About True Stereo

Naim's True Stereo recording technique is derivative of simple stereo pair micking and is one of the most innovative in the book. Despite this though, it is one of the most challenging to get right and a great deal of attention to detail is required. Not only the relationship between bass and treble, but the balance of left and right, the instrumental mix itself and the prominent natural ambience are all factors that once to tape, cannot be tampered with or remixed, so the microphones and musicians must be placed with mathematical precision.

True Stereo is one of the most faithful techniques around and gives an honest, uncoloured interpretation of the music, making it perfect for instrumental or acoustic live studio performances. Frequently, natural ambiences like Churches or Concert Halls provide a richer, as-live, environment to set the instrumentation.

Part of the artistic edge of our True Stereo recordings in the realm of jazz, is that our acclaimed Chicago based engineer, Ken Christianson, sits back and captures the session, giving the artists the freedom to self-produce. In this approach there is liberty to record whatever material the artist feels comfortable with. No interference from the engineer, the label and not even a producer as such: Complete creative freedom.

 

Below, Ken Christianson talks about converting old analogue recordings into Naim Hi Definition audio.

"This is probably the ideal time to consider conversion of the old analogue tapes. There are two reasons for saying this;
a. the tapes are not too old so there is little print through or other magnetic degradation; and
b. the digital electronics required to convert the analog tapes have been developed to the point that we can exploit the full potential of the original sound that we captured on the original analogue Nagra tape recorder.

The original tapes were played back on the same machine that recorded them initially. The signal was then amplified via a Naim NAC 552 preamp. Careful level adjustment is critical; you have to ensure that you exploit the full 24 bit 96Khz recording potential without having any clipping. Each track was converted separately to ensure that this was the case. Naim Hi-Line signal cable was used throughout and all the other equipment was powered using Naim Power-Line mains cables.

Once converted to digital the resulting digital signals were imported into specialist studio editing software and the files were checked by play back on a high quality domestic sound system to ensure that no digital artifacts intrude or affect the recording in any way. As with all recording techniques you try to ensure you capture as much of the signal as possible as it can never be replaced later with tone controls or effects.

The result is files that sound as true to the original performance as possible and in many ways they outperform the original CD versions as the equipment used today, in particular the ATOD convertors, is of a higher standard. It will be interesting to hear what you think. We are delighted with the results and hope you enjoy listening to the recordings in Naim Label Hi Definition format."