Direct Interview with Artists!　What audio products do you use to create music?　Part 2: Sasaki Saka

Many people have the impression that artists are particular about their instruments, but not so much about the audio equipment they use to play them. However, there are probably a few people who think that artists are not so particular about audio equipment, which is the environment in which music is played back. However, since these people have always loved music and have become professionals because of their love of music, they must in fact be very particular about their audio equipment. We will talk in detail about their choice of audio products and how they use them because they are artists.

This time's guest, Sasaki Saka (Sasaki), is an anime song artist who made her debut with "Hoshisai no Ripieno," the opening theme song for the second half of the TV anime "Fighting Librarian: The Book of Bantorra," and since then has sung many anime and game songs. In addition to having created two full-length albums to date, in March 2015 she released an ani-song cover album entitled "SAYAKAVER." with the theme of "a world-standard cover album dedicated to all ani-song fans. Furthermore, the soundtrack of the "SAYAKAVER.LIVE 01" live performance held to commemorate the release of "SAYAKAVER." has also been released for limited distribution.

In this way, Sasaki, who has been active as an ani-song artist since her debut, has recently released several high-resolution sound sources, and has introduced "AK Jr" as her portable player. In addition to checking out her own sound sources, she now enjoys the latest high-resolution sound sources themselves.

─ ─ What made you choose Astell&Kern's "AK Jr" among various high-resolution DAPs (digital audio players)?

Sasaki: Actually, Junnosuke Sato of iWill, a music producer, is directing the sound for my music, and he is very knowledgeable about audio, so I chose this one based on his recommendation.

So you chose this one because of its sound quality.

Sasaki: Of course the sound quality was important, but I think he also considered the ease of use. When I actually started using it, it was a compact size that even a girl could easily hold, and its operation was easy to understand.

─ I heard that you started using it only this year.

Sasaki: I had always been interested in high-resolution sound sources, but when my album "SAYAKAVER." was released in high-resolution format, it added to my interest and increased demand. I also thought it was not good that the artists who are releasing the high-res version do not have the environment (the same portable environment as yours) to listen to the high-res version. So, I decided to get the "AK Jr.

─ After you got it, did you unify your portable playback environment with "AK Jr"?

Sasaki: No. I still use my "iPhone" when I check out music for work or practice for live performances. Generally speaking, I use my "iPhone" for work instead of a PC when I am out and about, and "AK Jr" for my hobbies. When I want to enjoy music as a music fan, I definitely use AK Jr. However, I listen to high-resolution sound sources in general with "AK Jr," so I don't strictly distinguish between the two.

─ How do you like the new system?

Sasaki: High-resolution is great (laughs). I listen to my own songs, of course, but I also listen to other people's songs in high-resolution (if they have been released in high-resolution versions). It is easier to get a richer expression, or a worldview across. I think it's because the sound is able to convey even the smallest details, and I really enjoy listening to it.

───It seems that you like it a lot, doesn't it?

Sasaki: Yes, quite a bit (laughs). Actually, I have used various types and grades of earphones and headphones, from genuine "iPhone" headphones to overhead monitor headphones, but I have never used "AK Jr" as a stand-alone monitor headphone (I currently use "ULT" headphones). I was surprised that the "AK Jr." by itself could make the monitor headphones (the "ULTRASONE HFI-580" is currently being used) sound well. It is amazing for such a small body (laughs). In that respect, too, it has been of great help to us.

──Did anything change for the artist Sasaki Saka as a result of the introduction of the high-resolution environment?

Sasaki: Yes, my feelings or awareness toward music has changed a lot. With high-resolution, I can clearly feel even the sound of breathing. I have to be more careful when recording because I can feel even the most detailed sounds (laugh), but I am now more enthusiastic because I want to deliver a better product to everyone who listens so attentively.

───Aside from that, has having a high-resolution environment at hand changed anything else?

Sasaki: Listening to a variety of music has changed my perception of high-resolution sound sources. I had thought that high-resolution music would be best suited for music with a lot of notes, high speed, and sharpness, but when I actually listened to the music, I found that even acoustic music with few notes has a good quality of high-resolution that is fully enhanced. Also, with an album like "SAYAKAVER.", where each song has a different arranger, the characteristics of each song, or rather the differences in arrangement, are very clear, and I found it very interesting, even though it is my own album! I felt that it was very interesting. High-resolution is great (laughs). I would like to continue to enjoy it both publicly and privately. I hope you will also enjoy the wonderfulness of high-resolution music with "SAYAKAVER." and "SAYAKAVER.LIVE 01" (laughs).

(Interview and text by Kenji Nomura)

<Sasaki Saka's profile

Sasaki Saka won the Grand Prix at the "3rd All Japan Animation Song Grand Prix" and made her debut with "Hoshisai no Ripieno," the theme song for the second season OP of the TV anime "Fighting Librarian: The Book of Bantorra. In addition to her overwhelming singing ability, she also showed a glimpse of her talent by writing both the lyrics for her debut single "Hoshisai no Ripieno" and its cover and background music. Since their debut, they have participated in many major festivals such as Yokohama Arena and Saitama Super Arena, etc. In February 2011, they held a one-man live concert, the culmination of the first anniversary of their debut. In 2012 and 2013, they will hold solo tours with their 1st and 2nd albums. They are also active overseas. They sang the ED theme song "Zzz" for the popular anime "Nichijo" (Everyday Life), the OP theme song for the TV anime "Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai. In May 2013, she released her 2nd album "Daybreaker" and also sings the ED theme song for the TV anime "GARO" which will be broadcast from October 2014. The album "SAYAKAVER" was released in May 2013.

Live 01" album
Label: Lantis / Available from September 2, 2015

<Tracks

The Biggest Dreamer
02.DISCOTHEQUE
sakura
Flame of Treasure
05.connect
Snow halation
Anything Goes!
08.Can Do
LEVEL5-judgelight
10.JUST COMMUNICATION