Shirley Horn – Softly (Analog Reel to Reel Tape)

The reflective mood of this album captures the late night intimacy of the recording sessions. Shirley Horn’s performances here, surrounded by devoted friends, protected from the time-is-money anxiety and clinical ambiance of commercial recording studios, is more introspective and emotionally intense than anything she has recorded to date.

The lady is really amazingly on target with her approach to every tune she had chosen to perform in this album. Seldom will a recording session yield only indispensable tracks. This Shirley Horn studio visit did.

Metal reel, 15 IPS CCIR tape, also available on NAB

Features

• Master Quality Reel To Reel Tape
• Pure Analog Copy at 15 ips, CCIR EQ, from the Analog Master Tape
• Transferred to Recording The Masters SM468 magnetic tape
• 2xHD mastering by René Laflamme
• 1 Reel
• Metal Reel
• Made in Canada

2xHD Technical Information

The magnetic tape used for this product is the finest state-of-the-art on the market today. Buying an audio tape from 2xHD guarantees that ultimate quality is preserved from the original master in contrast to vinyl albums, CDs or other formats which are all generated from multiple generations of the original eg: tapes have been duplicated (made into ‘safety Copies’) from the master to be sent to mastering labs around the world from which more generations or conversions of the original are used for manufacturing and reproducing. At 2xHD we always use the original master tape for the transfer to your tape.

All transfer pollution which may be caused by cabling, audio consoles, electrical interference, and amplifiers, are eliminated in the 2xHD chain as we dig into the original recording, using more sophisticated power supplies, cables, etc. These procedures help lower tape noise at the lowest spectrum and bring out the second harmonics warmth associated with analog recordings, creating a fresh, new, yet authentic version of the original recording. We call the procedure ‘back to the future technology’. So, it’s fair to say that you own a recording that is superior to the original released product.

The transfer is made to the best magnetic tape on the market today, the SM468 Studio Master tape which has all the features of a master tape but is also designed for long storage. The formula was created by AGFA around 1973. This tape has the best Print-through protection and longest storage life. Tapes of this formula have been stored for more than 40 years — and display no deterioration of the coating or sound quality. It is often chosen by professionals who specialize in classical, instrumental or voice recordings due to the “transparent” sound of its formula. Many sound engineers using Nagra recorders use the SM468 as their go-to tape since the past 45 years.

Fusion Pure Analog Tape by 2xHD

Audio tapes from 2xHD guarantees that ultimate quality is preserved from the original master in contrast to vinyl albums, or CDs.

For the recording on this tape, the original 1/4″ 15 ips NAB or CCIR master tapes were played on a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired with OCC silver cables from the playback head direct to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier. The Nagra-T, with its four direct drive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, is one of the best transports ever made. A customer-built carbon fiber head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2HD Fusion to obtain more transparency and better 3D imaging. Your copy was recorded on a Nagra iV-S 1/4″ at 15 ips.

A World of Music on Reel Tape at Your Fingertips

Nothing sounds better than music on audio reel to reel tape. The return of the most delicate, but most considered, kind of audio format for a true audiophiles. The most dubious audiophiles know the truth about reel-to-reel tape. The truth is that it just sounds better than vinyl. The ultimate reel to reel tape is the latest retro-trend for audiophiles, it has a greater dynamic range than vinyl, capable of producing extraordinary sound for the treble and bass and there is less signal processing which is the enemy of a hi-fi extraordinaire.

The 2xHD team proud to announce the receipt of two prestigious 2020 Awards: THE POSITIVE FEEDBACK 2020 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD was given for Audiophile Analog Collection Vol 2 for Release on Reel Master Tape and HIGH FIDELITY’s BEST RECORDING 2020 Award was bestowed on 2xHD for two pure analog recordings: Audiophile Analog Collection Vol 1 and Audiophile Analog Collection Vol 2. Feel The Warmth!

The 2xHD proprietary mastering provides a unique listening experience as the process digs deep in original recordings to bring out all hidden information, without altering the music in any way, uncovering, and bringing out nuances, warmth, depth of field and even the air around the musicians.

Pure analog transfer from the original master tape. Audiotapes from 2xHD guarantees that ultimate quality is preserved from the original master in contrast to LP vinyl, CDs, or other formats. Exceptional Audiophile Analog Sound – Master Quality Reel To Reel Recording On RTM SM468 Tape.

Based in Montreal and created by audiophile sound engineer René Laflamme and producer André Perry. All 2xHD audiotapes are from the original analog master and transfer in analog domain using a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired from the playback head. In the high-end audio world, René has carved out a reputation for the definition of excellence and uses his knowledge and unfailing instinct to match various audio components to create the best all-encompassing sound experience. The company plans to release a new title every 2 months.

Audiophile quality microphone designer and 40 times winner of “Best sound in the show” at high-end audio equipment conventions, Laflamme uses his knowledge and unfailing instinct to match various audio components to create the best all-encompassing sound experience. The exclusive 2xHD system is the fruit of Laflamme’s total experience and imagination. Music on reel-to-reel tape from the original analogue master.

Caring for Your Tape

• We use an MRL tape for alignment of our tape decks
• Tapes should always be stored ‘tail-out’ to prevent print-through
• Store in a dry place. The ideal environment is between 154C-26″C (59’F-78’F) and Relative Humidity of 45%-70%.
• Keep away from any magnetic field such as speakers
• Clean & demagnetize the heads regularly
• Tape tail out! Before playback, please rewind the tape.
• NativeDSD nor 2xHD can be held responsible for any damage resulting from customer tape handling or defective machine

These simple procedures will help you enjoy the music for many years. Happy Listening!

Compatible Tape Recorders

Below is a partial list of compatible tape recorders. Other tape recorders may be used as long as they have 15ips, 2 track playback capability, CCIR or NAB curve and 10” diameter reel capacity.

3M, Akai, Ampex 350, 351, 354, 440, MR70, ATR 100, 102, Ballfinger M063H1, M063H3, M063H5, M063H1IX, Crown, Denon, Fostex, Lyrec, Magnecord, Marantz, MCI, Mitsubishi, Nagra T, Nagra IV-S/QGB, Otari, Philips PRO35, PRO36, Pioneer RT707, Scully280, Shure, Sony, Stellavox, Studer B67, C37, A80, 810, A820, ReVox A77, C260, G36, PR99, Tandberg, Teac X2000, Tascam, Technics RS1500, Telefunken M5, M10, M12, M15, Thorens TM1600, United home audio and more.