The recording was made using a TDK SA-X cassette, a premium blank tape from 1988, celebrated for its exceptional sound quality. The TDK SA-X series employed EUR (Extra Uniform Response) Super Precision Anti-Resonance technology, designed to minimize vibrations and unwanted resonance during playback and recording. This innovation ensured outstanding sound fidelity, especially for high-frequency audio. As a Type II (high bias) cassette, the SA-X offered a wider frequency range and improved dynamic response compared to standard tapes, making it a top choice for audiophiles and professional recording enthusiasts.

The recording device was a Pioneer CT-W606DR, a high-end dual cassette deck renowned for its advanced features, including Dolby C noise reduction. This noise reduction system significantly reduced tape hiss during playback, enhancing clarity, particularly in quieter passages of music. The CT-W606DR was also highly regarded for its ability to capture the nuances of sound with precision, making it a favorite among those seeking high-quality analog recordings.

The same Pioneer CT-W606DR deck was used for playback and digital conversion (ripping). This model featured the FLEX (Frequency Level Expander) system, which compensates for the natural degradation of audio signals over time. As tapes age, they often lose upper-frequency response, resulting in dull or muffled audio. The FLEX system restores some of this lost treble, ensuring that the digital rip retains as much of the original sound quality as possible, despite any wear the tape may have endured.

In summary, the pairing of the high-performance TDK SA-X tape with the advanced Pioneer CT-W606DR deck—featuring Dolby C noise reduction and FLEX playback enhancement—delivers exceptional audio fidelity. Together, they preserve the richness, clarity, and detail of the original recording, both in analog and digital formats.

The recording was made on a **Sony METAL-XR 90** cassette, a premium Type IV (metal) tape known for excellent sound quality, capturing clear highs and deep bass. The **C90** offers 90 minutes of runtime, ideal for high-fidelity recordings. A **Pioneer CT-W606DR** cassette deck with **Dolby B** noise reduction was used, effectively reducing tape hiss while preserving the warmth of analog sound.

The mix was created with an **Allen & Heath Xone S2 Rotary Mixer**, known for precise control and smooth dynamics, along with the **Electrix Filter Factory**, which added analog filtering effects for rich, dynamic sound.

For playback and ripping, the **Pioneer CT-W606DR**’s **FLEX system** was used to restore any high-frequency loss due to tape aging. The rip was passed through the **SSL 2+ audio interface** with **Legacy 4K mode**, adding analog warmth inspired by SSL 4000 consoles. This ensured the digital rip maintained the rich, dynamic qualities of the original recording.

[a01] dBridge - Climb Together

[a02] Calibre - Years

[a03] Boymerang - A.C.I.D.

[a04] Optical & Grooverider - On The Double

[a05] Sp:Mc - We Run Dis

[a06] Calibre & Jet Li - Trees In The Wind

[a07] dBridge - Stronger Than Lies

[a08] Tokyo Prose featuring Fox Lenzman - Won't Let Me Go

[a09] Fracture & Neptune - Customtone

[a10] Matrix - The Saint

[a11] Kid Drama - Ideal Form

[a12] Skeptical - Duck Soup

[a13] Calibre & Breakage - Future (Calibre Remix)

[a14] dBridge - Mr. Malcontent

[b01] dBridge - Filtered Scenes

[b02] Calibre - Guide You Through

[b03] Danny Breaks - Hypnotique

[b04] Digital - The Pain

[b05] Tokyo Prose featuring Zoë Klinck - Kidman

[b06] Instra:mental - Auto Love

[b07] Joe Seven - Untitled Monotron

[b08] Blocks & Escher - From the Ashes

[b09] Calibre - Zee Tone

[b10] dBridge - Ponderosa

[b11] Kid Drama - Shatter

[b12] Skeptical - Freudian Slip

[b13] dBridge - Existence

This playlist is a deep dive into atmospheric drum & bass, expertly balancing soulful liquid vibes with darker, techier undertones. Starting with **dBridge’s "Climb Together"** and **Calibre’s "Years"**, it sets an emotional tone with smooth, introspective beats. **Boymerang’s "A.C.I.D."** and **Optical & Grooverider’s "On The Double"** bring in a harder, more intense energy, while tracks like **SP:MC’s "We Run Dis"** and **Calibre & Jet Li’s "Trees In The Wind"** weave in haunting melodies and tight grooves.

