Direct to Disc (Crossfire album)

Direct to Disc is a live album by the jazz fusion group Crossfire, released in 1979. Its defining characteristic is its recording method: direct-to-disc.

In direct-to-disc recording, the audio signal is recorded directly onto a master lacquer disc, bypassing the use of magnetic tape. This process eliminates the generational loss and noise associated with tape-based recording. The performance is recorded live, in its entirety, with no possibility of editing or overdubbing. This requires precise performance and impeccable sound engineering, as any mistakes necessitate restarting the recording process from the beginning of the side.

The album's production aimed to capture the band's raw energy and sonic clarity. The direct-to-disc method emphasized the band's musicianship and the purity of the recording, creating a listening experience perceived by some as more immediate and dynamic compared to conventional recordings. Because of the limitations of the direct-to-disc process, the album represents a snapshot of a specific performance.