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RE: Recording technique - microphones and playback systems - Trying to maintain a waveform fidelity.

Posted by BigguyinATL on August 22, 2014 at 13:54:55:
Spaced omni microphones in a decent recording studio - supplemented by some near field M-S oriented mics near piano and other percussion that can be spaced and time aligned with the omni-mains. Gives you the best ability to decode a relevant waveform reference, and maintain the ability to steer (somewhat rationally) signals and ambiance into the production.
Then a time coherent loudspeaker at least in the 250-3000 Hz range - provided 1st reflection energy is down 10dB or so - can give you a somewhat decent wave form on the reproduction side.

What is really interesting though is all that seems to not really be necessary for the illusion to congeal in our minds. Since the majority of recordings are not made with that in mind, and even some of the most recommended audiophile recordings are engineers creations of events and performances recorded in various times and places, we can throw out that requirement. And likewise the need for time aligned loudspeakers. Yes they are magic, my first listen to ESL57, Vandersteen 2C, DQ10 all threw the "image" easily - but so do my MMG's and my old Advents.

Although, there is one aspect of sound reproduction systems that is critical AND required: You have to have confidence that the system will do it! That is why I think we fall into a bit of "snobishness" here in the Asylum. If you've invested time and more time into your own system - critically listening, and you move to a lesser system, for example - a MP3 data stream, bluetoothed into a sound bar. You probably won't hear the magic. But another listener just might!

Over the years I've sold and/or set up 100's of systems for folks - and I can pretty much guaranty with the right recording it will be perceived as "real" by the owners - with just a few exceptions. Sometimes it just setting the stage for them. Other times just balancing the system with instrumentation, builds that level of confidence.