As the playlist progresses, standout tracks like **Fracture & Neptune’s "Customtone"** and **Matrix’s "The Saint"** add intricate breakbeats and atmospheric depth. The second half continues to impress, with **Danny Breaks’ "Hypnotique"** offering a nostalgic throwback and **Digital’s "The Pain"** injecting raw, dubby textures.

Closing with tracks like **Blocks & Escher’s "From the Ashes"** and **dBridge’s "Existence"**, the playlist wraps up with powerful, reflective rhythms and darker energy. Overall, it’s a masterful curation that showcases drum & bass at its finest—emotive, complex, and full of sonic depth. Perfect for both seasoned listeners and those exploring the genre.

Audio recording from Twitch Stream

Video here --> https://www.twitch.tv/videos/594778239

Dropbox download --> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ypo8jpu1qdtifz5/AAC2KbyftWVmPVLF3n18WWfpa?dl=0

This passage provides a detailed description of how a high-quality audio recording was made on a premium cassette and how it was later digitized, emphasizing the use of advanced technology for optimal sound preservation. Here's an expanded version:

The recording was made on a **SONY Super Metal Master C90** cassette, which was widely regarded as one of the finest and most advanced cassette tapes ever produced. The **Super Metal Master** series was known for its high-grade **Type IV (metal)** formulation, offering unmatched frequency response, clarity, and durability. The **C90** designation refers to its 90-minute total recording time (45 minutes per side), making it perfect for long, uninterrupted recordings. What made the Super Metal Master special was its ultra-high precision metal particle coating, which provided superior magnetic performance and minimized dropouts, ensuring pristine sound capture and playback. Additionally, it came encased in a **ceramic composite shell** that provided excellent anti-resonance properties, further reducing vibrations and maintaining sound integrity, which was especially crucial for high-fidelity recordings.

The recording was done using the **Pioneer CT-W606DR** cassette deck, a top-tier machine celebrated for its precision and audiophile-grade features. One of the deck’s standout features is the **Dolby C** noise reduction system, which is designed to drastically reduce the hiss inherent in cassette tapes, particularly during recording and playback. Dolby C works by compressing the audio signal during recording and expanding it during playback, resulting in clearer, more dynamic sound, especially in the quieter parts of the recording. This system is a major upgrade over the older Dolby B, providing even greater noise suppression without sacrificing the fidelity of the music.

For playback during the digital rip (the process of transferring the analog recording to a digital format), the same **Pioneer CT-W606DR** was used. This ensures consistency in sound reproduction, as the deck was well-tuned to handle the nuances of the Super Metal Master tape. One of the key features of this deck is its **FLEX (Frequency Level Expander)** system. Over time, analog tapes, even premium ones like the Super Metal Master, can suffer from loss of high-frequency detail due to wear and aging. The FLEX system compensates for this degradation by restoring upper frequencies, allowing the playback to recover much of the original brightness and detail that may have been lost over time. This is particularly important when digitizing tapes to ensure the rip captures as much of the original sound quality as possible.

In short, the combination of the **SONY Super Metal Master C90** cassette and the **Pioneer CT-W606DR** deck with **Dolby C** and **FLEX system** ensures that both the original recording and the digital rip are of the highest possible quality. The result is an audio experience that retains the warmth and character of analog sound while minimizing noise and compensating for any deterioration, preserving the integrity of the original performance.

Been a while since I did a mix on the deeper side, so here it is. The mix is a little shorter than expected we can thank my new router dropping for that. No tracklist. Plenty of deep grooves & some obscure loops. Please share if you enjoy this mix, catch you on the next RedZone show on Jungletrain

Little warm-up mix for gig playing tonight in Dublin with the Inital crew

https://www.facebook.com/events/2333273990217652/

Here is link to stream:

https://www.facebook.com/jungletrain.net/videos/306632010130048

more beer-fueled beats.........

archive recording of last week’s show for your listening pleasure, plenty of breaks and murky deepness.

please like and share if you are inclined to do so ;-)

the 5 beers kick in around 90 mins....

had a few audio gremlins on the live stream tonight I think, so here's audio recording for anyone who wants to listen back. rolling jungle vibes.