25 Apr
2010
25 Apr
'10
1:50 a.m.
On Saturday 24 April 2010 04:37:57 Jörn Nettingsmeier wrote:
yes, and in fact for higher frequency signals it is generally understood in
psycho-acoustics that we distinguish location more by level differences (due
to masking of the head) than by phase differences, as the latter have become
quite irrelevant, as the wavelength of these higher frequency is generally
much smaller than our ears are apart from each other. OTOH, the high frequency
waves have a harder time bending around our heads, and thus create level
differences based on whether the sound source is to the left or right of us.
Even just
saying "our ear drums" are
vibrating is a gross oversimplification as ear pinnae-shape actually acts
as a directional-filter, that in conjuntion with cognitive processes,
allow us to locate the position of sound. This positioning is extremely
phase and timing dependent.
thanks for this lecture on the basics of binaural perception ;) > Humans can potentially locate sound sources to
within 10 degrees of arc,
> even with complex reflections and reverberations taking place.
reflections actually help us to perceive distance of sound sources :)
and they can also do that in artificially (re-)created
sound fields made
of digital signals sampled at 16 khz or less. also in the presence of
significant phase distortion.
you are welcome to drop by whenever you're in europe and hear for
yourself. which should demonstrate that you are mixing lines of argument
which should be kept separate.
The only argument for rolling of high frequencies when mastering would be that
it makes the eventual sound less sharp and sound more warm... something that
we have gotten used to from vinyl and mastering on tape. Many listeners may
find it more pleasant to listen to.
sincerely,
Marije