The release of Trio Mediaeval’s album “YULE” gives me the opportunity to introduce you to sound engineer Morten Lindberg. Morten Lindberg’s aim is to convey the emotion of the music by literally plunging us into the heart of it.
To achieve this, Morten Lindberg works in a special way, recording in 7.1.4 with a system of 12 microphones placed at the heart of the musicians, singers or orchestra. The microphone array is really a copy of the speaker configuration in the immersive playback systems. Time of arrival, SPL and on axis HF texture is directly preserved in this 7.1.4 microphone configuration. This recording was made by Lindberg Lyd AS with DPA microphones and HORUS converters to a PYRAMIX workstation on Ravenna AoIP with Genelec ONE monitoring.

It all starts with the selection of the recording location, in order to provide the most natural rendering according to the type of music, because Morten Lindberg’s choice is not to mix the recorded sound; everything is done at the time of recording. Thus, the recording location, the placement of the musicians and the array of microphones are the keys to this sound rendering.
It all starts with the selection of the recording location, in order to provide the most natural rendering according to the type of music, because Morten Lindberg’s choice is not to mix the recorded sound; everything is done at the time of recording. Thus, the recording location, the placement of the musicians and the array of microphones are the keys to this sound rendering. Here, everything is done naturally, with no digital processing tricks.
If one instrument is loud compared to the others, it is moved away from the microphones. If an instrument sounds too aggressive, Morten Lindberg has just the mic angles.
This time-consuming process of setting, adjusting and listening results in an exceptionally natural sound reproduction, with the microphones placed right in the center of the music. To guarantee maximum quality, Morten Lindberg doesn’t hesitate to use the DXD format for a 7.1.4 recording with 24-bit 352 kHz sampling frequencies.

But Morten Lindberg and his label 2l.no also think in terms of offering maximum quality and formats to satisfy the most demanding of listeners. This album features “YULE”:

• The blu-ray and SACD combo:
  • SACD stereo and 5.1
  • Blu-ray :
    • 5.1 DTS-HD MA 24/192kHz
    • 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos 48kHz
    • 2.0 LPCM 24/192kHz
    • 7.1.4 Auro-3D 96kHz
    • BDROM version in stereo FLAC 24/196.4kHz, MQA FLAC 24 bits 44.1 kHz (352.8 kHz in MQA), MP3

• The vinyl record

The album is also available in the downloading formats: all formats present on the blu-ray plus 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos ADM (Master), 7.1.4 in wav format in 24 bit 88.2 kHz and also in DXD 24 bit 352.8 kHz.

This album is the celebration of Yule in Northern Europe harks back to a transition from ancient Pagan Germanic culture to the more formal spirituality of the newer Christian rite.
On this album the two traditions sit side by side, creating a matrix where acappella voices meet improvising instruments in a synthesis of secular and sacred.

Many albums have been produced with this creative spirit, and you’ll find them on the 2l.no website, and I’ll be testing others soon. I think you’ve found your favorite format in this exceptional choice for an audiophile album.

For this test, I’ll keep things reasonable by testing just 9 versions: Stereo FLAC 24/196.4kHz DTS HDMA 7.1 24/96 (with Auro3d not decoded) Dolby Atmos TrueHD CD layer fom SACD SACD stereo SACD 5.1 Vinyl record, Tidal Stereo Tidal Dolby Atmos

Below you will find the description of the different editions, as well as the measurements of each edition in the following chapters.

The album is composed of 18 tracks:

1. Det hev ei rosa sprunge
2. Josefines julesalme
3. Nowell, nowell
4. Lussinatti lange
5. I denne søte juletid (instrumental)
6. Bereden väg för Herran
7. Coventry Carol
8. En stjärna gick på himlen fram
9. Lux
10. Lullay, lullay- As I lay
11. In dulci jubilo
12. Det kimer nu til julefest (instrumental)
13. Veni redemptor gentium – Världens frälsare kom här
14. Frå Betlehem eit gjetord gjeng
15. There is No Rose
16. Gläns över sjö och strand
17. En jungfru födde ett barn idag
18. Hodie Christus natus est

Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Blu-ray ROM stereo – 2024

Presentation

This is the FLAC 24-bit 176.4 kHz (BDROM) version of the blu-ray included in the blu-ray/SACD combo (ref: 2L-180-SABD).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the Blu-ray ROM shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the stereo version of blu-ray shows that the signal goes up to 22 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 176 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

Similar to the stereo version of SACD, this version in FLAC 24-bit 176.4 kHz format is fine and very open. The difference in rendering with the SACD version is generally due to the difference in DAC processing between the PCM digital format and the DSD64 format.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : “Bereden väg för Herran” 24 bits 176.4 kHz:

Ed 2: Blu-ray DTS HDMA Auro3D 7.1 – 2024

Presentation

This is the DTS HDMA Auro3D 7.1 track of the blu-ray included in the blu-ray/SACD combo (ref: 2L-180-SABD).

