Studio Voodoo (DVD-Audio)
Music: B Dolby 2.0 Stereo: B
DTS 6.1 Discrete: A MLP 5.1:
A Extras: C+
Welcome to Studio
Voodoo, one of the latest to stretch the bounds of the musical world. There is a new trend starting in the realm
of music with the technologies such as DVD-Audio coming about. Finally, there is a format for studio
junkies to fully utilize their mixing talents in order to create an amazing
at-home experience through a musical journey strategically designed to engulf
the listener.
Originally thought of as a
stereo project back in the early 90’s, Studio Voodoo would finally find
its place once the technology would support it and what better than
DVD-Audio! Unlike most musical journeys
this one takes on many themes, but maintains a certain context throughout. Combining very ritualistic instruments of
the organic type with more advanced systems such as keyboards and synthesizers,
the creative team behind Studio Voodoo (Koz Mraz and Ted Price) have
made something for audiophiles that is exceptional different, but equally
entertaining and engulfing.
What could or should be
said about this project is the fact that it fuses so much together in terms of
vocals, instruments, looping, synthesizing, voice recording, alterations,
rhythms, and other various components in order to achieve a higher-level of
sonic reproduction and exploration. The
end result is a practically near-religious experience in terms of audio
escapism. We are taken on a journey
with voices, drums, noises, and anything imaginable coming from all directions
floating through our listening space and hypnotizing those willing to throw
themselves at the mercy of the music.
There are three ways to
experience this DVD-Audio. The first
choice is a Dolby Digital Stereo mix, which will quickly bore just about
anyone, as they will certainly hear the limitations within this mix. Not that it is recorded poorly, but this
type of project (since it was designed for multi-channel playback) has no use
in stereo. This will give the listener
a better idea of what this project may have been many years ago had it been
launched when it was thought of as just a ‘stereo only’ idea. Thankfully it progressed into what it
became.
The other two listening
choices are DTS-ES Discrete or MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing). While both are exceptional there are certain
differences to both. The DTS-ES mix or
DTS Extended Surround mix allows for 6.1 channel playback. In this mode the listener with 6-channel
playback capabilities (left, right, center, left surround, right surround, and
middle rear) will experience one of the most amazing and boundless adventures
in music in terms of sonic delivery.
Each channel has been
carefully mixed in order to give the feeling of being completely surrounded by
all types of sound. Not only are we
surrounded like we might be while watching a movie in surround sound or even
other DVD-Audio’s, but in this case the mix never focuses on front or back, but
concentrates on putting all the sound forth towards the center of the
room. Other mixes often time with
conventional music place the most emphasis on the front speakers and allow the
rear to pick up some of the directional effects. Not the case here! All
6-channels are given equal weight, which means that no matter which direction
you are sitting within the room you will be receiving a full fledged
effect. This is partially why the
DTS-ES option is more preferred simply because it fills in the spacing between
the often spread out left and right surrounds.
This extra channel also enables the mixer to have more control in
balancing a rear speaker to match the positioning of the front-center
speaker. Now, each channel in the front
has an equal counterpart in the back.
Both the DTS-ES and MLP
offer exceptional clarity and refinement, as well as excellent bass
management. The MLP is considerably
more coherent in its fidelity delivering a purer sound through the analog
connections, but it lacks the Extended Surround speaker, which puts the DTS-ES
ahead by just a touch.
The booklet offers credits
and the DVD-Audio also gives credentials as well. There is an interview session with Koz Mraz and Ted Price that is
approximately 15-minutes in length. The
majority of their interview consists of them giving their take on the project,
its origins, their contributions, and other tiny insights. Some of this interview discusses how the mix
was created and why the name ‘Studio Voodoo’ was chosen. All in all, this is indeed a terrific little
commodity recommended for true audiophiles.
Some may find the material to become annoying at times, but it’s all in
the overall delivery that makes this a true asset. Also recommended would be the Immersion DVD-Audio, which
is also covered on this site.
- Nate Goss
