2006.05.08 - Dallas, TX, USA @ McFarlin Auditorium
Source A: SP-CMC-8 (AT943) Cardiods > SPSB-1 (bass roll-off@160hz, line-in) > Sony TCD-D100(48kHz)
Dissemination: DAT Master > M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496 (SPDIF In @ 48 kHz) > WaveLab (Mastered, Resample @ 44.1kHz & Tracked) > WAV > FLAC > Torrent / Dimeadozen.org (05/2006)
Location: Balcony
Taper: Toriphilemaria
Gen: 0 from Master
Notes - by: Galen: This is a very live recording; meaning, that the synergy of the involvement of the crowd is reflected in the output. The vocals are prominent & there are circumstances where it appears the crowd sings every single word. Interesting! Taper did a good job capturing Tool at one of the better mini-tour performances; I, personally, have no complaints. On another note, I find it rather amusing Tool performed at a Methodist University. Moreover, a couple comments by MJK (i.e.: degrading family values... Satan stuff... 3-way with Rupert Murdoch & G.W.) bring to mind classic moments from the 1998 tours. Solid performance, great capture & definitely worth your time to seek out.
CD 1
Time: 51:44
Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman)
Rosetta Stoned
"We'd like to dedicate this set to all that is evil. Corruption of the heart and what not. Degrading family values and what not. Just basically Satan, Satan stuff. Welcome!"
Stinkfist
The Pot
46 & 2
Jambi
Schism
CD 2
Time: 50:20
Eon Blue Apocalypse
The Patient
Sober
"Now this has been an absolute treat. The only thing that would make this better is a 3-way with Rupert Murdoch and G.W. Maybe throw the ghost of L. Ron Hubbard in there as pivot man. Fluffer. It's been real, It's been nice. Thank you for coming down."
Lateralus
Vicarious
"Smell you later."
Ænema
Source B: Sonic Studios (DSM-6S/L) > Sonic Studios (PA-6LC3 (-85)) > Sony TDC-D7
Dissemination: DAT Master > Sony 59ES > HHB CDR-850 (via Monster Digital Coax) > CDR > EAC (secure) > FLAC (level 8) > Torrent / Dimeadozen.org (05/2006)Location: FOB, left of center
Taper: Chris M.
Gen: 1st from Master
Notes - by: Taper: Track ID's made during DAT > CD transfer so they may not be perfect. I usually do not set the bass rolloff to the middle position (85), but I thought my position (slightly under the balcony) would accentuate the bass - so there you go! I'm glad I did as the bass was pretty heavy to begin with. Taping Location: Sec B, Row U, Seat 8
Notes - by: Galen: Fantastic recording; good thing the taper rolled off a bunch of bass - that is one the things that makes this recording so tasty. Definitely, the best source known to be in any form of circulation. The crowd is muffled/muted; this leads to a balanced, accurate & enjoyable recording that could audibly rival a DPA, MBHO or Schoeps recording. Came out very nice. Watch for a few instances of level-changes but this is not of any major or minor concern. Whereas some audience recordings will capture the ambience of the live experience; this recording does so without compromising the integrity of the sound from the speakers. I wish all recordings were at least this good. Highlight: Listen to the last 1/5 of Rosetta Stoned, very loud, with headphones. Most recordings there are some people screaming in your ear; this is something different + better. See for yourself.
CD 1
Time: 55:53
CD 2
Time: 50:11
Source C: Hi-Mini Disc --- Danish Pro Audio 4061 > Sony MZ-RH10 (HiSP mode)
Location: 1st balcony, stage left, fourth row (Sec J, Row D, Seat 6)
Transfer: Sony MZ-RH10 > SonicStage (USB cable) > Wavelab 3.04a (EQ, compression, normalize) > CD Wave
Taper: Adam
Gen: 0 from Master
Notes - by: Taper: Not the ideal seat for taping with omni mics. Cardioids would have been the way to go. Maynard's vocals are a bit lost at times, and the sound was very boomy at the show. I had a hard time understanding him even between songs. Lots of ambient crowd noise here as well. Still not a bad recording though, I'd say. It's also notable to mention that I was caught taking photos midway through Rosetta Stoned. Security pulled me out of my seat and took me back into the lobby area on the 2nd floor at the back of the theater. They asked me for my memory card, which I gave them, and just when I thought they'd let me return to my seat, I was lead further away from the doors and up to a table, where I was told to empty my pockets. I thought I was done for. So I started removing everything from my pockets that WASN'T part of my taping rig. Just as I finished with all the "innocent" items and was reaching for my batt box, the security guy grabbed a small pouch I had thrown down. He opened it and found a spare memory card for my camera, which I had forgotten I had in there. Then he told me I could return to my seat because that's all he was looking for. I missed about 3 minutes of R.S., but all-in-all... not too bad a result I guess. Enjoy!
Notes - by: Galen: Truth be told, this is a rock-solid recording. Listening to this though it is apparent that the taper pulled this off with less than ideal circumstances in regards to the location and how the sound managed to become taped in the first place. MJK's vocals are more prevalent in this source than in many of the other 2006 mini tour performances though the bass, like so many other performances, can seem to create a blunting effect. It does appear that a good deal of EQ was done in the mastering process and this is not bad by any stretch of the imagination. The overall effect is of a very live or ambient-sounding DPA recording. Solid throughout, this is a rather pleasant recording. Now, during Rosetta Stoned, one of my favorite things occurs: getting busted. The taper is busted for taking pictures & you can hear the *clearly* clueless security searching the taper for other contraband. This is at the peak of RS where "shit the bed again" occurs. Now, this taper not only held his own during a rather stressful time being searched by security but did so while continuing to tape. This, ladies & gentleman is what it sounds like when a taper has balls of steel. Nice job Adam. For the quality of the recording & also the uniqueness of the exchange I would say that this is something recommended for tapers + collectors of all levels. Top stuff.
CD 1
Time: 66:38
CD 2
Time: 40:16
Source D: Sony ECM-909A > Sony TCD-D8
Taper: Mr. Fang
Notes: Good recording but it did not totally blow me away like a couple of the other sources. Clean and clear this recording does capture a refreshing sonic capture.
Source E: Core Sound Binaurals > Sharp MT-877
Taper: Stephan
Notes: For the equipment used, in 2006, this is a relatively solid recording although it does suffer from a bit of distance from the speakers which has an effect somewhat of a ‘booming’ effect on the overall sound, particularly the bass. Out of the known sources this is probably the least amazing but, again, it is still a solid recoding.
Time: 1:46:12