DMM: Direct Metal Mastering vinyl records - Pros, cons & test
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2019
- #DMM Direct Metal #Mastering is an old #vinyl record cutting technique that delivers unique sonic chracteristics. There are several pros but also some cons. Discover them in this video and listen to the test at the end with a couple tracks taken from the Black Sabbath album 'Master of Reality'.
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Download the high resolution versions (192Khz/24bit) of the test tracks (try to guess which is DMM and which is normal laquer and write your guess in the comments. Careful, these tracks for download are NOT in the same order of the video!):
- Versions 1:
my.pcloud.com/publink/show?co...
- Versions 2:
my.pcloud.com/publink/show?co...
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Video tracks info (SPOILER ALERT! don't read if you haven't watched the video!):
[Attention! The order of the following tracks is NOT the same of those for download]
'Orchid' Track A = DMM
'Orchid' Track B = Laquer
'Lord of this world' Track A = Laquer
'Lord of this world' Track B = DMM
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Looking for new DMM albums?
Start here: www.elusivedisc.com/Direct-Met... 
Видеоклипы
![Sean Rii, Karyon, Sharzkii - Taungule [My Love] (Official Music Video)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/eJoMuypbSzQ/mqdefault.jpg)
The test results and high resolution files for download are in the video description above!
Uhm....maybe its better if you download it! Sorry about that.
Check the video description!
definitively Version B is better ! and most probably it is DMM !
DMM was originally created for classical music because of soft passages and powerful transients and of course more room per side of an LP. Then this little thing called compact disc came out in 1983 and classical music through DMM out the window. Then in 1986 I took notice that record grooves on particular albums I bought had a more shinier and smoother surface then some other albums and I quickly learned that these were DMM pressings. They they were not advertised on the shrink wrap or anywhere on the cover. And just about every case the only way you can tell besides seeing the shiny surface was by looking in the dead wax and seeing the DMM words printed out. There were tons of LPS that were printed with DMM in the late 1980s. Some examples of these are: Def Leppard Hysteria, Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet, Kiss Crazy Nights, Metallica Master of Puppets, Rosanne Cash Kings Record Shop, Sting Nothing Like the Sun, Genesis Invisible Touch, Bruce Hornsby & the Range Scenes from the Southside, and Motley Crue Girls Girls Girls just to name a few. In most cases, DMM pressings sounded better. They seem to be a lot cleaner and smoother while unfortunately some sounded horrible. So DMM has been around for quite a while. Nothing new to me.😎🔊🎵
Thanks for sharing your experience!
The best sounding record I own is the 2013 reissue of Nirvana’s “In Utero”, which is DMM. Sourced from the tapes and remastered by Steve Albini. Amazing sound.
Thanks for sharing that!
ANA[DIA]LOG of course. Interestingly when it came out it had a giant DMM logo on the hype sticker, so I’m thinking maybe Albini himself insisted on it and wanted fans to know how it was made. Just a guess.
Discogs page link for anyone interested: www.discogs.com/Nirvana-In-Utero/release/4940893
DMM is recorded diectly WITHOUT mastertapes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pretty darn significant now since the Apollo fire! My guess is we start seeing a lot more DMM by the end of the year. Thanks for the great video
awesome video!!!
I recently bought a DMM 180gram virgin vinyl record from the Brubeck Quartet and I like it a lot! Interesting to hear about the process of creating these records!
I personally really dig the DMM recordings I own. I’m not sure about subsequent pressings, but my DMM copy of G n R’s “Appetite” LP sounds really good. I’ll have to take a look, as I own multiple copies, and you’ve got me very curious now in comparing them.
Thanks for another great vid!
Cool! Thanks Nick!
Have you ever done a shoot out? I have a German “320” and I wanna know if it’s better than the DMM Sterling press
sound very clear all about ...
For both 'Orchid' and 'Lord of this world' I prefered A. Maybe because of the differrences between the two songs. One may argue that the use of one technology over the other depends on what kind of texture we want to give to the sound.
I have a copy of a french edition of 'Adam's Apple' by Wayne Shorter in DMM from 1985. To me it sounds fantastic. The first time i listened to it i was unaware of the DMM technology used to make this record and i was impressed by the quality of the sound.
