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HDCD - An Overview |
High Definition Compatible Digital® (HDCD®) is a
patented encode/decode process for delivering better audio quality on
CDs. HDCD has been used in the recording of more
than 5,000 CD titles, which include more than 250 Billboard Top 200
recordings and more than 175 GRAMMY® nominations, and account for well
more than 300 million CDs sold. (View a list of the HDCD Grammy nominees
in
1998,
1999,
2000, and
2001)
HDCD-encoded CDs can sound better because they are encoded with 20 bits
of real musical information, as compared with 16 bits for all other CDs.
HDCD overcomes the limitation of the 16-bit CD format by using a
sophisticated system to encode the additional 4 bits onto the CD while
remaining completely compatible with the existing CD format. HDCD
provides more dynamic range, a more focused 3-D soundstage, and
noticeably more natural vocal and musical timbre. With HDCD, you get more of
the body, depth, and emotion of the original performance—rather than
what is more typical which is a flatter, more "digital" imitation.
HDCD technology was originally developed by Keith Johnson and Pflash
Pflaumer, two preeminent technologists in the audio arena. In 1996, they
founded Pacific Microsonics, Inc. (PMI), a California-based audio
technology licensing company, in order to improve the quality of digital
audio recordings and playback while remaining compatible with
established digital formats.
If you would like to hear how good HDCD can sound, Keith Johnson also does recordings for Reference Recordings and you can obtain any of their HDCD CD's directly from their website if you wish.
For more info on HDCD click here and here.
You can also access a basic HDCD FAQ is here.
For some technical articles on HDCD here is a link. An article on HDCD mastering mixing, and recording is here. Another article on HDCD is here.
To date there are well over 5000 HDCD-encoded recordings available on CD. While these are by no means complete or up to date, as there are more being released every year, here are some useful links of HDCD listings you can explore:
- HDCD CDs - All Genres
- HDCD CDs - Classical
- HDCD CDs - Jazz
- HDCD CDs - Folk
- HDCD CDs - Blues
- HDCD CDs - Country
- HDCD CDs - Caribbean
- HDCD CDs - International
- HDCD CDs - Soundtracks
- HDCD CDs - New Age
HDCD's are encoded using either the Pacific Microsonics Model One or Model Two. It just so happens that these are also the best sounding A-D converters ever made. Plus they are also contain a superb D-A converter.
In September 2000, PMI was acquired by Microsoft for their intellectual property. At that point Euphonix was then licensed to continue manufacturing the Model Two and did so until some critical parts were no longer available, at which point which point manufacturing of the Model Two ceased. Fortunately enough spare parts were stockpiled so that the existing Model One's and Model Two's could be serviced well into the future. However the unfortunate fact at this point is that the only way to obtain a Model One or Model Two is either rent one or to attempt to purchase one on the used market. The only other alternative of course is to engage the services of one of the top recording or mastering engineers who are fortunate enough to have a Pacific Microsonics Model One or Model Two in their studio.
The reason that HDCD's continue to be released is that the Model One's and Model Two's are still being used by a good number of top recording and mastering engineers, and so (as of 2009) many releases are still being encoded with HDCD to this day. Some encoded CD's may not have the HDCD logo on the CD jacket, however if the HDCD indicator lights up on your HDCD-equipped CD player you then know that you are listening to an HDCD CD.