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the Blu-ray DTS HDMA 7.1 shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR12.

The spectrogram of the 7.1 version of blu-ray shows that the signal goes up to 24 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is no signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 96 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

The DTS HDMA 7.1 version is a high-resolution version, with Auro3D encoding (not decoded for listening). Here we find beautiful spatialization (a little more precise than the 5.1 version) and fine sound rendering.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Spatialization: ●●●●o (4.6)
• Restitution: ●●●●● (5)

Sample : “Bereden väg för Herran” 7.1 24 bits 96 kHz:

The sample is in 7.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and “Save Audio As…” and play it with an external player.

Ed 3: Blu-ray Dolby Atmos TrueHD – 2024

Presentation

This is the Dolby Digital TrueHD Atmos track of the blu-ray included in the blu-ray/SACD combo (ref: 2L-180-SABD).

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the Blu-ray Atmos shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the Atmos downmixed in 7.1 version of blu-ray shows that the signal goes down to 24 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is no signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

The Dolby Atmos version is based on the original 7.1.4 version (but with a sampling frequency limited to 48 kHz), which reproduces the spatialization captured during recording. You can hear the volume of the room and the natural rendering of voices and instruments. It’s a true sound experience.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●●●●o (8.9)
• Restitution: ●●●●● (5)

Sample : “Bereden väg för Herran” 7.1 Dolby Atmos (Downmixed in 7.1) :

The sample is in 7.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and “Save Audio As…” and play it with an external player.

Sample 2 : “Lussinati lange” 7.1 Dolby Atmos (Downmixed in 7.1) :

The sample is in 7.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and “Save Audio As…” and play it with an external player.

Ed 4: CD layer from SACD – 2024

Presentation

This is the CD layer of the SACD included in the blu-ray/SACD combo (ref: 2L-180-SABD).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the CD layer shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the stereo cd layer shows that the signal goes down to 22 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is no signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

La couche CD peut sembler moins douce dans le haut du spectre, cela vient souvent du traitement interne du DAC. La version SACD apporte plus d’ouverture et de naturel.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : “Bereden väg för Herran” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed 5: SACD stereo – 2024

Presentation

This is the stereo track of the SACD included in the blu-ray/SACD combo (ref: 2L-180-SABD).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the SACD shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram below represents the SACD. The yellow arrow shows that the signal rises well above 20 kHz. We also find the characteristic noise of DSD64 beyond 30 kHz (white arrow).

Synthesis and listening

As is often the case, the SACD version stands out for its slightly softer treble rendering. This is often due to the difference in DAC processing between PCM and DSD64 signals. Very nice rendering on this medium.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : “Bereden väg för Herran” 24 bits 176.4 kHz:

Ed 6: SACD 5.1 – 2024

Presentation

This is the 5.1 track of the SACD included in the blu-ray/SACD combo (ref: 2L-180-SABD).

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the SACD 5.1 shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram below represents the SACD in 5.1. The yellow arrow shows that the signal rises well above 20 kHz. We also find the characteristic noise of DSD64 beyond 30 kHz (white arrow).

Synthesis and listening

As is often the case, the SACD version stands out for its slightly softer treble rendering. This is often due to the difference in DAC processing between PCM and DSD64 signals. Very fine rendering on this medium, with a beautiful 5.1 spatialization that pays homage to the original recording.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Spatialization: ●●●●o (3.9)
• Restitution: ●●●●● (5)

Sample : “Bereden väg för Herran” 5.1 24 bits 88.2 kHz:

The sample is in 5.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and “Save Audio As…” and play it with an external player.

Ed 7: Vinyl record – 2024

Presentation

The album is presented on a double 180g vinyl disc in 45RPM. It contains 15 of the 18 tracks available digitally (ref:2L-180-LP45).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the vinyl record shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The graph of the spectrogram of the vinyl recod show that the frequencies of the audio signal rise above 20 kHz (yellow arrow). The signal above 20 kHz (white arrow) is due to the signal present above 20 kHz and to the distortion caused by the vinyl playback principle.