Thanks for the video!
I have a couple Miles Davis DMM albums from 1985, the things you mention are right on the money.
The highs are shrilled and there is no warmth to the recording. It almost sounds digital, as always hard
to put in words. For me on the first track B sounded like the DMM and on second track it was A that sounded like the DMM. Great Video, Thanks😎
1987 Hysteria from Def Leppard is the best example of point 6, since the vinyl version of that album fitting the 12 songs on a single disc for 62 minutes could only be achieved through DMM mastering.
I got two DMM albums for Christmas this year. Ella Fitzgerald. The Cole Porter Songbook and The Rodgers and Hart Songbook. Originally recorded in 1956 they were the first two albums that were released on Verve label. They were re-mastered in 2015 and 2017 by Wax Time Records (Spain?). Some people think that WTR are terrible, some think just the opposite. Well, I think they sound splendid. I seems as though Ella was singing to me. Miss Fitzgerald's back-up group is top-notch. "Sweets" Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Ted Nash, Barney Kessel, Alvin Stoller, Pete Candoli and so many others. If you like Ella Fitzgerald and the some of the great names in jazz, you won't go wrong.
My guess was right. In Orchid (track B) the guitar sounds more vivid, and I can understand why some would say it’s harsh. Not to me. I like it!
Thank you for the video, I learned something! To me it was always a little strange when Michael Fremer talked bad about DMM, I have some in my collection and to me they sound good, even very good. No echo, low noise, as you mentioned, so I like them. I liked the DMM files better and I just listened to my laptop speakers and was practicing guitar while listening. I work on my technic while watching videos because these routine is kind a boring and even then I was able to pick out the DMM and liked them more.
Thank you Wolfgang!
I preferred A for Orchid, and B for Lord Of This World. The others sounded brittle. Thanks for the info about DMM - I knew roughly what it was and knew that there are issues with some records with the brittle sound, but you've explained it all very well. Thank you!
Now I see that it was the DMMs that I preferred! I really thought it'd be the other way round.
Good job!
For the first song I preferred the 2nd take and for the second song I preferred the first take. I couldn't say whether or not the ones I liked were more like what the artist intended when they recorded it.
This is what I said before I checked the comments! I'm really surprised and delighted that there are so many others who came to the same conclusion! I must still have a decent ability to hear hifi even through my tinnitus!
All the recent rush reissues
Over the last decade are DMM
And sound incredible
In many albums that were cut using the DMM process I can tell that they are DMM just by looking at the grooves. The DMM grooves have a more bright and metallic look.
True! The grooves are more precise and in order creating a solid almost shiny pattern...
I have an original US copy of sonic youth "day dream nation" it has dmm masterdisk in the runout. It sounds awesome.
the version 1 sounds amazing than 2, the diference is notoruis because the second have grooves and electronic noise, very nice video.
I like the dmm sound even started hunting them in last few years tango in the night one of my fav dmm albums. As for harsh highs I haven't experienced that either but always find cd's to be harsh/tinny sound on the high end but I don't have a dac on cd player just hooked directly to same amp as turntable.
The harsh highs sometimes found on CDs are usually caused by instances of poor sound engineering.
First track: I liked B, second track I liked A
Most of the DMM that I am finding with today's records, where it clearly says DMM on the cover, is in bootlegs and public domain releases on labels like Wax Time. Records mastered from dubious sources. It's as if they use it to ensure confidence in buyers that it is a great sounding record when it is not, and to try to make it sound just a little bit better than the crap it is.
I think you may be right in a few cases...
B for Orchid & A for Lord Of This World. It seems if there's a lot going on...DMM is superior but for more sparse recordings, the standard process is better. As for DMM releases, I recall a number of releases under the WEA umbrella (especially if they were from bigger artists) were typically DMM...and they sounded just fine to my ears. My 1st press copy of The Cure's Disintegration was DMM and sounded WAY better than both my cassette & CD copies. I think it's because the sonic tone on that album is very..."wall of sound"...to me. Keep in mind too that cassette reproduction in 1989 was kinda "meh" and CD mastering at the time was essentially a flat mix with very little bottom end. The way you initially identified if it was standard or DMM on other labels was (as you mentioned) the hype sticker & DMM in the deadwax. I don't have this record anymore sadly....
