Grab Bag: Part III
Sometimes it’s challenging to put so much effort into what is essentially a labor of love and not know whether people appreciate and recognize the efforts. If you cruise around the web, you can read reviews on Amazon or other site and get a pretty good idea of what people feel about our AIX Records productions.
But there’s a very special satisfaction that comes from someone taking the time write or call with encouraging comments. I can’t express how much I appreciate it…and they’re all over the world. Recent comments have come from Spain and Canada.
I’ve got a whole notebook full of reviewers and very complimentary clippings from audiophile magazines. And there’s not a day goes by that somebody doesn’t email or call with comments about our recordings. Here’s an email that I received last week that I would love to share:
“Hi Mark,
Just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I enjoy your outstanding audio/video recordings. I had a chance to talk to you a little, and I picked up your latest sampler at the New York Audio Show this past April. I didn’t get to it for a while, but when I finally did, I was just thrilled with the overall quality of these recordings! What really struck me was how completely natural they sound. I have seldom heard multi-channel recordings that are mixed properly. I usually hear all kinds of stuff in rear channels that just plain doesn’t belong there. Your recordings are not like that at all. There is nothing distracting or “pyrotechnic” about these AIX recordings. You’ve certainly proved to me that 96kHz/24 bits is plenty adequate resolution. You’ve obviously done your homework where it counts; mics, mixing, and general studio set-up. The Blue Ray video is also outstanding quality.
I’ve since ordered several more of your releases: Banda Brothers, John Gorka, Ernest Ranglin, Laurence Juber, and The Old City String Quartet. Had a few of my Audiophile friends (all 2 channel die-hards like me) over for a session and they were all blown away! I have a fairly modest HT set-up with just a mid-line Onkyo receiver and Blue-Ray player and some custom speakers I build myself with Scan Speak drivers. Most of my $$ went into my 2 channel system, but with your recordings, I am enjoying my modest multi-channel HT system more than ever now!
My wife Joanne also enjoys music and she really appreciated the AIX recordings as well. She runs a small CD/music store here in the Reading PA area (C D Exchange), and we will be carrying and promoting AIX. Hopefully, we can help spread the word a little and turn our customers on to a really exceptional product.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the artists that record for you. Some I knew, some I didn’t. ALL of them impressed me. The combination of your quality recordings and some truly exceptional musicianship makes for a very enjoyable experience. My friends and I listened for many hours that night and didn’t know where the time went!
Sorry for the somewhat long-winded comment, but I really couldn’t condense it. I wanted you to know how much I, my wife and friends all appreciate the work you’re doing. We are all devout music lovers, and it’s easy to see that that’s where you’re coming from too.
Keep up the great work; and best of luck to you!
Sincerely,
Steve and Joanne”
It’s very satisfying to receive unsolicited comments like that. It does make it all worthwhile.
