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Author Topic: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks  (Read 18479 times)

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aufmerksam

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #80 on: September 18, 2014, 05:51:48 PM »
I recently heard that when CD's came out, Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra was a constant test track because the dynamic range was so impressive (much like 1812 Overture). Is there a recommended recording of this?
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firev1

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #81 on: September 18, 2014, 07:05:32 PM »
From the Bakoon Products album,
1. On The Grass After School- lower end dacs tend to be muddy in between the notes, higher end DACs decays much faster.

2. Tokyo Tower for vocals

For testing how harsh something can sound, I use these tracks
3. Bright Stream - Nana Mizuki
4. Eternal Reality - fripSide

For the rest
5. Bad Horsie- Steve Vai, Alien Love Secrets. - I really enjoy the Ibanez tone and in general its not just this song but his other songs too, different amps and dacs tend to colour his guitar in their own way(can be a good or bad thing)

6. Ar Tonelico II Hymmnos Concerts (A game related soundtrack)

Basically nothing here is really reference but its more so simply because I really enjoy listening to them so I'm really familiar of how they sound on different systems.
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APP

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #82 on: October 04, 2014, 11:09:44 PM »
For sense of space, placement of instruments  and perfect sound-stage this has been my go to recording for the last 2 years:

http://www.soundliaison.com/

This one because I know it so well, I have listened to it for the last 35 years;


and this one when I want to check intensity and lower end interaction, bass and drums.
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Deep Funk

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #83 on: October 30, 2014, 01:10:45 PM »
If you can, keep an eye on old 12 inch mixes by original producers and from Japan.

I am seriously digging the dynamic range and stereo sound of Spandau Ballet's "The 12 Inch Mixes". Spandau Ballet made some superbly produced music, as good as Dire Straits.
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Azteca X

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #84 on: October 30, 2014, 01:57:25 PM »
Proud to be from Cincinnati! Yes, that recording is terrifying in its power.

Quote from: LFF on January 12, 2014, 03:45:33 AM
:)p2   


Very happy to see you guys enjoying my recommendations as well as others posted on here. Here is one for you....and it's often confused/wrongly attributed....


This one...



It seems everyone and their mother owns a copy of this. Almost every single time I get to hear the same story...goes something like this "This is THE TEST RECORD. It is famous/infamous for blowing up speakers since way back when. You NEED to hear it."


WRONG!


Why LFF? I'll tell you why. It is a mighty fine recording but THE TEST RECORD that's infamous for blowing speakers up is THIS VERSION: :boom:




I can see why people confuse them as they are both by Erich Kunzel BUT this earlier version is the famous recording released back in the late 70's that blew amps, speakers, and would make most vinyl carts jump off the record. It's this version that you NEED as a reference in terms of dynamics and low-end slam. :boom: Just wait until you hear the shots! However...remember....to turn the volume DOWN! You don't want to blow up your headphones do you? :-DD




Have fun scaring your neighbors.



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donunus

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #85 on: October 30, 2014, 02:27:36 PM »


This one sounds great
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MattTCG

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #86 on: October 30, 2014, 03:52:48 PM »
Until yesterday, I had never heard Paul McCartney: Unplugged. Wow!! Where has this been all my life? I'll thank a member here for it, if I can remember who posted it...
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dreamwhisper

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #87 on: November 16, 2014, 04:27:03 PM »
Abakus - That much close to the sun

the track California Sunshine has a close-mic'd guitar that can be bright and sharp in some setups



I used to use Radiohead - Paranoid Android a lot after hearing sibilance issues with a pair of DT880's in that track.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2014, 08:53:07 AM by dreamwhisper »
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kodeb

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #88 on: November 29, 2014, 01:19:34 AM »
I concur that the Graceland album from Paul Simon is aural delight.

I think Paul McCartney's Kisses on the Bottom album is also a masterpiece, sonically, in my humble opinion.

For something that should have sounded good but when listened to on a really good sound system/headphone, its flaws are laid bare, would be George Bensons - Tribute to Nat King Cole. - Great songs but the production lets it down.

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gjc11028

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Re: Reference Recordings / Test Tracks
« Reply #89 on: November 29, 2014, 12:40:41 PM »
A few I take with me when I go listen to different equipment

Jimmy Cobb quartet, Jazz in the key of blue
Clifford Jordan, live at Ethel's (has noise from the crowd so ignore if that bothers you)
Eric Bibb, good stuff (particularly tracks 4-6).
Alex de grassi and quique Cruz , tatamonk
Fairfield four, standing in the safety zone, "My God called me this morning".  Amazing vocals.  Do not stop at the first track which is a snipet from an old recording.  The rest of the songs are very well recorded. 
Sheila Jordan and harvie Swartz, very thought of two
Greg brown, further in (first two tracks in particular)
Quatuor mosaiques, Haydn string quartets, op 20 (although their other Haydn is just as good.  They use period instruments and the recording quality is suburb.  For modern instruments I would take the Jerusalem quartet Haydn string quartet vol. 2.

The Bibb and Fairfield four are religious music so avoid if that bothers you.
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