2002.07.11 - Bakersfield, CA, USA @ Centennial Garden Arena
Source A: DAT --- Danish Pro Audio 4061s > CS Battery Box > Sony TCD-D8
DAT: DAT-1 > Digital Clone-2
CD Gen: 1st from Master
Taper: Brad Z.
Notes: First performance of Tool from the 2nd Leg of the 2001 tour. What more could one want from a recording? This was recorded front of board and was taped with very good equipment. However, this recording features a very live sound that some may simply love and others may not. This is in the eye of the beholder. At any rate, the recording is simply an accurate representation of the performance and the way the sound came out of the speakers. Again, what more could anyone want? I suppose that the one trivial complaint would be that the levels may appear to be high up. Again, this is in the eye of the beholder. Overall, recommended.
CD 1
Time: 52:13
CD 2
Time: 62:03
Tuva
Sober
Flood
The Grudge
(-) Ions
Stinkfist
H.
Schism
Parabola
Eon Blue Apocalypse
The Patient
Ænema
Intermission
Disposition
Reflection
Triad
Lateralus
Source B: Mini Disc --- Giant Squid Audio Lab Binaurals > Sony MZ R-700
Taper: Armen / Zh'ian
Gen: 1st from Master
Notes: For the equipment used, overall, this is not a terrible recording. There are obvious audible limitations but, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. There is a little bit/slight 'brickwall' when the bass hits but other than that the recording is fun to listen to. One of this taper's first recordings. Issues with the microphones include crowd noise, high level distortion (slight) and not the best bass-response. I know the limitations of these microphones quite well as I have a pair myself. They are, of course, very retired. In fact, this taper has not used GSAL mics in a very long time as well. There are better audio sources of this performance available.
CD 1
Time: 68:24
CD 2
Time: 41:44
Source C: Hi8 --- Sony ECM - Z37C > Tokina Lens > Sima Monopod > Sony Hi8
Source C: 1G VHS > DVD (transfer by Ricky R. in 2004) / single layer
Source C: Master > DVD / 2 discs (2005 transfer)
Taper: Deuce8Pro
Gen: 1st from Master
Notes - 2002:
I purchased this recording, I know "buying bootlegs only encourages that crappy behavior" but I had no choice - the guy only sold, on eBay the day after this performance. There are no known Master>DVD transfers out in the trading pool= & only a limited number of Master>VHS copies. This was put to DVD by Ricky from my video. All in all, this is a very good capture of a stellar performance by Tool. Filmed from the center mezzanine, this video features some very good close-ups of both the band members & the screens. There is a slight cut in Schism due to the taper changing seats. There are a few security-ducks so the taper would not get caught by security. Although this is not, by any means, the best video ever, this is quite enjoyable to watch. Recommended.
Notes - 2004:
This guy was actually arrested in 2003 by the FBI w/assistance from the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling live-videos. He was not busted for Tool per se but for selling videos of other acts like Britney Spears. I tell the truth. Let this be a lesson to the other people that sell bootlegs, especially Tool recordings.Notes - 2005: The taper has taken his master & put it, uncompressed in any form, on 2 DVDs. Upgrade as he originally only released these on VHS & many of the DVD's floating around are various VHS>DVD transfers.
DVD
Time: 1:54:28
Source D: DAT --- Schoeps MK4 > active cables > Rmod2k1 > Sony SBM-1 (Oade Bros.) > Sony PCM-M1
Notes: This is most likely the best sounding source for this performance. Hands down. Possibly the most beautiful capture of H. is on this recording. This was, reportedly, recorded front of stack - the quality is amazing. There seems to be confusion in some people's minds as to if this is a SBD recording or not. Obviosuly, no, it is not & although I cannot understand how anyone would confuse this with a SBD, it has. At any rate, that says something for the recording quality. You do get what you pay for. What... this rig is maybe a $3K rig depending on various factors? As a taper, I wonder just how this guy managed to get Schoeps + the related gear + the M1 into the venue without being picked up. Fascinating. At any rate, this is a recording that I, for one, highly recommend for numerous reasons including: clarity, crispness, overall enjoyment and relatively low crowd noise. Not much more to say. Fantastic stuff.
CD 1
Time: 61:55
CD 2
Time: 52:29
Source E: Mini Disc --- Realistics 33-1095 > Sony MZ R-70
Notes: Good sound for the equipment & relative distance from the speakers. Vocals & instruments have a little bit of a bouncing effect which is actually minimized by the use of these microphones. The bass + boom sort of rolls off. But that roll, you can hear it. Some people swear by this type of microphone, personally, I prefer the up-front type of sound. Especially with Tool. Fact of the matter is, there are better sounding & quality versions out there & for that reason many people will simply overlook this particular recording. There is also a bit of crowd noise, clapping & a few instances of taper or very close to the taper yelling. In fact, the taper says "whew" a lot right at the track transitions. Kind of funny, kind of annoying.
Maynardism: "Thank you very much for your support. Sometimes, you lose sight of what it is why you do what it is you do. Then we come to a place like this, you remind us. Thank you very much"
CD 1
Time: 59:56
CD 2
Time: 52:29
Source F: DAT — DPA 4061 > Sony PCM-M1
Notes: Slightly (and I mean subtle) distortion at high levels. This is noticeable when the bass hits in combination with the bass drum. It is not terrible and still a wonderful recording. Unsure of the Gen on this but I received my version on a DVD as one single file.
Time: 1:59:41
Source G: DAT — Core Sound Binaural > Sony PCM-M1
Notes: Real nice audience recording. Recorded from a distance from the stack but a decent and enjoyable capture, nonetheless. There are so many recordings of this performance it is hard ot pick my favorite one. But if I had to choose, I’d check out this one for sure.
Time: 2:02:04