LONG TAIL AUDIO RESTORES METROPOLITAN OPERA
AUDIO TREASURE FOR NEW GENERATION OF LISTENERS

Extremely Transparent Performance of LavryBlue Converters Aids in Transfer of
Thousands of Hours of Classic Performances for Digital Distribution
 
NEW YORK: Mix audio with a true mission, and you arrive at Long Tail Audio (LTA) in New York City, where a dedicated team is focused on resurrecting and refurbishing priceless analog audio treasures for a new generation of listeners. To date, their non-stop efforts have been central to resurrecting 640+ archived radio broadcasts of Metropolitan Opera performances, or nearly 2000 hours of musical history that has gone almost completely unheard since it was originally aired.      

With what might be as many as 1200 such broadcasts dating back to 1937 still to be transferred in LTA’s two fast-moving restoration studios, thousands of hours of operatic magic remain to be uncovered. Once the analog recordings have been digitized, they become available for discovery by a global listening audience eager for access to new volumes of classic performances.   

“The cultural value of this material is that it represents a level of craftsmanship and artistry that is less prevalent now,” says Charles Harbutt, Owner/Chief Engineer of Long Tail Audio. “These performances, and so many others out there that other institutions have in their archives, will be lost if the material and artistry can’t be re-experienced. At LTA, our responsibility is to help make these amazing resources available to be heard, in a way that is both economically feasible and sonically well-represented.”  

As they embark on their meticulous but efficient process for each tape, which they receive either from the Met or outside sources and carefully transfer into the digital domain, LTA depends on the transparent A/D performance and full-frequency response of LavryBlue converters from Lavry Engineering (www.lavryengineering.com) to help bring the transformed audio to listeners worldwide.

At LTA, once the audio leaves the analog source (physical media), it goes directly to the extremely transparent A/D conversion of the LavryBlue, then into LTA’s Pyramix DAW at 88.2 kHz/24-bit for intense scrutiny and de-noising.

“The LavryBlue converters are of paramount importance to our work,” says Harbutt. “Selecting the right converter for LTA was vital, because that’s what allows us to pull as much data as possible off of the tape. The converter is the doorway whereby anything else follows – anything that happens subsequent to the converter is in some way dependent on the quality of that conversion.

“We have listened to a number of different converters, and we’ve found that the LavryBlues have very full definition across the frequency range. They have clarity in the bottom, robust tonality in the mids, and extend for greater resolution in what we call the ‘upper air’, which aids in soundstage definition. Ultimately, that leads us to tracking the most detail and information possible.”

The LavryBlue Modular A/D D/A Conversion System provides 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kHz sampling frequencies. Featuring Lavry’s exclusive αβC αcoustic βit Correction®, CrystalLock™, and wide vari- speed operation, the LavryBlue can be configured in 2 to 8 channels A/D, D/A  or a combination of both, and is also available along with MicPre modules in one space-saving unit. The LavryBlue’s A/D cards allow the selection of various word lengths, Analog or Digital soft saturation, and dither with αβC αcoustic βit Correction® noise shaping. Other features include LED metering, reference meter mode, peak detection and front panel gain control. Lavry’s extremely transparent conversion may use internal crystals or externally lock to Word Clock or AES signal.

According to Harbutt, the separation and detail provided by the LavryBlue is essential to LTA’s finely-tuned restoration workflow, which puts an equal emphasis on artistic sensibilities and technical precision. As LTA continues to help musical institutions bring seldom-heard works – some of which may provide invaluable contributions to recorded history -- into the public consciousness, the precision of Lavry Engineering conversion is right there.     
 
“We have to be very detail-oriented, and we also have to be very musical,” Harbutt says. “Having a higher-resolution digitization allows us to more easily determine if what we’re hearing is an acoustic phenomenon or electronic medium-related abnormality. The high performance of the LavryBlue allows us to go after those technical issues that take away from the listening experience, and keep true to the performance.”     

With their work, LTA is helping to connect generations of music lovers, ensuring that historic performances of the world’s most loved operas are available, now and into the future. “Once people find these performances, they provide a wealth of information that will allow them to dig even deeper,” Charles Harbutt concludes. “We’re not just trying to preserve the material, but also make sure that it can be heard. That’s the bridge we’re building.”

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About Lavry Engineering:
Lavry Engineering, located in Poulsbo, Washington, was founded by digital audio expert Dan Lavry in 1993. The company specializes in products for professional audio, broadcast, audiophile and surround markets designed to satisfy the growing demand for hi-res digital audio performance. Lavry Engineering’s Gold, Black and Blue product lines offer a range of systems accommodating a wide range of budgets and applications. For more information, please visit www.lavryengineering.com.
All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
About Long Tail Audio:
For more information, please visit www.longtailaudio.com