It’s the Nature of Things

“I bought and downloaded this stunning Foxfeather album. The recording is like nothing I have heard before – extraordinary.”

Thanks, to Richard Peace for those kind words about our latest release, FoxFeather’s, The Nature of Things. It is, truly, one of those great recordings and musical pleasures we will long treasure.

Hans in Hamburg, Germany writes: “Paul, they are just awesome, musically and technically. Such a pleasure to listen to. They are so much out of the ordinary, I say so as I have tried other sources selling HiRes and DSD. None comes even close, and some I would rather declare being fakes. Octave records is now my only source for digital music files to purchase.”

The Nature of Things is the kind of release that gets music lovers talking and feet tapping. This is one hell of an album that we at Octave Records are excited to share with you. Brilliant songwriting, powerful vocals, and by far one of the best recordings we’ve ever made. The Nature of Things is a must-have musical treasure. Recorded exclusively in pure DSD, this remarkable work is destined to become a classic, one that’ll be heard up and down the halls of audio shows the world over.

“A phenomenal album. Electrifyingly real, with spectacular air and presence. Another good job very well done. Please keep it up! You’re leaving the others in the dust.”
Dr. David Campbell

Grab a copy before they are gone

Watch the FoxFeather video

The making of a gong

The unmistakable sound of the gong has held spiritual significance in Southeast Asia for centuries, as well as find special use applications in music from around the world.

Hand-beaten from sheet materials, the labor-intensive shaping and delicate paintwork result in beautiful percussive instruments. Souvenir gongs can be bought for just a few dollars, but large, finely tuned gongs made from the best materials can fetch tens of thousands of dollars.

In this fascinating video we learn how the sound of each gong is hand fashioned by artisans and each is unique unto itself. Learn the secrets of how one of the oldest musical instruments are crafted.

The making of musical gongs

Audiophile Lexicon

Every special interest, hobby, or endeavor has its own words. Stamp collectors covet their “prexies,” “speedies” and “Zepps” and coin collectors, their “cuds,” “red books” and “wire rims.”

What seems obvious to us are about as clear as mud to others. I mean, “prexies,” “speedies” and “Zepps” are likely as mysterious as “transparency”, “sweet spot”, and “slam”.

Over the years, I have come to realize that enticing into the fold would-be audiophiles with the promise of hearing for the first time an extended soundstage, or uncovering levels of inner details is as likely to be successful to a philatelist as their promise of showing me their prized frama.

You’re likely already immersed in the lexicon of high-end audio, so we’re all speaking the same language.

I just wouldn’t be surprised if you get a few scrunched eyebrows the next time you use a term like “veiled” or “hooded” to describe what you hear.

Most people aren’t going to be in the sweet spot of understanding our language.

Copper Magazine

In this issue: audio shows are returning, and B. Jan Montana reports on California’s T.H.E. Show. Before YouTube, how did people learn stuff? Why, with self-help records, as Rich Isaacs points out! J.I. Agnew continues his series, The Giants of Tape, with a look at the MCI JH-110. Russ Welton interviews the extraordinary acoustic guitarist Gordon Giltrap, and looks at the effects of standing waves in rooms. Wayne Robins reviews Soberish, Liz Phair’s new album, and her Horror Stories memoir. Anne E. Johnson covers the careers of Elvis Costello and the all-female International Sweethearts of Rhythm. WL Woodward begins a series on Beat storyteller Tom Waits.

Are they still relevant? Adrian Wu begins a new series on vintage (and new) Garrard turntables. I cover Octave Records’ brand-new release, The Nature of Things by rock band Foxfeather. John Seetoo reports on the recent AES Show Spring 2021. Rudy Radelic continues his series on jazz musician Cal Tjader with a look at his Verve Records years. Ken Sander finds himself between tours with Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Ray Chelstowski interviews Thierry Amsallem, producer of The Montreux Years, a new series of recordings celebrating the famed jazz festival with initial releases from Nina Simone and Etta James. Tom Gibbs continues his series on high-resolution remasters from prog-rock legends Yes. We round out the issue with James Whitworth contemplating a small eternity, Peter Xeni pondering rotational accuracy, Audio Anthropology salivating over a big MAC and a well-traveled Parting Shot.

Copper is cost-free, ad-free, and committed to great articles without an attitude.

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World’s smallest amplifier

Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have built the world’s smallest and best acoustic amplifier. And they did it using a concept that was all but abandoned for almost 50 years: sound waves.

Modern cell phones are packed with radios to send and receive phone calls, text messages and high-speed data. The more radios in a device, the more it can do. While most radio components, including amplifiers, are electronic, they can potentially be made smaller and better as acoustic devices. This means they would use sound waves instead of electrons to process radio signals.

“Acoustic wave devices are inherently compact because the wavelengths of sound at these frequencies are so small—smaller than the diameter of human hair,” Sandia scientist Lisa Hackett said. But until now, using sound waves has been impossible for many of these components.

The team also created the first acoustic circulator, another crucial radio component that separates transmitted and received signals. Together, the petite parts represent an essentially uncharted path toward making all technologies that send and receive information with radio waves smaller and more sophisticated, said Sandia scientist Matt Eichenfield.

Read the article

SMT Parts

Most of us don’t have any clue what goes on inside of our audio products other than a basic understanding. Are the parts that generate the sound big or small? Through-hole or surface mount? Do you even know the difference?

Join me in this YouTube video as we discuss the pros and cons of surface mount technology: the microscopic bits that go into making the equipment we depend upon for listening to music.

In this film, I show you what they look like and explain the advantages and disadvantages of these miracle parts.

Watch the video