I'm gonna check thru my son's records to see how many, if any, are DMM. I can easily check on discogs as I've catalogued based on deadwax info.
Quite a few mid to late 1980s LP's were DMM.
Yep, I guessed correct. First track, A was DMM, second track, B was DMM. I prefer DMM every time. I have no issues with DMM and can often guess correctly even when an 80s LP isn't labeled DMM.
Got both tracks right!
(With the assumption that DMM sounds better)
Wow DMM sounds good!!!!
Never heard of this format before ✌
I like your custom slipmat with your logo on it!
Being able to cut steeper/higher transients mean higher frequencies can be cut out.
Just imagine comparing a low frequency sine wave with a high frequency sine wave.
The flanks of the highest frequency sine wave are the steepest.
In electronics, it's often called slew rate, measured in volts per microsecond.
Given that DMM mastered records can produce higher frequencies, those will be more present as well, so that might explain why some people find treble to be too harsh.
But in my opinion it's just a manifestation of a wider frequency response, which is a good thing.
However, this electronic processing to make grooves less deep reduces the dynamic range, because less deep means less stylus movement (ie. lower amplitude/volume).
You mentioned that electroplating is not needed for DMM.
That makes DMM much more environmentally friendly, so you can put that on the positives list too :)
Because electroplating involves high volumes of environmentally harmful chemicals (mostly acids and alkalines).
I agree all the way!
Interesting points
The DMM version of the Beatles "white" album is still my favorite version.
Thanks so much for this video, it is much appreciated, as I've wondered what DMM was all about. I have a DMM copy of Powermad's Absolute Power, and yes, the high-end notes are slightly harsh/too bright...but I didn't know if that is because of the DMM, or because of the mix on the album. Perhaps a bit of both?
Regarding the Sabbath examples, for Orchid, Track B wins easily, and I'm guessing it's the DMM? I could hear the acoustic picking much more clearly. But for Lord of This World, frankly I couldn't really hear much difference at all between the two tracks. Maybe because it's power chords and percussion instead of just acoustic guitar?
I liked more the "B" versions of both tracks.
I literally saw a reissue today at the record store that had DMM on the back, I said “what the hell is a DMM” and I went on with my dad. And I just saw this in my subscription feed haha what a coincidence.
Amazing!!
I support both DMM and half speed. So weighing up the 7 pros and 2 cons, the cons are insignificant. I have many LPs using both types of mastering, and I am happy with either. All records are generally high quality anyway, regardless of the system that's been used.
Unless it's a cheap POS like a Crosley or something in that vein.
That said I believe (assuming this hasn't been done yet) using DMM and mastering at half speed together would sound even better when pressed on a regular vinyl than with just a lacquer or a lacquer mastered a half speed would alone. As for the harshness of the highs and treble (assuming it hasn't been mentioned or has already done yet either), one way to counteract this could be by increasing the bass during the mastering process to double what the treble is. If I'm right then theoretically speaking the boost in bass during the DMM process should smooth out the harshness while still retaining all of the highs.
Now granted I'm no vinyl expert by any means but based on the info I've seen, doing that would make the most sense to me from an audio and technical perspective.
I only have a couple of DMM pressings, but both definitely have near 💿 clarity. You have to use headphones and turn up the volume to hear any significant surface noise.
The two I have are a six LP boxset of Mozart chamber music recorded (digitally) in 1986. It’s super quiet.
The other is a German white vinyl pressing of the Beatles White Album, which was used and so had some surface noise, but was otherwise a great sounding pressing.
I love em! The only problem I have with it is that if you get some that are worn with play, it can sound a bit "buzzy" sounding! But under any other circumstances they sound better than laquar (in my opinion), most seem to be cut "hotter" as well! When there in good shape it's almost like listening directly from the tape! I prefer B
What you're describing seems an accentuated treble, like when you play a Dolby cassette without Dolby turned on...in some cases it may apparently seem better but it isn't and it gives listening fatigue...
