The eighth in a short series of videos captured at the recent Hi-Fi Show Live in Ascot, UK – in which we grab a quick chat with a handful of fellow R2R appreciators. Here, we talk tape with Mike Valentine of UK-based audiophile label Chasing the Dragon. Always an engaging and entertaining speaker, Mike gives … More A quick chat with… Chasing the Dragon’s Mike Valentine
Making high-quality audio recordings in a recording studio is one thing but making audiophile recordings at a remote venue has its own particular challenges. Neville Roberts visits London’s Temple Church to attend one such recording session featuring two of the Bach Cello Suites, performed by the renowned and award-winning cellist, Justin Pearson. I’ve been fortunate … More Recording the Bach Cello Suites: behind the scenes and a free sample download
Well, we did it… this Hallowe’en weekend, The Reel-to-Reel Rambler went from being an online webzine to a collaborative live event at Hi-Fi Show Live 2019 – and what a show it was! If there was any doubt about the growing interest in reel-to-reel, then this weekend must surely have put it to rest. The … More Hi-Fi Show Live 2019: “a pivotal moment for tape”!
The Rambler has some very exciting news to announce…. this October we’re celebrating all things reel-to-reel at the UK’s biggest high-end hi-fi show and we’d love you to come along and join us! The show: Hi-Fi Show Live, Ascot, UK, 26th-27th October 2019 Hi-Fi Show Live, now in its 7thyear, is run by AVTech Media, … More R2R live! The Rambler will be at the UK’s Hi-Fi Show Live this October – with tape decks both vintage and brand new, tape labels, tape manufacturers, tech tape advice and more (oh and Ken Kessler!)
If you read my report of attending Chasing The Dragon’s audiophile recordings at London’s Air Studios, you’ll know I’ve now become a fan of internationally renowned jazz trumpet player Quentin Collins, whose recording (as the Quentin Collins All Star Quintet) with Chasing The Dragon will be released on master tape and in various other formats later this year. … More Catch Quentin Collins live in London on 3rd September
A week after a wonderful trip to visit Recording the Masters in France (write-up coming soon), I found myself heading to London’s iconic Air Studios. Have I mentioned how much love my job? Just the once or twice perhaps… Since this was my second visit to Hampstead’s hallowed ground, I had some idea of what … More Going live: in which Dave Denyer spends two fascinating days at London’s Air Studios witnessing Chasing The Dragon’s audiophile recordings
UK-based audiophile label Chasing The Dragon’s latest addition to their reassuringly-expanding catalogue is the classical equivalent of the full English breakfast: music that’s been performed and recorded countless times, that extends far beyond the usual reach of classical music and that’s sure to be immensely popular. (Okay so the breakfast analogy may be stretching it … More The full English breakfast: Dave Denyer listens to Chasing the Dragon’s Live Beethoven Series on master tape
Reel-to-reel master tapes have the ability to convey the ambience of a venue like no other recording medium. Hi-fi journalist Neville Roberts looks into some of the techniques used in modern recordings that can really help capture the atmosphere of the performance venue. Making a modern recording is a bit more complex than simply switching … More Capturing ambience: Neville Roberts explores the art of making a masterful live recording
You know that irksome feeling when you really want to hate something but you can’t help loving it? Worse still, have you ever waxed lyrical in the public domain about how terrible something is, and then found yourself being blown away by it? Then you’ll understand how poor Ken Kessler feels, as this self-confessed cassette … More Still reeling: Ken Kessler discovers audiophile cassettes
In 2018, hi-fi journalist Neville Roberts flew to Venice to attend the live recording of audiophile label Chasing the Dragon’s Vivaldi in Venice album. At home in the UK, Dave Denyer listens to the recording on copy master tape. Spoiler alert: “this is one of the most wonderfully captivating examples of the recording art I’ve ever … More Vivaldi in Venice part 2: a post-script from the rambler’s listening room
