>
> Read the first part of thishttp://sound.westhost.com/dynamic-range.htm
> to understand why you need POWER!
>
LOL. Okay, shall I tear this one apart point by point? Nah, just a summary
then.
1. Studies and tests have shown that you can hear and identify sounds at a
lower level than the ambient noise floor. Our hearing is "discriminating"
and we are able to pick out sounds within the din of surrounding noise.
Otherwise, you'd never be able to converse in a bar!
2. Reference SPL. If you are listening to a recording of a piano solo, a
proper "soundscape" is one where the listener is positioned approximately 10
feet from the piano and the playback volume level should be set to provide
the same SPL to the listener as would be experienced if the listener were
actually sitting in the room with the piano at 10 foot distance. You DO NOT
set your playback level based on threshold volume level, but nominal level.
The majority of recording engineers will adjust a studio recording of a
standard rock band to provide the ambient spacial placement (reverb) to a
playback level similar to listening to an UNAMPLIFIED band at 20 feet.
Inotherwords, just loud enough that you have to strain to speak over, but
not yell.
3. Compression and perceived linearity. One would have to assume a fully
linear recording and playback configuration. A fully linear recording with
no dynamic range compression would be technically correct, but fails to take
into account the human ear's ability to adapt to changing volume levels in
the original environment. Just as our eyes adjust to changing light levels,
our hearing adjusts to changing sound levels. Furthermore, you have to take
into account the playback system. Amps and speakers are anything but linear.
Some expand the dynamic range, others compress the dynamic range. I cannot
think of ANY commercial recording in the last 15 years that didn't have some
form of dynamic compression applied. All rock albums are compressed and if
you looked at the dynamic range actually used, you'll see that it's an
extrememely rare album of any genre that has more than 18dB of total dynamic
range, with some as narrow as 2-3dB. Don't get me started on Movie audio,
though... grrrr
AG Ears
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