I've got 2 Depeche Mode germany pressing albums
Which is Some Great Reward 1984 and Black Celebration 1986
Both of them on grey colored vinyl and DMM
Also I've heard normal black original UK pressing and my Germany versions with DMM sound better for me
So thanks for good video, cheers from Russia
Pausing the video here after the samples to leave a comment. Wow... there is almost *NO* surface noise to Orchid Track A - that has to be the cleanest record I've ever heard. The difference between A and B there were night and day to me. For Lord of This World, I think B sounds better, but the style of music and the recording engineering choices made that one less obvious. Curious to know what the reveal is, but based on the technical aspects you went over at the beginning of the video, I'd say the ones that are better sounding to my ears are DMM!
Edit: I was right! Nice!
Music on Vinyl does almost exclusively DMM, as does GZ Vinyl when cut in house.
Thanks for sharing that!
@@anadialog Both outfits also have a very assembly line process of doing things, which is why the results are often mediocre to poor. Give a great mastering engineer great sources (ideally tape) and a DMM lathe and the results will be quite different. Abbey Road has a DMM lathe but I think only one or two of the engineers there use it regularly. Nowadays DMM is what labels do to cut corners - just send some files off to GZ.
Hi,
Are there any DMM records you can advice to buy?
Thanks a lot.
I think you are right, the only DMM mastering facilities I'm aware of are in Europe, mostly Germany but also one in Netherlands as well as Abbey Road. The last one in the US was sold to the Scientologists for their private use, and I don't know about Asia (I don't know of any, but might simply be ignorant of them).
As for me, tracks A are from DMM - high frequencies are more hearable, the sound is more precise. In my opinion - it sounds better, more real, we have much less noise and scratches. Acoustic guitar sounds more real, strings are really metal-sounding. In this type of music - that’s ok. But what about classic, blues? Maybe it will be too much of high frequencies? And what type of cartridge was it?
Ahh, you’ve confused me 😏 I thought, that both A tracks are from DMM. But I was wrong with second one. The first version from second track sounds better, as for me. It means that there is no answer, what is better! Thx for interesting video. Did you think about making video with your thoughts about cartridges - which you prefer and think are the best?
I have a UK Beatles White Album from the 90s which was cut from a digital file to DMM. What may put off some collectors is the source: digital, rather than analog tapes, and due to this, the resale price on Discogs is medium-low, as compared to analog pressings from earlier times, even at "G" condition. However, when I played the records last week, they sounded clear and clean. Some may miss the "warmth" of old analog but with a little play from the tone controls, one can achieve more or less the desired effect. The bottom line is, DMM is an improvement over a traditional lacquer cut, but it may not be suited for all types of music.
I liked the first examples more, though not a lot in it. I have only one DMM record, a jazz disc I got in a charity shop, I like it very much, superior than all the other records I have.
I have 1 sctual DMM record. It sounds just so much better than any other record I own. It's almost dead silent between tracks
very interesting video! Did you come across Stockfish records cooper DMM plates? They are very expensive but people say the sound quality is superb.
Thanks! I actually asked if I could barrow one or two for a video. They said yes but then nothing happened…
@@anadialog i watched one russian blogger Valeron with subtitles. He had pretty sophisticated set up. He tested a few records and I understood he was shocked with the quality. Although the list of available records is pretty small. He managed to borrow it from some crazy russian ))
DMM is intended for best possible reproduction, that only appeals to people who like haptics, but not to those who like vinyl sound. However, all (including CD) mastering experts should know how to use the treble control and de-esser correctly.
On the first track A was more edgy and crisp filled with plenty of details concerning the guitar sound. Even the string buzz that occured in the left speaker was more obvious but..... in a bad way. As for B, it was more rounded and sweet in middle frequency area, but not so detailed. It reminded me classic vinyl sound...
On the second track A was like B of the first track and the opposite. In this track, it is more clear that high frequencies and dynamics are more raised in B case, but not in such bad way as in the first track.
Nice analysis!
Thank you!
