Chasing The Dragon Pure Reference Audiophile Demonstration Master Quality Reel to Reel Tape

Pure Reference Copy Master Tape

This Pure Reference Reel To Reel contains high-quality recordings as examples of 8 different types of tonal sounds including Swing Band, Saxophone, Harp, Soprano, Piano, Organ, Guitar, and Drum Kit.

The tracks on the reference demonstration tape have all been recorded with a pair of vintage valve U47 microphones in natural acoustics except for a few tracks which have been marked. Those were recorded Binaurally which can also be played on loudspeakers, therefore there are no compatibility issues. All of them have been recorded to the highest possible standard, hence the title "Reference Tape".

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
- No compression, limiting reverberation or equalization has been used
- 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. Big Band - Syd Lawrence Orchestra
"Hawaiian War Chant"

What better way to start our disc than with a live recording of the Syd Lawrence Orchestra playing Ted Heath's "Hawaiian War Chant"? The sheer jump factor of the orchestra playing this as their opening number was really great. Recorded with just 2 microphones.

2. Saxophone
"Improvisation" - David Graham

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

3. 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!

4. Soprano
“Durch Zärtlichkeit und Schmeicheln” - Mozart

The young award-winning soprano Daisy Brown is recorded here performing this wonderful piece.

5. Piano
"Sonata No 15" - Mozart

Performed here by Graham Blyth. There are many different ways of recording a piano. Here, Mike Valentine found the most involving approach was to use the Neumann Binaural Head. Although designed for headphone users, it provides a very natural, full sound of the piano on the loudspeakers as well.

6. Church Organ
"Toccata in D minor" - Bach

This great organ piece is probably one of the world's most loved. This Chasing The Dragon recording was made in Temple Church, London. A spaced pair of valve omnidirectional mics were used to capture the majesty of this performance and placed where you can see the white disc.

7. Guitar
"Prelude, Suite No. 1" - 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.

8. Drum Kit
Improvisation

The dynamic range of our studio drum recording should push your speakers to the limit! Producer and engineer Mike Valentine has used relatively few mics on Tim Horton's kit in an effort to present a more natural sound. Your system should sound pretty much as if you were standing in the studio on the day. Enjoy!

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.