It's been a very busy week here at AIX Records, my small audiophile DVD-Audio/Video label. I can only attribute the upsurge to the enthusiasm of the readers of this forum for the increase in web traffic and online sales. As the founder and chief engineer of AIX Records, I would like to thank this group and introduce myself and my organization.

My name is Mark Waldrep and I am the owner of a new 2004 White Acura TL with manual 6-spd transmission. My previous Acura, a 1992 Legend Coupe, had 210,000 miles and it was time for a change...an upgrade in both the method of transportation and the audio system. Elliot Scheiner is an acquaintance of mine and I knew the DVD-Audio equipped ACURA TL was coming. Panasonic, Elliot and WB Records licensed a track of mine for use on the demo disc (Track 12 - Zephyr) and I attended the rollout back in New York during the Audio Engineering Convention.

I am also the founder and chief engineer of AIX Records. My DVD production company, AIX Media Group, was the first authoring and compression facility in the country to produce a DVD-Video disc back in March of 1997...for 5 days, we owned 100% of the DVD software business (until WB entered the picture a few days later!). As a musician and engineer (my Ph.D. is in music and I have also an M.S. degree in computer science), the new DVD-Audio format was something that I had anticipated for a long time. Rather than continuing to be a service bureau for the movie companies, AIX Records was formed to take advantage of the new high-resolution DVD-Audio format. But, instead of re-hashing older audio master tapes that are almost uniformly "low-resolution" into 5.1 mixes, I decided somebody had to use the new state-of-the-art equipment to record NEW sessions with live musicians. That's what AIX Records does....and so much more.

I'm absolutely passionate about music. I love many different types of music from Monteverdi and Bach to Paul Smith, 311 and The Rolling Stones (all musicians/groups that I've had some relationship with). Being a small company, we have recorded lessor known artists but have done so in a very unusual but no-compromise manner. Our sessions are done "live" without an audience on a single afternoon. There are no lengthy overdubbing sessions, we use no EQ or artificial reverberation and we do no compress or limit the natural dynamic range of our tracks. For these reasons and several others, the pure sound of the music comes through in a way that eclipses actually being at a live performance...it's better than reality! In addition, we videotape the session, offer interviews, music minus one tracks, printable leadsheets, guitar lessons and extensive liner notes on each disc...after all, the DVD format includes the potential for lots of multimedia!

We deal with a select group of customers that seek out the "best of the best" and deliver our titles directly to them through our web site. It's been a word of mouth business so far and happily continues to grow every month thanks to forums such as this one and fans that aren't shy about letting their friends know about AIX. The philosophy is based on producing products of exceptional quality and slowly letting the reputation spread. So far so good...

So I just wanted to express my honest appreciation to this group and let you know that I'm very reachable and open to suggestions and feedback. If anyone wants my opinion on what I recommend on our label...I've got my favorites.

I apologize if this comes across as a sales pitch...I just wanted to let you know that I've discovered your community and am quite happy to be a small part of it.

Regards,

Mark Waldrep, Ph.D.
AIX Records

 

Mark, recently I was introduced to your fine products by someone on this forum. I wanted to personally thank you for producing the finest sounding recordings I have listened to so far in my new TL. I ordered 2 of your disc's, and also received the free sampler and I just can't say how impressed I am not only with your recordings, but the sound of the TL's audio system. While I realize it's made to a price point, and as such is not perfect, but using your disc's, I am getting some of the finest sound I have ever heard in a car. Thanks for everything, and I plan on ordering more music in the near future. Any recommendations? I got the Nitty Gritty and Acoustic Blues recordings, and I like them both...so any other titles you think I might enjoy would be appreciated.

 

Thanks for your compliments...I'm glad you enjoy listening to AIX DVDs. Even after mixing and mastering them for months, I still load up TL changer with my products for the ride back and forth to my home.

