This record was created to demonstrate the sonic capabilities of the Compact Disc. Because of its extreme dynamic range, bandwidth, and clarity, this material is ideal for testing and evaluating audio systems. The selections of this disc offer the listener extraordinary examples of digital recording (jet plane takeoffs and landings, the Pacific ocean, pastoral settings, a helicopter landing, the human voice, trombones, the harpsichord, conga drums, and unusual instruments), digital processing (sounds spin through space, the male voice is transformed into growling lions, a trombone choir floats in a cathedral), and digital synthesis in its most advanced state (synthesized birds, gongs, percussion, bells, voices, plucked strings, imaginary creatures). The disc also includes an extensive test section that can aid in the fine tuning of audio systems. The sounds on this recording can be accurately reproduced only in the digital domain, therefore no analog recordings of this material will be available.