2007.07.05 - Grand Rapids, MI, USA @ Van Andel Arena

Source A: DAT --- DPA 4061 > MPS6030 > Sony PCM-M1 (Oade Mod II) @ 48 kHz
Source A1: DAT — Sony PCM-M1 / m
Transfer: DAT-M > Tascam DA-20 > Coaxial > UXL 24/96 > Goldwave (resample) > CD Wave > WAV
Location: Floor / 18 rows from stage / Front of Stack - Left (aisle)
Taper: Galen
Gen: collectiveunconscious.org Master Recording

2024 Notes:
This particular source is the best sounding of the AUD recordings pulled by a good measure. This is the type of recording that I hope to attain when I tape a concert; Tool or otherwise. Subjectively, the audio clarity I find to be pristine, the vocals (although buried in the mix at the show) do surface nicely throughout, the guitar is crunchy + clean, the cymbals are crisp whereas, like most DPA recordings, the bass + kick drums are a little thick. I removed a little bass from post and did a fresh transfer in 2024 complete with EQ. Not much more else to say other than, to my ears, this recording continues to sound more holistic, organic & better to my ears even in this age of solid state recorders. Unfortunately, I was using a 60m DDS tape and miscalculated the start time (based on previous Tool shows) so I ended up running out of tape right -which makes this source slightly incomplete- when Vicarious starts. Kind of a bummer but it is what it is.

Notes - Sources:
Truth be told, I managed to record numerous different sources for this performance; solo. Meaning, no one brought in stuff for me or taped any of my sources. It was more or less just to see if it was possible in the first place; which, it is. I am doubtful that I would ever repeat doing it as it was actually quite a challenge to manage my equipment efficiently. The sources vary in quality with the obvious best-sounding recording being the DPA 4061>M1/oade source. I did actually decide upon the microphones with the recorders before hand. The CSB>R700 MD source is the same set-up I used for a few of the shows back in 2002, the Aiwa CM-30>R09 source was to tape with that classic microphone (there are only a couple of CM-30 sources of Tool around since 1994 for those collector's that may notice) & the Soundman OKMII-R>MT180 MD was simply because there are not a ton of OKMIIR recordings of Tool. A couple people have asked me how I did it, physically or logistically, with all the wires & the like: the answer is that this was my 4th attempt at running multiple sources w/o messing it up. Strange though few collectors or tapers ask why, I suppose, we all understand the mentality on some level.

2024 Time: 1:57:55

<bass drone>
Jambi

"Good evening Amway. Ok everybody put your hands up. Let's see your hands. Yesterday was Fourth of July. The reason for fireworks is because dumb people will thumbs off leaving them incapable of using cutlery. It's called natural selection, other carnivores will eat them. I see lots of thumbs so most of you get to take the next step. Congratulations, you've just lost your tails. Good evening!"

(-) ions
Stinkfist
('Lil Jon' = "whaaat? Ok!")
46&2
The Pot
Schism
Lost Keys
Rosetta Stoned
Right In Two
Wings For Marie
10,000 Days
Lateralus

"Thank you Cody. Make a Wish Foundation runner-up; Cody. Near fatal foot disorder. Plug your nose as he passes, good luck with that Cody. It's been a damn pleasure, no shit. I wouldn't lie to ya - or would I? We'll see you again soon, no really. Peace out."

Vicarious
(DPA 4061 source = cut)

Source B: Solid State Recorder --- Aiwa CM-30 > Edirol R-09 @ 24/48
Transfer: Master (file) > USB port > Goldwave (resample, EQ)
Location: Floor / 18 rows from stage / Front of Stack - Left (aisle)
Taper: Galen
Gen: collectiveunconscious.org Master Recording

2024 Notes: I actually really like the way this recording came out. It's not a superficial sounding-recording but there is a bit more cymbal-swish than was expected. The vocals are a bit more buried, originally, than the other sources but with a fresh transfer and some time messing with EQ the recording quality was increased significantly especially when you consider how old this particular Aiwa CM-30 is and how damn finicky it is. Plus, was not an ideal location as the microphone was located on my body (upper-left breast pocket). The Aiwa CM-30 is basically a stand-and-point type of microphone. Using it with other sources to have the unit more in the open was just not going to happen for this show due to the other stuff going on + the rabid security. Tool's security detail walked up & down the aisles as per usual. All in all though, a decent enough recording that does give the performance a slightly different vibe. At least to me. Before 2025, this source was not released.