I only have two dmm records in my collection: Taco - After Eight
Heart - Bad Animals
Late to the game but doing some research after hearing news of big fire at lacquer plant Apollo/Transco. In regards to the test, I preferred 1-A and 2-B; which I see from your key are both the DMM tracks.
first track B, second track A. I immediately tried to like second track B assuming As represent the same record but just different tracks )) thank god u tricked us )) the difference is noticeable. Non dmm version sound more analog I would say or at least I simply like it more. thanks for the story
On the first track A & B on the second track are vinyl (Non DMM). Still preferred, if I'm correct.
Track B on both songs to me was more "boomy"
same here on that one
Same
Hola, muy buena explicación.
I think that track B of the first test has a dynamic compressor applied, the sound is more powerful at all frequencies, this makes me think that it is the 2015 version and not the DMM.
Sería interesante saber con qué cartucho has hecho la prueba.
I have some copies bought in the 80's and I notice less distortion and surface noise. The "echo" is not, with normal versions it becomes annoying, especially in jazz or classical music with soft passages.
Aquí tengo un ejemplo con uno de mis discos DMM...el sonido es muy bueno:
ruclips.net/video/zgASIYKHUiM/видео.html
Good job!
Can the better transience stop the problem of the head jumping on sudden frequency spikes?
Actually it will increase that...if present! As for real sound...
Hi. I do prefer B for Orchid and A for Lord of This World, which are not DMM, bass is more balanced. But it’s Sabbath ; I would listen to them on any format. Peace- Patrick
First song, I think I liked track A more, the strings seems a little more sharp which made it realistic while B was muddier, but not necessarily as pleasant as B which also had more atmosphere in the stereo image.
Second song, the sound is again more real for the first track, but it also comes off as more harsh and ear fatiguing than track B which is again more muffled.
I think I would choose A for both but to really decide I would need the whole album to test.
Edit: The key surprised me. I listened again and it made a little more sense. Maybe the strings on the DMM track1 sounded more harsh because of the lack of lower end and atmosphere which is on the Lacquer. Im pretty sure I would prefer the Lacquer cut here for both though. I think its more to do with the mastering however. The drums really lose presence on track 2 and I dont think thats just because its DMM.
Difficult because track 1 I prefered the first take, track 2 the second. On take 2 of Orchid the introduction was clearer however when the other instruments came in the acoustic guitar was a little lost
I have just read the description above, so it seems I prefer DMM
Orchid, A is definitely DMM and sounds a lot better to me. (I guessed this even before hearing B, and was even more certain once B started.)
Lord of this World, B is DMM (which I guessed as soon as I heard the beginning of A, even before hearing B), and again to me DMM sounds a lot cleaner and better.
OK, checked your description and I'm correct about which was which. In the case of these pressings, the differences are really obvious, with a clear, and huge, advantage for DMM to my ears. :)
Good job!
Hey, thanks for the video.
What do you use to digitize your records?
Thanks
Joseph! I don't digitize records...that's the whole purpose of this channel! Listen analog! ;-)
@@anadialog I know :D
Just curious of your method to digitize couple of tracks to do your comparisons like in this video. I'd like to do the same thing for some friends of mine!
@@CanonJoMac ah ok! :-)
I used to send the analog signal to my Zoom Tac 2 but a few weeks ago I got a new high quality DAC that I used for this video by RME...soon I will do a detailed video on it...just waiting to finish the burn-in phase...!
B and A for me. B on Orchid had more “integrated” sound to me, esp the few heavy low freq. tones of some instrument I think is bass or perhaps synth. In A they are there like a side of fries, in B they are more enveloped and, to my ears, more pronounced than on A. On second track was closer but A by a hair although vocals maybe better B but too short to get a read. I do however have a number of Blue Note DMM reissues from 1985 and 1986 and they sound spectacular.
Unfortunately I've read (Steve Hoffman's site) that the Earmark Sabbath records are digitally sourced... :(
Yes, of course, all these albums are digitally sourced. As Inalways say, 100% AAA Productions you need to look for audiophile releases, expensive and rare. For analog Black Sabbath you need to go back to the originale releases or the 70-80's and part of the 90's reissues...this goes as a general rule but there are obviously exceptions...
