DSD in Production

From the 1997 Super Audio Compact Disc: A Technical Proposal

"The full benefits can best be retained by an all-DSD production chain. Both Sony and Philips have begun serious work on that chain. Prototype DSD-capable recording systems already exist. In addition, Sonic Solutions is developing a DSD-compatible version of Sonic’s well-known SonicStudio™ line of digital audio workstations. Substantial progress has been made in the mixing, crossfading, and equalizing of DSD 1-bit signals. In short, there’s no theoretical barrier to the creation of a full range of DSD post production tools, recorders, mixers, editors and effects processors."

SACD Production Using Direct Stream Digital

Sony's Direct Stream Digital (DSD) system uses a 1-bit delta-sigma modulated word, sampled at 2.8224 MHz - that is 64 times 44.1 kHz.

What makes DSD shine sonically is that the pure 1-bit signal does not get decimated or changed in the process of recording or playback; there are no brick wall filters. This is a much simpler process and is really more analog like. The 1-bit DSD signal can be down converted to any of the current digital formats.

Early DSD recording

In the beginning DSD recording lacked EQ, and it did not have any of the tools necessary to do any type of signal manipulation. Most early DSD recordings did not use any signal processing whatsoever and those few that did chose to do so in the analog domain. Microphone choice and positioning was of the utmost importance as nothing could be fixed in the mix. Some of the companies that choose to go the natural way include AudioQuest Music. DMP and Telarc. To this day some of my best sounding SACDs are from the "golden age" of Stereo SACD before DSD signal processing devices were invented.

"To me DSD sounds, what I call, "ear friendly", you know the slight pain you get in the ear when listening to the harsh or glaring sound from some digital. With DSD you get none of this and can hear around the individual instruments, not just the front." Tom Jung, DMP (Digital Music Products)

Modern DSD recording

In 2004 Sonoma offered many of the editing tools in the DSD domain for the first time. As of 2009 the most recent Sonoma Multitrack Recorder Editor Features

• Sonic Superiority via ST Optical with Separate Optical Clock

• True DSD recording, editing, and level adjustments

• Real-time cross-fades (Plays 48 streams during edits)

• Overdubs with gapless punch-out monitoring

• Real time waveform generation during record

• Time code generation and synchronization

• Powerful music oriented editing and event-based editing

• SA-CD Edit Master generation

• Real time level interpolation between edits

• True SA-CD Scarlet Book Annex D&E DSD metering

• Meter Interface Design by an ex-studio maintenance engineer

• Available in 8, 16, 24 and 32 channel configurations

• Physical Controller now available in three versions

EMM Labs ADC8 MkIV and DAC8 MkIV

A standard for Super Audio CD production, EMM Labs analog to DSD and DSD to analog converters designed by Ed Meitner have been used over the years to produce the large majority of Super Audio CDs worldwide.

There are other DSD recording options but the Sonoma / EMM labs combo proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that those recording companies that do not record DSD because editing is not available in the DSD domain are not up on the latest recording and mastering equipment.

There is currently NO EXCUSE why all new recordings are NOT DSD recorded.  We must demand DSD be used from the beginning to the end of the product chain in producing our SACDs.  If we don't no one will.