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Magic and mystery of master tape

I keep hearing the phrase closest to master tape. The fact that it is the closest thing to neutrality, and the best 'reference' that said who actually has master tapes? who can get their hands on them? how do you get them? Has anyone audiophile got proper access to them?
I ask this because people keep saying their system sounds like master tape of x or y recording, but is this simple bluff - ie is it just a journalistic phrase from those saying that what they have have heard is neutral? or is it a genuine comparison?
I only say this as I can recall about one or two occasions at shows where I have heard master tape, and that is it - even then it was of rather obscure material/music.
Surely digital masters are more readily available? That being the case surely modern/current digital recordings are the closest to the master/ master tape.
This is a genuine question of curiosity that I would be grateful if someone will kindly shed some light on. Thanks.
lohanimal
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
I would use the term "purity" when talking about a copy of a master. And a studio would not lend out a master tape; they would send a submaster or a clone. If someone is telling you he has a master, it's most likely going to be an exact duplicate (clone). Anyway, nowadays master tape is being transferred to digital files.

But we need to be specific; are we including analogue tapes that have been remastered to digital?
With digital masters (which are files), a studio can burn a copy, that in theory, is the same quality of the master.

So with a master tape, you are hearing the purity of the sound on the tape, however, at a show where music is being demoed, the coloration's of the system and the room will never match the original studio.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"I keep hearing the phrase closest to master tape. The fact that it is the closest thing to neutrality, and the best 'reference' that said who actually has master tapes?"

Are you talking about comparing the masters to other formats like cd and vinyl, or equipment? For example, does preamp A get you closer to the Master than preamp B.

"who can get their hands on them? how do you get them? Has anyone audiophile got proper access to them?
I ask this because people keep saying their system sounds like master tape of x or y recording, but is this simple bluff - ie is it just a journalistic phrase from those saying that what they have have heard is neutral? or is it a genuine comparison?"

You're right on that. There's no way an audiophile will be able to get their hands on a master tape. Maybe there's a rare exception, buy I've never heard of it.
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
You're right on that. There's no way an audiophile will be able to get their hands on a master tape. Maybe there's a rare exception, buy I've never heard of it.

The term most of us use is Master dub and It is indeed possible to get them.

Examples are The Tape Project, Yarlung Records and the German audiophile society. At one time all of them offered master dubs, perhaps some still do.

I have tapes from each of these sources, some are extraordinary.
peter_s
1,340 posts
 
As an ex taper of Grateful Dead concerts, I can tell you that the master was always the best. Every generation away created a loss in dynamics and clarity. There is great value in getting close to the master!
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