality of these recordings they managed to make after a lot of failures is unsurpassed until the present day, but was proven to be to difficult and expensive. There were other labels using the same method as: Nautilus, Analogue Productions, Trend, Century, Groove Note, Salisbury, Umbrella and others. Some of these labels still produce D2D material and are still in stock and for sale. One of the biggest problems is the ability of the musicians today to preform the music in one take and as Walter Sear stated in an article in Stereophile (2005)the medium was: Too expensive, and the master should be plated within 12 hours of the session. And it's not realistic to expect the instruments to stay in tune through four movements. Direct to disc is too difficult.
You were lucky to find the discs you now have. I'm not really a fan of all the tracks on the records but the sound is great and tells you the possibilities of vinyl and your equipment. The one Sheffield record I like most is Dave Grusin Discovered again 'sheffield lab 5'.
Happy listenings,Sam

[jlv]

Thanks Sam for these informations.
After a nice home made cleaning and vacuuming, they are all pristine.
The Thelma Houston is really energetic!

All the best,

[JoeE SP9]

I have quite a few D2D LP's that I bought new. All D2D LP's were/are limited editions. With D2D two, three or more masters are cut live. You can only make so many stampers from a master disc. Stampers themselves have a limited life span. Each stamper can only press a finite number of LP's.

Some of the D2D's were reissued using the backup tapes as masters. The reissues sound very good but they don't sound as good as the D2D's. Many D2D's including several Sheffield Labs have been called some of the best sounding recordings ever made.

[chosenhandle]

I have several. King James is my favorite, but the Romeo/Juliet is certainly impressive. The thing I noticed about some of the titles, especially the King James is that the sound is spectacular, but the performances seem a bit "safe". Regardless, I still play them and really enjoy them.

[jake]

The only problem with the Sheffield series is none of the artists was recorded in their prime, none of the perormances are truly breath taking - but the sonics are.

[philbrown]

The only problem with the Sheffield series is none of the artists was recorded in their prime, none of the perormances are truly breath taking - but the sonics are.

The Thelma Huston record is pretty good.
The audience for these records was not strictly musical as evidenced by the cover of one which had a picture of Doug's Neumann/Scully setup.
Phil Brown

[KentT]

Phil,

What do I look for to identify one of your masterings? I want to make sure I own a few if I don't already. Yes, the lathe photo on the front cover of the first Sheffield Lab direct disk, S-9. Found one last Thursday in near mint condition for $1 along with a big collection. I bought many of the collection cheaply on the Saturday blowout sale. $1/bag or $5 shopping cart.

[philbrown]

Phil,

What do I look for to identify one of your masterings? I want to make sure I own a few if I don't already. Yes, the lathe photo on the front cover of the first Sheffield Lab direct disk, S-9. Found one last Thursday in near mint condition for $1 along with a big collection. I bought many of the collection cheaply on the Saturday blowout sale. $1/bag or $5 shopping cart.

There's a thread-Mastered by Phil Brown-which discusses some. I've got an incomplete list but credits are the best way.
Phil Brown