Technology
So what exactly is BluRay, CD, DMM, DSD SACD and XRCD?
[ BluRay ] [ CD ] [ DMM ] [ DSD ] [ SACD ] [ XRCD ]
DMM
Direct Metal Mastering is a vinyl record manufacturing technology by TELDEC. Records manufactured with this technology are often marked by a "DMM" logo on the outer record sleeve.
The cutting lathe for DMM engraves the audio signal directly onto a copper-plated master disc, instead of engraving the groove into a lacquer-coated aluminum disc. Examination of early DMM discs revealed what appeared to be a high frequency modulation in the groove, thought to be caused by the use of an ultrasonic carrier tone. In fact, there was no carrier tone and the modulation was simply caused by the vibration (squeal) of the cutter head as it was dragged through the copper disc.
The Direct Metal Mastering technology addresses the lacquer mastering technology's issue of pre-echoes during record play, caused by the cutting stylus unintentionally transferring some of the subsequent groove wall's impulse signal into the previous groove wall. In particular, a quiet passage followed by a loud sound often clearly revealed a faint pre-echo of the loud sound occurring 1.8 seconds ahead of time (the duration of one revolution at 33 rpm). This problem could also appear as post-echo, 1.8 seconds after a peak in volume.
Another improvement is noise reduction. The lacquer mastering method bears a higher risk of adding unwanted random noise to the recording, caused by the enclosure of small dust particles when spraying the silvering on the lacquer master, which is the necessary first step of the electroplating process for reproduction of the master disc. As the DMM master disc is already made of metal (copper), this step is not required, and its faults are avoided.
The Stockfisch 180 gram DMM LP catalogue consists of the following titles:
- Allan Taylor: In the groove
- Bassface Swing Trio: Tribute to Cole Porter
- Bassface Swing Trio: Plays Gershwin
- Beoga: Live in Stockfisch studios
- David Roth: Pearl diver
- Dennis Kolen: Northeim Goldmine
- Paperboys: Live in Stockfiach studios
- Paul O'Brien and Uli Kringler Trio: Stockfisch studio sessions 2009
- Sara K: In the groove
- Various artists: Vinyl collection