Chasing the Dragon Audiophile Demonstration Master Quality Reel to Reel Tape

Chasing The Dragon Copy Master Tape

Chasing the Dragon have become known as one of the leading producers of audiophile recordings. Following popular demand, they have released their original 'Chasing The Dragon' recording as a copy master tape which contains 16 tracks of pure joy!

Featuring selections from composers and musicians that include Vivaldi, Mozart, Ellington, Rachmaninoff, Verdi, and more, this 1/4" Master Tape Copy was created from the 30IPS 1/2" Running Masters at Air Studios.

The recording path has been made as simple as possible, and this will become clear when you play the album. The artists are performing right in front of you, between your loudspeakers.

Features:
- 1st Generation Reel to Reel Tape made from the Original Master Tape
- As close to the Original Master Reference Quality as possible
- 1/4" 15IPS CCIR
- Created from 30IPS 1/2" Running Masters at Air Studios
- CCIR/IEC Equalization
- Originally mastered at Air Studios London
- Created using ATR Magnetics Tape Stock
- Housed in a Heavy Duty Professional box
- Machines are connected with Zensati Seraphim Interconnect Cable for highest transfer quality
- Transferred and monitored by Chasing The Dragon Producer Mike Valentine

"Our tapes are always recorded from the original copy master, to give you the closest approach to the original recording."
- Mike & Francoise Valentine

Tracklist

1. Chamber Orchestra
"Concerto for 2 Mandolins" - Vivaldi

In the early 1950s Decca engineers were experimenting with stereo recording techniques. Using 3 omnidirectional Neumann M50 microphones, their system became known as the "Decca Tree". The same "Decca Tree" has been used here to capture Vivaldi's wonderful composition. This approach also re-creates the warmth of the monastery were it was recorded in Venice.

2. Cello (Interior)
"Cello Suite No 1" - Bach

In an English church, 3 M50's were set up to record cellist Justin Pearson performing Bach's Prelude. Between the mic, a Jecklin Disc was placed. This increased the separation of the spaced pair. The acoustics of the church are wonderful!

3. Cello (Exterior)
"Cello Suite No 1" - Bach

The same microphones, performer, cello and the same piece of music... but this time recorded outside in the graveyard! How important are acoustics? What would it sound like to be able to remove the church from the last recording? Compare the tracks to hear for yourself the results of this interesting experiment!

4. Soprano
“Durch Zärtlichkeit und Schmeicheln” - Mozart

5. Brass Ensemble
"Rondeau" - Mouret

Mouret's Rondeau is performed here by 5 musicians which were spread uniformly across the stage. From left to right are a trumpet, french horn, bass trombone, trombone and cornet. In a recording studio, each musician would probably have had their own microphone. Here the ensemble were captured in a real acoustic space using the "Decca Tree".

6. Orchestra
"Force of Destiny ~ finale" - Verdi

The acoustics of any concert hall are obviously very important. The space used here uses a great sounding combination of wood and stone. A great performance by the Ljubljana International Orchestra.

7. Jazz
"Caravan ~ finale" - Duke Ellington

Piano, bass, trumpet and drums provide the core of jazz bands all over the world. Recorded in a small club in Izmir Turkey, Duke Ellington's timeless piece provides all the musicians with an opportunity to perform their individual solos.

8. Harp
"Watching The Wheat"

Invented by Alan Blumlein in the 1930's this recording of a harp uses his "crossed pair" of figure 8 microphones. They are placed one on top of the other and stereo positioning can be accurately captured. The microphones are just as sensitive to the rear as to the front therefore a really good all round acoustic space should be used.

9. Saxophone
"Improvisation" - David Graham

Written and performed by saxophonist David Graham. No artificial reverberation has been added to the recording.

10. Soprano
"Agnus Dei" - Mozart

The young award-winning soprano Daisy Brown is recorded here in a large church performing this wonderful piece. The church organ provides a wonderful accompaniment to this piece.

11. Piano
"Improvisation" - Bruce Davidson

12. Piano
"Piano Concerto No 2 ~ finale" - Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff's ubiquitous piano concerto is performed by the YMSO and the pianist Konstantinos Destounis, who is only 22 years old!

13. Choir and Organ
Ave María

Chelmsford Cathedral in England has a wonderful organ, which in this recording is combined with their own choir. Just two M50 omnidirectional mics were used. Known as a "spaced pair" they are really successful at capturing the atmosphere of the church. The choir were placed in front of the organ and recorded at night to reduce traffic noise.

14. Harp
"Spanish Dance No 1" - Falla

Fall's lyrical music is played here by the young harpist Valeria Kurbatova. The track was recorded with a half-inch Studer, running at 30 inches per second. 50-year-old mics with a 25-year-old recorder!

15. Guitar
"Lute Suite No. 3" - Bach

Turkish guitar student Sinan Kursun performs Bach's Lute Suite in the ASSMM Concert Hall in Izmir Turkey. Two U47s were placed at the front of the stage to capture the ambience and another placed in front of the guitar. As the mics were recorded separately, it gave the opportunity of balancing the instrument within the acoustic space.

16. Chamber Orchestra
"Tarantella" - Sarasate

The "Decca Tree" has been used to record Sarasate's ravishing Tarantella. To reduce reflections from the windows in this Venetian monastery, 6 mattresses have been added. Mush to the amusement of the musicians! The "Decca Tree" is wonderful at capturing the should of the music and just as importantly, the acoustic space. 

Chasing The Dragon have become known as one of the leading producers of audiophile recordings. The UK label owned by Mike Valentine offers Direct Cut LPs. Audiophile LPs, CDs, and Master Tapes which will demonstrate the potential of your Hi-Fi system.

Chasing The Dragon's releases are so detailed, if you take the time to familiarise yourself with the subtleties of these reference-level recordings, the next time you make any changes, big or small, to your Hi-Fi system, the differences will be notable.