David Elias: Hi-Def Downloads

A exploration into meditation and contemplation through music and photographic images from the Big Island in Hawaii. In a world where Mind has taken over much of our focus, there are some who need to return to more natural settings where more attention is repaid to the elements and where the imagination can trace closer to the lower physical Chakras.

If you are such a person or if you just like relaxing music with highly detailed photographs of nature, then this video is for you!  Includes 6 original songs, over 100 photos from the Big Island, East Hawaii.

Once you download it you can play on your computer or HD/Blu-ray video player including PlayStation3. (You burn the DVD or just copy to a USB stick.) The video is in Full HD 1080p.

Buy it as a download online here for $12.95 using secure PayPal (Visa/MC/AmEx/Discover all accepted - click "continue" link on PayPal page if you don't have a PayPal account - no worries):

As a way of encouraging listeners to use their imagination, a series of videos is being created for meditative and contemplative purposes. The videos contain David Elias photos and music.

The first video was released to the public on May 28, 2010. "Help Yourself" is a song composed and performed on ukelele. Photos from East Hawaii on The Big Island accompany the music. This single is an excerpt from the soon to be released "Hawaiian Meditations - Big Island - East Hawaii".

It is available as a download in 1080p Hi-Def and may be played on both HD Ready (DVD) and Blu-Ray players as well as on computer.  HDTV that supports either 720p or 1080p is suggested for viewing the video. The MPEG files downloaded should be presented as data files on a burned CD or DVD.  Alternately a third AVI file in 1080p is provided to present the video on PC or Mac computers. A DivX codec must be installed.

 

THE WINDOW - Reissued as DSD Disc + Bonus Track

 
As a brand new way to deliver the very highest quality in audio HD formats, "The Window", originally released in 2003 as a hybrid multichannel SACD is now available online here as a DSD Disc. This release includes all the original tracks of "The Window",  plus a bonus track of "Vision of Her" another Pure DSD recording from Slipperworld in La Honda, Calif. with Chris Kee and Charlie Natzke.

Others have been selling their used copies of the out-of-print "The Window" SACD on Amazon and elsewhere for $200+ !!!

You can  now download the entire Window DSD Disc image for playback on a Sony PlayStation3, (any model including new PS3 Slim), SCD-XA5400ES  player,   Sony Vaio computers, or on any other DSF file compatible player such as the Korg MR-1/1000/2000 series portable digital recorders. The DSD Disc is not an SACD but sounds identical playing through these new media players -- cutting edge!

Notes on how "The Window" was created as a pure DSD recording are at Positive Feedback Online here: CLICK

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You can buy the entire "The Window" DSD Disc (12 tracks) as a download for $17.99.

Here's what someone on Amazon said about "The Window" (5-stars):

"If you want to know what SACD is all about...then get a SACD player and this SACD. Every time I queue it up in my 5 disc changer/player, even if I start doing something else in the interim, I stop and sit and smile for at least a song or two when this one comes up. David's voice and acoustic guitar, the supporting musicians, the clarity of the recording, the overall production of the album are second to none. Many, if not most, other SACD recordings are mixed into the SACD format either after being recorded before DSD/SACD format was invented or after being recorded on the more typical/standard studio equipment; a true DSD recording, such as this one, is still a rarity. If you're an acoustic music fan this one is a must have." 

"The Window" DSD Disc has all of the original unchanged SACD songs recorded, mixed and mastered in their native DSD format plus a bonus track "Vision of Her".

With this option, you download the DSD Disc image now and then burn your own single layer DVD on a PC or Mac. It takes about 30 minutes to download the 1.5GB file on highspeed Comcast in the US.

IMPORTANT NOTES: After you complete the secure Visa/MC transaction with PayPal be sure to click the button to "Return to Sketti Sandwich Productions".  This will take you to the download page.  When you have finished the download simply close your browser.

Make sure you use software (like Nero) to burn the DVD. Reference the unzipped ISO file and burn a DVD.  You cannot simply copy files downloaded to a DVD.

Choose the  "Disc At Once" option (not "Multisession") when burning the DVD to be sure you finalize the DVD. Otherwise the player may not be able to read the disc.
 