I love the explanation for the DMM process. I have had mixed results, but overall not bad at all. With Bluenote records the DMM were poorly done and when compared to Originals or early pressings they were often flat and lifeless, boardering on shrill and very fatiguing. This shows how great Rudy Vangelder was.
When it comes to GRP the label that Dave Grusin started with Larry Rosen, those records are great and sound as good as the Black Sabbath that you played.
GRP has 31 artist and the records dound fantastic. Great video and keep them coming!!!
Thanks sid! Don't make the mistake of thinking that DMM was the problem...for example for the blue note case I think the whole mixing, mastering and pressing processes were much worse (obviously from digital files, maybe mastered for cd)...fortunately they are capable also of delivering releases like the tone poet series...
ANA[DIA]LOG Most definitely you are correct, like I said the GRP releases are outstanding so mastering is definitely at play here.
There are actually many DMM pressings but they are not advertised. In house vinyl mastering at Record Technology In Holland and GZ in Czech Republic is DMM. In fact most records pressed at these plants are DMM. GZ probably cut that Earmark Sabbath from a CD. I have a pile of Kinks releases on that label and they sound pretty poor.
Like the first B and second A
As far as i know no us pressing plant in the USA uses DMM...if anyone has information about this i would be thankfull if you let me know...
I went through solid merch for my bands newest album and it’s DMM. We’re getting them in next week, will reply with how it sounds if you’re interested. Pretty sure the plant is here in the US.
@@RancidTacoGas i would like to check that out
HD vinyl died. The have not updated their website in a couple of years. Have no clue what their current status is. I assume they never fixed the problem of not being able to separate the ceramic plate from the vinyl mold.
I did a post almost 2 years ago. They went bankrupt.
The DMM tracks ousted clearer, but a little less naturalistic.
i like the electronic con, do you think there isn't any electronics in the standard method!
Just the two amplifier and the tape player electronics without mentioning the eq, reverb, mix table and the vms80 computer!
Sometimes you're weird!
However this time zero doted, i reversed dmm, with lacquer 😭, however that's not fair two different master...
Hard to A/B these properly, as you stated, two different masters. In the first sampled song, the B track has much quicker transients in the opening guitar arpeggio, but mellows a bit when the chords and bass come in. The A track in comparison has a “warmer” compressed or delayed signal, probably founded in the mastering choice. The second sample, A has a brighter and more rounded guitar tone, with better separation. The B version is a bit more muddled in the guitar tone when mixed with the bass, but still pleasant for the doom-laden tone of Sabbath.
It would be useful if you also created an online questionnaire so that we can more easily keep a track of where the likes are going.
I didn't like listening on RUclips, so went straight for the downloads...didn't realise they were in a different order to the video. Overall I prefered the first track of v1 compared to the first track of v2...I'm guessing that v1-track 1 was original and v2-track2 DMM.
I found v1-track1 more natural. V2-track1 I found to be a touch sibilant and I found the bass distracting, but I'm not sure if that's due to the mixing or an artefact of the DMM process.
There was better clarity in v2-t1 as a result of the boosted high-end, but I think listening fatigue would be a problem.
I know you're aware of the problem with there being two different mixes here, but ultimately I can't tell if it's the mixes are swaying my decision more than the tech. Would be great to do this again but with the same mixes.
Thanks for your suggestions!
What’s the difference between DMM and One-Step used by eg MoFi? How do they differ sonically to D2D and UHQR?
Those are 4 different processes. DMM has a metal master to cut a record instead of a vinyl lacquer. One step by MoFi has one passage less in the plating process, D2D is a record being cut directly from live music and UHQR is just a combination of high quality vinyl and quality manufacturing/pressing process.
@@anadialog sounds like a video worth making as everyone would be interested to see a sonic ranking.
I won't be surprised to see more DMM since the current loss of the US acetate producer.
It's made somewhat of a comeback especially in europe
I know CZ pressing uses it
Mobile Fidelity employs a similar manufacturing process for their One-Step series, leaving out the second step.
Exactly! I was about to say that in the vid but they actually jump two passages!
All vynal is electronically processed. RIAA is exactly that so what difference does it make, it changes the original cut in the frequency domain.
As allways, a superb Video. Ive enjoyed the first tracks, dont know if m right or wrong?
