What exactly is London/Decca


I'm hoping someone may enlighten me on what exactly a London/Decca "Phase 4" record is. At first, I thought it must be a quadraphonic record, but I've picked up a few and they aren't. Most seem to be from the late 60's. One came with a promotional insert that describes it as a "marvel of sound" (not particularly enlightening). Might anyone know what the difference is between a "Phase 4" London/Decca and any other non-Phase 4 London/Decca record? Tks.

John
john_adams_sunnyvale

Showing 2 responses by rushton

The "Phase 4" recordings were a departure from the
normal recording techniques applied by Decca. They are
highly multi-miked, and closely miked to maximize impact of
the instrumental sounds. No attempt is made to create a
natural soundstage, as in the classic miking techniques from
the standard music catalog.

The *London* Phase 4 recordings are different in tonal
balance from the *Decca* Phase 4 recordings. Unlike the
standard catalog, the Phase 4 catalog was separately
mastered for the U.S. market, boosting bass and treble. The
Decca Phase 4 pressings mastered for the British domestic
market, while still multi-miked and closely miked, were
mastered with a more neutral tonal balance.

Some Phase 4 recordings can be very impactful, dynamic and
exciting. But, don't go to this sub-label for natural
sounding recordings that attempt to faithfully capture the
music event from an audience member's perspective. Consider
the Phase 4 catalog a fun and frivolous adventure in sound
for sound's sake.

Some Phase 4 recordings for classical music fans to seek
out:

- Stokowski / Scheherazade
- Munch / Pines of Rome
- Herrman / any of his own works that he conducts
.