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What is a DSD Disc?

The DSD Disc is a special type of data disc image burned to a DVD (approx. 2.3 GB of data for "The Window"). The DVD is then inserted into the PlayStation3 (PS3). High definition audio tracks may then be played either through the PS3's HDMI port or optical link (as PCM converted audio) or passed directly as decoded DSD to the analog audio outputs of a AV-MULTI port with a stereo compatible cable.

The DSD Disc files can also be transferred (imported) from a PC or Mac to a Korg MR-1, 1000 or 2000(S) series portable digital recorder for playback in their native stereo (DSF)  format.

When you download the DSD Disc image, you simply need to burn the single ISO file image you have downloaded  to a DVD on your computer (Mac or PC).

The download takes about 30 minutes on a highspeed Internet connection such as Comcast.  (Note: The file is zipped to speed the download and is compatible on either a PC or Mac.) The burned DVD can then be played in compatible players or computers as a DSD Disc.

Get more info about DSD Discs and SACD support on the Sony PlayStation3 from this site:

Here is another page with lots of info on the PlayStation3 in general:
http://www.edepot.com/playstation3.html

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Why Reissue "The Window" as a DSD Disc?

Since breaking new ground with hi-res (HD) audio recordings in 2003, "The Window" has been recognized by many audiophiles and industry veterans as a reference quality recording. The effort to capture the ambient qualites of a full band recording live with minimal micing in the acoustically correct Immersive Sounds studio in Boulder, Colorado was originally reproduced in the native DSD (1-bit, 2.8MHz) format as an SACD (Super Audio CD). That disc has been out of print for several years and has since become a collector's item (look here).

With support for the native DSD format on the Sony PlayStation3 and other new high-end audio equipment like Sony's XA5400ES player, it is now possible to bring this vinyl-like quality to many new listeners who otherwise might have missed hearing this out of print SACD in its original high definition format. 

You can hear what is referred to as a "first generation"  master (stereo) since the sessions were all recorded, mixed and mastered in the high quality DSD format.

Bonus Track: "Vision of Her"

As a special bonus, an extremely present and articulate recording of "Vision of Her" is included in this release. Recorded as an acoustic trio (David Elias, Chris Kee, Charlie Natzke), this live take re-emphasizes the power of minimal micing and ambient recording without special effects added to the mix.

Track List:

1. Freedom on the Freeway
2. Summer Wind
3. Go Down Easy
4. The Old King
5. Something About You
6. Half An Hour Away
7. Her Name is A.
8. Transcendental Deprivation, Part III
9. Season of the Fall
10. The Window
11. Picture of Nothing
12. Vision of Her (Bonus Track)

Musicians:
David Elias - Acoustic Guitar, Vocal & Harmonica
Sally Van Meter - Dobro, Weissenborn & Lap Steel
Matt Flinner - Mandolin & Bouzouki
Ross Martin - Electric & Baritone Guitars
Eric Thorin - Upright Bass
Marc Dalio - Drums
John Magnie - Keyboards & Accordion

Live mix by Jeff Shuey
Recorded to DSD on Sonoma by Gus Skinas at Immersive Studios, Boulder, CO
Mixed and Mastered on Sonoma by Gus Skinas, Super Audio Center, Boulder, CO

Bonus Track: Vision of Her
David Elias - Acoustic Guitar, Vocal
Chris Kee - Upright Bass
Charlie Natzke - Acoustic Guitar
Recorded to DSD on Sonoma by Charlie Natzke at Slipperworld.net, La Honda, CA
Mixed and Mastered on Sonoma by Gus Skinas, Super Audio Center, Boulder, CO
DSD Disc Photos by Gus Skinas

Click Here to read a review...

Here's another review...

And one more...

New Things Happen...



In late 2002, I worked with Gus Skinas,   KC Groves (Uncle Earl) and an incredible group of musicians (see list above) to produce what was to become my first SACD called "The Window ".  Recorded to DSD by Gus Skinas in 3 consecutive days at Immersive Studios  in Boulder, I had been inspired and encouraged by experiments with Gus since 1999 in Hi-Res (now called HD) recording using Sony's and Philip's new DSD format for high definition. 