Hi Aykut! Check the video description for the results!
I thought Track B of the "Orchid" samples sounded better but I liked Track A of "Lord of this world". I have not checked which was which at the time of this post.
I wonder how the copper plate could be directly cut to positive, this means the groove it's not a groove but a relief... but also I saw some recordings cut from a digital take, what's the purpose of making vinyls from digital takes? If CDs were classified as AAD ADD and DDD, if you cut the copper from a digital take you are obtaining a DAA vinyl ... if it's not analog a CD or a SACD it's quite more comfortable and accurate, I really can't get the point
A relief? No, a direct cut that creates grooves just like in the normal traditional acetate laquers. You use the copper master as a mother to create the stampers as explained in the video.
Used DMM records nowadays is usually records made by BIS , a swedish record company that made high quality recordings ( here in sweden ) .If i any day went in a couple of second hand store -I might find at least 1-5 of those bis labels and they keep coming and has been a case for 5 years at least. For me i want the 100 records on that label since they where usually made with a Revox B 77 taperecorder -anyway all the earlier -the early digital records was a disppointment. Edit DMM came later to BIS and so did Cd's and SACD . They sell their records as mp3.... on thier website -can they be any good but i guess made by pros.
This was interesting. I think I have one DDM vinyl. At least that one have hype sticker.
mr. Finglish (Bäd English Recs)
Many DMM's have DMM stamped in the dead wax / matrix area. worth while to check.
NORMALIZATION OF IGNORANCE I have to start ded waxes. :)
I have a couple modern dmm reissues and they are very quiet some of the best sounding modern pressings I own
As far as being too harsh on the highs I would disagree but I do have a few friends that like to listen to music with the treble rolled way back if you are one of these types perhaps it could be harsh to your ears
True...
Off what I've hear, Is record B the DMM issue. But as you discribe that some people doesn't like those recordings, I'm afraid the sound reminds them to CD. While CD in my humble opinium can sound really great. Afterall the newest CD releases comes from the same master tape as they do for a vinyl release. So the loudnes war is for the latest releases over.
I agree with you, I have a couple DMM LPs and they're nothing really special. I can't say that DMM is a "gimmick", but the examples I have would favor that opinion.
Waiting to find one of the new supposedly HD vinyl records that are made from laser cut ceramic stampers. No more father/mother/stamper series needed. They say the disks are compatible with current cartridge/stylus, but to extract the full capabilities new technology cartridges and stylus will also be needed hdvinyl.org/
I see another article where HDVinyl has partnered with GZ Media to retrofit some of their stampers with the new tech.
Check my vid on the topic if you haven't: ruclips.net/video/HCOseLGISRU/видео.html
They did all the Allman brothers albums in dmm....the reissues that is
Anadialog, could I ask you what your top 10 favourite artists are?
That's a tough one...let's restrict that to Western rock/pop...the Beatles (and John Lennon aside), Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hedrix, The Doors, The Police (and Sting solo albums), Bob Marley, David Bowie, Jethro Tull, Eric Clapton (in all his groups and manifestations)...its really hard...these are the first that come to my mind...
ANA[DIA]LOG You’ve got a good taste I can see! It is very hard to decide as there are lots of artists!
@@jinxbeast392 your turn! ;-)
ANA[DIA]LOG Again, it’s hard to decide :), I would say Pink Floyd, Eagles, Elton John, Michael Jackson,Laura Brannigan and The Moody Blues. We all have different tastes!
Sounds interesting, but ultimately I buy my records based on the music I like to hear, not by process of recording. However, it's always interesting to learn new stuff (well, new to me anyway).
Of course, that is the first stage for everyone...but what happens when you have a choice? Do you get Cd quality or high res? The lp or a streaming service? When you choose, you should choose the best of you love that music...that is passion for high fidelity! If you don't care about quality then streaming is the more convenient.
@@anadialog I personally don't do streaming, I don't think that's the way for listening music that you care about. I like the old fashioned way of having the hard copy in my hands because I'm kind of a collector even though my collection is very small. Generally I buy records if they are available and then I get the CD versions for more convenient use. I also like to have FLACS on my laptop when I'm traveling. I just meant that I don't care much of the process the record is made outside of curiosity. I mean, for example if I want to buy an album from Kim Wilde I get the first record I can regardless of what pressing it is, etc.
