Treble Clef Audio : Our ‘Authentic’ Standard

Treble Clef Audio® and our Sound by Design® principles exist to recreate an authentic sound experience through loudspeakers in environments beyond the original recording. Our loudspeakers are designed to emulate natural sound behaviour by imitating complex dispersion patterns from a sound source. In addition, Treble Clef Audio® Loudspeakers contributes no sound character of its own, avoiding colouration which particularly affects bass frequencies. The loudspeakers neutrality and natural behaviour as a sound source are hallmark features of Treble Clef Audio®. Read more here.

To us, authentic means - as the musicians, the producer, and the recording engineer originally intended and perceived their work. While our definition of authentic is ultimately subjective, achieving this illusion demands intense and precise research, science, and engineering.

A test of authenticity to our standard requires talented and experienced musicians along with a producer and recording engineer in a creative, inspiring, and technically superb studio environment to create a reference work of art. These music creators must subsequently evaluate and judge their work for authenticity as reproduced by our loudspeakers in another room – not an easily arranged subjective test to conduct, but the most authoritative one we can imagine!

A Unique Recording at the Renowned Rudy Van Gelder Studio

On May 19th, 2024, Treble Clef Audio® had the great privilege and pleasure of JOE LOVANO (GRAMMY-WINNING SAXOPHONIST, COMPOSER AND PRODUCER, ECM RECORDING ARTIST), SAM YAHEL, and KRESTEN OSGOOD recording their trio at the "Most Storied Studio in Jazz": the Rudy Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA. Today the studio is owned and operated by resident Engineer, MAUREEN SICKLER who recorded our session and many well-known ones in the history of jazz. We were also joined by Maureen’s husband, DON SICKLER (award-winning producer) who shared some of the amazing history of the Rudy Van Gelder Studio. The stories of renowned musicians recording countless well-known jazz albums at the studio are awe-inspiring for anyone who loves jazz and appreciates the studio’s legacy of clear sound since 1959.

During an eight-and-half-hour long, wonderfully creative and inspiring day, thirteen pieces were recorded. The trio then listened to all thirteen pieces, choosing five to test the authenticity and dynamic capabilities of the TCA-M Active Loudspeakers. After a busy day recording, we were grateful and honoured to have Maureen Sickler produce a rough mix with input from the musicians and Don Sickler to our selection of five pieces.

This mix was printed to high-resolution 24bit/96KHz digital files, ready to be presented and heard through the TCA-M Active Loudspeakers at an event the very next day, Monday 20th May 2024.

Putting Our Authentic Standard to the Test: North American launch of Treble Clef Audio® and our TCA-M Active Loudspeakers

The recordings from May 19th of five pieces were received from Maureen Sickler on May 20th, just prior to the inaugural event that day. Besides the staff and musicians at the Rudy Van Gelder Studio, no-one had heard the exclusive selection of music before.

With some nerves, we bravely put our Sound By Design® principles and patented acoustic platform to a public test. In New York City, on May 20th 2024, the North American launch of Treble Clef Audio® and our TCA-M Active Loudspeakers received an emotional reception from a mesmerised audience captivated by authentic sound.

The recording trio; JOE LOVANO, SAM YAHEL, and KRESTEN OSGOOD personally presented their five selected pieces replayed on the TCA-M Active Loudspeakers at the SoHo HiFi Artists Loft. The invited audience included lovers of music, design, and audio, as well as longtime audio journalist, Michael Fremer, who writes for Tracking Angle and The Absolute Sound publications. Having also accompanied the recording session at the Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Michael reflects on his experience here, featuring video clips and interviews from two eventful days of the NYCxDESIGN Festival 2024.

The presence of the trio members and their showcase of musical talent provided a stimulating environment for guests, leading to engaging discussions and insightful questions. The appreciation of cross-disciplinary fields in music, recording, and authentic Sound by Design® from the TCA-M Active Loudspeakers was received with great applause after each piece.

The North American launch during the NYCxDESIGN Festival 2024 was an exciting opportunity for Treble Clef Audio®️ to demonstrate the unique capabilities of our TCA-M Active Loudspeakers. After a memorable event and deeply moving experience, Team Treble Clef Audio expresses gratitude and admiration for all those involved who made it possible to showcase how our TCA-M Active Loudspeakers bring you closer to true musical performances.