Gus and I were both interested in hearing how real my music could be recorded and played back in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound. So we begain recording solo sessions as "pure" attempts to create this landscape, using excellent microphones, preamps and analog to digital converters, but nothing else like sound effects units or plugins.

Eventually it became very adventurous to contemplate putting together a full band in a top notch studio with the purpose of recording everything live and uncluttered. By uncluttered I mean avoiding the use of digital or other mechanical means of modifying the ambient sound of a band in a very good sounding room with very good sounding playing.

Instead we wanted to capture that experience and reproduce it for the listeners as closely as possible as if they were there for the original sessions. In the end, we arranged all musicians in one large semicircle in the studio. We even made natural use of the sound going between different microphones (bleed) as well as up into the ceiling and off the walls...some people thought we were crazy.

DSD and SACD in both stereo and 5.1 surround provided the means to record and playback those sessions.  So "The Window" became the first hybrid multichannel (5.1) SACD self-produced by an unsigned artist. It also got tons of great writeups, awards and support from many much appreciated listeners. It sold out in a few years and for mostly economic reasons wasn't reprinted.

Fast forward to 2009 and suddenly the technical audio world has changed again. With the proliferation of Sony PlayStation3's (PS3 ) for entertainment of all kinds, as well as the emergence of DSD portable recorders by Korg  as well as a newly applauded Sony SACD player (XA5400ES ) with new features supporting DSF files, it is now possible for literally tens of millions of people to hear very very high quality audio. It's as good as vinyl! :)  Even more amazing is that this audio can be downloaded from the Internet!

So while I have recorded many different projects, SACD's, CD's podcasts, webcasts, and short videos using DSD since "The Window" was released in 2003, it seems very fitting that I christen the new bleeding edge of HD audio in the form of Internet downloaded files and mass media playback devices with "The Window" tracks.  It's a new world again afterall.

You can now download "The Window"  in its original 1-bit, 2.8MHz DSD format that was used to create the SACD in stereo.  Once you have downloaded the zipped file, you can unzip it and burn a DVD on your PC or Mac. This DVD is something that the PlayStation3, or the Sony XA5400ES will play directly from the disc in the original HD (DSF) stereo format.  In addition, you can import the DSF files from a PC/Mac for playback on a portable digital recorder like the Korg MR-1 or other Korg models (1000 , 2000, 2000s ).



I know that not everyone is interested in audio quality per se. But..... in the 14 years that I have had my music online starting with MP3 files hosted by the likes of the original MP3.com, not much changed in the low quality of the music you could download until only recently. Suddenly "original CD quality" WAV or AIFF files and even higher resolution HD audio files  in stereo and surround are becoming common fare.  Someone out there must want quality!

In fact a Stereophile Magazine poll this month showed that a **majority** of their readers chose SACD as their most preferred audio format.  Here are the results:

Vinyl: 22%
CD: 17%
SACD: 28%
DVD-A: 5%
Download: 21%
Web Radio: 0%
Radio (FM, HD, XM, etc.): 0%
Tape: 0%
Other: 3%

Perhaps HD video has helped create this demand for better audio. Whatever the reason I am happy to know that more music lovers are paying attention to the audio quality of the music they purchase. It is an enriching experience. It is why music is music in the first place, to my ears at least.

Thank you for listening. I hope you get a chance to hear "The Window" in the original format it was created. The reason is because it simply couldn't sound any better than that. You can download the DVD image to burn yourself or you can buy a DVD of the audio files online and have it shipped to you.



With Aloha,
- DE

PS - There is a new bonus track added to "The Window" for this special reissue.  It is a live studio take of "Vision of Her" recorded at Slipperworld Studios  in La Honda, Califorina.  Charlie Natzke (acoustic), Chris Kee (upright bass) and I recorded it out there in the country one sunny morning with the windows open. This track was recorded by Charlie and mixed by Gus.

PPS - With each track there is a special photo by Gus Skinas from SuperAudioCenter.com. Photos can be seen on the PS3 and Korg software (Audiogate).