As for recommendations, here's a couple of thoughts (BTW - I am a guitarist myself...so I have some bias):

Laurence Juber - Guitar Noir - rated the "best of the best" by DVD Etc. magazine
AIX Allstars - Surrounded by Christmas - really a jazz record by some extraordinary players
The Latin Jazz Trio - with Luis Conte, David Garfield and David Carpenter is great trio jazz
Bad Haggis - Celtic/Latin/Rock Fusion - a really unusual sound but a new favorite
Surf City Allstars - I Get Surround - for those who remember Jan & Dean and surf music...this is our newest title, having only just arrived from the plant. Think Beach Boys harmonies, Surfaris guitar twang and Hot Rod songs plus everything you always wanted to know about Dean Torrence.

Today, I'm mixing the new Paul Williams DVD...a great treat to work with one of the truely great songwriters of our time. The duet with Willie Nelson of "Rainbow Connection" is amazing!

I really love making these DVDs...it's for people like you that can reallly connect with music. Music is so incredible...it's a shame that engineering and production have almost destroyed the sound of real music-making!

Thanks again.

 

Mark,

I finally got the new Surf City All Star Band DVD. It is fantastic. I went for a long ride in the TL on Sunday and listened to the dvd five times. Each time I listened to it I heard nuances that I missed the previous times. This dvd shows how really good the sound system is in the TL. I was ready to give up on cds and dvds and settle for XM until I heard your dvd.

Not everyone will appreciate the surfin' music but, those of us who grew up in the 50's and 60's still love it. If only your technology had been around back then..... Dean actually sounds better than Arnie Ginsberg.

The sound quality of your dvd is so much better than the other Audio DVDs that I have purchased. I will be buying more shortly.

I still can figure out how to play your sampler. It works in the video dvd player in the house but I only get the classical selections in the TL.

 

Jamad, the classical selections are in group 1, to get to the next group of selections you have to push and hold the rpt and scan buttons under the tape player.

 

Thanks for the very generous comments Jamad...I let the XM subscription expire on my service. I listen to the FM radio or more often than not, one of my own releases. I took my kid for a ride the other day (a punk rocker bass player) and played him the Bad Haggis disc. He had made fun of the comment on the back of the package "cutting edge Celtic/Latin fusion music". After he heard it, his attitude was much different...the sound in the car is amazing. I especially like the impact of the dynamic range when recording drums and percussion.

Again, thanks. We're always working on new stuff...

Mark Waldrep, Ph.D.

 

Mark
Since purchasing my 2004 TL, I have purchased more than 100 DVD-As, including a couple from your library. I even upgraded my home sound system to play DVD-A because of my increased music appreciation. I supply this background to emphasize my interest in the continuation and growth of DVD-A. Would you care to opine as to the future of DVD-A? There are a lot of naysayers out there. Perhaps you have some unique insight to offer us.

 

I'm certainly involved in the production of DVD-Audio discs and you're quite right that I know a lot of the people in the community interested in the success of the format. So what I offer here is only my opinion and should not be taken as any official.

AIX Records and other much larger companies are commited to the success of the format. Because it is so intimately tied to the DVD-Video branding, I am firmly convinced that it will continue to grow...after all the installed base and current focus on automobile systems (the TL obviously and others coming!) is expanding rapidly. What is not expanding rapidly enough is software worthy of the new hardware.

The music industry has it's sights on things like iTunes and standard CDs. Until the artists, producers and most importantly the consumers demand better sound than AAC or MP3 files and 5.1 channel surround sound, they format may continue to be a niche. It may always be a niche...but I'm content with my little corner of the business.

I absolutely believe in making products that customers will immediately recognize as being made for the love of the music rather than for purely profit. It's working for AIX. Everyday, I receive comments from people all over the world marveling at the quality of the sound and the amount of interactive bonus extras...the products that I sweat long hours over are the kinds of products that the record industry will eventually HAVE to create. Everything else will be delivered via a network...wireless or otherwise. Give people a great product and success is assured.

My advice is to spread the word...demand products of the highest quality and drag your family and friends along on long drives while you play them Laurence Juber or Bad Haggis...they'll get it once they've heard it!

Thanks for the bandwidth.