Testimonials

"I was thrilled and honored to be a part of this first opportunity to introduce the Treble Clef Audio TCA-M Audio Design Loudspeakers in NYC. After recording an exclusive session for the purpose of this highly descriptive presentation by creator and founder Ole Siig, Kresten Osgood, Sam Yahel and myself spoke about the process of recording at the famed Rudy Van Gelder’s Studio and our views about its outcome. Listening to the captured music we created the day before through the TCA-M speakers was truly an EAR OPENING EXPERIENCE A MULTIDIMENSIONAL LIVE SWIRLING SOUND NEVER BEFORE HEARD OR FELT FILLED THE ROOM“

JOE LOVANO. GRAMMY-WINNING SAXOPHONIST, COMPOSER AND PRODUCER, ECM RECORDING ARTIST

“If heaven is made of sound, I visited it on may 19th and 20th. Listening to the way my drumming sounded in the Van Gelder studio with Maureen Sickler at the mixing board was an absolute thrill. Such clarity in the recording that it was almost textural. On the next day, hearing the mixed version on the TCA speakers was simply the best representation of my sound I have ever experienced on a recording. It was literally like being in the room at the drums while I was playing. As musicians we spend so much time perfecting our touch so we get the best acoustic sound on our instruments. So much time goes into working on that from all angles. During my 25+ year long career I have grown accustomed to the fact that my touch cannot be captured in the studio and is usually poorly represented on sound systems. I am not saying that all sound systems or recordings I have made sound bad..many are enjoyable but they are something else than what i am doing acoustically...and i have gotten used to that. So on may 20th when everything came together: amazing musicians, amazing studio, amazing engineer and amazing speakers I was in heaven.”

KRESTEN OSGOOD. DRUMMER, COMPOSER, MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, COMMUNICATOR

“This was my first time hearing these speakers and our recording from the Rudy Van Gelder Studio. I just had a microsecond when the drums came in on the track where I thought - who's playing drums in the room right now while we're trying to hear this music? - it was confusing to me - like oh that's us! The TCA-M is something different it does feel like somebody's playing in the room!”

SAM YAHEL. TOP SPOT IN DOWNBEAT’S INTERNATIONAL CRITICS POLL AS A TALENT DESERVING OF RECOGNITION

Visitors to The HiFi Artists Loft and Savant Experience Center Presentations:

"Sound, Superb. Design, niche. Materials, quality but a bit cold. Space, slick. Experience, welcoming, super impressive sound."

JOEL SEIGLE

"A Symphony of Elegance and Innovation: Treble Clef Audio's NYC Debut

When I first came across a video of Treble Clef Audio's speakers in New York, I knew I had to experience them in person. The visual allure of these speakers promised a harmonious blend of physical elegance, originality, and high-fidelity audio.

Walking into the listening session, I was welcomed by crisp bass notes that seemed to wrap around the corner of the hall. Drawn to the sound like a moth to a flame, I found myself in a room filled with smiles, hors d’oeuvres, and the sculptural source behind it all. The ambiance was as inviting as the sound was enthralling.

Not long after some initial introductions, my curiosity about the technical intricacies led me to the man of the hour, Ole Siig. Ole, the visionary behind these extraordinary speakers, thoroughly addressed my myriad questions. He delved into the years of meticulous research and innovation that birthed his patented air velocity transducer design, complemented by the steep filter which minimized distortion at crossover points and provided a perceivably even distribution of sound. His narrative spanned international collaborations and a persistence for acoustic perfection.

The auditory experience was nothing short of spectacular. Every nuance of my favorite jazz records, which Ole was kind enough to queue, was rendered with impeccable clarity. The detail and depth of sound were a testament to the groundbreaking technology within these speakers. Conversing with Ole and his network was a pleasure, revealing their genuine passion for audio technology and tales of experimenting with crossover networks back in the day.

Treble Clef Audio's debut was not just an event but a celebration of sound, design, and innovation. It was an experience that left an indelible mark, much like the exquisite soundscapes crafted by these remarkable speakers.”

CODY PANIAGUA - ACOUSTICIAN

TCA Private Music Vault

Below you can listen to excerpts of the Rudy Van Gelder Studio recordings from May 19th, 2024.

When you Signup to our Newsletter at the bottom of this page you won’t miss key events, where you can hear the authentic sound of the TCA-M Active Loudspeakers, new recordings and other notable Treble Clef Audio developments.

A Unique and Very Special Gift to Treasure.

Existing and new Treble Clef Audio® customers will receive a High-Resolution 24bit/96KHz Digital Master Copy of the mixed and mastered full Rudy Van Gelder Studio Recording Session with JOE LOVANO. GRAMMY-WINNER, ECM RECORDING ARTIST (Tenor, G Mezzo Soprano Saxophones, Gongs & Percussion), SAM YAHEL (Hammond Organ and Piano) and KRESTEN OSGOOD (Drums).

Producer: Kresten Osgood

Recording: Maureen Sickler, Rudy Van Gelder Studio

Mixing and Mastering: Thomas Vang, The Village Recording, Denmark

The Mixed and Mastered full recording session is expected to be available to our customers in late Q4 2024.

Treble Clef Audio® would like to thank Maureen and Don Sickler for hosting us at the Rudy Van Gelder Studio 19th May, 2024 for the eight-and-half-hour long recording session. The work Maureen and Don are doing to preserve and extend the legacy of the studio and the clear sounding jazz recording facilities is important!

We hope to be back to add more unique and inspiring recording sessions to the TCA PRIVATE MUSIC VAULT for sharing with our followers and customers.

It was a great honour and delightful surprise when Maureen and Don visited us the last day of the NYCxDESIGN Festival, hosted by the beautiful and impressive NYC Savant Experience Center.