Time: 2:07:34

Source C: Mini Disc --- Core Sound Binaurals > Sony MZ-R700 (lp2)
Transfer: MD-M > Tascam MD MKII > Optical > Audiophile 24/96 > Goldwave (EQ)
Location: Floor / 18 rows from stage / Front of Stack - Left (aisle)
Taper: Galen
Gen: collectiveunconscious.org Master Recording

2024 Notes: This source is actually pretty decent for the equipment used and after a fresh transfer in 2024, this source is as best as it can be. Perhaps if this was from 2001/2002 then it would rate higher, so to speak? Maybe. Although, for the time period (2007) using an ATRAC MD is silly, but, still I think this actually can stand on it's own two feet. The recording is relatively clean with good separation between frequencies &, if you listen closely, you can hear some of MJK's vocal effects - most notably on Rosetta Stoned. I recorded this on LP2 mode (actually, over disc #1 of an old Incubus recording I taped back in 2002 (nothing special)) as the last thing I wanted to do was switch discs at a Tool show for a MD recording. The audio sounds, to me, just like it did last time I used the exact same set-up for a Tool recording. And, for that, I am happy. I still listen to the final leg of the Lateralus tour (masters) at least a couple times per year & I think that they have held up fairly well over the course of time. This was released in 2025.

2024 Time: 2:08:39

Source D: Mini Disc --- Soundman OKMII-Rock > battery box > Sharp MT-180 (lp2)
Transfer: MD-M > Tascam MD MKII > Optical > Audiophile 24/96 > Goldwave (EQ) > CD Wave > WAV
Location: Floor / 18 rows from stage / Front of Stack - Left (aisle)
Taper: Galen
Gen: collectiveunconscious.org Master Recording

2024 Notes: Huh well out of the recordings I pulled, this one may be the least clear or obscured by clouds. It's strange how you can get such vastly different recordings by the microphone alone. In comparison with the CSB>R700 source, also a MD, this source is a bit muddy-sounding in it’s original state, however, after a fresh transfer and EQ this is a much better pull than the ‘original’ version. There is a slight fuzzy sound throughout. This is due to when the levels were set, they were not addressed again thus in post, among other EQ related things, the volume was increased. On the upside, the guitar and kick drum are very pronounced in this mix, however, the vocals have a tendency to be buried somewhat. This was recorded on LP2 which may or may not have had a negligible effect on the sound. All in all, this is a decent enough listen and it is what it is. Not too bad though for a source that done for kicks kind of as an afterthought.

2024 Time: 2:06:58

Source E: Hi-Mini Disc --- SP-CMC-8 > SP-SPSB10 > Sony MZ-RH10
Transfer: MD-M > USB > Soundforge > CD Wave > WAV > CDR
Location: Floor Section 4 Row CC Seat 5
Taper: Relayer67
Gen: 1st from

Notes: Ah what a pleasant recording. Relatively clear + clean with the calculated energy of professionals doing another day of work... Tool stuck to a safe set this evening. The recording is sharp with minimal crowd noise throughout although if you are listening to this on headphones you may hear a bit of random chatter. Yes, in all the right places. Good recording of a strong if safe performance. Kudos to the taper. I say this as another taper (of the same show) that I think this source has some strong competition for audio quality/clarity but this is simply delightful to listen to. Nicely done. Strangely, like this tapers' 07/03/2007 source track #2 cuts in a bit into Jambi but it appears that it is missing a little bit of the song. I could be wrong but maybe not - clarification is needed on this issue.

CD 1
Time: 55:21

CD 2
Time: 60:02

Source F: Unknown AKA “Grand Rapids Bootleg”

Notes: I remember this distinctly. On Saturday, July 14th, 2007, my buddy Jon Shirella called me. He was in a random used CD store in Grand Rapids. He had happened upon as he put it "a live show Tool from last week, it looks really fucking rad - figured I'd give you a call, I can pick it up for you". So, he did. Next time I saw him he gave it to me. What it is - it is an incomplete bootleg recording, meaning not only do we not have any idea who the taper is/equipment used/or any pertinent information hinting towards information of this origin. One thing is for certain, had Jon not been at that store who's name I do not know or had not happened across it, perhaps this source would be lost forever to the archivists - er, me? The front cover is black w/a generic 2006/7ish logo with "07 05 07" over + below logo, generic Rolling Stone-esque clip next to a pic of MJK & the CD has what appears to be like a psychadelc butterfly design & the back has the same design as the CD only with the abridged setlist (which, by the way, does not list Rosetta Stoned or Right In Two). Yes, this is definitely a sanctioned Tool product. Interestingly, it has a price of $7.99 & an in-store date of 07/07/2007. Obviously, this recording was done with a lot of love / sarcasm. As it is, I have a few thoughts. One, selling music is not cool I don't care who you are or who you think you are. Two, this recording (I think) is mini disc sourced as the sound seems like it has had a close shave + the recording is right at 80 minutes. And three, it's a shame that this is incomplete as this is actually a pretty good recording. Here's a question for the uber-Tool-nerd: "Why does Grand Rapids seem to have such a strange relationship w/Tool"?

Time: ~79 mins