Since 2021, Focal Naim America has pursued its “Mixed On Focal” initiative. The program consists of a series of playlists that showcase recordings mixed on Focal professional studio monitors (speakers). The goal is to deliver music in the manner in which the artist, mix engineer, producer, and record label originally intended — especially when played through Focal’s line of home hi-fi loudspeakers.
Earlier in 2024, Focal Naim announced 5 playlists that showcased music genres such as R&B, EDM, Hip Hop/Rap, and Rock music. For mid-2024, Focal Naim has released two new immersive audio (aka spatial audio) playlists, with songs “Mixed on Focal” pro monitors and some “Mastered with Focal” using the company’s flagship series of Utopia audiophile loudspeakers in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio (360RA).
The playlists are available to anyone with a subscription to Amazon Music HD, Apple Music or TIDAL. Listeners can hear the ‘spatial experience’ of immersive music via headphones or Dolby Atmos / 360RA speaker systems. Focal speakers are not required, but should deliver a musical experience closest to what the engineer intended.
Mixed on Focal Immersive Vol. 1
The “Mixed on Focal Immersive Vol. 1” features mix engineers Bobby Campbell, Nick “Squids” Squillante, Brad Smalling, and Robert Guzman. Focal professional monitors used for the immersive mixes include Trio11, Trio6, Solo6 and Alpha Evo.
The new “Mixed on Focal” immersive audio streaming playlists are available for Apple Music, TIDAL, and Amazon Music HD in Dolby Atmos format.
Mastered with Focal Immersive Vol. 1
The “Mastered with Focal Immersive Vol. 1” playlist features tracks mastered by Michael Romanowski of Coast Mastering in Berkley California, using Focal Stella Utopia EM and Utopia Diablo Evo Hi-Fi speakers. Marc Theriault of Montreal’s Le Lab Studios mastered tracks on Focal Trio11, Trio6, and Solo6 professional studio monitors.
The new “Mastered with Focal” immersive audio streaming playlist is available on Apple Music and Amazon Music HD for Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio formats. However, TIDAL no longer supports Sony 360 Reality Audio and the future of Sony 360 Reality Audio may be in doubt.
Tech Note: The Difference Between Mixing and Mastering
From Romain Vet, VP of Sales and Marketing at Focal Naim America: “The new immersive Focal playlists show off the incredible sound of Focal,…Today Focal offers two new playlists featuring almost 3 hours of immersive music to playback on Focal headphones or speakers—the same quality the songs were mixed or mastered with. Hi-Fi listeners and pro audio professionals will enjoy the variety and high-quality audio of music from artists including Fantastic Negrito, Bonnie Raitt, Alicia Keys, Sia, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Lyle Lovett, Prince, and many more.”
For more information: thefocalproexperience.com/mixedonfocal
Related Reading
