Here's the full text of the EMI announcment on SACD plans:


emi
News Release

EMI Announces Super Audio CD Releases

Following successful projects in Germany, UK and Belgium, EMI is to release a number of its major artists on Super Audio CD over coming months.

Initial plans see EMI releasing around 17 titles on Super Audio CD. Also, the record company is establishing a Super Audio CD production centre at its Abbey Road Recording Studios in London.

Artists currently in discussion for the first batch of releases include Geri Halliwell, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Beverley Knight, Coldplay, Joe Cocker, David Bowie, Pet Shop Boys, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney.


DSD comes to Abbey Road

At the heart of Super Audio CD is a new 1-bit recording system called Direct Stream Digital (DSD). This high-resolution recording and mastering technology enables record companies to release new productions, as well as re-releases that have been re-mastered from analogue and digital master tapes on Super Audio CD. A hybrid Super Audio CD disc can contain the same music in three different ways - a) high resolution stereo DSD, b) up to 5.1 channel surround DSD, plus c) a "regular" CD recording which can be played back on any standard CD player. The stereo and multichannel DSD recordings can possess separate mixes to suit each speaker configuration.

EMI's Abbey Road Studios installed its first DSD workstation in July this year, a Sonoma multichannel recorder, editor and mastering system, developed by Sony. This installation is part of the studio's continual drive for audio excellence at the cutting edge of sound recording.

-Ends-

August 2001

EMI Press Office contact:
Cathy Cremer - + 44 (0) 207 605 5430

SACD Format contact:
Bob Charlton - +44 (0) 207 559 9891