Synthesis and listening

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●●o (4.5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : “Bereden väg för Herran” 24 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 8: Tidal stereo – 2024

Presentation

The Tida stereo version is présented in 16 bits 44.1 kHz.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of theTidal stereo version shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the Tidal stereo version shows that the signal goes down to 22 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is no signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency used.

Synthesis and listening

The Tidal Stereo version is very similar to the CD layer version of SACD.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : “Bereden väg för Herran” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed 9: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024

Presentation

This is the Tidal Dolby Atmos presented in Dolby Digital Plus or AC-4 (link).

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of theTidal Dolby Atmos version shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram of the Dolby Atmos track downmixed in stereo is limited to 20kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above (white arrow). This limitation is due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding, which is a lossy encoder that limits bandwidth to optimize data size for a bit rate of 768 kbits/s.

Synthesis and listening

The Tidal Dolby Atmos version, with Dolby Digital Plus compression at 768 kbits/s, is no match for the Dolby Digital TrueHD version, which is much finer in terms of sound reproduction and spatialization.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●●●●o (8.8)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : “Bereden väg för Herran” 7.1 Dolby Atmos (Downmixed in 7.1) :

The sample is in 7.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and “Save Audio As…” and play it with an external player.

Morten Lindberg succeeds in conveying all the emotion of the “YULE” album, plunging us right into the heart of the music. Everything is done to bring out the best in the technical side of things, with the use of the DXD format in 7.1.4 and a recording without mixing or effects, but all this technical mastery is forgotten as we immerse ourselves in the music with a naturalness (whether on vocals or instruments) and a realism that’s astounding, really immersing us in the place where the recording took place. If you can listen to version 7.1.4, it will bring you the most complete immersion, but it should also be noted that the downmixes are also very successful and respect the original recording. An experience worth discovering. I’ll soon be testing another album in a different style, also recorded in 7.1.4 by Morten Lindberg.

Morten Lindberg réussit à transmettre toute l’émotion de l’album « YULE », nous plongeant au cœur de la musique. Tout est fait pour que la technique soit au top, avec l’utilisation du format DXD en 7.1.4 et un enregistrement sans mixage ni effets, mais toute cette maîtrise technique est oubliée tant on s’immerge dans la musique avec un naturel (que ce soit au niveau des voix ou des instruments) et un réalisme époustouflants, nous plongeant réellement dans le lieu où l’enregistrement a eu lieu. Si vous pouvez écouter la version 7.1.4, elle vous apportera l’immersion la plus complète, mais il faut aussi noter que les downmix sont également très réussis et respectent l’enregistrement original. Une expérience à découvrir. Je testerai prochainement un autre album dans un style différent, également enregistré en 7.1.4 par Morten Lindberg.

Dynamic Range measurements and spectra are shown below.

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Measurements

Dynamic Range comparaisons

Dynamic represents the ability to reproduce a wide range of sounds from the softest to the loudest. The target is to compare the dynamics of the music and not of the media (CD, digital files or vinyl).

For our 9 editions reviewed have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :

	Blu-ray ROM stereo – 2024	Blu-ray DTS HDMA Auro3D 7.1 – 2024	Blu-ray Dolby Atmos TrueHD – 2024	CD layer from SACD – 2024	SACD stereo – 2024	SACD 5.1 – 2024	Vinyl record – 2024	Tidal stereo – 2024	Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024
Global	DR13	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR12	DR13	DR13
Min	DR12	DR11	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR13
Max	DR15	DR17	DR18	DR15	DR15	DR17	DR16	DR15	DR17
Det hev ei rosa sprunge	DR14	DR11	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR11	DR14	DR13
Josefines julesalme	DR14	DR14	DR15	DR14	DR14	DR14	DR12	DR15	DR14
Nowell, nowell	DR12	DR11	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR12	DR13	DR13
Lussinatti lange	DR14	DR17	DR18	DR15	DR15	DR17	DR16	DR13	DR17
I denne søte juletid (instrumental)	DR15	DR11	DR13	DR13	DR14	DR12	DR14	DR13	DR13
Bereden väg för Herran	DR14	DR11	DR13	DR12	DR12	DR13	DR11	DR14	DR13
Coventry Carol	DR13	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR13		DR14	DR14
En stjärna gick på himlen fram	DR13	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR12	DR11	DR14	DR13
Lux	DR13	DR11	DR13	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR11	DR13	DR13
Lullay, lullay- As I lay	DR14	DR13	DR14	DR14	DR14	DR13	DR13	DR12	DR14
In dulci jubilo	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR14	DR13
Det kimer nu til julefest (instrumental)	DR12	DR14	DR14	DR14	DR14	DR13	DR13	DR12	DR14
Veni redemptor gentium – Världens frälsare kom här	DR13	DR14	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR13		DR13	DR12
Frå Betlehem eit gjetord gjeng	DR13	DR13	DR15	DR14	DR14	DR14	DR13	DR13	DR15
There is No Rose	DR13	DR11	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR12		DR13	DR13
Gläns över sjö och strand	DR13	DR13	DR14	DR14	DR14	DR14	DR13	DR13	DR15
En jungfru födde ett barn idag	DR14	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR12	DR14	DR13
Hodie Christus natus est	DR13	DR12	DR14	DR14	DR14	DR14	DR12	DR13	DR14