6:05 "The hand thing"
Hi,
I didn't understand how there could be more grooves, the size of the grooves depends (mostly) on how present and how loud bass frequences are, it has nothing to do with the material use as far as I understand.
The only reason I can think about is that beeing more precise, you diminish a bit the security space between the grooves, but I think that compare to a good quality mastering, this wouldn't change much the possible lenght of a record (without concidering trics like removing bass, make it mono or whatever, in other words, with an equivalent sound quality).
Thanks for the video.
Because lacquer is very brittle and the walls of the grooves need some thickness to withstand the cutting pressure. With metal you can narrow that a lot.
OK, I get it. Thanks.
Very interesting. I only own a handful of DMM records (all MOV), but I never really understood what dmm was until this video. I can’t say it’s better or worse, necessarily, but I like the idea of it.
I just wish the industry would get their shit together and start pressing flat, quiet, quality records. I’m so tired of paying $30-40 for warped noisy records. What’s the point? It’s actually got me contemplating going back to all digital if I can only listen to cherry picked audiophile pressings. It’s nonsense.
At least for the first track the DMM (track A) sounded cleaner and brighter.
Technically it should sound cleaner and brighter even more Bass response with DMM.
I still prefer lacquer mastering. Less resistance with the cutting stylus during the cutting process and allows the frequencies to be maximized at its highest potential given the substrate is softer.
I didn't read comments or saw video description but B tracks sounded more harsh and intrusive while A tracks sounded more soft and pleasant.
You will have a surprise...
We were curious about these DMM processes. We were considering the RUSH reissues that use this very process. Have you heard them? Your thoughts?-Chris & Beth🎧
CARSON TUCKER Thank you!
The DMM Rush reissues are quite famous but no, I haven't heard them. They should be quite good according to the forums...
My uncle created his first EP in 2016 with DMM, and for electronic music/synth pop the electronic signal processing helps with the sound in my opinion
Very interesting video! Thanks
But concerning the test, I find it a little bit strange... After listening I had in mind both A versions were DDM but as you written in the description, "Lord Of this World" version A is Lacquer.... what is strange, I find... because both A versions of the tracks have more precision on the high end... Both B versions are smoother, warmer... So I'm a bit confused :D In any case, I think the music style has a great importance. It depends of what kind of sound result you want to have. In my situation, for a vinyl release of electronic music (breaks, techno, drum & bass, exprimental, acid), I'm pretty sure DMM should be the best.
Thanks a lot for your detailed explanation! Cheers
Thanks. If by any chance you think 8 got mixed up, don't, I triple check everything so listen with confidence! ;-)
@@anadialog Haha ok man, I trust you :)
Y que pasa con el DBX ???? No sera mejor opción?
I love DBX but why are you mentioning it in relation to DMM?
In my opinion they sound different but is one better than the other?, I think it’s purely subjective. I would be happy with either.
Yes,but I do agree with others that say that the 2015 is a little compressed...
I may be wrong, but the early DMM releases appeared in the '80s. As most of vinyls lovers, i have some of them. Unfortunetely, this "new" process has appeared with a loss off vinyl quality.
If I may give an example, the weight of the vinyls I was talking about (Talking Heads Litte Creatures and True Stories) doesn't exeed 120g!
It seems to me that this "slimming cure" doesn't fit with the dynamic increase, brought by the DMM and I'm not only talking about their fragility.
Did you say Market strategy?... :)
Many thanks for the video 🤘👍
I said it started in the 80's at the beginning of the video. As claimed in several videos heavy weight vinyl IMO does nothing to quality and in some cases it is even worse. With 120g you have plenty of vinyl to do anything!
A & A
R u kidding? From the very first note! I have no idea who complains DMM. May be those who tries to "recover" some high freqs from a traditional vinyl with screaming cartridges like Sumiko
If you take a closer look at any stylus, a cantilever is at 20-something degree, but a crystal is mounter horizontally. So, I have no idea what are you talking about improper angle when playing DMM disks.