As a reminder, the scale goes from 0 to more 20, but the dynamics are considered good from 12, quite good between 10 and 11, and deteriorate below 10.

Spectrum comparisons

The graph below compares the spectrum of the SACD stereo – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Blu-ray ROM stereo – 2024 (blue curve).The two spectra overlap perfectly up to 25 kHz, but beyond this frequency, the noise level rises again for the SACD (yellow arrow), due to the DSD64 principle used.

The graph below represents the spectrum of the Blu-ray DTS HDMA Auro3D 7.1 – 2024.
All channels are used (with the exception of the bass channel for this extract) with a similar level, highlighting the recording in the center of the orchestra, as confirmed by the spatialization. Frequencies rise above 20 kHz.

The graph below represents the spectrum of the Blu-ray Dolby Atmos TrueHD – 2024.
All channels are used (with the exception of the bass channel for this extract) with a similar level, highlighting the recording in the middle of the orchestra, as confirmed by the spatialization. The maximum frequency is 24 kHz, due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency used with Dolby Digital TrueHD Atmos.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the CD layer from SACD – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Blu-ray ROM stereo – 2024 (blue curve).The two spectra overlap perfectly up to 18 kHz due to the dithering used for the conversion, with a maximum frequency of 22 kHz for the CD layer due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency used.

The graph below represents the spectrum of the SACD 5.1 – 2024.
All channels are used (with the exception of the bass channel for this extract) with a similar level, highlighting the recording in the center of the orchestra, as confirmed by the spatialization.Above 25 kHz, the noise level increases for SACD (yellow arrow), due to the DSD64 principle used.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Vinyl record – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Blu-ray ROM stereo – 2024 (blue curve).The two curves overlap perfectly from 180 Hz to 8 kHz. Above 8 kHz (yellow zone), the level is higher for the vinyl record, due to the media noise. Below 180 Hz (green zone), the vinyl record has a level 2 dB higher than the digital version.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the CD layer from SACD – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Tidal stereo – 2024 (blue curve).The two curves overlap perfectly when using the same original master.

The graph below represents the spectrum of the Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2024.
All channels are used (with the exception of the bass channel for this extract) with a similar level, highlighting the recording in the middle of the orchestra, as confirmed by the spatialization.The yellow arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 20 kHz due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding. The white arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 24 kHz due to encoding at the 48 kHz sampling frequency used.

Detail of the ratings :

• Dynamic :
  1. Significant dynamic compression, DR less than 7
  2. Compression of the present dynamics, DR between 7 and 9.
  3. Correct piece DR >=10
  4. No dynamic compression (DR >12), dynamic rendering
  5. No dynamic compression, high DR and very dynamic sound rendering
• Spectrum :
  1. Spectrum cut and less than 15 khz
  2. Spectrum cut at 15 khz
  3. Spectrum not conforming to the original and cut (not HD) or original but limited bandwidth (but less than 20 kHz)
  4. Spectrum conforming to the original (but not HD)
  5. Spectrum conforming to the original with HD resolution (higher than 24kHz)
• Surface noise (only for vinyl):
  1. Continuous audible noise
  2. Audible surface noise except on passages with a high level of noise
  3. Reduced surface noise, barely audible on low level crossings
  4. Low surface noise, very good quality
  5. Very low surface noise, no defects, almost inaudible on the quiet passages (exceptional disc)
• Spatialization :
  • Between 0 and 5 for 5.1 or 7.1 channels configuration
  • Between 0 and 10 for Atmos configuration (7.1.4)
  • For more information on spatialization, you can read the article describing this parameter here.
• Restitution :
  1. Low quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  2. Average quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  3. Quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Good record.
  4. High quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Very high level disc.
  5. Maximum quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Exceptional disc.

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